Driving to WDW, where to stop?

[Tim Smith]

We are driving down with our son and plan on stopping about half way for the night. We are leaving from Ohio between Cincinnati and Dayton and I was wondering if any one else has done this drive and where you stopped. Any input and advice would be great.

tim

 

[midge dionne]

We live south of Detroit and will be driving to WDW this summer. We are taking our time so our first stop will be in Knoxville TN and the second stop in Valdosta GA then on to the ocean for a day. Chatanooga TN is about 10-12 hours from WDW. We never make reservations because there are to many variables. Rest areas usually have some great coupons for hotels and restaurants.

 

[Tim Smith]

It looks like Atlanta is about the 1/2 way point so we probably will stay somewhere near there depending on how the drive is going. Any recomendations? On our second day we will drive on into the Pop Century. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Ratpack]

One suggestion if you are staying in Atlanta, go ahead and go to the opposite side of Atlanta before stopping. I say this because it looks like you will get there in the evening and traffic may be less then. That way when you get up to leave the next day you do not have to fight the Atlanta traffic and it can be a bear no matter what day it is.

 

[bweagle]

Are you taking I-75? We take I-77 out of Ohio and usually stop in southern Georgia for the evening....but that is a long ride that really pushes our limits. We usually leave early in the morning and don't stop until around 9 in the evening.

 

[Tim Smith]

Yes, we are taking 75. We can take either 75 or 71 they are both within minutes of our home but 75 is the shortest. Our plan was to leave Saturday morning and drive about 8-9 hours the first day and finish up the remainder on Sunday. Our Disney vacation starts on Monday and runs through Sunday. We will spend the night Sunday evening and leave for home on Monday morning again taking two days for the return trip.

 

[BrianMonk]

Tim,

I just posted info regarding an Atlanta Hotel on the thread titled

"Drive to WDW"

 

[RussH]

I live in Cincinnati and have driven to WDW maybe 17 times in the last 8 years. Normally I get home from work around 5pm on a Friday load the vehicle then to bed by 5:30. Up at 1am and on the road by 2. I am on WDW property by 4pm at the latest. A few times because of delays or leaving right from work I have stopped and I always do it south of Atlanta hopefully in north Florida. I75 being as old as it is means finding lodging easy.

I would recommend to do at least 2/3 of your mileage the 1st day. The 2nd driving day always seems longer. Saturday morning is the best time for driving on I75 truck traffic is down and the weekday traffic in the cities you pass through is light. Another reason if only 4-5 hours remain just sleep a little later and you still are on site by 2pm.

Doing a run to WDW May 1st for a 2nd stay at POP really like this resort.