INDY to WDW by CAR

[PoohHappens]

Anyone ever do this. We have decided to drive this time. How much time does it usually take you. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We are good road travellers, we did Indy to Charleston and thought that was easy, other than the traffic jam we ended up in in the mountains. Please let me know what to expect realistically. Also any good suggestions for "best" road side rest etc.... we are not planning on stopping for the night. We plan to leave early like 4-5am on a saturday.

 

[Laz]

It takes me about 20+ from Bluffton, so plan about 18+ from Indy (however, i do drive the speed limit). I end up on 75 thru Atlanta. We use the HOV lane and drive thru Atlanta instead of the by-pass. Plan your time to go thru Atlanta during non rush hour times.

 

[Dallas]

I have done this trip about 15 times. I have driven it all the way thru without stopping overnight and I have stopped and rested for the night to drive on the next day. It's about 16 to 17 hours depending on traffic. I like to stop in Nashville at the Grand ole Opry mall for a meal and to walk around a little bit. The only spot to watch for bad traffic is Atlanta, too many lanes and fast drivers. Non rush hour is the best time to travel thru this area. Even the bypass can be very busy. The longest drive is thru GA, and seems to take forever to get thru this state, and watch out for smokey's and they love to set up radar and catch speeders. I've seen one set up on a overpass and three others pulling over cars to write tickets. The last trip my girlfriend could not believe all the "See Ruby Fall's" and "See Rock City" signs along the way down. It's a fun trip to take. I hope you have a great time on your trip.

 

[bradisgoofy]

I too have been driving this way for many years. I no longer go through Chattanooga or Atlanta, I can't tolerate the traffic. The past three years we have been using the back state roads and going around Atlanta. It takes an extra day, for us, but we find we arrive much more relaxed and ready to go to the parks and face the crowds. This year we are taking the motorhome to FW and will use the Interstates. We will go down I-69 to I-65 then all the way down to Montgomery, AL. Then we will take US-231 down to I-10 then to US-19 to ALT US-27 ( these are very scenic routes with a 65mph speed limit and almost no traffic ) to I-75. Finally, the Turnpike to WDW. For us it is only 100 miles longer then going through Chattanooga and Atlanta. Check it out on Microsoft Streets and Trips.

 

[kaddjr]

Thanks Brad! I knew there was an alternate route by staying on 65 but couldn't find it when I searched. We're driving down late June, and depending on what time of the day we leave, we may just end up taking this route. I hate going thru Atlanta any time other than wee morning hours. The stretch between Chattanooga and Atlanta is killer for me. At least now we have another option, even if it is another 2 hours.

 

[karla63]

We used to live in Kissimmee for 12 years and would drive back and forth from there to New Castle. Now we live in New Castle. The drive would take 15-16 hours driving straight thru. It was pretty much the same time and distance either going I-65 or I-75. Just a different scenery either way. Good luck on your decision

 

[Jeremy B.]

This will be our 3rd spring break heading down from the southeast side of Indianapolis (Franklin township to be exact) this spring. We take 65 to Nashville, 24 to Chattanooga, then 75 down to the FL Turnpike. From my driveway to the Highway 535 exit on I-4 (LBV) it has taken us anyhwere from 13.5hrs - 14.5hrs. We always leave around 3am to go down, and get there late afternoon. That is travelling with two kids as well, 3 and 6. We have a DVD player in our van which helps a lot with time too though I think. We drive straight through ATL, and basically from ATL to almost the Florida state line 75 is three lanes, which really helps! HTH

 

[bradisgoofy]

Thanks Brad! I knew there was an alternate route by staying on 65 but couldn't find it when I searched. We're driving down late June, and depending on what time of the day we leave, we may just end up taking this route. I hate going thru Atlanta any time other than wee morning hours. The stretch between Chattanooga and Atlanta is killer for me. At least now we have another option, even if it is another 2 hours.

Your welcome. We are going this route the end March and will report back on how it was upon our return.

 

[Mammaz]

We are leaving the 4th of March. Since I really dislike the I-65 trip we are taking an extra day and going 74-75 to 40 in Tenn. Staying overnight in Gatlinburg then through North Carolina, South Carolina and down the coast. We are going I-95 to Southern Florida for spring training first then up to Orlando for a few days. I just wanted a new view and new things to stop and see.