From Atlanta to Port Canaveral

[catjammies]

Anyone drive &/or fly this route?

What is best to do?

If you drive, do you still go down 75, or do you hit Savannah & then go south???

 

[kellyb2000]

Keep in mind that I am not the driver on long trips, but we go 75. We've never gone to Florida through Savannah. The port is about 530 miles from Chattanooga (says Expedia!) so it's probably about, what, 400 miles from Atlanta?

 

[ToDisney]

Go to Yahoo.com and then click on "maps". When I put in Atlanta and Port Canaveral, it didn't go through Savannah. We're in Spartanburg, SC... we go through Savannah.

 

[digitalmom]

We are in the northern Atlanta suburbs and both times we have gone on cruises departing Port Canaveral we went down 75 to Florida's Turnpike thru Orlando to the coast. We were in Florida for spring break this year(houseboat on the Suwannee River) and going to Florida(on Monday) the ride was great. Coming back from Florida (on Thursday) the ride would have been good except for the construction around Valdosta(not sure if I spelt that right). It took us almost 2 hours to go 18 miles . It was horrible. In that area 75 goes from 3 lanes down to 2 which didn't help matters any. They also had a couple of areas where one of the two lanes was closed, then one of the areas the lane wasn't even closed. We are going for a cruise Memorial Day weekend and I plan on calling and seeing if they will be working in this area on the Friday, if they are I may try to go around it on 41. Was tempted to go to Savannah and then down 95 but have heard it is longer It is less than 400 miles from us. I know someone who said they can do the drive in about 7 hours or so - without Valdosta construction.

 

[callahanjulie10]

We live in PCB, Fl and always go 75 to Orlando. When you get there- you will see a sign to exit Port Canaveral- it is about 45 minutes from Orlando. We have done this everytime but once when we went Jacksonville then down the coast- was a lot more time consuming..

 

[Wishing on a star]

We will be driving down to Canaveral when we cruise... I just did some checking, and Savannah is definately NOT the way to do it.

According to my calculations, the mileage, either cutting over and down 95 from Jacksonville, or 75 down to Orlando and then over, they both are almost the same.

Cjulie.. would going down 95 be more time consuming because it is not major interstate? That is what I am thinking. We did it that way once, but I do not remember, as it was several years ago. I am getting to old... memory is failing me!!!

Looks like 75 all the way is probably the way to go....

 

[callahanjulie10]

I am not sure why- but it took us longer and we hated the route!!! Heavy traffic in Jacksonville- where on 75 there is no actual city to pass thorugh-

I wouldn't fly though unless you get almost a free rate due to the fact that you would then have to find transportation to Cape Canaveral which is about an hour away!! That would be costly in itself.

 

[albiats]

I use Rand McNally Trip Maker software on my PC and it says it is about 520 miles from Marietta, Ga to Port Canaveral, Fl and it recommends taking I-75 to Fl Tpk and then the Beeline Expressway (Fl State Rte 528).

If I force it to use Jacksonville, it jumps to 538 miles and it recommends I-75 to I-10 to I-95.

hope that helps

 

[alexturner74]

I personally prefer to fly from Atlanta to Orlando, but of course it's up to you. I just don't like long trips in a car.

 

[digitalmom]

I must have been thinking of something else when I thought that it was less than 400 miles(wishful thinking, maybe). I just checked on MapBlast and it is almost 520 miles from me. Even longer if they are going to be doing that wretched construction Friday of Memorial Day weekend.

 

[goofydadeo]

digitalmom - we took the exact same cruise in 2002, let me tell you from experience leaving Atlanta on the Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend is a mess! I highly recommend you take off on Thursday night. Having done this several times we have worked it out - trust me! Also, when you get off the ship on Saturday don't hit the road, wait until late Sat. to leave - the traffic is much lighter! This past spring break we did exactly this and it took us 7.5 hours going down and 7 hours coming back (we live in the Marietta/Kennesaw area). You're gonna have a great time!

 

[GenieDana]

See http://www.dot.state.fl.us/ for construction / travel advisories

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

We take I-75 to I-10 to I-95.

 

[digitalmom]

goofydadeo - if I could leave Thursday I would but 2 of the kiddies have finals on Friday at high school. For my 15 year old these 2 finals are probably his worse - Honors Biology and World History. No way we can leave any earlier. Hope is to be on the road by noon. If traffic is really bad then I will stop in Ocala area for the night and wake up early and drive rest of way. Coming back I have to leave right away. Need to drop off 15 year old in Orlando so that he can get a ride to the Destin area, be back to work on Sunday and have to get 13 year old ready to go with a group leaving Hartsfield for Italy on Sunday. What a busy life with teenagers. Thanks goofydadeo.

 

[digitalmom]

catjammies - what did you decide to do? Regardless of bad traffic, I would much rather drive than fly anytime.

 

[goofydadeo]

digitalmom - you may be okay if you can leave by noon Friday and avoid some of the worst traffic! We always spend the night either in Ocala or Orlando and get off by 9am the next morning to make it to the port by 10:00-10:30am. Drive safely and have a wonderful time!

 

[digitalmom]

goofydadeo - Thanks, I am sure that we will have a great time. I too am hoping that leaving around noon that we will miss the worse of the traffic and if we make good time(no construction in Valdosta) we may drive all the way to the port Friday night. The other 2 trips we have driven all the way to the port Friday night and it is a long drive. My goal is to be one of the very first cars in the pick up line at Pope that Friday and then over to Dodgen to get the younger one.

 

[catjammies]

I think I've concluded to drive it!

Did not realize the mileage - We always DRIVE to WDW, so an extra hour is probably not a big deal!

It does seem all the way on 75 would be best, and if we must split it up, we always like to stay in Ocala - so that's a possibility!

Also, the baggage for the cruise is a consideration, as is finding extra transport for the hour from Orlando to the Port.

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[joyceharris]

Consider flying...using expedia or some others we've gotten great prices. Air Tran is showing good rates now as well. I get concerned driving down 75 because of the extreme traffic on holidays and digital mom is right if there is a wreck or construction you could get tied up for hours. We just purchase our transfers from DCL and they meet you at orlando, take your luggage for you and transport you using the big motorcaoches. One of my alltime favorite things coming across the bridges and seeing the ship for the first time! It's a sight !
Th price of airfare is much cheaper if you fly in "off times" like early in the a.m. or late p.m. We have flown in late the night before and stayed at the Hyatt there inside the airport. They offer specials for those coming in for cruises. The DCL porters come to your hotel room and get your luggage that you leave outside your doors. They also throw in a Free breakfast for everyone in the party.
I live on the north side of Atlanta also and just hate driving through town on a holiday weekend.
Good to see you Digitalmom..Our kids are growing up!We're at Dodgen too this year.
Joyce

 

[digitalmom]

Same here Joyce. Are you still at the store at Town Center Mall? We have one more year at Dodgen after this one and then both kids will be at Pope. Luckily they only are there one year together. The thought of the two of them in marching band together is already scaring me

Suzanne