Driving from Chicago to WDW...SCARED!!!

[woody5]

Just a FYI Southwest has round trip for $250 out of Midway. That would definitely be worth it for myself and daughter to fly vs driving. My sister lives in Nashville and the semis are a very real concer.

 

[626itch]

You seriously wont have any problems on I-65. I would definitely not take 24 from Nashville to Chattanooga. I dont think its bad and there are NO mountains but many turns towards Chattanooga and too many semis. The only mountains in Tn are in the east part of the state. Plus is you take 65 you wont have to travel through Atlanta. That could take up to 2-3 hours depending on the time of day just to get through the city. Dont sweat the drive. its nothing.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

You seriously wont have any problems on I-65. I would definitely not take 24 from Nashville to Chattanooga. I dont think its bad and there are NO mountains but many turns towards Chattanooga and too many semis. The only mountains in Tn are in the east part of the state. Plus is you take 65 you wont have to travel through Atlanta. That could take up to 2-3 hours depending on the time of day just to get through the city. Dont sweat the drive. its nothing.

Wait but it looks like 65 turns into 24? Or am I crazy? Lol

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Wait but it looks like 65 turns into 24? Or am I crazy? Lol

I believe PP is suggesting staying on 65 through Nashville, then on into Alabama rather than turning East on 24 toward Chattanooga.

There's really just the one mountain at Monteagle on 24. Way more on 75 from Knoxville to Chattanooga. Going South on 75 from Chattanooga into Georgia on 75, it's more like hills IMO.

I too get a little wigged out by mountains, but there is no on the edge driving like in say Colorado. No buggy, IMO.

 

[NancyIL]

I believe PP is suggesting staying on 65 through Nashville, then on into Alabama rather than turning East on 24 toward Chattanooga.

Right - you would take I-65 as far as Montgomery, Alabama, then State Road 231 until it runs into I-10 in the Florida panhandle.

 

[sarahanhalt78]

I crossed into Arizona from New Mexico once ( before the accident in Tennessee) and that was right on the edge!!! It was scary but at that time, I was a fearless 20 year old!!! I can't thank you all enough for your help!!!!

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Right - you would take I-65 as far as Montgomery, Alabama, then State Road 231 until it runs into I-10 in the Florida panhandle.

Ohh I getcha. And yeah, if you zoom in on goodge maps..they do seem to look more like hills..haha, and when I was reading someones TR, they showed pictures, I was like, that's it? Lol. I think I'm nervous because I'm going January 2nd and don't want the roads to be icy.. :/ what would you suggest taking?

 

[NancyIL]

Ohh I getcha. And yeah, if you zoom in on goodge maps..they do seem to look more like hills..haha, and when I was reading someones TR, they showed pictures, I was like, that's it? Lol. I think I'm nervous because I'm going January 2nd and don't want the roads to be icy.. :/ what would you suggest taking?

I take I-65 via Alabama because I stop to visit my sister's family in Birmingham. However, if I weren't visiting family in Alabama, I'd probably drive via Chattanooga and Atlanta - because I don't mind driving through the mountains. On the other hand - if I'm just going to WDW, I almost always FLY to Orlando.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

I take I-65 via Alabama because I stop to visit my sister's family in Birmingham. However, if I weren't visiting family in Alabama, I'd probably drive via Chattanooga and Atlanta - because I don't mind driving through the mountains. On the other hand - if I'm just going to WDW, I almost always FLY to Orlando.

So you think the mountains will most likely be okay in January??

 

[NancyIL]

So you think the mountains will most likely be okay in January??

I'm sorry - I was answering about the general route, and not the route I would take in early January. If I wanted to avoid mountains, I'd drive through Alabama. However, southern states can get snow and ice in the winter. Just watch the weather reports before you leave home and adjust your route accordingly.

 

[LadyBeBop]

So it sounds like the mountains from Nashville to Chattanooga (I-24) aren't as high as from the KY-TN border to Knoxville (I-75). But they are more winding.

Or am I missing something.

Anyway, I do have a suggestion. But this will take you out of the way, probably a couple of hours. You go up and down one mountain. But it's straight up, and straight down. No more than ten minutes. And furthermore, very few semis.

You'll miss your friends in Southern Indiana though. You'll have to get to Knoxville someway.

Coming from Chicagoland area

1) I-65 to I-74 heading toward Cincinnati (you can take outerbelt over).

2) I-74 to I-275 (just west of Cincinnati)

3) I-275 around Cincinnati to I-75 in Northern Kentucky

4) Take I-75 all the way down to Exit 29 in Corbin, KY. That is US 25E, also known as the Cumberland Gap Parkway.

5) You'll be taking US 25E about a hundred miles. Most of it is four lane highway with a 55 MPH speed limit, however you'll be going through a few towns with stop lights (Corbin, Middleboro, Morristown). About halfway through, you'll go through a tunnel that cuts into a mountain (that's the border between Kentucky and Tennessee). And about 2/3 of the way through, you'll go up and down Clinch Mountain. Not winding at all...pretty straight up and down doing 55 MPH. Safe and beautiful drive, and very few semis. They're all on I-75.

6) Problem with this route...you'll end up about 30 miles east of Knoxville. You'll pick up I-81 south. Take I-81 south until it dead ends into I-40. Take I-40 west into Knoxville and I-75.

This is an alternative, and a drastic alternative. It will take you several hours out of your way, but it avoids winding hills and mountains. I'm thinking going through Alabama and maybe picking up I-20 in Birmingham and taking that to Atlanta might even be shorter. I don't know that route.

Good luck. You'll be fine.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm thinking going through Alabama and maybe picking up I-20 in Birmingham and taking that to Atlanta might even be shorter. I don't know that route.

We have gone that way, too, and it all depends on the Atlanta-area traffic. (My sister in B'Ham avoids driving via Atlanta whenever possible.) However, it is interstate - unlike taking 231 south from Montgomery, AL to I-10 in FL.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

So you think the mountains will most likely be okay in January??

IMO, you're far more likely to get snow in the IL portion of your trip than you will be in the Mountains

 

[sarahanhalt78]

I don't mind the height....as long as I'm not driving on the edge...but I am not fond of curves!! AT ALL!!! Especially if they are one lane very narrow curves with a lot of semis around me!

 

[Surfinpiratee]

IMO, you're far more likely to get snow in the IL portion of your trip than you will be in the Mountains

Really? Oh good

 

[marius97]

I don't mind the height....as long as I'm not driving on the edge...but I am not fond of curves!! AT ALL!!! Especially if they are one lane very narrow curves with a lot of semis around me!

DW and I can't decide which way to go either. We've made the drive down from SW Michigan six times. About half the time we go through Nashville and the other half we go through Cincinnati on I75. I agree with everything that people have said here. 75 has more and higher mountains, but the roads are fairly straight (as straight as mountain roads can be.) You are in the mountains much longer than going through Nashville. There really aren't any looking over the edge moments. The few points where you are high up looking down into a valley, there is a lot of vegetation spoiling your view. I don't get too stressed out with this route. Going through Nashville to Chattanooga has lower mountains, but it is VERY curvy. I believe that it is around Mount Eagle, TN that is the worst. There are a good number of trucks trying to get around the curves. I would love to drive that section with the road closed and an Indy car, but in a minivan surrounded by trucks, it can get a bit hairy.

 

[sam_gordon]

Really? Oh good

But you might get ice. I personally would not intentionally schedule a long road trip through the mountains in Jan. I've done it, but it's just been to Knoxville & back.

Out of curiosity, have you checked flight prices out of Louisville or Cincinnati? Can you leave your car at your friends house and they give you a ride to/from the airport?

Just a thought.

 

[Hisgirl]

Hey everyone! My 7 year old daughter and I will be driving down on Friday September 27th at 3pm, stopping for an overnight with friends in southern Indiana then continuing the drive on Saturday the 28th for check in on Sunday the 29th. Here is my question and much needed advice. I am TERRIFIED to drive through the mountains as I had a bad experience once before while driving thru southern Tennessee years ago. Obviously, I will be coming off I65 since we are staying near the border of Indiana/Kentucky. Is there ANY way there that will limit having to go through the highest points of the mountains that wont take me terribly out of my way?? I know this sounds INSANE but we cant afford to fly so driving is my only option and I am facing a HUGE fear and I don't know how bad the drive thru northern Georgia is!! HELP!!!

Sarah, you will be FINE! If you stay on the expressway, there is no need to worry about mountains. AT ALL. I live in Georgia and have a house in the north Ga. mountains. I-75 which comes down from Chattanooga, goes through a nice country area but you will be driving on FLAT ground. There may be some mountains around in the distance but for the most part,most mountains are more central and to the east. Take a deep deep breath, and be at peace. No problems at all coming through Georgia. (although....be aware that 75 coming through atlanta can be a real bear between 4-6:30pm due to traffic)

 

[marius97]

Sarah, you will be FINE! If you stay on the expressway, there is no need to worry about mountains. AT ALL. I live in Georgia and have a house in the north Ga. mountains. I-75 which comes down from Chattanooga, goes through a nice country area but you will be driving on FLAT ground. There may be some mountains around in the distance but for the most part,most mountains are more central and to the east. Take a deep deep breath, and be at peace. No problems at all coming through Georgia. (although....be aware that 75 coming through atlanta can be a real bear between 4-6:30pm due to traffic)

Georgia isn't the problem....other than the fact that the state NEVER ENDS ...The issue is the stretches coming into Chattanoogga from either Nashville or I75. Those two routes each have their issues.