driving from central AL

[ejrj]

Ok, those of you that drive from the Birmingham area, tell me which route you like and why please. Of the three families I've asked each swears by a different route. I need at least one route to get more than one vote! Lay it on me.

 

[Svhadden]

I'm originally from Tuscaloosa, now living in the New Orleans area. Several years ago, we had to evacuate (hurricane, sigh) right before our Disney trip, so we drove to my parents house and stayed with them for a couple of days, and left from their house to drive to WDW. We went through B'ham, to Atlanta, and south from there. Took us about 9 1/2 hrs, same as it takes us to drive from our home. My DH took that route because he wanted to stay on interstates all the way and avoid the little county roads, etc. I was actually surprised it didn't take us longer, because it seemed to be going out of our way, but nope...same .

 

[mom2brooke76]

I actually just moved from Birmingham to Orlando yesterday, and we took 65 and wound up going through Dothan to get there. I didn't really care which route we took. He just felt safer staying in the Dothan/Marianna area as a halfway point (it was about 4 hours from BHM to Marianna). It was a good drive and I'd do it that way again.

 

[ejrj]

I'm originally from Tuscaloosa, now living in the New Orleans area. Several years ago, we had to evacuate (hurricane, sigh) right before our Disney trip, so we drove to my parents house and stayed with them for a couple of days, and left from their house to drive to WDW. We went through B'ham, to Atlanta, and south from there. Took us about 9 1/2 hrs, same as it takes us to drive from our home. My DH took that route because he wanted to stay on interstates all the way and avoid the little county roads, etc. I was actually surprised it didn't take us longer, because it seemed to be going out of our way, but nope...same .

You know what's funny, it that my friend who lives here but is from central FL swears by that route too. Every map program says it takes an hour longer but she says it doesn't. I think I dig this way too since I'm usually navigator...and this way I can slack off and the job and read a book instead

 

[ejrj]

I actually just moved from Birmingham to Orlando yesterday, and we took 65 and wound up going through Dothan to get there. I didn't really care which route we took. He just felt safer staying in the Dothan/Marianna area as a halfway point (it was about 4 hours from BHM to Marianna). It was a good drive and I'd do it that way again.

I loved that you moved yesterday and today you are playing on the Dis.

 

[wiserabbit]

We tried driving all the routes from Bham (and I'm usually the driver the whole way) - I have an aversion to going to Atlanta and then down I-75 cause first of all I'd have to plan around rush hour and then I feel like I'm going the "wrong way" at first.... Usually go 65-south to Dothan - then 84-East to Bainbridge - Ga-FLa highway (or it may be called Tallahassee Hwy 27-South) until I hit I-10 E to 75-S....it sounds like a lot but the time works out about the same - you get some scenic little towns to break up the monotony... Our trip time usually averages 8 to 9 hours depending on how many pit stops we make for necessities and/or gas....

 

[ejrj]

We tried driving all the routes from Bham (and I'm usually the driver the whole way) - I have an aversion to going to Atlanta and then down I-75 cause first of all I'd have to plan around rush hour and then I feel like I'm going the "wrong way" at first.... Usually go 65-south to Dothan - then 84-East to Bainbridge - Ga-FLa highway (or it may be called Tallahassee Hwy 27-South) until I hit I-10 E to 75-S....it sounds like a lot but the time works out about the same - you get some scenic little towns to break up the monotony... Our trip time usually averages 8 to 9 hours depending on how many pit stops we make for necessities and/or gas....

So do you get off 65 at Mont. & take 231 down to Dothan?

 

[smidgy]

what about 20 east. then pick up a little state raod (16) around carollton and take that to 75 (n. of macon?)

we are looking at that. anyone ever do that? trying to avoid atlanta.

 

[wiserabbit]

So do you get off 65 at Mont. & take 231 down to Dothan?

Yes - that's what we do - we usually stop in Troy for a snack/break and then don't stop again until we need gas - which is usually before we hit I-10 in the Tallahassee area.....

 

[mom2brooke76]

So do you get off 65 at Mont. & take 231 down to Dothan?

That's the way we went! I forgot the 231 part. It was a neat little backroads drive. And yes, it's cool to actually live in Orlando and be posting on the DIS! I actually met my boyfriend on the DIS (he's from Orlando) and now we're living together

 

[uagirl]

I live in Montgomery and we have taken 231 to Dothan and picked up I-10 in Florida.

As a child traveling from Birmingham, I seem to remember going through Valdosta, but have no clue how we got there.

 

[smidgy]

we drive down from NW of chicago. we are trying to avoid atlanta. one year we took this route, and 231 through Dothan, to I10 seemed to take FOREVER!! lots of stop lights, low speed limits. etc.

we are thinking of picking up I20 in Birmingham. taking it East into Ga, about Carollton, then picking up a little state route (16), and taking that to I75, a bit north of Macon.

any thoughts?

 

[wiserabbit]

we drive down from NW of chicago. we are trying to avoid atlanta. one year we took this route, and 231 through Dothan, to I10 seemed to take FOREVER!! lots of stop lights, low speed limits. etc.

we are thinking of picking up I20 in Birmingham. taking it East into Ga, about Carollton, then picking up a little state route (16), and taking that to I75, a bit north of Macon.

any thoughts?

IMO - this sounds like it might be just as slow feeling....as another option- have you looked at taking 280 out of bham and then over through Columbus, GA etc until you hit 75-S - although truth be told - all these options require some slowing down/speeding up, stop lights, etc when going through the little towns - and in Alabama if it is a two lane road, I believe the speed limit never gets above 55 mph anyway Too many choices - and none of them are outstanding in terms of ease and speed

 

[ejrj]

If think I would just do 1-20/1-75. I haven't driven to WDW from BHam but I have driven to ATL many times. The way you are taking about isn't really going to save you anything unless you really get caught up in a big mess between Carrollton and the 403. And Carrollton to the 403 passes by quick. And seeing as though you didn't really enjoy the 231 route I don't see you enjoying your proposed route.

 

[ejrj]

IMO - this sounds like it might be just as slow feeling....as another option- have you looked at taking 280 out of bham and then over through Columbus, GA etc until you hit 75-S - although truth be told - all these options require some slowing down/speeding up, stop lights, etc when going through the little towns - and in Alabama if it is a two lane road, I believe the speed limit never gets above 55 mph anyway Too many choices - and none of them are outstanding in terms of ease and speed

55 on 280 hahaha. I'm pretty sure half the traffic is going faster than that in the 459/119 corridor alone!

 

[smidgy]

thanks. I know that, to avoid atlanta, we need to take small state routs at some point. just seemed like 16, from I20 to I75 seemed like the shortest milage on these lesser roads.

thanks all!

 

[uagirl]

55 on 280 hahaha. I'm pretty sure half the traffic is going faster than that in the 459/119 corridor alone!

One of the major things I don't miss about living in Birmingham. 280 might as well be the Indy 500.