Driving from Northern Illinois!

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We are drivers, we have flown before, taken the train and driven...we have driven a truck, a van and a car and have found that we enjoy driving the most...so now my question is this...

Those driving from the top of IL, near the border....are you a direct driver or do you stop and spend the night somewhere? Do you drive direct but make sight seeing stops along the way? I'm just wondering how you drive and if we may be missing out on some sights to see or places to eat!!

We drive straight through but have stopped to see some historical sights before on the way down and on the way home we stop in St. Augustine for a beach day or 2 before heading straight back. We do stop for drive thru meals, no restaurants as we usually just want to go-go-go! LOL

 

[Gr8t Fan]

We drive straight through, switching drivers every 3-4 hours, stopping only for gas/restroom breaks and at the Florida Welcome Center for some orange juice. We're in Chicago, so not quite as far north as you, and our drive is 1,234 miles door to door. We like to leave about 4 pm, and take 294/57/24/75 to the Turnpike. We usually get there between 1-4 pm depending on traffic and stops. We've gone the I65 route through Indiana, but really prefer 57 because it feels a little less hectic. In the past we've stopped in Atlanta for a few days to sightsee, and also in Nashville, but most trips we're in a hurry to get there and get home because we have to get back to school and work.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We drive straight through, switching drivers every 3-4 hours, stopping only for gas/restroom breaks and at the Florida Welcome Center for some orange juice. We're in Chicago, so not quite as far north as you, and our drive is 1,234 miles door to door. We like to leave about 4 pm, and take 294/57/24/75 to the Turnpike. We usually get there between 1-4 pm depending on traffic and stops. We've gone the I65 route through Indiana, but really prefer 57 because it feels a little less hectic. In the past we've stopped in Atlanta for a few days to sightsee, and also in Nashville, but most trips we're in a hurry to get there and get home because we have to get back to school and work.

The Indiana route does seem hectic, good word for it! We tried it only once and vowed never again! LOL!!! We do the OJ in Florida too and it is always so exciting to get into Florida...yet we are fooled because the ride ahead of us is still long! HAHAHA!

 

[StraightToDumbo]

I live in Central Wisconsin. Debating doing that drive but man that's a long way. I don't think that if we were to do it, we'd be able to sail straight through. We'd have to stop somewhere in TN or GA for the night.

 

[bjschil]

We live in SW Wisconsin, and our first trip was drive straight. Never again, I do not think we recouped our energy level for all that is needed for DW. We pull our fifth-wheel yearly, and now take a more leisurely route, stopping after five hours the first night, then drive the longer, but less hectic route, through Nashville, Alabama, down to Fort Wilderness. Longer by an hour, but avoids the Atlanta traffic. Driving home is just one night in the road. Good luck and safe travels.

 

[dosekies]

I live in the NW Suburbs of Chicago. In 2015 it was just me and DH and we stopped half way on the way down there, but drove straight thru on the way back (after the 24 hour event. oops?). This November, we also plan on going straight thru as we leave at like 7pm the night before Thanksgiving and plan to make it there to Thanksgiving dinner!

Luckily DH loves driving because I hate it so he does the majority of it.