Need help from those who drive from Tx

[ihoward]

Hi all. I need a little help from those of you who drive from Texas to Orlando.
We normally fly so we are not so sure of where the best places to stop overnight are. Also when we started planning this trip the oil spill had not yet occurred and we were thinking of maybe enjoying one of the beaches along the route. We will be leaving in about 2 weeks and were wondering if there were any beaches that are still nice that we could hit on the way back. If not, where would you stop for the night that might be fun. Thanks.

 

[ihoward]

anybody???

 

[Callalily6]

We've driven it a couple of times. Driving along the coast will increase your trip time by a LOT. There are places that were neat where the coast ran along I-10. We usually stop in Mississippi for the night, but I would think the New Orleans area would be something worth seeing. Not sure about the oil. Last time I drove it was after a hurricane took out all of the bridges on I-10. Some of the temporary ones were insanely scary. I hope you have fun! Our trip is still a little ways off. I think we are gonna end up driving too.

 

[disneynp]

u may want to reserve a hotel now. When I was looking for a hotel they were all booked up. I dont know why. Maybe the clean up crew. just a guess though.

 

[twinboysmom]

Destin, Florida beaches are still ok. Very little oil washing up and it is usually cleaned very quickly. Not sure how you are planning your trip but most of the beaches in the Florida panhandle are at least an hour off the interstate.

 

[ihoward]

Thanks for the replies. Destin sounds good and an hour off track is not bad as long as the beaches are nice. Any recommendations as far as hotels in Destin?

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

We've driven it a couple of times. Driving along the coast will increase your trip time by a LOT. There are places that were neat where the coast ran along I-10. We usually stop in Mississippi for the night, but I would think the New Orleans area would be something worth seeing. Not sure about the oil. Last time I drove it was after a hurricane took out all of the bridges on I-10. Some of the temporary ones were insanely scary. I hope you have fun! Our trip is still a little ways off. I think we are gonna end up driving too.

I don't know if you meant to infer this, but just to be clear to everyone else, both US 90 bridges (Pass Christian and Ocean Springs) are rebuilt and operational (and not scary )

Gulfport beaches are not fully open for business, due to oil.

We drove the scenic route beginning in Ocala at US27, then on to US98, and returned to I75 in Pensacola. The route only cost us an hour over what we would have taken on I75/I10, and it will take you straight to Destin.

 

[twinboysmom]

My parents own a vacation home there so I can't help too much. There are a lot of hotels there, all the chains. The pricier resorts are then ones on the beach directly. Ft Walton Beach I believe has some of the chain hotels on the beach. I prefer the Destin area though.