Driving thru GA to WDW....routes?

[OklahomaTourist]

Would appreciate any advice on the preferred route through Georgia to Florida/WDW. We'll be driving in from the Birmingham area, and it looks like we have two road choices. I'd appreciate any feedback anyone might have on what they consider the preferable route:

1. US280 to Columbus, then GA-520 to Albany, then US82 to Tifton, and finally I-75 to Orlando.

Pros: About 30 mins shorter than interstate route; Cons: Small towns, concerned about speed traps targeting out-of-state vehicles even when they're not speeding. *Very* concerned about this.

2. I-20 to Atlanta, then I-75 south all the way (minor variation - take the I-285 Perimeter around downtown Atlanta to I-75).

Pros: Stay on better-traveled/known interstates; have been this way before (2001). Cons: About 30 minutes longer than Columbus->Tifton route.

We will be driving through east Alabama/west Georgia in the morning hours. Option 2 above puts us in Atlanta about 9:00-9:30 AM Georgia time.

I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts/experiences you might have, including any construction info/warnings.

Thanks in advance
OT

 

[Jhogan]

We have actually driven both routes albeit several years ago. The route through ATL was much easier in that you had no traffic light/stop-n-go issues and you don't have to be overly concerned about missing a turn onto another road to follow the route that takes you down 280. It's funny you should ask about this as we had made the choice to drive down instead of flying when we go to WDW later this year. FWIW, when we go we will take the interstate route through ATL. Have a safe trip ...

 

[OklahomaTourist]

We have actually driven both routes albeit several years ago. The route through ATL was much easier in that you had no traffic light/stop-n-go issues and you don't have to be overly concerned about missing a turn onto another road to follow the route that takes you down 280. It's funny you should ask about this as we had made the choice to drive down instead of flying when we go to WDW later this year. FWIW, when we go we will take the interstate route through ATL. Have a safe trip ...

Thanks so much for the input. I think that's what I'm going to do as well - travel the known quantity.

-OT

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I disagree on either routing. My recommendation is to take I-65 south from Birmingham to Montgomery, then US 80/82 east a few miles to US 231 and then US 231 south via Dothan to I-10 at Cottondale in Florida. And then of course I-10 and I-75. This is all 4 or more lanes. You get some traffic for a few miles in Montgomery and the Dothan traffic circle (beltway around Dothan) is a pain in the neck, but otherwise it's smooth sailing. Seems to me that driving over to Atlanta is going way out of the way. I mean, 2 hours after leaving Birmingham you're only at Atlanta! Head south and 2 hours after leaving you're already around Troy.

BobK/Orlando

 

[OklahomaTourist]

I disagree on either routing. My recommendation is to take I-65 south from Birmingham to Montgomery, then US 80/82 east a few miles to US 231 and then US 231 south via Dothan to I-10 at Cottondale in Florida. And then of course I-10 and I-75. This is all 4 or more lanes. You get some traffic for a few miles in Montgomery and the Dothan traffic circle (beltway around Dothan) is a pain in the neck, but otherwise it's smooth sailing. Seems to me that driving over to Atlanta is going way out of the way. I mean, 2 hours after leaving Birmingham you're only at Atlanta! Head south and 2 hours after leaving you're already around Troy.

BobK/Orlando

Hi, Bob, and thanks for the input. Always willing to hear good opinions.

Actually, a couple of weeks back, I noticed that very route, thought the same thing, and plotted out that very course on three different mapping services as an alternative. I was surprised to see that it doesn't really buy me significant time. One service actually says its a bit slower, the other says its a bit faster (minutes either way, which really end up being noise level over that much distance). I understand your point about "2 hours and you're only to Atlanta," but I still have to make the jump east to pick up 75 at some point, either on I-10 or I-20, and its going to be about two hours no matter how you slice it. I think it ends up nearly a wash.

The shortest route time-wise is the original alternate above (280 through Columbus/Albany/Tifton), which estimates out to be about 8:40, which ends up only being about 20 minutes less than the interstate route, but that introduces the small-town/speed-trap factor of which I'm very wary. That's what's just about got me settled on the Atlanta version.

If I'm missing something on plotting that route, please let me know. As I said, I surely appreciate the input...

OT

 

[Jhogan]

I disagree on either routing. My recommendation is to take I-65 south from Birmingham to Montgomery, then US 80/82 east a few miles to US 231 and then US 231 south via Dothan to I-10 at Cottondale in Florida. And then of course I-10 and I-75. This is all 4 or more lanes. You get some traffic for a few miles in Montgomery and the Dothan traffic circle (beltway around Dothan) is a pain in the neck, but otherwise it's smooth sailing. Seems to me that driving over to Atlanta is going way out of the way. I mean, 2 hours after leaving Birmingham you're only at Atlanta! Head south and 2 hours after leaving you're already around Troy.

BobK/Orlando

Actually mileage wise the Mtgy/Dothan route is about the same distance to the I-10 / I-75 interchange as going through Atl. The Dothan route is slower time wise. In two hours you may be further south but you are not that much further east. We have driven that Mtgy/Dothan route as well. If you were departing from the southern part of Birmingham then that may be just as quick as driving to Atl. I found it's less stressful to get on the interstate through Atl going to WDW and not have to stop at all the traffic lights or manage the slow traffic of the "In Town" section of the roads.

 

[gw_lit]

1. US280 to Columbus, then GA-520 to Albany, then US82 to Tifton, and finally I-75 to Orlando.

Pros: About 30 mins shorter than interstate route; Cons: Small towns, concerned about speed traps targeting out-of-state vehicles even when they're not speeding. *Very* concerned about this.

2. I-20 to Atlanta, then I-75 south all the way (minor variation - take the I-285 Perimeter around downtown Atlanta to I-75).

Pros: Stay on better-traveled/known interstates; have been this way before (2001). Cons: About 30 minutes longer than Columbus->Tifton route.

OT -

We did both of your routes on our trip that started Memorial Day weekend.

Route 1 on the way down via Columbus, Albany, Tifton to I-75. I liked this route much better than the interstate. Sure there are stop lights and speed zones through cities, but just keep an eye out and you'll be fine. Traffic wasn't bad on this route at all, plus it's about 100 miles shorter than going through Atlanta.

Route 2 through Atlanta on the way back. Ugh. Lots of traffic (we just drove it two days ago and missed rush hour in all major cities), and LOTS of radar on I-20 in Alabama and Georgia. I couldn't believe how many places they were set up in both states. I'm sure you had to be going well over 75 in order to get pulled over, but they had plenty of cars pulled over. If you choose this route, take I-285 around rather than going through downtown. They're repaving I-75/I-85 through downtown with lots of lane closures and delays.

I'd take the 280/520/82 route hands down over I-20/I-75.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Actually, a couple of weeks back, I noticed that very route, thought the same thing, and plotted out that very course on three different mapping services as an alternative. I was surprised to see that it doesn't really buy me significant time.

All three routes probably do end up being about the same travel time. So then other factors must be considered such as safety (4 lanes divided better than 2 lane roads), number of small towns you have to go through (stop lights, police traps) and even boredom. (Georgia goes on forever!)

I don't think you'll go wrong with any choice. For me I like the route I mentioned because it gets me into Florida 2-3 hours earlier than the other routes. So even though I then still have a long way east to go, I "feel" like I've made progress because I'm already in Florida. Northbound my route would give the impression of poor progress because after many hours of driving I'd still not left Florida. In that case the Atlanta routing might be better because Georgia arrives so early in the journey.

Have a safe trip!

BobK/Orlando

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We live on the Columbus border in Alabama and have found that your fist option is the quickest option. We have yet to run into a speed trap, but you do want to be careful going through Ft Benning with the MP's. Dh is a truck drive and drives to Albany several time a week and has never had a problem. They aren't going to target you because you are pout of state. The only place I would worry is in Tye Tye, Ga and if you blink, you will miss it. Most of the highway is 4 lane and not those little 2 lane "pig trails" asI used to call them and it is 65 mph most of the way. Going this way cut out at least 2-3 hours versus the Dothan to I-10 route.

We went to Dothan and then to I-10 on our first 2 trips and it added at least 2 hours. On our second trip, we came back up I-75 to Tifton, Albany, Columbus and It was really quick.

You won't have to worry about all the Atlanta traffic either and that can be horrible. Going through Atlanta on any morning can be awful and will probably add more than 30 minutes compared to the other route.

We will never got Dothan to I-10 to I-75 again. We will only go Columbus to Albany to Tifton, to I-75. Now, the work on I-75 near Valdosta is a whole other story, but it still didn't add much to our travel time. When we go this way, it take us 5 1-2 to 6 hours, Dothan to I-10 takes at least 8 or more.

We will be heading down GA520 on Saturday morning for trip number 6.

Suzanne

 

[Disney grandma]

Mapquest has us going south out of Montgomery to Dothan to I-10. If we were in the Columbus area I do think it would be out of the way to go down to Dothan but for us it looks like the easier route.

 

[clkelley]

I drive from Huntsville all the time, and have found the route through Atlanta to be the best. However, your timing through Atlanta (9:00 - 9:30) in the morning is AWFUL!!! (I've tried them ALL, Dothan, Columbus, Chattanooga, etc.)

Quite honestly, if at ALL possible, leave B'ham the night before, go through Atlanta after 8:00 at night, and stop somewhere South of Atlanta for the evening. Then continue your trip the next morning.

Also, unless major construction is advertised through downtown Atlanta, don't take the bypass, go right through downtown. You lose the trucks going through downtown, and it is just quicker for me.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

I drive from Huntsville all the time, and have found the route through Atlanta to be the best. However, your timing through Atlanta (9:00 - 9:30) in the morning is AWFUL!!! (I've tried them ALL, Dothan, Columbus, Chattanooga, etc.)

Quite honestly, if at ALL possible, leave B'ham the night before, go through Atlanta after 8:00 at night, and stop somewhere South of Atlanta for the evening. Then continue your trip the next morning.

Also, unless major construction is advertised through downtown Atlanta, don't take the bypass, go right through downtown. You lose the trucks going through downtown, and it is just quicker for me.

Please let me first thank all of you for taking the time to respond. It is always great to gain the insight of those who have gone before you. There are obviously varying opnions on this, which is actually a good thing because it suggests to me there is no one "awful" route to avoid that just everyone knows about.

As far as leaving B'ham the night before, that isn't an option for us. Birmingham is our first stop on our drive coming out of town, and that will be after about 11 hours on the road from central OK. When I was planning the 280 route, I contemplated pushing the drive to Columbus and buying us the hour from the timezone change incurred when crossing the GA state line, but my wife (correctly) offered that would just be too long for the kiddos (not to mention the driver) - and I agree. It would have been another 2-2.5 hours.

I think I have all-but decided on the known I-20/I-285/I-75 route, although I do wish I weren't hitting it at 9:30 local time. I expect that 9:30 AM is the tail end of the rush-drive on a Friday morning. That's where the fact that I've driven it previously helps, so even thought its a bit of madness, its a least faintly familiar madness

We could delay our departure out of B'ham to 7AM local time, which would get us into Atlanta closer to 10-10:30 local, but that pushes our expected arrival into Disney to somewhere around 5-6pm, and I was hoping to get there more in the 4-5pm frame. Guess that hour isn't so critical; we're just doing Downtown Disney the first night.


-OT

 

[Disney grandma]

I disagree on either routing. My recommendation is to take I-65 south from Birmingham to Montgomery, then US 80/82 east a few miles to US 231 and then US 231 south via Dothan to I-10 at Cottondale in Florida. And then of course I-10 and I-75. This is all 4 or more lanes. You get some traffic for a few miles in Montgomery and the Dothan traffic circle (beltway around Dothan) is a pain in the neck, but otherwise it's smooth sailing. Seems to me that driving over to Atlanta is going way out of the way. I mean, 2 hours after leaving Birmingham you're only at Atlanta! Head south and 2 hours after leaving you're already around Troy.

BobK/Orlando

Are there a lot of towns and stops on the US 231 south route to Dothan and how bad is the beltway around Dothan - can't be as bad as Atlanta!