Driving From Chicago

[BethanyF]

I know the basic route is 65 to 24 to 75. Right?

Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels between Macon and Valdosta? I dont think I want to make reservations, since we will go as far as we can before stopping. But I would like an idea of where to consider stopping....or what areas to avoid.

Something near a Waffle House would be a plus, LOL. Yes, I know, there are plenty of WH's in Ga.

 

[Jon99]

We drive straight thru so really not sure where to stay, but we always drive 57-24-75 to avoid Indy...

 

[tinaluis]

Another vote for the 57-24-75 route. It really is a more peaceful drive and you avoid the horrible congestion near Indianapolis. In fact, that's the route we're taking in about 18 hours!!! I don't have any hotel recommendations for you because we always stop near Marietta (just before Atlanta). Have fun planning your trip.

 

[Jon99]

While we live in Kankakee County and taking 57 seems like the natural thing to do, if you take 57 you also avoid the awful traffic on 80/90...

 

[deb305]

I can't remember which one, but we stopped at the Hampton Inn in Macon on I-75. It was great, had a Cracker Barrell next door that does take out. Before the trip I went on the internet sites of the hotel chains we trust (Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn, Holiday Express, Marriott Courtyard) and printed the info for all of their hotels in Georgia on 75. We made sure we called from the car before 5:00 that day, and got ressies for the hotel we'd be near around 7:00. Don't wait much later as they tend to fill up quickly after 6 pm.
Good Luck.
For the trip back we stopped at the Hampton Inn in Dalton. It was great, in the middle of large Outlet Mall with an Outback across the street (also w/take out)

 

[BethanyF]

Originally posted by deb305
I can't remember which one, but we stopped at the Hampton Inn in Macon on I-75. It was great, had a Cracker Barrell next door that does take out. Before the trip I went on the internet sites of the hotel chains we trust (Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn, Holiday Express, Marriott Courtyard) and printed the info for all of their hotels in Georgia on 75. We made sure we called from the car before 5:00 that day, and got ressies for the hotel we'd be near around 7:00. Don't wait much later as they tend to fill up quickly after 6 pm.
Good Luck.
For the trip back we stopped at the Hampton Inn in Dalton. It was great, in the middle of large Outlet Mall with an Outback across the street (also w/take out)

Great idea, thanks

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

And another vote for the 57-24-75 route. We also drive straight thru - overnight.

 

[horner5]

So, how long does it take to drive to WDW from Chicago? We're taking 94 to 65 and heading down. Mapquest claims it will take 20 hours and 50 minutes from our house and we're 2 hours north of I65.

We're driving straight through, so I'm trying to get a feel for time.

Thanks!

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

From southwest suburb of Chicago to WDW is 17.5 to 21 hours depending on traffic, construction, length of stops. 18 hours is normal for us if all goes well.

 

[ILPHIL]

By going this route we are able to have a pretty stress-free drive from the far north suburbs of Chicago. We make a lot of stops so it takes about 24 hrs. But only about 18 of that is actual driving time.
For the OP looking for someplace to stop before Valdosta, you might want to look into Adel, GA. Lots of motel choices and a Waffle House.

 

[BethanyF]

Originally posted by ILPHIL
By going this route we are able to have a pretty stress-free drive from the far north suburbs of Chicago. We make a lot of stops so it takes about 24 hrs. But only about 18 of that is actual driving time.
For the OP looking for someplace to stop before Valdosta, you might want to look into Adel, GA. Lots of motel choices and a Waffle House.

Looks like 57 is the way to go. Thanks everyone. I did see Adel on the map and it looked like a good stopping point. Im happy to hear I can get my waffle & scattered, covered, diced & peppered hash browns.

 

[Jon99]

And I can't suggest enough to try to leave home at a time where you avoid Atlanta during rush hour.. We normally leave around 3:00 PM an go thru Atlanta around 2:00 AM, which is great.. The problem with leaving in the morning is that you sort of need to leave by 4:00 AM or after 8:00 AM to avoid rush hour...

To us, there isn't a better way to go than to drive during the night, only time we ever hit traffic is on I-4...

 

[Nebsky]

Only problem about Atlanta (or any other big city) at 2am is the drunks on the road. They scare the heck out of me.

 

[FINFAN]

There can be some nasty back-up traffic between Macon and Valdosta....just thought I'd mention it as you may be tired and construction etc. can be so much worse when tired/hungry etc. We just drove from Chicago this past Dec.( 57-24-75) I agree w/leaving around 3 a.m. We left on Sat., too late....6 a.m. and could have used more daylight. Hit the chattanooga mtn area as the sun was setting. We did encounter some nasty stress traffic in Nashville....
Back to your question...there is a brand new LaQuinta Inn near Valdosta...plenty of places to eat. It had a NOW OPEN sign on it. If you are not making the kind of time you hope for and are getting tired, Acworth has a Holiday Inn Express w/breakfast and a Comfort Inn...both are pretty new, Shoneys across the parking lot, easy off/on hwy access. Also Marietta has a ton of hotels. We wanted to get at least 6 hours sleep so we stopped in Acworth. Valdosta was orig. our plan as the drive to Orlando is quick(relatively) after making it that far. Having done the drive before, I can say that I am glad we stopped after 12 hours. I think the kids were too. Plus we killed over an hour at the Fl welcome center...had to get our free dixie cup of OJ! Tradition...all the way back to when my folks drove us down each summer.

Pam