Driving from Chicago in 19 days. Getting nervous!

[mama23babies]

This is our first time driving down to WDW. I have gotten advice on routes, but I'm worried that I should be planning better. Thing is, I don't know how to plan a road trip. Three kids, four adults. I don't know what to be planning for. We might stop if we need to for the night, so how do I find a nice, clean place? We are hoping to get past Atalanta the first night, but if things are going well we might go further. Does anyone have any planning advice! Apps? Websites? Charts, graphs, anything? Has anyone found a decent place to stay if we need to!
Do I sound worried enough?
Debbie


Thanks

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[Moparlar]

We would usually stop at Holiday Inn Express past Atlanta. You could drive straight through with that many adults but not sure if it will work with the kids, Depends on if they sleep or not.

Larry

 

[sam_gordon]

Do you have a GPS? If not, are you a member of AAA? If you're a member of AAA, get a 'TripTik' (I think you can order one online). I'd also stop by the local office and pick up their tour books for the various states. The only reason (IMO) is to have a list (w/ratings) of upcoming hotels. I'd look for the 'name brand' you're comfortable with (Holiday Inn Express, Hampton, Courtyard are all OK in my book)

A smart phone might be able to get you the same information, but I don't know how easy it would be to say "I'm at MM19 southbound on I-75, what hotels are coming up?"
A smart phone CAN get you current pricing at a certain place, but the tour book should give you a general idea.

Google has it as 1155 miles. I always factor 60 mph, that generally allows for (brief) stops, construction slow downs, etc. That means it should take you ~19-19.5 hours. Either north of Atlanta or south would be good stopping point (IMO). Atlanta should be ~12 hours from you. What time are you planning on leaving? I wouldn't leave any earlier than 7AM, that gets you through Atlanta AFTER rush hour, get about 3 more hours in, and that puts you at a hotel around 10PM, leaving 4 hours the next day.

 

[cruisingkat]

We're from the Chicago burbs and drive down to Disney 4 times a year. We usually do it in two days - stopping in Forsyth GA (about 1 and a half hours past Atlanta). That puts most of our driving on the first day when we are refreshed and not going "car crazy" from so much time in the car. And we get to Disney about 3pm.
On the way down, we stop at Subway and pick up a breakfast sandwich and a regular subway. That way we have lunch already bought and eat while driving.
On the way home, we stop in Manchester, TN (northwest of Chattanooga) on I24 although we could probably go about an hour or so further down the road. Again, that puts most of the driving on the first day.
We stay at Holiday Inn Express both ways - love their breakfast buffet. We eat a large breakfast and grab some fruit and yogurt to go for that day's drive to tide us over until we get to Disney or home.
One of our tricks is to plan a quiet day (perhaps shopping at DTD, lounging at the pool, a special lunch or early dinner at one of the resorts, etc) the last day at Disney so we aren't tired from alll the walking at the parks and then driving.

 

[Moparlar]

We're from the Chicago burbs and drive down to Disney 4 times a year. We usually do it in two days - stopping in Forsyth GA (about 1 and a half hours past Atlanta). That puts most of our driving on the first day when we are refreshed and not going "car crazy" from so much time in the car. And we get to Disney about 3pm.
On the way down, we stop at Subway and pick up a breakfast sandwich and a regular subway. That way we have lunch already bought and eat while driving.
On the way home, we stop in Manchester, TN (northwest of Chattanooga) on I24 although we could probably go about an hour or so further down the road. Again, that puts most of the driving on the first day.
We stay at Holiday Inn Express both ways - love their breakfast buffet. We eat a large breakfast and grab some fruit and yogurt to go for that day's drive to tide us over until we get to Disney or home.
One of our tricks is to plan a quiet day (perhaps shopping at DTD, lounging at the pool, a special lunch or early dinner at one of the resorts, etc) the last day at Disney so we aren't tired from alll the walking at the parks and then driving.

That is exactly how we do it. As long as I can get the wife going early enough

 

[mama23babies]

Thanks so much, that s very helpful! My dad wants to leave super early, l,e before 5 am. I don't know if we will or not,but with three drivers Iit should be okay. That's a great idea about Subway. And thanks for the hotel recs. it's been two years since we've been to the world and we are beyond excited.

Debbie

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[Lizzybean]

Debbie,


My hubby and I are Chicagoland and we drive to Florida a couple times a year, straight through, with 3 kids. I'm a brat and I hate stopping. I just want to get there!

When we go on beach vacations we leave around noon so that we arrive early am and just hit the beach and take a nap.

When we go on disney vacations we found it works better to leave a bit later and get down around noon BUT we go a day early and stay offsite at Embassy Suites. We take a nap then swim with the kids, enjoy some free drinks at the managers reception, then dinner at DTD. We go to bed early then get a free hot bfast early in the morning, check out and head to WDW!

We say we'll switch up the driving every 5 hours but DH usually drives straight to GA...sometimes past Atlanta if he's in a good mood.

The kids are great in the car and stay busy with video games and movies and toys. We have subway and snacks.

Our rules are never let the tank get below 1/8 tank so we usually get gas in Indy, Nashville, entering GA, and around Lakeland FL. Stop if we're both tired. If we needed a hotel stick to a populated area with popular chains and get a hotel with INSIDE rooms (i.e. the corridors are not outside).

The road trip is part of the adventure! Have a blast!

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks so much, that s very helpful! My dad wants to leave super early, l,e before 5 am. I don't know if we will or not,but with three drivers Iit should be okay. That's a great idea about Subway. And thanks for the hotel recs. it's been two years since we've been to the world and we are beyond excited.

Debbie

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IMO, you can argue toward leaving later based on what time you'd hit Atlanta. I'd try to avoid the hours between 4-6pm. But, since you in Chicago, maybe you're ok with traffic.

I would use the HOV lanes through Atlanta though.

 

[mama23babies]

Lizzy,


Thanks! We are getting so excited, it can't come fast enough!

Sam, what are HOV lanes?

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[sam_gordon]

Lizzy,


Thanks! We are getting so excited, it can't come fast enough!

Sam, what are HOV lanes?

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HOV = "High Occupancy Vehicle". As I understand it, as long as 2 or more people are in a vehicle, you can use the lane. The lane is usually the furthest left lane. It's marked with a diamond and double white lines.

. There's not as much traffic in these lanes.

 

[mama23babies]

Excellent! Thanks!


Deb

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[hearts8701]

we just left from o'hare area on wednesday at 7 am we drove till perry georgia stopping for the night we got up early arrived in disney for lunch no real traffic problems coming down stop gas was on average $3.33 in indiana kentucky and tennessee stop for gas before leaving ga. gas prices are higher when you enter florida $3.49

 

[mama23babies]

Where did you stay in Perry?

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[hearts8701]

Where did you stay in Perry?

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hoilday inn express