For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (III)

[emksmama]

We are less than 2 weeks away from our drive from Wisconsin down to Florida and I am curious to see what people are experiencing. We normally go I65-24-75 but I have been reading a few things that have me wondering if we need to adjust our route.

I understand the Kennedy bridge in Louisville is a mess (lane reductions for resurfacing and we would hit it near rush hour), so obvious choice seems to be I57-24-75, but I just read where I-24 in Nashville is also a mess.

Any recent experience or suggestions?

I would do 65 to Indy, then downtown take 70 E to 465 around the southeast corner of Indy to pick up 74 E to Cincinnati, and then you can pick up 75.

 

[marius97]

Our first trip to Florida we took the 65-24-75 route down from Indianapolis, and I hated it. I hated driving through Nashville, and the mountains near Chattanooga freaked me out. Coming home, and every trip since, we take 75 the whole way to Indy.

I personally think 75 is a lot prettier anyway.

That surprises me to hear that. While I hate Nashville, I thought the mountains going between there and Chatanooga were way better than what was on 75.

 

[marius97]

We take 74 from Indy through southeastern Indiana. We're an hour north of Indy now, so it's 31 to 465 to 74...although 31 on the north side of Indy is a MESS so we'll probably cut through county roads to get to 465 instead. I always forget that 75 doesn't go to Indy.

You're only an hour north of Indy, so you know the situation better than I do, but we didn't have any problem going through Indy over the last few weeks. Headed down at 9am on a saturday and just stayed on 31 because of the Keystone Pkwy being closed. Coming back, we went through there at 3:00 on a Wednesday. Both times we made it through with no problems.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

I would do 65 to Indy, then downtown take 70 E to 465 around the southeast corner of Indy to pick up 74 E to Cincinnati, and then you can pick up 75.

That is what we are going to do and then we have decided to take 75 as far as Knoxville. From there will do 40 to 26 to 95 and see a different part of the country than we normally see (95 goes right into Jacksonville which is where we are stopping off on the way to Disney to visit family).

 

[angwill]

That surprises me to hear that. While I hate Nashville, I thought the mountains going between there and Chatanooga were way better than what was on 75.

I agree completely.

 

[Beast2Prince]

We are less than 2 weeks away from our drive from Wisconsin down to Florida and I am curious to see what people are experiencing. We normally go I65-24-75 but I have been reading a few things that have me wondering if we need to adjust our route.

I understand the Kennedy bridge in Louisville is a mess (lane reductions for resurfacing and we would hit it near rush hour), so obvious choice seems to be I57-24-75, but I just read where I-24 in Nashville is also a mess.

Any recent experience or suggestions?

We just got back from our trip and here is my observations. We did the 65-24-75 route for the trip down. Since we left on Thursday, we didn't hit any of the weekend lane closures. However, it did take about 45 minutes to get through a construction zone in Seymour, IN. Not sure how long that construction is supposed to last as they appeared to be resurfacing a bridge. The rest of the trip down was pretty uneventful, with the exception of an accident before Monteagle that backed us up for about an hour. Since we were returning on the weekend, we avoided Nashville and Louisville by taking 75 up to Cincinnati and then 74 over to Indy. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Beast2Prince]

Our first trip to Florida we took the 65-24-75 route down from Indianapolis, and I hated it. I hated driving through Nashville, and the mountains near Chattanooga freaked me out. Coming home, and every trip since, we take 75 the whole way to Indy.

I personally think 75 is a lot prettier anyway.

For those looking to take 75 all the way to Florida, please be advised of the lane closure in Tennessee to fix the sink hole. We came home Saturday on 75 and the southbound traffic was backed up for miles upon miles. I would seriously consider taking 25 out of Jellico down to Caryville to avoid that area. Or if someone local can recommend an even better route around.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

For those looking to take 75 all the way to Florida, please be advised of the lane closure in Tennessee to fix the sink hole. We came home Saturday on 75 and the southbound traffic was backed up for miles upon miles. I would seriously consider taking 25 out of Jellico down to Caryville to avoid that area. Or if someone local can recommend an even better route around.

We should be hitting that area about 8:00PM on a Thursday - does anyone local have any thoughts on what are odds are at that time of avoiding a large backup?

 

[emksmama]

Thanks for the travel tip...we leave on the 21st, so hopefully that will be repaired by then, but if not, I'll let DH know. We'll probably be driving through there around 1am or later :yawn:.

I guess I prefer 75 because I love Lexington and when DH and I first were getting serious, we went to Gatlinburg for a week and took 75. We spent our honeymoon in Asheville NC, so took 75, our babymoon in Gatlinburg, plus two trips to Bristol for the spring NASCAR race. That's a lot of trips and a lot of memories on 75 for us. I like the mountains around Chattanooga as long as A) I'm not driving, and B) there aren't any semis around. I think that's why it bothered me so much the last time I did it.

 

[marius97]

We are less than 2 weeks away from our drive from Wisconsin down to Florida and I am curious to see what people are experiencing. We normally go I65-24-75 but I have been reading a few things that have me wondering if we need to adjust our route.

I understand the Kennedy bridge in Louisville is a mess (lane reductions for resurfacing and we would hit it near rush hour), so obvious choice seems to be I57-24-75, but I just read where I-24 in Nashville is also a mess.

Any recent experience or suggestions?

Depending on the day of the week, Nashville may be fine (though I hate it for other reasons.) The total highway closure if only something like Friday night through Sunday. So if you are going on a weekday, you'll be fine. Plus there are a few weeks during the summer where they are not closing it down.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The reason you lucked out was that the road wasn't closed that weekend - there were 4 weekends when the road wasn't closed for the weekend:
April 27-29 (Country Music Marathon), May 25-28 (Memorial Day Weekend), June 7-10 (CMA Music Festival), and June 22-24 (Concert at LP Field).

Yeah, saw the concert when we came back through. Was happy the sign about the closure didn't apply to us afterall

 

[Gumbo4x4]

That surprises me to hear that. While I hate Nashville, I thought the mountains going between there and Chatanooga were way better than what was on 75.

Yeah, essentially the only one you have to deal with on 24 is Monteagle. I don't know about North of Knoxville, but I know it's a LOT of up & down in between Knoxville & Chattanooga on 75.

 

[DianeV]

We are going to be leaving from Detroit in the morning taking the I-77 to I-95 way this time. Already planned with a Hotwire hotel for the night in Brunswick GA but with the storms lately does anyone know if there are any issues to be concerned about going that way?

 

[LadyBeBop]

We should be hitting that area about 8:00PM on a Thursday - does anyone local have any thoughts on what are odds are at that time of avoiding a large backup?

Since you're taking the 40-26-95 route, I'll suggest a slight alteration. Get off I-75 at Corbin, KY (Exit 29), and take the Cumberland Gap Parkway (US 25-E). It's a little over 100 miles from Corbin to Newport, TN where you pick up I-40 going east toward Asheville, NC. You'll avoid the I-75 mess around Jellico, and you bypass Knoxville completely. And it's a beautiful drive. I'd try to time it so you'll reach Clinch Mountain (about 90 minutes from Corbin) at sunset. The view from top of the mountain is breathtaking.

Honestly, I'd suggest this route, even if there wasn't the problems around Jellico. It's a shorter route, and it adds very little time to your trip. It's four lanes throughout. There are a few stoplights, but only in your towns (Corbin, Middlesboro, Morristown, Newport). Make sure you follow the signs, because you'll make a left hand turn right before Tazewell, TN. You'll still be on US 25-E.

And since you said you'll be at Jellico around 8 pm, that means you'll be in Cincinnati during rush hour. I'd take the bypass around Cincinnati...from I-74, take I-275 into Kentucky and pick up I-75 from I-275. You'll bypass downtown Cincinnati by taking that route, and save a few minutes as well.

Have a good trip. Any questions, please ask.

 

[dvczerfs]

sharon!!! some what of a sad day today. my beloved baby has been traded in.

for some reason, the car dealership wanted our van. they gave me not the trade value but the private resale value on it. (i have a feeling someone in the dealership was looking for a van.) ( 2006 31,056 miles)

they also gave me a below market value price on our new disney cruiser.
we are going tomorrow to pick it up and sign the papers.

here she is still on the lot:

end of the model year and they have a lot full of them. we were going to wait till next year but couldnt pass up the deal.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Since you're taking the 40-26-95 route, I'll suggest a slight alteration. Get off I-75 at Corbin, KY (Exit 29), and take the Cumberland Gap Parkway (US 25-E). It's a little over 100 miles from Corbin to Newport, TN where you pick up I-40 going east toward Asheville, NC. You'll avoid the I-75 mess around Jellico, and you bypass Knoxville completely. And it's a beautiful drive. I'd try to time it so you'll reach Clinch Mountain (about 90 minutes from Corbin) at sunset. The view from top of the mountain is breathtaking.

Honestly, I'd suggest this route, even if there wasn't the problems around Jellico. It's a shorter route, and it adds very little time to your trip. It's four lanes throughout. There are a few stoplights, but only in your towns (Corbin, Middlesboro, Morristown, Newport). Make sure you follow the signs, because you'll make a left hand turn right before Tazewell, TN. You'll still be on US 25-E.

And since you said you'll be at Jellico around 8 pm, that means you'll be in Cincinnati during rush hour. I'd take the bypass around Cincinnati...from I-74, take I-275 into Kentucky and pick up I-75 from I-275. You'll bypass downtown Cincinnati by taking that route, and save a few minutes as well.

Have a good trip. Any questions, please ask.

Thank you for the information - we had already planned to take the bypass around Cincinnati but the comments on 25-E are interesting. Sound like it would be beautiful, but unfortunately our timing looks like we will be too late for the best view (departure time is fixed due to swim lessons). Either way I will keep that as an option should things sound bad around Jellico.

 

[java]

Drove straight through on the way back

Left Hollywood Studios at 9am after riding star tours, toy story, RNR, and ToT during emhs.

Filled the tank and started driving. Kids were all up for the drive(18,14,9,7) we grabbed quick lunch ate on the road. Stopped for sit down dinner around 7 pm. Got home at 3am.

I have to say it really wasn't bad. We hit zero traffic and that helped. We did the 26/77/81? I think to 78.

Whew. Really would do it again.

 

[dvczerfs]

Drove straight through on the way back

Left Hollywood Studios at 9am after riding star tours, toy story, RNR, and ToT during emhs.

Filled the tank and started driving. Kids were all up for the drive(18,14,9,7) we grabbed quick lunch ate on the road. Stopped for sit down dinner around 7 pm. Got home at 3am.

I have to say it really wasn't bad. We hit zero traffic and that helped. We did the 26/77/81? I think to 78.

Whew. Really would do it again.

i hope you waved when you past the rt33 stroudsburg exit in pa, i live about 5 min. north of there.
glad you had a good drive.

 

[DisMomme]

Hi Wanted to get on board. This will be our 3rd time driving down and back. Last time we drove straight through on the way home - we planned 3 nights down and 2 back this time. We have an extra driver this time also - my DS got his license in Nov.

It will be about 1400 miles each way. Do you suggest 95 straight down or going 81 to bypass DC? GPS shows a 2 hour difference in time but I think that with DC traffic the two may actually be equal.

 

[sharadoc]

Hi Wanted to get on board. This will be our 3rd time driving down and back. Last time we drove straight through on the way home - we planned 3 nights down and 2 back this time. We have an extra driver this time also - my DS got his license in Nov.

It will be about 1400 miles each way. Do you suggest 95 straight down or going 81 to bypass DC? GPS shows a 2 hour difference in time but I think that with DC traffic the two may actually be equal.

Welcome! We're a friendly bunch here so hopefully we can help you.

I didn't notice where you're coming from. If you're coming from NY or above, I think 81 is probably the way to go. There's a LOT of cities on the way that have the potential for trouble.

What day of the week would you hit DC?

Once you get into NC, you should be okay having DS drive. NC/SC and GA are pretty straight, easy and uncomplicated. Just make sure you have him practice on a highway first. Some folks get very intimidated by trucks passing, or safe following distance.

We're 5 weeks away from today and we do 95 the whole way down but we're hoping our timing will be good. We'll leave Monday around 9 am, hit DC at lunch so hopefully avoid traffic and stop around Walterboro SC by 10 or so. Then it's a quick 5 hours the next day to WDW