I75 vs I77 route

[Drivercan]

This is our first time driving to Disney from Brampton Ont (husband and 2 children - 9 and 7). Planning to rent a van with Avis and drive down in May this year. Have heard conflicting opinions I75 vs I77.

Is there a way to get to I75 without going all the way to Detroit? Going to Detroit seems like it is very out of the way. Noticed an I71 that allows you to go through Buffalo, take the I90 to I71 then link up with I75. Would that be faster if you wanted to avoid the mountains?

Planning to leave 6 am and drive right through or stop somewhere when we get tired. Are there many rest stops the I77 route? Are they safe to sleep for a few hours?

Any suggestions?

Thx!

 

[5boyz]

Hi!!! I also live in Brampton and drove down last year and am planning on driving down in July!!! I75 ALL THE WAY!!!! We drove down with 4 kids last year, there is a book call 401 & I75 to Miami!!! It is awesome, actually made it fun to drive!!! It is a bit longer than the I95 but we took that home and never again!!!! I75 ALL THE WAY!!!!!

 

[Drivercan]

We are driving down to Orlando. How much further is it using I75 (time wise). Why don't you like the other way (I77 ... I95)?

Do you do it over 2 days or all at once? What are your time lines i.e what time do you leave, arrive etc?

Thanks!

 

[5boyz]

Yes we drove to Orlando too!!! Well on the way there we had this terrific book that told you exactly where you are and it was just alot more fun. We went with another couple from here and they said the exact same thing. On the way home we went to my husbands sisters in GA so we took that way home...it was alot of high up windy roads and very boring after awhile. My husband drove all the way there and back and was going crazy on the way home and enjoyed it on the way there!

We left at 3am on Sunday morning stopped in Chattanooga TN at 5pm. We got up at 5am and were gone by 5:30 am. We arrived in Orlando at 2:15pm Monday. It really was great cuz the kids slept alot as we left both mornings early. Yes it is along way to Detroit!!! LOL!! We actually did it in great time, we were almost an hr ahead of schedule. Like I said we are going again in July same dates and are leaving the same time again!!! Oh yeah I think some people say anywhere from 2-4 but not really sure!!!

 

[MamaLema]

I'm in the minority I guess. I prefer 77/79 for the simple fact that it's faster. Everyone says 75 is a lot nicer but I just can't drive 2-3 more hours, even for great scenery

 

[Drivercan]

How long does it take you using this route? Do you drive during the day/night? 1/2 days? Are there plenty of rest stops?

Thx!

 

[JulieChrisCaitlinMeg]

Hi there - we also live in Brampton and have done the drive numerous times and are planning on going in August of this year - we always take the I-75 - starting in Detroit. I also love the I-75 book by Dave Hunter - breaks up the trip by pointing out interesting sights and history - which I insist on reading to my kids (whether they want to hear it or not!). It's a simple drive - you get on the I-75 and stay on it until the end. We drive down the I-75 and come back the I-

 

[Drivercan]

How long does it take?

 

[5boyz]

It took us about 22-24 hrs. Yes there are lots of rest stops. We never used them we stopped to eat, pee and sleep!!!

Julie!! LOL!!! Me they could have cared less!!! Our big joke and became lots of stupid laughter was Waffle House!!!!

 

[The House of Mouse]

Just got home yesterday from driving this way. We have travelled this way several times. We too rented a mini van, but from Alamo in Bolton. Were you able to get unlimited kms from Avis?

We prefer this route as the changes in States, scenery and highways seem to keep us alert. It was my parents first time going this way, and they were pleasantly surprised. We stopped more than usual this time b/c of my parents, including overnight once each way. Traveling time on the way back was a total of 24 hours. We find this route is quicker and more interesting. There are frequent rest areas, always feel secure. Lots of gas stops and restaurants along the way. Safe for kids, we have been taking ours since they were 3 & 5.

Haven't found a book like the one mentioned about 75. I found out next week about schools I have applied to; joked with my husband that if I don't get into school I should write one of those books about this route! We use a CAA trip tik, shows which exits have gas food and lodging with interesting info about the area too.

Happy to answer any further questions, especially since it is all so fresh in my mind!

 

[Momto3chicks]

We drove down in November from Tottenham...just north of Bolton..we took I77 on the way there and absolutely loved it...the rest stops were quite frequent and very clean....It took us 19 hours to drive to Daytona...On the way back we thought we would take I75 and although it's an easy drive..I find it boring and half the rest stops were closed and I didn't find them as clean either. We are driving down again this fall and will definately be taking I77....it is a beautiful drive...

Kelley

 

[Drivercan]

Avis seemed to be the best price of all the major car rental agencies but all I could get was 4200 kms. Will check the Alamo website again. Thanks for the suggestion.

Did you ever drive straight through? If so, what time did you leave/ arrive - any stops? What about on the way home?

What about your most recent trip when you split it over 2 days, when did you leave /arrive day 1 and day 2? What about on the way home?

What was the length of your vacation in total?

Is mid May a good time to go in terms of weather and crowds at Disney?

Thanks!

 

[dancingmomca]

Just arrived back last week. Drove the I 77/79 route both ways this time. Personally we find it a lot more interesting and the roads are generally in better condition. If you leave at 6am from Brampton you should be able to get through the mountains before night fall given you are going in May and the days are longer(that is with stops for food and rests). For the first time we did the mountains in the daytime(I must admit the nights can be scary and it is usually me driving at 2am) and it was beautiful. The highway is in excellent shape. Its about 1-2 hours shorter. Just watch the highway 19 if you go that bypass. Observe the speed limit and you should be ok. General rule of thumb...when approaching a stoplight assume 50mph.

Have a good trip. I'm heading back in May as well with DH, DD and DS but flying for the first time in a long time because I got a Ding.

 

[5boyz]

HouseOfMouse....Sorry I forget the exact name of it but it is something like....401& I75 to Miami!! We have a photo copy of it as we could not find one last year when we were looking we borrowed from our friends. It has all the same things and tells you about the Cities that you are going thru!!!! It's Great!!!!

 

[5boyz]

I don't know I77 where does that go thru? LOL!! I only know I75 & I95.

 

[OntFamily]

From the GTA, the I-77/79 route is the most direct routing to Orlando.

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&2pn=&2a=&2c=orlando&2s=fl&2z=

Total driving time is approx 20 hours. It's an easy driving route, with plenty of rest stops (with VERY clean washrooms -- very important as I have a picky three year old).

There are plenty of restaurants and hotels (don't forget to get your coupob books at the rest stops!!).

 

[5boyz]

Thanks alot Ontfamily!!!!! Will let my hubby know he will be the one driving!!! LOL!!!

 

[explorer1977]

We have driven both routes in the last two years and I must say that the I77/I95 route was much nicer and quicker then I75 but the I75 was easier and a more direct route (less changes of roads). We actually found the the mountains and tunnels very scenic by I77 and the rest stops at each state where great (even thoug the Florida one was closed because of labour day so no free OJ ) along either route. There was a section between I77 and I95 where there was not much but that section was reletivly quich (a couple hours) We did not drive straight though either time but our total driving times without the stops at night (which we stoped twice each time) were 19hrs 45min for I77/95 with minimal stops and almost 24hrs for I75. I actually put together a time table to track our progress which incuded 15 minute stops every two hours and by the time we got to Florida we were an hour ahead of schedule (we stoped in St. Augustine for a night to shop at the outlets and the disney outlet there). On the way home last september we took the I95/77 route and left disney at 5:00 (after a great tour at MK keys to the kingdom was amazing hands down) and we stoped at around midnight in south carolina somewhere, left by 6 the next morning and were in our house by 8 the next evening so just around 19 hours driving, but you have to remember it was only two of us with no children. Any questions just ask and have a fun drive and trip.

 

[Drivercan]

To Explorer1977:

On the way to Orlando, what was your timeline? When did you leave on day 1 and day 2, how long did you drive each day. You mentioned that made 15 stops, how long at each stop. Did you stop to eat or get take out and eat in the car?

Thanks for your help!

 

[The House of Mouse]

We almost drove straight through this time. We had planned on leaving early Saturday a.m. (like 3 or 4), but couldn't wait; so we left at 2:30 Friday afternoon. We arrived in Savannah at 10:00, but easily could have kept going. Reservations in Florida couldn't be changed, so stayed there.

The van from Alamo had a DVD player for the kids, you might be wise to check it out. We put way over 4200 kms on throughout our trip. We have gone in May other years, and love it. Now that the kids are older 2 weeks of missed school means a lot of catching up, so the past 2 years we have switched to March.