Driving from Indianapolis - Suggested overnight stop?

[Dis_Dreamin]

Planning our first driving trip to Disney World with some friends. Gonna have 5 kids between two vehicles in ages between 8 mo to 6 yrs. Don't think we want to do a straight through drive.

Not quite sure where we should stop for the night. Thinking of splitting between a longer drive 10 - 12 hr and a shorter drive the second day. Right now, I'm aiming for stopping south of Atlanta in Macon Ga. Is that a reasonable assumption? What time would we want to leave if we wanted to be at our stopping point sometime around Dinner time so the kids can get some pool time and be in bed at a reasonable time?

Normally I would just fly, but it's getting more expensive, and one of our friends isn't about to get on a plane without being sedated, and we can't carry him.

Any recommendations for the drive for where to stop and when to leave to get there would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kneemeister]

I used to always do that. Somewhere between Macon and Valdosta depending on what time I left in the Morning. Last time I left so early in the AM that I actually got to Valdosta by 5 PM and debated driving on thru, even though I had a prepaid reservation.

Of course I also took advantage of a cut off I found, go east of Cave City 10 miles then its a straight shot south on US-231 to catch I-24 way east of Nashville, saves about 1 hr. and is a very scenic break from I-65.

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

Thanks for the response. What time would you suggest leaving to get to Macon by about 6 pm? I'll look into the alternate route you suggested. Sounds nice to get some scenic route driving in, I do enjoy a break from the interstate sometimes.

 

[kneemeister]

It is about 610 Miles from Indy to Macon, so I would plan on 10-11 hrs. so go from there. Its about 16 hrs or so all the way to Orlando.

 

[SeedsLuvDisney]

If it was me, would leave very early in the morning, maybe 3AM and get a few hours in before the kids wake up and then drive straight through, would be in Orlando by dinner..

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

Not too sure about leaving at 3AM to drive straight through. Most of us will be working the day before leaving so leaving early enough in the morning to hit Macon area before dinner time would be enough for us.

I remember as a kid, I hated the straight through drives to Florida (Panama City Beach). I preferred to stop and relax for one night, even though I was excited about spending time on the beach. That long in a car was enough to drive my sister and I to fighting and being ready to kill eachother for the next couple days if we even got within a foot of eachother. LOL!

I think leaving around 5 or 6 am and stopping in Macon is our best option at this time.

 

[disneybride96]

We last drove to Florida in 1995 and swore it would be the last time we would drive. We have kept the promise to ourselves.

That being said, with a two cars and few adults it might not be so bad. Getting through Atlanta was always my goal. Problem is that it is farther than you think. Once you hit GA, you think you are almost there but you are not! Be sure to make hotel reservations in advance. We made that mistake coming from Philly once and ended up driving straight though because we could not find a room!

Have a great family trip!

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

Oh yeah, hotel ressies will be made the same day or within a short time after making our Disney Package reservations. Just waiting on package rates and will need to coordinate with our friends, but since I'm the "planner" in the bunch I am just trying to get suggestions.

This will be our first drive down to FL. Like I said in the original post, I would prefer to fly, but that's becoming less and less an option. Oh well.