First Time Driving From TN taking 75?

[kaysmommie]

Heelo,
It is our first time driving from the Knoxville TN area to Disney. We usually fly but with airline prices decided to drive and stay at Poly. I'm guessing it takes around 10 hours. Which way is better to go through Atlanta, straight through on 75 or take 475? We are leaving at 4:00am and hope to be at WDW by 2pm. Also any good rest areas or places to stop would be great. We are traveling with DD6 and DS2. I just know my kids are going to drive me nuts. Thanks in advance.

 

[mommyintn]

Hi there fellow Knoxvillian!! We did the drive in March and I think it was more like 11 hours on the way down and then on the way back construction was horrible in Georgia and it took 14 hours!! My kids were the same ages as yours! I'm guessing we took 475 around Atlanta but I can double check with Dh when he gets home later. I'll pm you.

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks Angela. Wow that is a bit longer then I hoped for. If the ride down is awful we might have to plan on stopping near Macon on the way back. How did your kids do in the car for all that time? Thaks, Nichole

 

[Disneyrsh]

Hi, I live in Atlanta, and it usually takes us about 7-8 hours door to door. Most of the construction on 75 through georgia is finished, now. There are a few spots that can be sticky. If you do come through Atlanta, really try to avoid coming through downtown between 6-9:30am, 12:00-1:30 pm, and 4:00-7:00 pm. You'll run into a big bottleneck on the downtown connector in either direction. And I mean you'll delay for hours.

We usually leave around 7 in the evening and it's a non crowded, cool, straight shot down to Disney. We usually get in around 1-2 am. You can take 285 around (go west coming from 75) but that can be iffy as well. We also usually go around Macon, not through it. Seems to save us a little time.

Also, avoid the BP's. They've had universally disgusting toilets on every one we've stopped at the whole way down.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Ok another Knoxvillian here(wow there are alot of us miss placed mouseketers). We make the trip 3 to 4 times a year(my parents are in Ocala) If you leave at 4am Atlanta will be little to no problem, going around Atlanta on 285 doesn't usually help any unless there is an accident blocking 75. When you get to Macon you do want to go around on 475. As for stops my kids are older so we ususally only need 2 but all the rest areas in GA are good, we usually stop at the second exit in Acworth for gas and food, the Wendy's is good most of the time, there is also a McD's as well, after that we stop at the rest area just before 475 in Macon, then a quick gas stop just before leaving GA, exit 15 I think. Check the GA DOT web site before you go for construction updates www.georgia-navigator.com, last time we were through, south GA was one big construction zone with no easy way around. Without too much traffic or construction or long stops we have made it to Disney in 10hrs, but I would estimate 11 hours for a first timer.

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks for the tips, I wrote them in my passporter.

 

[spiceycat]

you can fly SW - they lower some of their prices today!!!

 

[mommyintn]

Thanks Angela. Wow that is a bit longer then I hoped for. If the ride down is awful we might have to plan on stopping near Macon on the way back. How did your kids do in the car for all that time? Thaks, Nichole

I was really suprise how well they did, but we stopped for the night in Valdosta but if we were to drive again we'd drive further than that. We also got a dvd player for the car before that trip which helped a lot!!

 

[manning]

Fill your tank before you get into Florida. Unless you have a huge gas hog it will get you to Disney. The prices are high at the border in Florida and usually drift down as you go south. It may be different today but that's what we noticed.

 

[akaDaddy]

Hello Fellow Volunteer!!!

We live in Hamblen County with several road trips under our belts. We've found that taking I-40 to Asheville, then I-26 to I-95 to I-4 is a much better route and keeps you out of the Atlanta mess (and its always a mess). The route is about 20 miles longer according to MapQuest, but we've found that it cuts over 30 to 45 minutes off the trip. And yes, plan for 11 hours of travel time when you consider rest stops, gas fill-ups and a meal or two.

Another thing you might consider is flying out of Nashville. Southwest started $49 each way fares today and we've booked four tickets for our trip in September for $464 total. That's only $45 more than the cost of gas for our old gas hog.

Anyway, have a great trip!!!

 

[CarolA]

you can fly SW - they lower some of their prices today!!!

Not out of Knoxville you can't... SW doesn't serve Knoxville. Knoxville is a DL market which explains the airfares....

 

[drogerstn]

....Another thing you might consider is flying out of Nashville. Southwest started $49 each way fares today and we've booked four tickets for our trip in September for $464 total. That's only $45 more than the cost of gas for our old gas hog.

Ouch, this comes out to around 8.5 to 9 miles-per-gallon (maybe 6 mpg if you are driving your gas hog to Nashville and took those miles out when doing your calculations)...you do have a gas hog

 

[kaysmommie]

It's a new minivan but it uses a lot gas but not as much as say a Suburban or something really big like that. I think we might just stick to driving. DH wants to go straight through no stopping to sleep either way. My DS can usually do 6 hours with 1 stop and then he has a major meltdown.

 

[Laz]

Hello Fellow Volunteer!!!

We live in Hamblen County with several road trips under our belts. We've found that taking I-40 to Asheville, then I-26 to I-95 to I-4 is a much better route and keeps you out of the Atlanta mess (and its always a mess). The route is about 20 miles longer according to MapQuest, but we've found that it cuts over 30 to 45 minutes off the trip. And yes, plan for 11 hours of travel time when you consider rest stops, gas fill-ups and a meal or two.

Another thing you might consider is flying out of Nashville. Southwest started $49 each way fares today and we've booked four tickets for our trip in September for $464 total. That's only $45 more than the cost of gas for our old gas hog.

Anyway, have a great trip!!!

Wow! That is very intersting! That is the route I take to Myrtle Beach from up here in NE Indiana. I may have to consider it next time. I usually run into some sort of construction delay around the Smokies.

 

[drogerstn]

It's a new minivan but it uses a lot gas but not as much as say a Suburban or something really big like that. I think we might just stick to driving. DH wants to go straight through no stopping to sleep either way. My DS can usually do 6 hours with 1 stop and then he has a major meltdown.

Flying out of Nashville would take almost 8 hours total travel time (one way) for you if all went well and you'd have to depart and arrive based on Southwest's flight schedule. [2.5 hours from house to airport; 2 hours at airport; 2 hours flight time; 1 hour or longer from Orlando airport to WDW] I'd take the flexibility and cost savings of driving as well; especially since flying would only save 2-4 hours at best. A good airfare directly out of Knoxville might be a different story...

 

[kaysmommie]

It should only cost around $250 for gas. If we have to stay overnight then add another $100 plus a meal or two. It will cost around $400 total so we save only a $100. I'm not sure but have to make up my mind while the airfare is affordable. DH insist on driving straight through 10+ hours. Does anyone drive straight through with little kids or is it impossible? Thanks for all your help.

 

[drogerstn]

... If we have to stay overnight then add another $100 plus a meal or two. ...

Meals I assume you will be eating meals whether you drive, fly, or stay at home...

... DH insist on driving straight through 10+ hours. Does anyone drive straight through with little kids or is it impossible? Thanks for all your help.

The good thing about driving is that you can leave when you like. 10-11 hours is not that bad. I like to leave early so the family can sleep a good portion of the beginning of the trip and it may come in handy if trying to miss rush hour traffic at different locations along the way. I only consider stoppng overnight for a 10-11 hour trip if I leave for the trip late in the afternoon or early evening on a work-day. Ya'll could leave early in the morning and check into your resort in time to get in an afternoon swim at the pool, go to a fun meal, or visit a park.

 

[kaysmommie]

The good thing about driving is that you can leave when you like. 10-11 hours is not that bad. I like to leave early so the family can sleep a good portion of the beginning of the trip and it may come in handy if trying to miss rush hour traffic at different locations along the way. I only consider stoppng overnight for a 10-11 hour trip if I leave for the trip late in the afternoon or early evening on a work-day. Ya'll could leave early in the morning and check into your resort in time to get in an afternoon swim at the pool, go to a fun meal, or visit a park.[/QUOTE]
Exactly, we plan to leave at 4:00am and drive to Poly and swim for a bit then go to Chef Mickey's for dinner so DS can see Mickey without going to a park. On checkout day we will have breakfast and then leave by 9am and hopefully be home around 8pm. Might be harder on the way back because the kids will be awake. Wish me luck.

 

[LilyWDW]

Also look at rates for Tri Cities Regional. I believe they still have a round trip direct into Orlando. It would require about a 2 hour drive from Knoxville, but may still be worth checking into.

 

[crazelion]

I just drove to Orlando from Chattanooga all by myself and was 12 hours because I ran into contruction in Georgia. It's not that bad. I went downtown Atlanta instead of Atlanta bypass becasue I don't like that curve.

I agree with your husband driving straight through will not be bad at all.