Driving from Chicago in December

[jeancbpugh]

We've decided to take the plunge and DRIVE to WDW this December. We usually fly. We will be heading further south after WDW with multiple stops, so driving makes more sense.

Any suggestions on stops, routes, etc.?

Thanks.

 

[Sydnoahmom]

We almost always drive down and are about 120 miles SW of downtown Chicago. We take I57 thru Illinois (probable not the best route for you) to I24 thru Kentucky and Tennessee to I75 in Georgia thru to Florida. We have found that Chatanooga is almost exactly 1/2 way. Total trip is about 20 hours.

HTH,
Laurie

 

[FINFAN]

We took the 57/24/75 route last December. Youl think Illinois is NEVER going to end, and then, BAM, you are thru Kentucky and Tennessee in no time! I prefer this route over 65 thru Indy. (Tons of traffic.) We had awesome weather last year, and hardly any traffic until outside Valdosta Ga. We stopped just outside of Atlanta to get a good nights sleep, we have 2 kids, and it was worth it to stop. We were in far better shape when we arrived than if we hadn't. This trip was the first time I can remember in my life that we didn't hit rain thru Chattanooga. Just keep in mind the time change and shorter daylight hours for driving in Dec. We wanted to leave around 3:30 a.m.but didn't hit the road 'till about 6. Lost daylight right as we were hitting the mountains...not what we wanted, we had hoped for the kids to enjoy the views. Oh well, we saw them on the way back.
Drive safe and have a great trip!

 

[jeancbpugh]

Thanks for the ideas.

We were thinking of leaving when the kids got out of school (4pm) and driving to Louisville KY (6 hours) I-80 to I-65. Then spending the night in Louisville and starting on I-75 the next morning, hopefully arriving at the Poly late that night. We'd sleep around the pool the next day to recover.

We are about 30 miles west of Chicago.

 

[FINFAN]

You're near me Jean...I'm in Naperville! Pnce you past the traffic here...the rest will be fine.

 

[nuke]

We left at 5am on a Thursday morning and arrived just south of Atlanta at 6pm that evening. Drove the rest of the way the next day.

Took 294/94/65/75

 

[jeancbpugh]

Originally posted by FINFAN
You're near me Jean...I'm in Naperville! Pnce you past the traffic here...the rest will be fine.

Yeah, me too.

I start on I-55 to 294 to avoid the I-88 mess.

 

[marlogood]

We're leaving tomorrow morning about 5AM, hope to make it south of Atlanta by 6PM.

Should arrive BWV Thursday afternoon.

Drive safe everyone!

 

[jeancbpugh]

Originally posted by marlogood
We're leaving tomorrow morning about 5AM, hope to make it south of Atlanta by 6PM.

Should arrive BWV Thursday afternoon.

Drive safe everyone!

Drive safely! Have fun!