Driving fr OH - 75 all the way to where?

[Diamond_Girls]

I've heard a lot of people say that taking 75 South from Ohio is a quick way and avoids a lot of 95. Does anyone know where I'd take 75 to in order to get into Orlando? It looks like it gets close, but not all the way.

Thanks!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

You turn onto the Florida Turnpike about an hour north of Orlando or at least I think it's about an hour. There's a great book out if you are interested in driving the I-75 to Florida -- it's Dave Hunter's "Along the I-75". It gives all gas, food and lodging for each exit along the way. It's a great resource and we use it everytime we drive down to WDW.

Cdnmickeylover

 

[DVC4US]

According to my AAA triptik you take I-75 to the Florida Turnpike which should be exit 328. You then take the Turnpike to I-4 then take I-4 West to WDW. You can also take the Turnpike to Hwy 27 which is at exit 289 and then take Hwy 27 to Hwy 192 which will lead you right into WDW.
LeiLani

 

[Diamond_Girls]

Thanks for the quick responses! Any idea what the turnpike is called? I am looking at a map and am not quite sure what route is the turnpike. Thanks again!

 

[photobob]

It is called the Florida Turnpike, you can't miss it. BTW it is a toll road..

 

[bobcat]

Where in Ohio are you driving from? Since I'm in central Ohio We take I77 to I95. It is a very easy drive. I75 would be another 1- 1 1/2 hours longer for us.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

I'm in Central Ohio too, Columbus. Mapquest shows the 77 route to be about an hour more than 75. I also heard there tends to be a lot of construction on 95 so I was trying to avoid it. But it works better? Do you go back home the same way?

We plan on leaving early on a Friday and hope to arrive at WDW around 1:00 on Saturday. Is that do-able? Where do you usually stay?

Thanks so much for the help! It is our first driving trip and I want to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible.

 

[DVC4US]

Diamond_Girls,

I will be driving from Iowa and I will be picking up I-75 in TN. No only does 95 tend to have a lot of construction, but it tends to be very busy. You get a lot of the NY to Miami traffic. I would stick with 75, but that's my opinion.

Did you find the Florida Turnpike on the map? It is hard to locate on my map because it is not labeled until after Orlando. On my map there are exit numbers for I-75 and the turnpike is at exit 328. It is an orange colored road that takes off from the 75 into Orlando and then on to the east coast. Also, if this is the first time driving this route I would tell you to go around Atlanta and not through downtown. When you hit the outskirts of Atlanta you will hit the 285 loop around Atlanta. This is the route to take and you will pick up the 75 again on the other side. You want the 285 that is the bypass for Montgomery, but then you will pick up the 75.

This is our first time driving from Iowa, but I have made several trips like this and I always make them in 2 days. I usually leave around 4 or 4:30 on the first day and put in a good 12 to 14 hours so that we can still stop early and not have such a long drive the next day. If you need anymore help please ask.
LeiLani

 

[KCMiller]

Diamond Girl,

When are you driving down? I would love to know all about the drive - I, too, am in Columbus, and am thinking of driving right after Christmas - my children are marching in a parade at the park on the 29th, and it seems a lot cheaper than flying!

Tell me all the details!

KC

 

[ducklite]

Once you get onto the FL tpke--get off exit 288 onto Route 27 South. Take this to 192 East...and follow signs to WDW (about 4 miles) Very little traffic, scenic ride on 27--plus about 3 miles south of Route 50 there will be a very nice Publix on your left

Anne

 

[ticketwm35]

Hey there Diamond girl,
I'm in Dayton.We take 75 down.We always stay south of Atlanta.We leave around 3pm so that we miss the traffic in Cincinnati and its late when we get into Atlanta.75 in Atlanta can be bad depending on when you get there.So just keep that in mind It's really not a bad drive down. This year we are flying my husband no way will he drive it with both kids in the car.

Ticketwm35

 

[Diamond_Girls]

You guys are awesome!

We are driving from Columbus Ohio to Orlando in August. It looks like I should probably take 75 down to the turnpike, and avoid 95 altogether. I've heard stories of long traffic lines on 95 going both North and South.

We plan on leaving about 6:00 am and getting to a hotel around 7:00 or 8:00. Not stopping much that day. I was looking at Cordele Georgia as a possible stopping point. Anyone know anything about this?

Then it looks like (on paper anyway) that we could get to WDW in about 4 hours the next day. Does that sound right? We're hoping to drive from 9:00 - 1:00 (or 2:00) and check in, and go straight to the pool!

Please let me know if you think that is possible or if I am living in a dream (or should I say magical) world!

Thanks!

 

[bobcat]

Sorry it took me so long Diamond_Girls. I am in Licking County and I have driven to WDW every year for the last 5. It is a very easy drive and I am the only driver. Here's what we do - I take I70 to I77 in Cambrige and follow that until Columbia SC. At Columbia there is a short jog on I26 over to I95, which we follow all the way to I4. As far as construction Florida is where we seem to get slowed down, but never for very long. Jacksonville is having major construction, and has been ever since we have been driving, but we hit this early morning and late evening and never have too much of a problem. I4 is the stretch I hate to drive.

I drive one day for about 12 hours(driving time not including stops) and then have another 3-4 hours the next day. I leave home around 6am and stop every couple of hours along the way. I like to stop at Kingsland GA for the night, which is the last exit before you hit Florida. The Super8 motel is very clean and cheap for the night and the bonus is they have ducks that visit a little pond right next to the hotel. Gas is usually the cheapest at this exit as well. The next day we drive to the FL welcome center for our free OJ and make a stop at St Augustine to visit the Character outlet for inexpensive WDW souvineers. (There are more in Orlando as well) We make it into Orlando around 11am and hit more outlets and then check into our hotel. With all the stops it usually takes us around 18 hours. You could make it in about 15-16 if you really tried but since I am the only driver I like to take a little time to stretch at each stop.

Friends I have that have driven both I75 and I77 like the I77 drive better. I've never driven I75 past Tenn. so I can't compare the GA route but that is the area I always hear the most complaints about. Where I live the I75 route would be another 100+ miles for me.

Hope this helps. Your plan looks like it will work. Have a great trip and remember the sunscreen.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

Wow! You make it sound so easy...

I'm more confused than ever about the drive now. Do you start out at 6:00 both days? Is that how you are able to get through Jacksonville without much traffic?

Where do you stop on the way back?

Thanks Bobcat and everyone for the information. I really appreciate it!!

 

[bobcat]

It really is an easy drive. I start out the first day at 6am and then the second day we usually head out of the hotel about 8am. This puts us through Jacksonville around 9am (remember we stop for OJ at the welcome center) after most of the rush hour traffic. It was a little hairy a couple of years while they were working on the main bridge over the bay. Talk about white knuckle driving! But it is finished and it is a breeze, and a pretty drive, through Jacksonville. The construction seems to be around the outerbelt area now, or at least it was in January. You can also take the outerbelt and it is only another 10-15 minutes than going straight through.

The way back is another story. I have a hard time leaving WDW so we usually don't start on the road until late afternoon. We usually stay somewhere around Savanna, GA on the way back.