Looking for good stop point driving from Austin TX

[HaleyB]

I was thinking of bidding for a night somewhere for our on the road night. It would be nice to save a bit, but I am somewhat concerned about doing this- we always drive on vacations so I know we can go 10- 12 hours the first day, but it is hard to judge where that point will be. I would hate to stop early or have to push too far... so I am looking for advice. We would like to drive pretty far our first day so we can make it to WDW the next day by dinner time...
I am thinking we might be able to make it to the FL boarder, is that too far from Austin?

 

[mickeymousers]

We drove from Houston in June a couple of years ago. We drove longer than 10-12 hours, more like 15 or so and stopped in Destin, Florida. We woke about 8:00 a.m. and went over to the beach for about an hour. It is absolutely gorgeous! The kids loved it. We returned to our room about 10:00, showered, checked out, and hit the road. We were in Orlando about 2:30 or so, checked in and had plenty of time to go the park. You will love Destin if you enjoys beaches and don't mind driving a little longer the first day. We like Hotwire for a surprise hotel room.

 

[ironz]

Have not driven all the way from Austin to Orlando, but you can get to Destin/Panama City Beach in one day. It's about 8 hours to New Orleans (depending on potty breaks!)...and about another 4 to PCB.
Have fun...and be sure and pick me up to go with you before you leave Austin! I'll have my bags packed! heck, I'll even help drive! haha!!

 

[jimmiej]

We drove from New Braunfels & made it to Mobile, Alabama easily the first day. That left us about 6-7 hours to arrive at WDW. If I was doing it again, I think I'd try to get to at least Pensecola, Florida. That would leave you about 5 hours to WDW.