Driving from the middle of the US

[feistygalkmc]

We are strongly considering driving to WDW from Oklahoma. The route using gas buddy & cost to drive is basically across Arkansas, the northern part of Mississippi, down through Alabama, over to Georgia and then onto Florida. There will be 3 of us, myself, my fiance and our little girl (she will be 2 at the time). We used to drive to California every year when I was a kid so I'm pretty used to driving, just haven't driven the other direction to Florida.

I used the microsoft streets/trips program and kind of planned it out, just looking for any suggestions. My boss who drives to Florida every year suggested to leave very early in the morning. using that method if we leave around 2am or so (just kind of randomly picked that time lol) we would arrive in Valdosta GA around 6pm. I have included 30 minute stops to stretch our legs every 3 hours. Then leaving Valdosta at 6 the next morning should put us at FQ around 10am I think it was or around about there.I kind of picked Valdosta for a stopping point as I want our girl to be awake when we cross the FL state line. Why I don't know, I'm just crazy like that lol Also it doesn't seem all that far to WDW from Valdosta. Just looking at the map that seems to be a popular stopping point along the way. Several chain motels/restaurants along the highway to pick from.

Just looking for experiences & do's/dont's from people who have driven this far.

I realized I left this part out lol but we are looking to go the 2/3rd week in August of 2014. Right now looking at leaving on a Saturday (checking in at WDW on Sunday) and leaving on a Saturday or Friday. The airfare from here to Orlando is usually in between $400-$500 per person and it takes several hours to get there anyway. That is kind of why we figured to drive, we are estimating around $600ish for the cost to drive. I know we are probably overestimating that, I know it will cost at least $600 possibly less. We have a 2007 Dodge Nitro (2wd 4L) and we get pretty good gas mileage so I feel comfortable driving that rather than renting a car.

So sorry this is scatterbrained! lol I'm at work a little early and trying to get this all typed out before I start.

 

[JanB]

I can't give advice from the perspective of driving that far. I can, however, help with the stretch from Birmingham to Atlanta to WDW. We live in Atlanta, family in Bham, have driven to WDW many times.

Valdosta is a good place to stay. There are a number of hotels and restaurants there. And it's an easy drive the next morning.

Working backwards with your timeframe --- if you think that you'll arrive Valdosta around 6pm, then Oxford, Al may be a place to consider for lunch. It's about 5 hrs drive time to Valdosta, and there are lots of dining choices. FYI, Alabama is on Central time, Georgia & Florida are on Eastern time.

Even if your timeframe changes, you will probably want to identify the interstate exits where there is good potential for dining and refueling. On I20 between Birmingham and Atlanta, every exit won't have good opportunities. Same goes for I75 once you are out of Atlanta.

Speaking of Atlanta --- If you are driving through on a Saturday in August, then any time of day is as good as any other. However, you do mention the possibility of departing WDW on a Friday. If you choose to do that, then I recommend that you time your departure so that you are not in the Atlanta area between 3PM and 7PM on Friday. So leave really early so that you are through Atlanta before 3:00, or leave late enough to hit Atlanta after 7:00. Or better yet, give yourself another day at Disney, and depart on Saturday.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[grimley1968]

I can help with the Georgia part of it. The previous poster hit all the major points about timing the approach to Atlanta. I would add that if you do get to Atlanta at some non-rush hour time, avoid the 285 bypass around Atlanta. Just head straight to I-75 from I-20, and drive through downtown Atlanta. It'll shave a few miles off the trip, and if it's not rush hour, that stretch of I-75 is awesome, and I love seeing the buildings, etc. It's a nice change of pace from all the rural driving you're going to be doing. But there are times when driving through the middle of downtown Atlanta is easier than driving along I-285. If you happen to get there during rush hour, I guess I'd take 285, reluctantly.

DO take the bypass around Macon between Atlanta and Valdosta. That one does save time, and they wisely have not built up all that much along the Macon bypass.

We have a lot shorter drive to Valdosta than OP, but we normally stop there en route to WDW. There's a very nice Hilton Garden Inn we like at Exit 18, but Valdosta has all the major hotel/motel chains, if you are set on something else. It's about another 4 hours the following AM to WDW.

 

[feistygalkmc]

Thanks so much for the tips, these are going right into my planning spreadsheet! I'm not really concerned with getting out of Oklahoma & Arkansas but I was wondering if Valdosta was even a good place to stop or not. It looked good but we all know that isn't always the case!

My DF of course wants to take a scenic route (going all the way south to Louisiana and go up the Gulf Coast). I very quickly nixed that plan and reminded him that i am more interested in efficiency lol If we are going to drive then we MUST arrive as quickly as possible without torturing ourselves doing it

 

[Nana2Callie]

This will be our 3rd year to drive from Arkanas (OK border). Last year we left at 3 AM and arrived in Ocala FL around 9:30 none the worse for the wear. It was my huband, granddaughter (7 years) and myself.

 

[JanB]

I can help with the Georgia part of it. The previous poster hit all the major points about timing the approach to Atlanta. I would add that if you do get to Atlanta at some non-rush hour time, avoid the 285 bypass around Atlanta. Just head straight to I-75 from I-20, and drive through downtown Atlanta. It'll shave a few miles off the trip, and if it's not rush hour, that stretch of I-75 is awesome, and I love seeing the buildings, etc. It's a nice change of pace from all the rural driving you're going to be doing. But there are times when driving through the middle of downtown Atlanta is easier than driving along I-285. If you happen to get there during rush hour, I guess I'd take 285, reluctantly.[\QUOTE]

It can be an interesting decision concerning whether to take the perimeter (I285) or whether to go through downtown, and I don't dispute anything in the above advice. I will say that we ourselves do generally prefer to drive through on I75/I85 rather than to go around on I285. But there might be situations (in addition to rush hour) that might make you want to consider taking the perimeter.

First, regardless of day of the week or time of day, you will want to keep informed concerning current traffic conditions -- construction, accidents, etc. On the radio, listen to AM750 WSB. Or maybe you have a GPS that gives you that info. An accident on I75/85 inside the perimeter might make it better to take the perimeter. You should begin listening for traffic info well before you get to I285. When coming from Alabama, begin listening by the time you are to Douglasville. When coming from Florida, begin listening no later than Locust Grove. I will emphasize that you should do this even on the weekend. There is more construction that happens on weekends at at night. And the weekends are definitely not immune from accidents.

Second, many people don't realize that a large portion of the interstate lanes inside the perimeter are actually a bit narrower than the lanes on the perimeter or outside the perimeter. It can be just a bit stressful, and feel a bit "tight", for drivers who are not accustomed to driving in the city. It can really feel extra-tight if your vehicle happens to be a really large one, like a Ford Expedition.

So you need to know your own driving style and what conditions might add to your stress. And you need to keep informed of current driving conditions so that you know what route to take BEFORE you hit I285.