Driving from Wisconsin - I65 or I57?

[WI_DisneyFan]

I am starting to piece together our next WDW trip, and this time we are planning on driving down from just north of Milwaukee, WI. This will be our first time driving after flying on our three previous Disney trips. My question is this -- is it better to take the longer route down I57 to bypass Chicago and Indy? Or take the shorter I94/I294/I65 route through Chicago, Gary, Indy, etc? Once we hit Nashville it'll be the same trip. Just wondering the pros/cons of that first leg of the trip. I've seen both routes recommended on here, but can't figure out which one is best. Thanks!

(And yes, I know flying would be faster. And I know a lot of you think people who drive this distance are crazy. But the wife and I have grown very tired of flying and want to see more of the country along the way. It is our choice -- you won't be able to persuade us to change our minds.)

 

[HHSTigerFan]

I think a lot will depend on what time and day you are traveling, if you will be driving through I-80/NW Indiana during the busy time, I would suggest I57...

 

[backyardponder]

You want to avoid the I-65 and I80/I94 mess...sorry intersection...at all costs. If it isn't under construction it is covered with snow or trucks.

If you look at a map closely, I-65 cuts back west between Louisville and Nashville. I recommend I-57 and I-24.

As a side note, try to time your travels to avoid rush hour in Atlanta!

 

[mapmakerj]

We have done the drive three times now from Oshkosh and we have always gone thru Chicago and taken I-65. We do leave in the middle of the night to avoid traffic and have always breezed right thru. Our trips were in Dec, Oct, & June and the time of year made no difference. Two summers ago we went to visit my dad in Tennessee and decided to be different and take the route thru IL to avoid Chicago and we had sooo many delays due to accidents, detours and construction that we are in no hurry to take that route again.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There are no major cities along I-57 so the traffic is much lighter and the odds of traffic delays far less. Ditto I-24 until you get to Nashville. With I-65 you've got to traverse NW Indiana, Indianapolis and Louisville.

Please note that I-294 (Tri-State Tollway) passes over I-57 but there is no direct interchange. You have to exit onto I-80 westbound and then connect onto I-57 southbound. Not a big deal.

The disadvantage of I-57 southbound is one of perception. Five hours after leaving Chicago you're still in Illinois! It just doesn't seem like progress is being made. But once you cross into Kentucky at Paducah you're less than 2 hours to Nashville. Northbound this is an advantage because you cross into Illinois much sooner and it just seems like you're making great progress.

BobK/Orlando

 

[drinkme]

We've driven twice from Chicago, and prefer taking 57.

We'll never drive again!!! But I know you said we can't change your mind! lol.

Have a fun trip! There are many posts on driving from Chicago if you search for them. You can get tips on rest stops, hotels if you stay overnight, etc.

HTH

 

[DonaldDuckFamily]

We have driven twice from the Madison area. We actually take I94 to I39 Bloomington to I74 Champaign to I57 to Memphis to I24 Nashville to I75 Atlanta, take Atlanta bypass I475 to I75 South Valdosta to FL91 Florida Turnpike. It says the trip takes 21 1/2 hours but we done the trip with 3 kids in 20 hours.

If we leave the Madison area around 6am, we've avoided all rush hours, including Nashville and we are in Atlanta around 9pm(their time). But, you are traveling from North of Milwaukee and I can't help think that going around the Chicago might not be quicker (even with construction). The drive through Illinois is REALLY BORING.

Good luck

 

[JB2K]

I live in St. Louis and drive to WDW -- the I-57/I-24 combination to Nashville is largely uneventful in terms of what to expect...

From Mount Vernon (IL), the only large towns you will bypass are Paducah, KY and Clarksville, TN -- no traffic woes at either place.

 

[txo1474]

I have taken both routes in the past but prefer 57-24-75. Returned from trip just last week. Only constuction was south of Macon GA. Its nice not having to deal with the 80/94 merge, Indianapolis and Louisville. Only concern is hitting Atlanta at the right times.

Overall traffic seems to be lighter with less trucks also. ( this is a biased opinion)

Good luck with whatever you decide and have a great trip!

 

[Befferk]

We're driving from central WI next month. Unfortunately, we will be hitting Atlanta around Noon on a Friday . Should we plan on taking the bypass?

 

[spfldfan]

Last Fall we hit Atlanta on a Friday around 2:00 and took 75 through and traffic only got bad downtown and it was still moving, just very slowly. We did not use them but they have the HOV lanes that look to move pretty good.

 

[Poohbug]

We have driven twice from the Madison area. We actually take I94 to I39 Bloomington to I74 Champaign to I57 to Memphis to I24 Nashville to I75 Atlanta, take Atlanta bypass I475 to I75 South Valdosta to FL91 Florida Turnpike. It says the trip takes 21 1/2 hours but we done the trip with 3 kids in 20 hours.

If we leave the Madison area around 6am, we've avoided all rush hours, including Nashville and we are in Atlanta around 9pm(their time). But, you are traveling from North of Milwaukee and I can't help think that going around the Chicago might not be quicker (even with construction). The drive through Illinois is REALLY BORING.

Good luck

ITA
We use this route also. It has been the quickest way to Florida that we have found. Chicago has traffic all the time and it is much easier to avoid it altogether.