Driving from Central Illinois

[bsjstsnwdw]

My family and I (DS 8 & DH) will be driving to WDW from Decatur at the end of May. I have heard many conflicting stories on how long the drive will take (anywhere from 14-20 hrs!) any ideas? Also, we plan on driving around 12 hrs. the 1st day and the remainder the next. Does anyone know approximately "where" we will be the 1st night- I'm guessing somewhere around Atlanta? Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[bugbugmom]

Hope this helps. We drove 2A and 2C from St. Louis. We left at 11:00 pm and drove straight thru. It took us about 17 hours. We had a portable DVD, games and snacks. It was a great bonding experience. We stay off site @ Courtyard by Marriott (now Holiday Inn) for $20.03 special they had during that timeframe. Then checked into CBR the following day. That was Sept 2003. This Sept we are again driving and planning on making a stop. Other drivers in the area stay in either Nashville or the opposite side ( south) of Atlanta. So, we are planning on these two areas.

 

[jl3614]

From Indianaoplis it takes us about 17 hrs. We drive about 70- 75 mph, take 15 minute breaks every 2 to 2 1/2 hrs, and take 1 or 2 30 minute meal breaks on the first day. Twelve hours gets us about an hour south of Atlanta. Travel time depends to a large degree on road construction ( last trip we sat in traffic for 2 hours in Louisville), you will also get slowed considerably trying to drive through Atlanta at rush hour. Our trip is 1050 miles. We do a 12 hour day then a 5 hour day.

 

[Val]

We drive with 4 kids from Bloomington.......takes about 20 hours INCLUDING stops (oh to coordinate potty stops!). We have started to leave at about 11 or midnight and DH and I take turns driving (I sleep really well in the car, so I sleep until about Cairo or about dawn, then we trade for several hours). We head south on I55, then I57, to I24 then I75. Stop south of Atlanta, if you can make it that far... maybe Macon. We have gotten to the point we either drive straight through or stop in Ocala. Makes a really short drive into WDW the next day.

If you belong to AAA, get the triptik. Helps with speed traps, road construction, etc. There is ALWAYS construction around Chatanooga (it will be slow through there- avoid rush hour) and Atlanta can be really congested (actually, from Dalton on through). If you are driving in off hours, going through downtown can be quicker, else go around on the bypass.

Take good music, a DVD/VCR player and lots of easy snacks. Headphones that BLOCK out sibling rivalry are great for the sleeping spouse. Our kids have gotten used to the trip and actually start to look for landmarks.....

PM me if you want more info.

 

[Jon99]

From Kankakee County, it takes us about 17 hours, leave at 3:00 PM and will arrive at WDW around 9:00 AM.. We normally stop at Marion for dinner and then Valdosta for an early morning breakfest, other than that we drive straight thru, hitting Atlanta around 2:00 AM and avoiding that mess...

Whatever you do, get SOUTH of Atlanta so you don't have to deal with their morning rush hour to start off your second day...