Indiana to WDW - Where to stop overnight?

[micks]

We're driving from Indy to WDW for Thanksgiving this year. We'll be driving straight through on the way down (about 15 hours, I've been told) and will be stopping overnight on the way back.

Here's my question - anyone know where a good place to stop on the way home would be? We're interested in a hotel with an indoor pool, I think - so we can be up and about after being in the car. We'll be coming up Interstate 65 most of the way, I think!

 

[DJBounce]

You might want to use Expedia and search in Chattanooga or Nashville. We drove down for Terre Haute in 2001 and it was 16 hrs for us. We stopped at Chattanooga on the trip home, but Nashville is not much further.

 

[Dodie]

Wow! I think your 15 hour estimate is quite a bit short. Even with just short stops for gas and meals, the trip will take you at least 16-18 hours, realistically. (We've done this MANY times.)

Have you plotted your route? Are you sure you'll be on I-65 "most of the way"? I think that, realistically, you may be on 65 down through Nashville/Chatanooga, but then you'll cross over to I-75 to go to Florida.

 

[HoosierFantasia]

Our family often stopped in Chattanooga and stayed at the Chatanooga Cho-Cho Resort. I believe it was owned by Hilton at the time. nOt sure now, it has been a few years since we have been there. You can actually resrve a train car to sleep in, if you want, they are a little tight. The pool is really nice with a slide and waterfall (indoors too).
Have a good time

Bill

 

[micks]

Thanks so much for all of your help! The Chatanooga Choo-Choo Hotel sounds perfect! I'll look into it asap. I got the time estimate from MapQuest - I belive they said 15.5 hours and we'll be driving at night while the kids are sleeping (HOPEFULLY!) so I though 15. I guess we'll see as it happens. Thanks again!

 

[paulakim]

Micks, hello we are about 2 hours north of Indi and are driving down to WDW next week. We do this every year and it usually takes us about 18-20 hours of driving time. last year we left the house at 6pm and drove to Franklin Ky to sleep. That took about 5 1/2 hours. We left the hotel by 6:30am and arrived in orlando around 8pm. On the way back we stayed at the Days Inn @ lookout mountain. We paid $35 a night so I guess I can't knock it too much the view was beautiful but if your looking for an indoor pool don't stay here. The pool is a little larger then a hot tub and the chlorine fumes were horrible! This year we plan on leaving a bit earlier literally yanking the kids off of the school bus and jumping in the car so that we can make it to the Ramada in Manchester Tn that night. We are planning to stay in the same hotel for the trip back also (if it is sleepable) They don't have an indoor pool but they advertise a hot breakfast.

I have a question for you, because we are leaving earlier in the day (on a Friday) we will be arriving in Indi around 6pm. Is this a bad time to be driving through the city? If so what route would you suggest.

Thanks! HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

 

[micks]

You should be fine driving through the city at 6:00. Are you coming in via 65 or 69? That may make a difference in the traffic level...

 

[paulakim]

We will be comming down 65. Should we take the by-pass?

Paula

 

[bevgray]

6 PM on a Friday, you would probably be better staying 65. You should be past the worst of the "go home" traffic and I-465 has gotten pretty congested on both the west and east side loops. Downtown is more apt to be be clear by that time of day. You might hit some heavy traffic as you go south of the city but that still shouldn't be too bad.

 

[SCCaguioa]

In 1999, we went 13 hours before 'crashing' at Marietta, GA. Next time, we'll stop somewhere just south of Atlanta as 13 hours was pushing it for one driver.

 

[micks]

I totally agree with bevgray - stay on 65 and you'll have no problems! Have a great trip!