Mid-westerners, who has taken 65 thru Birmingham? What'd you think?

[theyoungs07]

Our next drive is in the planning stages. Since it's going to be in November/December, I'm thinking about taking 65 instead of 75 out of Nashville.

We're from Northern IL and have driven through Atlanta several times.

I spend way too much time/thought on scheduling to get through the mountains during daylight and through ATL during non-busy times. My retired father goes through Birmingham all the time, but he is the type to take his time on road-trips, I'm in hurry up and get there mode at this point in my life.

So I'm looking for opinions on one vs the other. I'm thinking that adding the hour to go through AL will be worth not having to stress over either of those waypoints.

Opinions?

 

[Alesia]

It's so much better than driving through Atlanta. We have never been stuck in traffic going that way, regardless of the time of day.

 

[MillauFr]

Which way would you go once you got to Montgomery?

 

[Day-Day]

Which way would you go once you got to Montgomery?

Highway 231 to I-10 then east on I-10. 231 has pretty good speed except for areas around Troy and Dothan.

 

[MrsHammer]

What time of year are you going? That stretch of I-65 can be very crowded if it is a time of year where people are flocking to the Florida/Alabama Gulf Area. We went to Gulf Shores that way one time and traffic was a hundred times worse than anything I've ever seen going through Chattanooga/Atlanta to get to Florida.

EDIT: Ok, Duh, I just saw where you said you are going in Winter. May not be too bad then.

 

[bjschil]

We are making the trip from Wisconsin late December, and are also contemplating this route. Been stuck too many times southbound in Atlanta, and for all the reasons theyoungs07 speak regarding mountains and time of day. We tow a fifth wheel so the new route should be more pleasant on fuel mileage.

 

[NotUrsula]

It normally takes around 2 hours longer than the mountain road normally would if you timed it right, when you factor in gas stops and such.

The worst slow-down I've experienced on the AL route happened at around 2:30 pm on a Thursday in March, when someone decided that taking 6 new mobile homes southbound through Dothan at about the same time the school buses were on the road would be a great idea. The wide loads caused gridlock on Hwy231 for over 2 hours, because the school-bus drivers didn't dare try to go around them, so both lanes ended up with rolling roadblocks.

FWIW, our last trip (in mid-August) we decided to go for broke and do the mountain run even though our timing wasn't great. I now refer to that trip as my advanced driving final exam. We went through the Monteagle Pass southbound in low fog just after midnight; the truck traffic was heavy and visibility was pretty bad. That white-knuckle passage was exceeded only by the surprise downpour that we encountered a week later at 2 in the afternoon on the northbound run: visibility was essentially zero, with a 40 mph crosswind, for the entire run from the town of Monteagle to Manchester. (By some amazing coincidence, it happened to be my shift to be behind the wheel ... both times. )

My conclusion: Since there are no mountains or micro-climates that come with them, the Alabama route is FAR easier in terms of stress on both the driver and the vehicle, but it does take longer (all other things being equal, which isn't a sure thing. I've also spent motionless hours in nasty traffic jams both in the Monteagle pass and in Atlanta due to accidents.) If difficult terrain and the presence of a LOT of trucks stress you out, then the Alabama route is probably better for you. If "making good time" is your prime objective, and the possibility of some white-knuckle moments don't phase you or your vehicle, then I-24 is going to be your better choice.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

It's so much better than driving through Atlanta.

1) Not so sure.
2) Did Atlanta at 65.
3) I was 67 when I finally got through Atlanta.

 

[Alesia]

1) Not so sure.
2) Did Atlanta at 65.
3) I was 67 when I finally got through Atlanta.

1) It takes forever to get through Atlanta.
2) But it might still be better than driving through Birmingham?
3) Umm...okay...

 

[AliceIn]

We are driving down from Chicago in July - We plan to make the trip over two days stopping overnight in the middle. Any advice on best routes and good stopping points for that time of year? I figure in the summer, we'll have quite a lot of daylight and can manage to go pretty far that first day, and have a shorter drive the second. But then, I always think that and we end up stopping after about 9ish hours anyway! 3 kids getting antsy in the car will do that to you. They are a bit older now, (15, 12, and 10), so they can keep themselves occupied for a fairly long time.

 

[theyoungs07]

We are driving down from Chicago in July - We plan to make the trip over two days stopping overnight in the middle. Any advice on best routes and good stopping points for that time of year? I figure in the summer, we'll have quite a lot of daylight and can manage to go pretty far that first day, and have a shorter drive the second. But then, I always think that and we end up stopping after about 9ish hours anyway! 3 kids getting antsy in the car will do that to you. They are a bit older now, (15, 12, and 10), so they can keep themselves occupied for a fairly long time.

We are straight West of Chi and our goal is usually to get past Atlanta. Last year we drove to Macon. If we take that route again, I'd probably stop somewhere between Atlanta and Macon. Get up early and have a long first day and a shorter second.

 

[JolietGuy]

I drive to DW 99.9% of the time. 4 tanks of gas beats the cheapest air fares for 2+ people, factoring in the costs of flying in/out of Midway or O'hare. Driving i-57/24/75 is the fastest route from the Chicago area. I-57 is boring, nothing but flat Illinois prairie views with some occasional great sunsets if you travel at that time. I-57 has less traffic. Good gas stop is Marion Il, after that pickings are slim until you hit civilization again. Driving I-65 through Indiana offers more to look at but there is more truck traffic. Accidents on I-65 tend to close the highway. Driving through the hills starting at monteagle going into Chattanooga is not all that difficult, maintain the posted speed limit and it's OK. There can be sporadic fog patches which may slow you down. The milage you actually drive up/down grades is not very long. If you drive straight through to DW your trip time will be roughly 17 hrs, plus or minus depending on the number of stops you make. 16 has been my fastest drive time and 22 the longest with one child throwing up in the backseat multiple times. Chattanooga is roughly the halfway point of the trip, roughly 10 hours out of Chicago area. A good stopping point. There are site seeing attractions in Chattanooga and Civil War historical sites. When we drive straight through we leave Chicago area 4-5pm cst and arrive at DW before noon. Leaving at that time puts you through Atlanta before traffic builds. I like following I-75 through Atlanta and not the bypass. You can use the POV lanes on the left to avoid any on/off ramp traffic. With two drivers its easy to stay rested. If you are lucky your room will be ready when you get there, if not then you can check your bags, change into your resort wear, and hit the parks.

 

[Minnesota!]

It normally takes around 2 hours longer than the mountain road normally would if you timed it right, when you factor in gas stops and such.

The worst slow-down I've experienced on the AL route happened at around 2:30 pm on a Thursday in March, when someone decided that taking 6 new mobile homes southbound through Dothan at about the same time the school buses were on the road would be a great idea. The wide loads caused gridlock on Hwy231 for over 2 hours, because the school-bus drivers didn't dare try to go around them, so both lanes ended up with rolling roadblocks.

FWIW, our last trip (in mid-August) we decided to go for broke and do the mountain run even though our timing wasn't great. I now refer to that trip as my advanced driving final exam. We went through the Monteagle Pass southbound in low fog just after midnight; the truck traffic was heavy and visibility was pretty bad. That white-knuckle passage was exceeded only by the surprise downpour that we encountered a week later at 2 in the afternoon on the northbound run: visibility was essentially zero, with a 40 mph crosswind, for the entire run from the town of Monteagle to Manchester. (By some amazing coincidence, it happened to be my shift to be behind the wheel ... both times. )

My conclusion: Since there are no mountains or micro-climates that come with them, the Alabama route is FAR easier in terms of stress on both the driver and the vehicle, but it does take longer (all other things being equal, which isn't a sure thing. I've also spent motionless hours in nasty traffic jams both in the Monteagle pass and in Atlanta due to accidents.) If difficult terrain and the presence of a LOT of trucks stress you out, then the Alabama route is probably better for you. If "making good time" is your prime objective, and the possibility of some white-knuckle moments don't phase you or your vehicle, then I-24 is going to be your better choice.

I was nauseated just reading that. I will take some turbulence and TSA before I would ever do that drive!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

It's so much better than driving through Atlanta. We have never been stuck in traffic going that way, regardless of the time of day.

I agree. And I live 2 hours from Birmingham.