Help with winter route from Chicago

[kmurawski]

Usually when we drive to WDW we go through the mountains. But this time, with our pop up, we would rather take a different route. We are considering the following route:

294 to I80 to I65 going thru Nashville and stopping in Decatur, Alabama for the night (or somewhere around there....we like to stay in Country Inns & Suites).
Then back on I65 to US280 staying on US280 into Georgia turning into GA520 to I75 then spending the night in Lake City, Florida

From there we know the route into the Disney area.

We are thinking that this way will avoid the mountains and Atlanta! This will probably add a little time on since we are looking at about 20 hours but we should avoid some potential obstacle.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[2goofycampers]

If the weather wasn't too bad I'd go the short route. JMHO

 

[bradisgoofy]

May I suggest, take I-65 all the way to Montgomery, AL. 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. Take that east 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 Atlanta, but I HATE Atlanta and that goes for I-75, 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.

 

[djbogue]

I would second Bradisgoofy reply. That is the way we go to Ft Myers. Instead of taking rt 19 you can take I-10 over to I-75 and then down. I have done both. Matter of fact we are going to Fort Wilderness this year and leave Dec 27th. It is a little longer but well worth missing Atlanta and not very hilly.

 

[kmurawski]

Thanks for the input. I research the path and it looks good: no mountains and no Atlanta! It looks like we will still be able to stop in Lake City, FL our second night but I need to find an alternate for the first night.

Thanks again!