Driving down from Indy, any tips?

[Disney2013Girl]

We are driving from Fort Wayne to Wdw. Do it all the time because I hate to fly. We are leaving about 4 am stopping in Indy to drop the dogs at the place where we are boarding them (long story) then planning on stopping in North Atlanta. Homewood suites in Kennesaw . Staying on Hilton points. I think it would be a smart idea to get reservations ahead of time. Good luck and have fun.

Another Fort Wayner here. We're planning on leaving early-ish (5-6am) and driving through til south of Atlanta (Cordele, Georgia) for the night. I have family in Kennesaw and knew that I could make that leg of the trip in my sleep, so I pushed myself to get a little farther down the road. We're taking a side-trip to visit some friends near Tampa, so we're driving there next, but I think the trip can be totally do-able!

 

[Mbacherfhd]

We also live in Fishers. Our strategy the next time we make the drive is to start out at 4am. We plan to make it to either Lake City, Fl or Gainsville by 8pm. By driving most of the way on day one we will be about 2 hours from WDW and will be at the park when they open on day 2.

 

[thorphin]

I've seen a few posters suggest planning the hotel ahead of a time, but I am not seeing anyone explain why. Our plan is to drive until we get tired and then stop off at the first recognizeable chain we see. Seems better than stressing about traffic/construction uncertainty and trying to get somewhere specific when we really should be getting off the road and into a bed.

Who disagrees with me?

 

[DJT]

I've seen a few posters suggest planning the hotel ahead of a time, but I am not seeing anyone explain why. Our plan is to drive until we get tired and then stop off at the first recognizeable chain we see. Seems better than stressing about traffic/construction uncertainty and trying to get somewhere specific when we really should be getting off the road and into a bed.

Who disagrees with me?

I totally agree with you and this is exactly what we do. When we get tired, we are ready to stop. The last two times we have driven, we have made it to Kennesaw, GA, and stopped there for the night. We didn't plan it that way, it just worked out for us. The next morning we got up early (5:00 a.m.) and got on the road by 6:00. Very little Atlanta traffic to deal with that time of morning on a weekend.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I've seen a few posters suggest planning the hotel ahead of a time, but I am not seeing anyone explain why. Our plan is to drive until we get tired and then stop off at the first recognizeable chain we see. Seems better than stressing about traffic/construction uncertainty and trying to get somewhere specific when we really should be getting off the road and into a bed.

Who disagrees with me?

It depends.

This trip, we probably won't make reservations for the trip down and back. We're going in the off-season. We'll have three drivers, and we're leaving about 3 AM the day before our reservations. I don't want to be tied down to a specific stopping point. We'll stop anywhere from Tifton GA to Gainesville FL. That's an 150 mile and 2 1/2 hour spread. If we are tired in Tifton, we'll stop in Tifton. However, if we don't get tired we'll stop in Gainesville. We want to be at the World by noon on the second day, and the further we drive the first day, the closer we are to our goal.

However, we will make reservations if we think we might have problems getting a room. That's usually holiday weekends. I do remember once, during the middle of the summer, sleeping in the car, because hotel rooms are booked within 100 miles.

Some suggest multiple reservations about 100 miles apart. I don't like doing that. What happens if you forget to cancel a reservation? You're paying for two nights' lodging.

 

[Mbacherfhd]

I've seen a few posters suggest planning the hotel ahead of a time, but I am not seeing anyone explain why. Our plan is to drive until we get tired and then stop off at the first recognizeable chain we see. Seems better than stressing about traffic/construction uncertainty and trying to get somewhere specific when we really should be getting off the road and into a bed.

Who disagrees with me?

We've tried this before and stopped at a Ramada Inn in Cordele, Ga. Lets just say for a name brand chain it was the most disgusting hotel we ever stayed in. Our personal preference is to plan the hotel so we get a hotel that is clean and comfortable.

 

[JanB]

I've lived and driven in Atlanta for over 30 years.

The advice to take I285 around Atlanta on the west side is good advice --- in general.

However, in my opinion, you can get in trouble by making assumptions concerning traffic levels or road accessibility in Atlanta ---- regardless of day of the week or time of day. It has happened to us a number of times when we have not checked out traffic conditions, construction, accidents before leaving home.

I suggest that you have your general plan for your route through or around Atlanta. The one given to you previously is a good one. But I would suggest that you prepare yourself for the possibility of needing to change your route. In the event there is a problem with I285 on the west side, you should know your 2nd choice and your 3rd choice. If you don't want to drive through downtown, then your 2nd choice (even though it is more miles) would be I285 around the east side; your 3rd choice would be to continue on I75 through downtown.

Go to http://www.511ga.org/ to educate yourself ahead of time on planned road construction. Do this within the week before you leave since the construction schedule can change. Road construction on the interstates typically takes place on weekends and at night. Weekend construction hours will often be 24-hrs/day. Nighttime construction hours will typically be 9PM to 9AM.

Then on Saturday morning, you are going to want to keep your ears open for accidents on the interstates. You can check the 511.org website for that, and you can keep your radio tuned to AM750. There is also a GDOT 511 app for iPhone and iPad. And there is a WSBTV Traffic app for iPhone.

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

I've lived and driven in Atlanta for over 30 years.

The advice to take I285 around Atlanta on the west side is good advice --- in general.

However, in my opinion, you can get in trouble by making assumptions concerning traffic levels or road accessibility in Atlanta ---- regardless of day of the week or time of day. It has happened to us a number of times when we have not checked out traffic conditions, construction, accidents before leaving home.

I suggest that you have your general plan for your route through or around Atlanta. The one given to you previously is a good one. But I would suggest that you prepare yourself for the possibility of needing to change your route. In the event there is a problem with I285 on the west side, you should know your 2nd choice and your 3rd choice. If you don't want to drive through downtown, then your 2nd choice (even though it is more miles) would be I285 around the east side; your 3rd choice would be to continue on I75 through downtown.

Go to http://www.511ga.org/ to educate yourself ahead of time on planned road construction. Do this within the week before you leave since the construction schedule can change. Road construction on the interstates typically takes place on weekends and at night. Weekend construction hours will often be 24-hrs/day. Nighttime construction hours will typically be 9PM to 9AM.

Then on Saturday morning, you are going to want to keep your ears open for accidents on the interstates. You can check the 511.org website for that, and you can keep your radio tuned to AM750. There is also a GDOT 511 app for iPhone and iPad. And there is a WSBTV Traffic app for iPhone.

Those 511 sites are your friends. On one of our previous drives, I found out about a rockslide that had I75 all screwed up (i.e. closed) around Jelico TN. We routed ourselves around it before we even pulled out of our driveway.

 

[LilyWDW]

15 minutes north of you (Pendleton), we like to drive down and stop south of Macon. Given that you'll be leaving Fishers around 3 pm, you'll be hitting Indy traffic all the way around to 65. You might be consider heading south through Cincinnati and Knoxville rather than Louisville and Nashville. That's the route we take and I think it's a pretty easy drive. Maps out to maybe 5 - 15 minutes longer of a drive, but whose counting?

Definitely get a room in advance. I think you've gotten some good recommendations on where to stop for the night.

Don't forget to check each state's DOT (511) page to check your route for construction. I know I'd hate to have a night closure and run into traffic somewhere when you are getting tired or are ready to be at WDW.

http://511.ky.gov/
http://www.tn511.com/
http://www.511ga.org/
http://www.fl511.com/

This is how I would go. I drive from NE TN to Fishers, IN quite often to visit family (and will be moving to Fishers as soon as I sell this house). It is a pretty easy drive in my opinion. Watch out for police in KY. Also, don't be afraid of heights due to the mountains if you come through this way! Should be a good time to come through Knoxville though. Depending on the weekend and time you might hit a bit of a slow down around Sevierville. Just stay in the middle or left lane as you come up to it and you will be fine. Many people head there for the weekend and Friday night traffic can get backed up at the off ramp.

 

[Disney2013Girl]

I can think of at least four different times in my life ranging from childhood through last year when we thought we'd just "wing it" when it came to a hotel room. Once we slept in a roadside park, once we ended up driving almost 3 hours, stopping at every town/city that had a hotel advertised (it should be noted that we were kind of out in the boonies, so that meant like 5 stops), and twice we ended up in completely creepy dirty hotel rooms.

I'd rather have a goal in mind when I'm driving. If I get there early, extra time to relax, if I get caught up and run late, I know for sure I have a room waiting for me.

 

[lilasmom]

We left last night and made it to Kennesaw, GA. I downloaded and used the IEXIT app, it was wonderful! We stayed at the Homewood Suites and it was perfect. Thank you everyone for all your helpful advice and tips. Six hours until we get to our resort!!