Prefered Route from Ohio to FW

[Lorott]

I am planning my first trip to FW and I have learning so much from all you on here. Thank You for all the great info.

I am hoping for some more about the best route to Florida from Ohio.
I am traveling from the cleveland area to FW.
Which route is better for pulling a TT?
Down 75 through Atlanta or 77 through the Carolinas.
Is one way easier to pull a camper?

Thanks for any info.

 

[railmail]

Hello, and welcome. Being from Kentucky, and living right off I75, I can't tell you much about the I77 route, but I can tell you a few things about I75. Although I HATE going thru Atlanta, It is mostly a matter of timing. Never try going thru Atlanta during morning or evening rush hour. Night time would be best. The one good thing about I75 is that thru most of Kentucky and Georgia, it is now six lanes, although there are still some areas of construction. Tennessee is lagging behind on upgrading their section. Also, you can take the bypass around Atlanta, and be sure to take I475 around Macon. Maybe someone else is more familiar with the route thru the Carolinas. I have been that way once, but don't recall it being shorter or faster?

 

[Jasperann]

We don't pull anything, because we tent camp. But we will be taking I-75. It just makes more sense, because it is more direct for us. When I was a teen we went to the North and South Carolina, but I think we took I-95? and that was lots of mountains... I was young so I really don't remember what Interstate it was.

 

[mnsprk]

Take I-75, then take I-285 around the West side of Altanta only adds couple miles and your not fighting downtown traffic. As was said above also take the bypass around Macon. The only big grade you will encounter is Jelico in TN. On I-77 you will have numerous grades on the WV turnpike as well as the first part in VA.

Take the FL Turnpike and then take 429 South (also a toll but not much) as there is a new Disney exit that takes you right onto the property.

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

We've traveled both ways. If making the best time is important to you I'd recommend I-75. As previously posted, Atlanta is the only concern going this way. However, if you want to make the trip down part of the vacation I-77 to I-26 to I-95 is the way to go. We prefer to go this way now making several stops along the coast. Savannah and Jekyll Island in Ga. St. Augustine in Fla. I-4 can be white knuckle driving through Orlando. Pulling a trailer on either route shouldn't be a problem.

 

[clkelley]

I always go through Downtown Atlanta. I never take the bypass.

The Semi trucks HAVE to take the bypass, so you lose those going through Downtown.

I also ALWAYS go through Atlanta after 8pm, so it's not too bad.

 

[Shan-man]

I agree with Carol. I lived in Atlanta for 12+ years, there is little benefit to taking the 285 Bypass around Atlanta. There are signs in Marietta (north of the bypass) which tell you the times through versus around town. Take which ever posts the shortest time. And try to stay at least 1 lane from the right to avoid the mergers and exit-only lanes. It is a far more scenic drive going through town, as well.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

I'm not sure where in Ohio you are starting from but I can give advice from Columbus. The east route is about 15 - 20 miles shorter from Columbus, however you do have to travel the WV Turnpike which is a tight, twisty, hilly section of road from between about 10 miles south of Charleston to Beckly. From there on to FL is is a nice drive. You have a couple of cities to go through with Orlando being the worst. There are ways to go around Orlando, but I have never tried them. In my opinion Orlando is as bad as Atlanta so it's a toss-up.
The west route seems to be better quality, wider roads with more gradual hills other than Jellico, TN and is easier to navigate with a TT. The last few years there has been construction through southern GA but not too bad.
When I travel I usually go the east route about 25% of the time and the west route about 75% of the time.

 

[campingpug]

I75 in downtown Atlanta isn't all that bad. I like much better than the by-pass I285. Just try to avoid rush hour either way.
For whatever reason whenever we go my wife is always asleep on that part of the trip. Well her eyes are shut.

 

[dtum]

We take 77 S (live near Akron), then 95. We plan one of our stop-overs just north of Jacksonville so we can be on the road early and avoid Jacksonville's rush hour (it's awful). 95 to 4 W through Orlando (another bad area, but any big city is a pain during busy times). Never tried the route through Atlanta because it seems going out of our way to go west and then back east. Towing is fine--big mts. in VA, but nothing to worry about. Two tunnels, but have never had any problem towing through them. Good luck!

 

[Lorott]

Thanks for all the info.
I knew I could count on people to help out.

Thanks

 

[super_camper]

We have been to Florida many times over the years and have travelled both routes several times, in our case the I77 route is a few miles shorter but we no longer take it.

The I75 route is easier for towing and has much better/more services. We bought a book called "Along I75" that outlines the trip in detail, it's a great resource. The biggest reason for the I75 route though is it's the most predictable and consistent. We normally travel to/from Florida in the colder weather and I75 over the years has been the better drive more times than not.

There are a few big cities on the route but a little planning up front makes a big difference. I agree with earlier posts on Atlanta - we organize our drive to hit Atlanta at a good time and drive straight thru on I75. We have driven thru Atlanta dozens of times with no trouble at all.