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

[sarahanhalt78]

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!!!

 

[janek1234]

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!!!

we've done the drive from chicago to florida twice, and never had a problem in the mountains. our problem was exhaustion. but this last trip we would do the drive in 2-3 hours shifts (drive 2-3 hours, stop for a break, resume) and that helped. you'll be fine!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

A tip for the future, check out airport out of your area. Many have flights direct to Disney. If you are willing to travel that far, a four hour radius may give you several options.

Did you price the train too? Just a few future options.

For this trip, fear is your enemy. Since your last experience you have driven a lot more. Do take the two to three hr break to walk, stretch, refresh yourself. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Movingtothemouse]

We have driven from Northern Indiana 3 times and the first 2 times I was terrified of driving through the mountains but the third time I was completely fine. It may just be that I have been exposed to them enough for the fear to go away but honestly I think that the drive down 75 is pretty good through the mountains. Is there any way once you get into Kentucky you can cross over to 75?

I know all about trying to avoid roads lol I will go miles out of my way to avoid those monster bridges lol. I will never forget turning a corner in Savannah and seeing that bridge crossing the river. Instant panic.

 

[NancyIL]

You can pretty much skip the mountains by taking I-65 south from Nashville through Alabama to the Florida panhandle. It is probably a longer trip than driving via Chattanooga and through Georgia (does that state EVER end?!) - but you will skip most mountains. However, driving through Dothan, AL is a PITA, as it's usually slow going. You're not on the interstate from Montgomery to I-10 in FL.

 

[jameyh]

Just for kicks I looked up flight prices from Chicago to Orlando for departure on 9/27, one way prices there were prices under $200. How much time and money is it going to take to drive vs flying non stop flights are under 3 hours.
Good luck if you decide to drive!!

 

[rwdavis2]

Haven't I seen this post somewhere before?

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Wait...I'm driving from there too for my first time! I don't actually want to drive on the mountains....or go over scary bridges....

 

[kydisneyfans]

The flight will not drop her off in southern IN to see her friend/family.
65 is no problem, didn't care for 24 but managed, 75 in north GA is fine.

You are pretty much missing 90% of the mountains by taking 65/24/75. It would be worse taking 64 to Lexington then 75 south. North TN on I75 is the worst part of the drive for us. There are not many services, the terrain is tough, the road condition is poor,(potholes, bumps) and it's heavy with semis going 20 up the mountain and 90 down with no truck lanes.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

The flight will not drop her off in southern IN to see her friend/family.
65 is no problem, didn't care for 24 but managed, 75 in north GA is fine.

You are pretty much missing 90% of the mountains by taking 65/24/75. It would be worse taking 64 to Lexington then 75 south. North TN on I75 is the worst part of the drive for us. There are not many services, the terrain is tough, the road condition is poor,(potholes, bumps) and it's heavy with semis going 20 up the mountain and 90 down with no truck lanes.

I'm going in January too...I don't wanna be like, driving up mountains...

 

[LadyBeBop]

Asking a stoopid question here.


We've travelled the I-65 mountains to Nashville several times. To me, they weren't mountains; more like hills. But the interstate was winding, and I didn't care much for it.

We've travelled the I-75 mountains to Knoxville even more times. To me, they were mountains. But you go straight up and straight down. Few bends and winds. I like I-75 more than I-65. However, as Kydisneyfans said, you have to deal with the semis going 20 mph uphill and 90 mph downhill.

However, I've never travelled the I-24 route from Nashville to Chattanooga. Is that mountainous? Hilly? Winding?

 

[Rose23]

* Take your time and don't push it; take breaks.
* Slow down through Tennessee and Northern Georgia.
* Mountains are your friends (you can coast down them). They are beautiful. Bible says "I will lift up mine eyes until the hills from whence cometh my help..."
* Sing and listen to upbeat music with your daughter.
* Try to stay with a group of cars that seems to be taking it easy through the mountains. They only last for a few hours.
* Remember what awaits on the other side of those mountains; there's a great outlet center in Calhoun, GA. Retail therapy is a fabulous distraction!
* Enjoy your time together with your daughter!
* You can do it!

Have a safe trip!

 

[sarahanhalt78]

Thank you all so much for your advice!!!! Driving round trip will cost roughly $300 while flying is about $700 total! Unfortunately flying is not an option! This is the first time driving there, we always fly, but sadly, can't afford it! But thanks for all the comments!!!!!! It's MUCH appreciated!!!

 

[drinkme]

I've driven twice through those mountains in Chattanooga. First time was at night in the rain. I think I was crying the whole time. Second time was in march if this year sunny weather and during the day, but that just made the trucks go faster. I was almost in tears. Never again!!

 

[sarahanhalt78]

I'm a good drive and my daughter and I road trip all the time!!! But NEVER thru the mountains!! I wouldn't worry if I had the road to myself, but the trucks and other crazy drivers is what I'm worried about. In Tennessee, I saw someone go around a truck on a curve and over the guardrail and nearly straight down a few hundred feet to his/her death. I was frozen after that and luckily my ex took over the wheel. Sooooooo I'm just a little freaked out. Is it 4 lane or 2???? Lots of curves????

 

[Surfinpiratee]

I looked up an alternative route..
It takes me through Lexington, KY instead of Louisville, and..somewhere more east around the mountains in TN instead of Nashville. Both routes you pop out at Chattanooga

 

[Alesia]

I looked up an alternative route..
It takes me through Lexington, KY instead of Louisville, and..somewhere more east around the mountains in TN instead of Nashville. Both routes you pop out at Chattanooga

Lexington to Chattanooga is much worse than Nashville to Chattanooga. The Smokies run along the eastern edge of Tennessee. There are no mountains in the middle of the state.

 

[Movingtothemouse]

Wait...I'm driving from there too for my first time! I don't actually want to drive on the mountains....or go over scary bridges....

We took a side trip to Savannah and that is where we encountered the scary (for me) bridge, the rest of the trip=no big scary bridges.

Our first trip my MIL kept telling me how scary the mountains were, I was panic stricken and by the time we got to GA I was like "that was it?" I expected much worse. If I could do it you can too. Just take your time and in a couple hours it will all be behind you.

 

[treeface]

I have driven down from northern Indiana more times than I can count and have taken both 65 and 75. I have also driven to Raleigh, NC several times and am not a huge fan of driving through the mountains either. Last October, I made the trip by myself with my DS 11, and an adult cousin for the southbound trip. I have always preferred 75 as it seems to be less curvy, maybe it isn't I don't know. My cousin, a former truck driver said that 65/24/75 was a better route so off we went. I did fine until about 45 minutes southeast of Nashville on 24 and then I totally panicked and not only had to stop and let her drive, but also sit down for awhile and take some medication. On the northbound trip, alone with DS, we drove straight through on 75 and I had no problems. I have driven thousands of miles alone and with DS as we travel for his activities frequently and have never had a problem except on 24. Although that is only a short party of the trip, I will not take that route again unless there is someone else to drive it and I have medication ahead of that.

The best advice I have is take whatever route YOU are most comfortable with, take your time and stop often if you need too. The mountains are beautiful and there are lots of places to stop and rest/relax.

 

[Chelley00]

We drive it all the time.

My rules are these:

I never drive them at night

I don't let people behind me make me feel like I have to go faster than I want to.


They really aren't that bad and they don't steeper hills don't last very long at all.