Driving from MI to Disney....

[umaangel00]

That's cool. You just must be closer some how! Or I take a different route. Dunno. BTW, where did you get your countdown ticker at?

 

[WDW1st-timers]

That's cool. You just must be closer some how! Or I take a different route. Dunno. BTW, where did you get your countdown ticker at?

I'm not sure where I got it. I know that someone out here had the link under theirs and I clicked on the link and got mine. I never did think about grabbing the link cause now I have to change mine. We are going to Treasure Island now and not Crystal Beach. If I find out again I will re-post to you.

 

[Simba]

It usually only took us around 20 hours to make the trip from where we are. I think we also used mapquest and it worked very well

 

[Local_Girl]

this is my first time posting so bear with me. My DH and I will be driving down from the Holland MI area in Jan and this our first time traveling that far of a distance in the winter. What tips does anyone have

Sorry, I just saw your post! We've made the same drive in Nov. and Dec. and were fortunate that the weather wasn't awful during our drives. I'd keep an eye on the weather reports and plan on an alternate route if necessary. We always have our winter clothing/boots with us just in case we have a problem along the way. With just the two of you, you might consider taking a chance and stopping when you feel like it, or calling to make a ressie along the route when you have an idea when/where you'd like to stop. With a DS and DD, we don't take chances and have a reservation in advance, in northern Georgia on the way down and in mid-Tennessee on the way back.

Hope you guys have a great trip!

 

[Janice B]

We are from Waterloo Ontario (1hr from London). We drove to disney last year and it took us about 24 1/2hrs. We drove right through with the occasional stop for gas and meals. We are leaving for another visit to disney on July 25th and will be driving straight through again. I agree map quest is good. However if you or if you know someone that has a CAA membership, request a triptik. It will out line your entire trip from start to finish and will also let you know where construstion is going on.

 

[bigmac5]

I'm getting the triptik also. It is great and usually quite up to date re: construction and alternate routes.

 

[Janice B]

We just picked ours up today. There is alot of constuction in Toledo Ohio, Lexington Kentucky, Cordele Georgia and in Ocala Florida. Lets just hope most of the construction is finished when you leave. Last year when we went down, we probably spent 1/2 - 1hr going and more than 1hr coming home due to consturtion. Dont forget to take that into consideration when figuring out the time it will take you to get down.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

We just picked ours up today. There is alot of constuction in Toledo Ohio, Lexington Kentucky, Cordele Georgia and in Ocala Florida. Lets just hope most of the construction is finished when you leave. Last year when we went down, we probably spent 1/2 - 1hr going and more than 1hr coming home due to consturtion. Dont forget to take that into consideration when figuring out the time it will take you to get down.

Yes, there is a HUGE construction project in Toledo, Ohio ongoing. They are ripping down bridges, resurfacing roads, etc.. so plan on delay's.

 

[tysonfamilyof4]

We just drove from NW Ohio to Orlando two weeks ago. We took I 75. We did it straight through. The way down it took us about 16 hours, which included stopping to eat with the kids. On the way home we made it in 15 hours. If we ever go again, I will fly. (We drove because I am terrified to get on a plane) It wasn't bad, but we could of had that much more time in florida. I truly didn't want to come home!!! As for the gas prices, we had gas cards and we only spent 170.00 there and back. We have a mini van, so I didn't think we did too bad.....

 

[cocacolamom]

We've driven down to Florida twice from Michigan and have always taken the 1-75 route. The 1-75 book is a must have. It helped keep us entertained all the way through to the Florida border. We have two children, so they do keep me busy too. We try to leave about 4 a.m. in the morning and drive until we reach the Florida border, then stay at a hotel. This makes for an easy drive the next day.
One of the things that I do during our trip is organize pictures for my scrapbooks. It's a great time to think of page titles, journaling, etc. Also, lots of music! After awhile the "radio station searching" gets old.

 

[bigmac5]

What is the I-75 book and where do you get it?

 

[WDW1st-timers]

What is the I-75 book and where do you get it?

You can get this book from CAA/AAA. This book cost about 30.00 but it's worth every penny. I had someone on the boards here recommend it about 2 months ago. I bought it when I booked my trip and the book is great. It tells you everything to what lanes you should be in to where is the cheapest stop on I-75 for gas. There is a ton of stuff it covers. Plus I hear that "Dave" the author is writing his new book and it should be out in September that deals with I-75 and I-4 in Florida. So I pray that it will be out before we leave. Even if you don't buy this book it's worth just checking out. Give me some time and I will try and locate the online link for you.

 

[bigmac5]

Thanks. It sounds good. I will have to check it out. We leave the 19th of Aug. so will not be able to get the new version

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Thanks. It sounds good. I will have to check it out. We leave the 19th of Aug. so will not be able to get the new version

Here is the link that I promised. http://www.i75online.com/citymap.html Just check out the website and I'm sure you will be hooked. Mind you that the book is alot better in person than that is said online about it.

If you have any questions just let me know.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Also when you are on that site check out "Dave's" map samples. They are the best.

 

[bigmac5]

I just had a quick look at the web site and checked out his sample map. What a great idea of having the map going the same way you are. I will check it out further, but it looks good

 

[teresajoy]

We make the trip every May from SouthWest Michigan, we are one hour south of the OP. We usually leave around 7PM on the way down, and then just drive straight through. It takes around 19 hours. We only stop for gas and emergency potty breaks for our three kids (or me). We pack all our meals in an ice chest. We've never had a problem with that. I always try to find a talk radio station, I just find it more interesting, and it keeps me more alert than listening to music. My husband and I take turns driving and sleeping. The thought of the drive is always worse than it actually is! I actually really enjoy it now.

 

[FanofG00fy]

I live here in Knoxville TN. I just wanted to warn you about 75/40 going through our town. Construction from Hades!!!! Here is a little secret that might help if Mapquest doesn't show you this. There is a road called I-640. It cuts out I-275 and some of the 40/75 traffic. As you pass Merchants Dr. right before you head into Knoxville, 640 is the next exit. You can go straight and stay on 275 and then take 40/75 to 75, if you miss this exit. I don't know the exit number or name, but cuts out the "close to Knoxville" area. Take the 640 Chattanooga ramp...you will know you are going the right way when you pass the Western Avenue exit. If you see a Broadway exit...your going the wrong way!!! it's a lovely 3 lane road (275 is 2 lane) they just smoothed it over. Anyway, at the end of I-640 it splits, One to the left going to Knoxville, one to the right going to Chattanooga. Take the right exit.

If you understand my instructions, Great. Going this way also cuts down the traffic that is held up for construction. Good luck!!!

Hope this helps!!

Chris

 

[fridayfun]

Had to read this post as this is our third trip (this Sept.) from Metro Detroit to Orlando in three years. The book Along I-75 was a great companion book. It was recommended last year to me from a fellow DISer from Canada and was great. Word of caution - Just spent 90 days in VA for work, drove back numerous times and the construction in Toledo is still on going and does not look to be completely finished any time soon. The traffic wasn't TOO bad, but some of the on/off ramps are closed for connectors, if you need to get on or off in the Toledo area. But not bad enough to keep us from driving to Disney! Have great trips everyone!