Driving from Chicago

[jessiangel]

Does anyone know the quickest route to take from Chicago to Orlando? We usually drive down taking I-57, but were told that I-65 is faster. The only time we took I-65 we hit such horrible traffic jams in Louisville (2-3 hours) because of construction that we would actually lose time and I was hoping to get down in the quickest time possible. Any opinions?

 

[weluvpluto]

We have taken both routes from Milwaukee, and I have trip tiks for both of them. The I-65 route is 28 minutes faster according to AAA, but we usually lost more than 28 minutes on I-80 and around Lousiville.
We will take the I-57 route this year unless I find out there is a lot of construction on it because I liked avoiding two major cities (Indianapolis and Louisville) even if it may end up costing me 28 minutes

 

[jessiangel]

Thanks for the reply! We usually do take 57 because there is virtually no traffic until Nashville. I think we will probably take 57 again this year. Even with construction, we have never been slowed down since even the bigger cities downstate have very little traffic on the highway.

 

[ILPHIL]

And prefer taking I-57. IT may be a little further, but not having to deal with the heavier traffic around NW IN, Indy, Louisville makes it well worth it in my book.

We leave Saturday morning!!!!!

 

[manning]

We went thru louisville in March and a relative did the first of May. No problems. Of course this is June. Here is a secret with louisville. Starting at the river stay in the left hand lanes. This takes all the ramps and merging out of the picture and makes it easier to get thru.

We took I-57 two years ago. It is a little longer, but takes out of play the I-80/94 mess, Indianapolis and Louisville. You will come into Nashville on I-24 but you don't get involved with the perpetual construction on I-65 on the north side of the city.

I hear there is construction on I-40 and you may become involved with that. You may want to check into that. I'm not sure exactly where it is at.

 

[manning]

Oh yes. Gas up before you hit the Florida border. The prices are high at the border in Florida. A full tank should get you to Disney.

The reports are the prices at the Hess stations on Disney property is better than outside.

 

[redbirdgrad]

I've done both and I-57 is approximately 15 miles longer but in time probably a the same if not quicker due to traffic as mentioned above.

 

[tinaluis]

Another vote for the I-57 route. It may be a little longer timewise but it is worth it not to have to deal with the Indianapolis traffic hassles. Have a safe trip!

 

[pines506]

We've done it a little differently. We've taken I65 to I74 at Indianapolis and picked up I75 outside Cincinnati. You miss Louisville and Nashville. We take the bypasses around Indianapolis and Cincinnati so have never had a problem. This year I think tho we are going to take I65 to 24 -- just for something different to look at. I should probably mention that I am on the Illi-Indi line so I can get to I65 without having to venture onto the mess that is 80/94!

 

[jessiangel]

Thanks for all the help. You guys are the best! DH has decided that 57 is the way to go this time around. Thanks for the tip on the road construction. I'll check into that before we leave in 2 weeks.