Motel stop on I65 in TN or AL

[sarahk0204]

This will be our 4th time driving to FL from Northern IL with kids. We have done I24 to I75 in Chattanooga, and then on south. However, we will be visiting friends on the Gulf side of FL this time. They are originally from IL too, and they prefer the Alabama (as opposed to the Georgia) route. We normally do the trip in 2 1/2 days, as we've never been straight through kind of drivers (even before kids). Our friends suggested Cullman, AL as a place to stop, but I don't think we'll get that far the first day. If we make it past Nashville (taking I24 east to I65 south), are there any other nice places/towns to stop for the night? We like Drury Inn, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. We've had so-so luck staying in Nashville, so we'd like to get past it (or stop before, if necessary). TIA!

 

[ChristaDeVil]

Athens, AL has some of those chains of hotels right off of the interstate, as well as a few restaurants, etc. There are more options there than at the Cullman exit. Athens is going to be your first city in Alabama that would have those things right off the interstate. Cullman really isn't that much further, honestly, but I would stay in Athens before I stayed in Cullman. (Not sure if this would matter to you at all, but Cullman is a dry county...no alcohol sales at all.) Franklin, TN, right past Nashville, has several hotels and things right off of their exit. If you don't think you could make it to Athens, I'd recommend staying there. Not really a whole lot right off of 65 between the two!
Hope that helps!

 

[PinkRhombus]

We stopped in Decatur, AL last year on the way to Pensacola Beach.

There is a Hampton, Courtyard by Marriott...a few others. Those are the ones we frequent so I only paid attention to those.

We left home later in the day this time. If we leave earlier, we like to stop just before you get into Montgomary...at Prattville. Lots to choose from there.

It was a perfect stop for lunch though. Good chain restaurants (they have a chick fil a) and a Super Walmart.

 

[sarahk0204]

That helps a lot!

 

[mgilmer]

I second Athens. It has some very nice lodging and eating right at the I-65 exit.

 

[sarahk0204]

We ended up staying in Franklin, TN, as someone here had suggested. Unfortunately, we chose the Best Western and were greeted by a GINORMOUS COCKROACH on one of the beds. We drove toward some other hotels at the same exit and ended up at a Holiday Inn Express that was lovely.

We are now going back in December, and we have to make the trip in two days this time. We'll definitely keep Athens, AL in mind. Thanks again, everyone!