Driving to Disney from Michigan

[MeghansMommy]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so if it needs to be moved, please feel free! Sorry about that!

We're driving from northern Michigan and Mapquest says to take 65, not 75. We've driven to Florida in the past and we've always taken 75 South, but that was from the East side of the state.

We'll have three kids with us, 9, 7 &2 and my DH is worried that 65 won't be as "nice" (his words) as 75 and the kids will be bored. Has anyone taken 65 from Michigan and can tell me what we'll see along the way? Are there any interesting landmarks to see, good restaurants not to miss? Do we drive through the mountains of Tennesee?

Sorry for the confusing question. This is important to DH for the kids to see "America" and he thinks the only way to do it is to take I-75 fully from Michigan to Florida.

Thanks!

edited to fix my East/West problem!

 

[dkbayne]

We live in Indiana and we take 65 and the 24 to Chatanooga then we get 75 to Florida. May depend on where you are coming from in Michigan.

 

[MeghansMommy]

Do you drive through the mountains? How is the construction?

Thanks so much!

 

[dkbayne]

We usually are towing a 5th wheel and just like the traffic better on the 65/24 route better than 75. It is also closer for us than catching 75 in Cincinnati. Going the 65/24 route we don't get on 75 until Chatanooga which is pretty much in GA. There is one large mountain south of Manchester, TN (heading down) on 65 but other than that the mountains are fine. You can stop and look at the scenery at that spot. Also a couple nice rest areas on 24 before Chatanooga. There was construction in Nashville but that is mostly done and we have had no problem there the past 2 times we were through there. Some construction in KY but it wasn't bad either.

 

[byoung]

Tooooo long of a drive for me.

 

[Chelley00]

We just drove 65-24-75 3 weeks ago with 13, 10, 4 and almost 2 year old. The kids were too busy playing games, watching movies, reading books and coloring to notice much scenery, but they did enjoy the mountains. Chatanooga is pretty at night because you are up on one side and the lights are twinkling off to your side.

 

[thebecka]

I hate the drive to Florida! I've done it before and swear I'll never do it again. Wow, especially with kids and gas prices as they are... we were able to get $79 airfare through SouthWest.
I wish you a safe and uneventful drive!!

 

[ShellyMouse]

hi! we live in holland (SW michigan), we jump on 31 south all the way down to indy, then get on 65 south. last year we got off 65 in birmingham (alabama), and cut over to highway 19 south. we were taking a detour to homosassa springs to drop off my mom.
i hate hate hate driving on 75 through the huge mountains. it makes me a nervous wreck! but thats just me. 65 has little cute mountains. i think 65 is a very nice highway.
we have stopped in Cave city, ky. before.....the kids love to take the tour down into the caves!
we have always found nice little towns with nice hotels (very budget friendly) right off the exits. and most have indoor pools. we always make sure to get a hotel with a pool as a treat for dd for being good in the car. plus they can get all their energy out after sitting all day!

have a great trip!

 

[MeghansMommy]

Thank you all so much for the info. It looks like we'll try 65 South on the way there and see how it goes!

ShellyMouse - I'm in Manistee - a couple of hours north of you.

 

[ShellyMouse]

hi meghansmommy, yep, we drive through your town when we go skiing at crystal mountain. it's exactly 2 hours to the big boy restaurant(we always stop to have lunch there) , and then 30 minutes to crystal.

have a great disney trip!!

when are you going?

 

[MeghansMommy]

We're leaving in 10 minutes! But we won't get there until Saturday. (It's Tuesday now). We're going to stop and see family on the way.

Take care, Michelle