Michigan and Ohio DVC drivers’ advice needed

[DVC Grandpa]

Many of out family trips to Disney originated in Michigan and at that time with four kids the route of choice was I75. This fall we find ourselves without kids and with a few extra days to get to the 2009 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival and would like to see some of the fall color and new sites like along the way. We are considering I70 thru Charleston WV, on to I77 to Charlotte, NC then on to Savannah and Orlando. For those who drive those highways, what can we expect as far as fall color, points of interest and availability of lodging?
Can anyone offer suggested other routes or places of interest or lodging?

 

[rpk1951]

It is a little bit of a detour, but Ashville, NC is very nice. The Biltmore estate is worth a stop. The views from Chimney Rock are also great.

 

[PookieB]

WV is my home state. Beautiful foliage there! http://www.wvtourism.com/spec.aspx?pgID=70

Hawks Nest is my favorite place!
http://www.hawksnestsp.com/

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Any suggestions on lodging along those routes?

 

[rpk1951]

We usually just get a aaa book for the states we may stay in. We decide how far we are going to drive around noon each day, look in the book and make a call. We are fairly unstructured when we travel.

 

[dvcsully]

What part of Ohio are you travelling from? We are just south of Cleveland, and we usually drive straight through (about 18 hours in a nice comfy conversion van). We have friends that have stopped in Georgia and have stayed at St. Simons Island and loved it. I have also heard that Jekyll Island is very nice. Leaves about 5 hours or so to get to WDW.

 

[katieandemismom]

We drive that exact route if we aren't flying. We love Lake Norman (just north of Charlotte NC). It's beautiful there. We also stopped close to the island in GA a previous poster mentioned. It was nice too (but the wrong time of year and rainy so we didn't stop for long). You'll hit Charlotte and Savannah on the way. Savannah has a lot of fun places (and the downtown can be a lot of fun if you know where to go - I can't help there any longer b/c it's been too long since our last stop).

As for lodging, we are Priority Club members through Holiday Inn and just pull up their site and put in the city where we want to stay. I know there are a lot of fun bed and breakfasts along the way, but we haven't stopped at them b/c they aren't too conducive for small children.

Good luck and have fun!

FWIW - we're in Marietta, and it took 14 hours door-to-door with quick stops for food and bathroom breaks two years ago.

 

[lah3hh]

We are from NW Ohio area and we have never driven to WDW. However, we take a yearly trip to HHI and always drive. We go across the state on the Ohio Turnpike and then jump onto I-77 to head south.

I agree with a previous post that the Lake Norman NC area is absolutely beautiful. I even tell DH that I would love to live in that area after retirement but he is not sure about that point.

I think going down I-77 is a great ride except for all of those hills/mountains in WV on their turnpike. Those make me very nervous...can you tell I was raised on the flat lands of NW Ohio...

 

[Barnum01]

Many of out family trips to Disney originated in Michigan and at that time with four kids the route of choice was I75. This fall we find ourselves without kids and with a few extra days to get to the 2009 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival and would like to see some of the fall color and new sites like along the way. We are considering I70 thru Charleston WV, on to I77 to Charlotte, NC then on to Savannah and Orlando. For those who drive those highways, what can we expect as far as fall color, points of interest and availability of lodging?
Can anyone offer suggested other routes or places of interest or lodging?

Depending on your point of origin, you may consider US 35 to take across Ohio versus I-70. It's a divided highway for much of the state. You drive right by the Indian Serpent Mounds, Bob Evans farm, and it allows you to by-pass Columbus by taking you further south. You'll pick up I-64 just west of Charleston where it then links up with I-77 for you to travel south the rest of the way.

Let me know if you are interested as I can send more information about sites along that route.

Regards,
Dan

 

[DVC Grandpa]

What part of Ohio are you travelling from? We are just south of Cleveland, and we usually drive straight through (about 18 hours in a nice comfy conversion van). We have friends that have stopped in Georgia and have stayed at St. Simons Island and loved it. I have also heard that Jekyll Island is very nice. Leaves about 5 hours or so to get to WDW.

We start out in Wisconsin then up into Michigan and down 23 into the Toledo area. Can't do the long drives any more ... about 8 is normal and 10 hours is the about the max. Is St. Simons Island (Lake Norman NC) a good stop in October?

 

[zumfelde]

We just went to HHI from northwest Ohio and used route 30 to I77. It is now divided highway all the way across Ohio.

 

[PookieB]

Any suggestions on lodging along those routes?

Only at Hawks Nest State Park. http://www.hawksnestsp.com/lodging.htm
I wish I could help more. I've always stayed with family. GL!

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Depending on your point of origin, you may consider US 35 to take across Ohio versus I-70. It's a divided highway for much of the state. You drive right by the Indian Serpent Mounds, Bob Evans farm, and it allows you to by-pass Columbus by taking you further south. You'll pick up I-64 just west of Charleston where it then links up with I-77 for you to travel south the rest of the way.

Let me know if you are interested as I can send more information about sites along that route.

Regards,
Dan

We just went to HHI from northwest Ohio and used route 30 to I77. It is now divided highway all the way across Ohio.

Which is the best route between I75 and I77, route 30 or route 35? Ate both divided highways? Would like to go thru a national park just to see the October color.

 

[chum]

Northern Ohio to Hilton Head, SC/Savannah, GA is about 12 hrs. That is the breaking point for most drivers and it puts you on I95 for the trip to Florida. You can enjoy a short stay in either spot before a 5 hr stint to WDW.
Asheville, NC is beautiful but not on the way.
Driving through the hills of WV and VA are fun (elevation changes & tunnels) and pretty during the Fall.