For those who drive a motor home down

[DisneyDadinOhio]

So sorry to hear about your job - please know that you are not alone, as it is just a crazy situation that we are all in. I've been "informed" by my employer that cuts are coming this spring, but since my wife had breast cancer last year, we are still going to Disney this March. Our current itinerary is to stop at the Corbin KOA in Kentucky on 3/26, and then Travelers Campground in Alachua, FL on 3/27. We then arrive at the Fort on 3/28 in the early morning...oh yeah, its supposed to be in the 40's this weekend..!!

 

[mdoc]

We come from north of Chicago and usually drive into Georgia the first day and on to the Fort the second day. Campgrounds we've liked are Twin Oaks in Elko, Harvest Moon in Adairsville and Holiday TravLPark in Rossville. Since we usually split the trip into two days of either 15 hours and 5 hours or 10 hours and 10 hours, your distances seem perfectly reasonable to me.

 

[SewBzzzy]

So sorry to hear about your job loss, Beagles7278! My sister was a GM cut - and my husband was cut 1-1/2 years ago, but was lucky to find another job. I hope and pray all works out for you. Good luck in your job hunt!

DisneyDad, we'll be at the Corbin, KY, KOA on 3/27 for one night, LATE arrival! It looks like a very nice facility - although on the pricey side. I wish we could make it to the Sweetwater, TN KOA that night - which is about 2 hours farther, but I don't remember how many hills or mountains we'd incur in that area? If it's raining or foggy, etc., I don't want to be driving much late at night. Been there - done that. Can any of you tell me at what point on I-75 we hit the big hills? I can't remember??

 

[DisneyDadinOhio]

DisneyDad, we'll be at the Corbin, KY, KOA on 3/27 for one night, LATE arrival! It looks like a very nice facility - although on the pricey side. I wish we could make it to the Sweetwater, TN KOA that night - which is about 2 hours farther, but I don't remember how many hills or mountains we'd incur in that area? If it's raining or foggy, etc., I don't want to be driving much late at night. Been there - done that. Can any of you tell me at what point on I-75 we hit the big hills? I can't remember??

You'll be right behind us..! Corbin is a nice place, and yes it is a bit pricey - but it is near the lake. We made it to Sweetwater thumbsup2) last year, but pulled in around 11:30pm - just a bit too late for me, I don't like driving at night too much anymore either. I believe the mountains start near the TN border, or just before (Jellico area) and end around Lake City (look out for Godzilla! ). Then you literally "drop-in" to Knoxville. They arent that bad, just take your time and try to stay outta the way of the big rigs!.. Hopefully the WiFi works well enough for me to post daily reports..

 

[SewBzzzy]

Did the KOA in Corbin, KY have nice large, flat pull-thru's? What about the Sweetwater, TN KOA? I suppose we probably won't get any farther than Corbin as we don't want to drive too long at night, either. I like to do most of the driving, and my husband takes over when I need a little rest. My daughter isn't as brave and my son-in-law does a little more driving. Plus, they'll have a 10-1/2 month old with them which means we'll be up early and on the road again anyway.

 

[devores]

I noticed you were driving to Sarasota.

I made a similar trip in Jul. I drove from Dayton to Tampa. Your milage sounds very reasonable. I made the trip in one day. Left at 0600 and arrived at my door at 2100. I was pulling my trailer at the time too. So you should be able to make Sarasota from Kentucky no problem. Just depends on your driving style. I can go for about 18 hours before I need to rest.

As for Sarasota to WDW. It takes me 45 min (traffic depnedent) to get from my home to WDW. Sarasota is about 45 min from my home. So about 2 hours.

Very doable plan.....

 

[bradisgoofy]

You said NW Ohio so I would like to suggest going over to I-69 then take I-65 all the way to Montgomery, AL. We make our first stop In Nashville at the Jellystone. Take I-85 east to exit 9 ( Route 271 ) south, about 5 miles, to US-231. This is a four lane 65mph road that passes round a couple of big towns but does not really slow you down too much. There is a Flying J on the south side of Dothan, AL that is a good place to stop and eat and get your last tank of cheaper fuel before Florida. Then continue south to I-10. Our second night is at Tallahasee, FL. Continue on I-10 to exit 225 ( US-19 ). US-19 is another four lane 65mph road that passes through some small towns. This is the favorite part of the trip, for me. There is almost no traffic and it goes through some beautiful Florida back country. Go south to Chiefland, FL where you will take ALT US-27 south. This will bring you back to I-75. From there it is on to the Florida Turnpike and then the Western Way Tollroad ( 429 ) and the WDW western entrance.

This is only a little longer then I-75 through Cincinnati, Atlanta, etc., but I HATE Atlanta and that goes for I-75 (and I-4), too. We have done this route in our 38' motorhome the last two trips and there are no mountains. Other then Nashville, there are no major cities to go through either. I've always taken I-65 to I-24 to I-75 when going to Florida, but I have found taking the above route I arrive more relaxed and enjoy the trip more.

 

[Brumeiser]

how much longer would it be a couple a hundred miles or so? I agree with you I don't like traveling I 75 with Ky, Tn, GA, speed limit now 70 everyone will be flying by you. I also like the idea of no mountains to drive through. I have been through Nashville before and it is not to bad. It is late now but the map will have to come out tommorrow. Thanks for another idea. And to everyone else on this board thanks for all the nice responses, feedback and everything. You are all a big help. This is a little more nervewrecking driving down. The past 4 trips we have flown down and it was so much easier. But I am excited to be driving our 2nd home as I call with us, and to be able to spend time at the fort.

 

[SewBzzzy]

Interesting route, Brad! I'll have to pull out my map and see if it would work for us Michigan people! Thank you! We're always open to some new routes.

 

[bradisgoofy]

how much longer would it be a couple a hundred miles or so? I agree with you I don't like traveling I 75 with Ky, Tn, GA, speed limit now 70 everyone will be flying by you. I also like the idea of no mountains to drive through. I have been through Nashville before and it is not to bad. It is late now but the map will have to come out tomorrow. Thanks for another idea. And to everyone else on this board thanks for all the nice responses, feedback and everything. You are all a big help. This is a little more nerve wrecking driving down. The past 4 trips we have flown down and it was so much easier. But I am excited to be driving our 2nd home as I call with us, and to be able to spend time at the fort.

Unless you are the kind of person that drives the speed limit, ( we aren't ) figure 2 extra hours. But, it only takes one traffic jam on I-75 to match that time loss. Another thing I noticed, there aren't as many trucks as on I-75. I once did a Streets and Trips route for the east I-75 all the way and a west I-69, I-65, I-24, and I-75...there was ten miles difference from our house.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I dont' see a problem with it but Wednesday is going to be a bit of a hike. With that said though, that is what works for us, everyone is different and can tolerate different amounts of driving. Some people think we are crazy for driving more than 200 miles in a day.

gosh- is it really hard to drive 200 miles in a day in a trailer- or what? We could drive 200 miles and not even be out of Texas. I have to drive further than that just to see my sister who also lives in Texas. But then we're used to driving 120 miles round trip just to get to the bigger cities for anything (like Dallas area). LOL I hope we can't only drive a couple hundred miles a day in our trailer- or we're in big trouble! Last time in the vehicle we drove pretty much straight thru with very few quick stops and it took over 24hrs to get there (without the trailer)

Oh and also is it ANY walmart that allows you to park in the parking lot overnight? Just making sure...

 

[BradyBz12]

Oh and also is it ANY walmart that allows you to park in the parking lot overnight? Just making sure...

There are at least 2 counties in FL I know of where you cannot park overnight because of a local ordinance. You cannot camp in a Walmart parking lot anywhere near WDW. Not sure about other parts of the country, but we always look for signs posted... just in case.

There is a book somewhere that lists them all and where they're located. We usually hit 2 on our trip from NH to WDW - one near Richmond VA and one in Jacksonville. We found a book called something like "before you exit" (sorry, it's packed in the truck, don't have it handy) which tells you what's off which exit on the major interstates - including how far from the exit things are.

 

[Shan-man]

"The Next Exit"

 

[DisneyDadinOhio]

"The Next Exit"

I highly recommend "The Next Exit"..!

I use their online service and just copy/paste the routes I need into Word.

 

[devores]

If youre looking for just a quick place to park and rest, most FL rest areas have security guards posted in them. I stayed at one for a quick 4 hour nap. I believe the limit is 6 hours. But if you can use your rig with out putting the slides out, you could pop in and get a nap.

 

[BradyBz12]

"The Next Exit"

Thanks Shan!

 

[karfre]

I am new to driving a motor home, but being from North Alabama, this is the route (I-10 West to exit 225 then south on 19 and then to Hwy 27 south) that we always take when going to DW in our car. No traffic and beautiful scenery. I do have one question. I drive a 42' motor home, is there any problem getting on the Florida Turnpike roads? Thanks

 

[bradisgoofy]

I am new to driving a motor home, but being from North Alabama, this is the route (I-10 West to exit 225 then south on 19 and then to Hwy 27 south) that we always take when going to DW in our car. No traffic and beautiful scenery. I do have one question. I drive a 42' motor home, is there any problem getting on the Florida Turnpike roads? Thanks

Nope, I've taken my 38'er with a 10' trailer a couple times already.

 

[karfre]

thanks for the info

 

[clkelley]

As far as back roads, blech, blech, blech!! I've tried the I-65 route to Montgomery, then down to I-10. I HATE IT.

Another thing to consider is cell phone coverage. If you stick to the interstates, you will have cell phone coverage 99% of the time. If you start taking those less traveled roads, you might find yourself with a breakdown and 5 miles outside of a tower range.