Driving from Texas; where to stop?

[HunnyPots]

We will be leaving for WDW on June 3 and coming back June 11 and driving from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The last time we drove down, we stopped in New Orleans and spent a day there. This time we just want to get to WDW as quick and painless as possible. We are thinking of driving as far as Pensacola and spending the night. Is this a good place to stop or is there some place better? We just need a clean, safe, and inexpensive hotel not too far off I10 for the night. Any suggestions?

 

[HunnyPots]

anybody?

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

would like to know too.

 

[doubled07]

I'm not sure this will help much since we are driving from the Houston area but we have stayed in Tallahassee at the LaQuinta Inn & at the Comfort Inn. Both are just off of I-10 with plenty of restaurants nearby & both with free continental breakfasts in the morning.

doubled07

 

[luvmy2sams]

We've made this drive 3 times over the past few years and have stopped for the night in Pensacola (2000), Tallahassee (2002), and Marianna, FL (2004). I believe we stayed at a Holiday or Ramada Inn in Pensacola, but I would not recommend it AT ALL. We stayed at a Hampton Inn in Tallahassee and at a Country Inn and Suites in Marianna. Both hotels were just under $100/night and were located just off I10. Lots of restaurants nearby, too. I'd personally recommend driving as far as Marianna, FL. Our hotel was brand new, and we loved it. You'll only have about 5 hours to get you into Orlando the next morning.

If you want more detailed info, feel free to PM or ask away.

 

[txtxyeha]

Tallahassee get my vote as well - while the first day will be a doosey (i.e., 900 miles or 15 hours), day two will only be 260 miles (4.5 hrs.).

Stayed at a Homewood Suites and had a good experience. The property is about 5 miles off I-10, but it is not hard to get to. Homewood Suites is very similar to Embassy Suites (both are Hilton brands), just no big atrium in the middle. Breakfast is not cook to order, but there are both hot and cold items for the choosing - and it's free.

 

[trampslady]

If you are still looking, we drove this last year, and are driving again in three weeks. We leave Dallas around 12noon, and we drove to Milton, FL--just over the Pensecola bridge (to avoid any traffic delays the following morning). We stayed at a new Red Roof Inn just off the freeway. Very clean and affordable. We will do the same this year. It took around 10 hours to get there from Dallas, and we drove about 7 hours the next day to get to WDW.

 

[Nebsky]

When we made the trip back in 04, we left from DFW and drove East on I20 to Jackson, MS then US98 and US49 down to Mobile, then I10 to Lake City where I10 and I75 intersect. (US98 and US49 might be flip flopped. Cant remember). We made it there in 14 hours. The more you drive the one day, the less you have to drive the next. Know what I mean?

We would have kept going to Disney but we had past the room cut off time and were going to be charged for it so we stopped. On the way home we spent all day in the parks and left Magic Kingdom at 7pm. We made it to Mariana, FL between Tallahassee and Pensacola. We were there at Midnight then got up and left at 8am the next morning. Home by 8pm that night.

Good luck, drive safe but know your limits. If you are getting tired, find a place to stop.

Jeff

 

[jimmiej]

We drove from San Antonio & stayed in Mobile, AL, just off I-10. Left about seven hours to WDW.

 

[SuBeat]

We'll be making the drive from DFW for the 5th time this summer. We have stayed in Milton (not quite far enough), Quincy (little too far), and Marianna (just right). This will be our 3rd time staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Marianna, and we have no complaints. Nice and clean with plenty of restaurants nearby, and just off of I-10.

 

[vital]

***When we made the trip back in 04, we left from DFW and drove East on I20 to Jackson, MS then US98 and US49 down to Mobile, then I10 to Lake City where I10 and I75 intersect. (US98 and US49 might be flip flopped. Cant remember). ****

You did flip the highways . Take US49 from Jackson to Hattiesburg, MS then US98 from Hattiesburg to Mobile, AL. Very good shortcut. It takes about 45min off the drive. In Mobile, you take I65 down to I10. Just thought I'd help clarify.

 

[denecarter]

We take I-20 to Shreveport, then I-49 down to I-10 (with the I-12 around NO). We've stopped at Pensacola 3 times. We had horrible experiences at the Holiday Inn Express we tried two different years... ick.

I think we'll drive a little further this year. I think we'll try Marianna as some of the other folks suggested.

 

[HunnyPots]

After changing our dates to July 9-15 and much debate and going back and forth over driving straight through or stopping, we finally decided to stop in Tallahassee. I got on Priceline just a couple of days ago and got The Courtyard by Marriott for $42 a night! I hope it turns out well. I feel much better knowing we have a plan and knowing our second day's drive will be much shorter. Thanks again!

 

[mecook]

I see that the OP has settled on a place, but as a "kinda-local" let me put in my 2 cents worth for others that might read this thread. If you want to get further than Pensacola, but not terribly further, stay at either Crestview or Defuniak Springs. I go thru both to the beach regularly. Crestview has a Jameson Inn near the exit and several eating places (plus a Super Walmart).
I can't think what brand of motel is in Defuniak. Also several eating places and a Super Walmart.
Speaking of Pensacola, the eastbound bridge is still messed up from Hurricane Ivan. You need to try to get past there when it's not rush hour. If not, you'll sit for at least an hour to cross. To avoid this, leave I-10 and get on hwy 90 east toward Milton. The bridge is parallel to the one on I-10, just further north. After that, you can get back on I-10.
Hope this helps someone.
Melanie