Route Planning with 27 ft TT

[rebelstand]

Hi Everyone,
I know it's a bit early for it but I am playing around, planning our route to Ft Wilderness. Yes, I am a sick individual who enjoys planning/mapping trips. This will be our longest trip with our 27ft TT, we've only had it since July 3rd.

Anyway, part of the "fastest" route (from OK to the Fort) suggested by goggle, goodsam, and tomtom use Fut 22/78 from Memphis, TN all the way to Birmingham, AL. However, near Birmingham it's still under construction. I read online that the major interchange was still not built. I was wondering if anyone had information about this area.

The route then goes to Montgomery, Tifton, Vadosta....

We have (approximately) three days of driving (arriving Sunday), four days in the parks, then 3 days of driving(leaving Friday). This is our first trip to the Fort (only the second to WDW) and we'd like to get in as close to check in as possible. We are dedicating our first afternoon/evening to enjoying/checking out the fort without worry of having to hit a park. I know that some of the conditions will change between now and our trip but thought I'd check to see if anyone had info.
Thanks so much,
Nicki

 

[medic9016]

You are correct about Hwy 78/I-22 corridor. It is not complete, connecting to I-20. It is less than 30 min drive from the end of 78 to I-20. It is 4 lane through a couple of small towns. Only a few stop lights. You will exit before the construction, so you will not even notice. I-20 east through Birmingham is not bad at all. We drive that route about 4 times a year to Memphis and back.

 

[rebelstand]

You are correct about Hwy 78/I-22 corridor. It is not complete, connecting to I-20. It is less than 30 min drive from the end of 78 to I-20. It is 4 lane through a couple of small towns. Only a few stop lights. You will exit before the construction, so you will not even notice. I-20 east through Birmingham is not bad at all. We drive that route about 4 times a year to Memphis and back.

That doesn't sound too bad. I was afraid of massive delays...

 

[SinceDay1]

The drive on 78/I-22 is even better now, as coming from Memphis take I-22 all the way to the end, in Birmingham, you will have to exit and then take the right (Caolburg Road), you will be about 1-2 miles from Daniel Payne Drive, you will then turn left on it, there is a nice truck stop right there if you need to make a stop, or you can get on I-65 South for about 2 miles+/- and then hit I-20 east, this is much faster and eaiser then getting off on the old 78 highway, to many stop and gos on there. Just remember to turn your sound down on your GPS, as it will constantly say make uturn or recaluclating.....

Have a safe trip!! I am going to be in Tulsa the friday after Thanksgiving and drive it every year (this year I am flying), then at the Fort, Dec. 15-21, can't wait!!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

The drive on 78/I-22 is even better now, as coming from Memphis take I-22 all the way to the end, in Birmingham, you will have to exit and then take the right (Caolburg Road), you will be about 1-2 miles from Daniel Payne Drive, you will then turn left on it, there is a nice truck stop right there if you need to make a stop, or you can get on I-65 South for about 2 miles+/- and then hit I-20 east, this is much faster and eaiser then getting off on the old 78 highway, to many stop and gos on there. Just remember to turn your sound down on your GPS, as it will constantly say make uturn or recaluclating.....

Have a safe trip!! I am going to be in Tulsa the friday after Thanksgiving and drive it every year (this year I am flying), then at the Fort, Dec. 15-21, can't wait!!

PP was right on about exiting off on Coalburg Road to the right, then 1-2 miles then turn right onto Daniel Payne road.

However, I would take I65 all the way to Montgomery. Take Exit 171 to I85. Go to Exit 4 on I85 to Perry Hill Road. Turn right onto Perry Hill Road. You will pass a small shopping center on the left with an empty grocery store. In less than 1 mile, you will come to an intersection that looks like you'll hit a church. You don't Anyway...turn left onto Vaughn Road for about a mile. Turn Right onto Eastern Blvd. Then turn left onto US231. Take US231 to I10, then I10 to I75, etc. (P.S. - Ms. Garmin will figure out what you are doing as soon as you get on Vaughn Road.)

 

[DebbieT11]

If you decide on the 231 South route.... wave as you pass through Dothan!!

 

[rebelstand]

Thanks so much everyone! I can't wait to get the atlas back out and start looking. It is helping me get through until we actually get to leave!!

 

[clkelley]

Me personally, I would stay interstate if at all possible. I live in Huntsville, and have tried ALL routes to FL including through Auburn, through Montgomery/Dothan, through Atlanta and even through Chattanooga, and time and time again we have found going through Birmingham, then Atlanta the best way for us. As long as you time your trip where you go through Atlanta after 6pm, then you are fine!!

Get to I-20, then go to Atlanta, then I-75S, then Florida Turnpike, then 429S, then Western Way, then West Buena Vista Dr., then World Drive, then Vista Blvd, then Fort Wilderness Trail!!

 

[rebelstand]

Here are all my options. And there are quite a few of them.

I-40 - Memhis, TN - I-22/78 - Birmingham, AL - I-20 - I-75

I-40 - Memhis, TN - I-22/78 - Birmingham, AL - Montgomery, Al - Tifton, GA down I-75 to the Florida Turnpike. (not all freeway)

I-40 - Memhis, TN - I-22/78 - Birmingham, Al to Montgomery, AL - Dothan, AL - Marianne, FL - I-10 (not all freeway)

I-40 - Little Rock, AR - Tallulah, La - I-20 - Jackson, MS - Mobile,AL - I-10 (not all freeway)

It's actually an overwhelming amount of options....

 

[clkelley]

Here are all my options. And there are quite a few of them.

I-40 - Memhis, TN - I-22/78 - Birmingham, AL - I-20 - I-75


It's actually an overwhelming amount of options....

This would be my choice

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I-40 - Memhis, TN - I-22/78 - Birmingham, Al I65 to Montgomery, AL U.S.231- Dothan, AL - Marianne, FL - I-10 (not all freeway)

My sister who lives close to future I22 has taken both US 280 through Georgia, and US 231, and says that the 231 route is much better. They have considered the I20 route, but haven't pulled the trigger.

US 231 is a good road. It is 4 laned and you really only have to deal with traffic lights in Troy, Dothan and maybe Montgomery according to how you go. The only hard part about this route is that I10 from Marianna, FL to Lake City, FL is a very long boring stretch of road.

Do be a bit careful going through the interchange at I65 and I20 in Birmingham. We affectionately call that Malfunction Junction. Its not bad...but pay attention to the signs and choose the correct lane.

 

[clkelley]

Do be a bit careful going through the interchange at I65 and I20 in Birmingham. We affectionately call that Malfunction Junction. Its not bad...but pay attention to the signs and choose the correct lane.

Piece o cake......
Going I-65 South you will see the left hand exit for I-20. There are two lanes for that exit. Get into the furthest right lane that will allow you to exit left. Then once you merge into the 59/20 traffic, then get over to the right one lane.

Stay in that lane until it is time to get on the "real" I-20, then you have a right hand exit, then you get into the furthest left lane that will allow the right exit and stay in that lane to exit to I-20.

(Will be at Malfunction Junction about 3:45 tomorrow)

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Piece o cake......
Going I-65 South you will see the left hand exit for I-20. There are two lanes for that exit. Get into the furthest right lane that will allow you to exit left. Then once you merge into the 59/20 traffic, then get over to the right one lane.

Stay in that lane until it is time to get on the "real" I-20, then you have a right hand exit, then you get into the furthest left lane that will allow the right exit and stay in that lane to exit to I-20.

(Will be at Malfunction Junction about 3:45 tomorrow)

OR you can stay in the center lanes under the signs that say Montgomery.

 

[SinceDay1]

Yep, there are several options, just depends if you will want to travell all interstate, which I prefer, or go on down and hit the stop and go traffic of Montgomery, Troy, Dothan and all those small towns.... Either way, you will end up at one of the best places on earth, Fort Wilderness!!!

On I-10, which I have gone a few times, when I had to got to Dothan first, I always got a flat tire, a friend of mine from Dothan said it is very common on I-10, so just becareful and have a fun and safe trip!!

Richard

 

[rebelstand]

We are traveling with a 145lb dog in the truck...

No flat tires!!! Please no flat tires.... Is I-10 really bumpy?

 

[Tnbob]

My route is 231, I know Carol doesn't like it but we do, I65 to I85 in Montgomery to Taylor road, it's about 9 miles down I85 and straight to 231. Down 231 to about 5 miles before Dothan there is a road I think it's rt 59 thru a little burg called Taylor and takes you past Dothan without the traffic and lights and comes out on 231 right at the Fla line. Then it's 231 to 10 and it's 170 miles to Lake City and I75. Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth but thats the way we come.

 

[hotdogmj71]

Memphis, TN - I-22/78 - Birmingham, AL -HWY 38 to Auburn AL - Tifton, GA down I-75 to the Florida Turnpike.

In July, we took this route. From just about an hour north of Memphis, we drove to Tupelo MS on a Friday night (3 hours), to Tifton on Saturday (8.5 hours), then to WDW on Sunday (4.5 hours). We enjoyed the ride from B-ham to Tifton, but we were not in a hurry. Some of the 2 lanes will make you mad if you are in a hurry, though. On the way back we stopped at Windcreek state park in Alabama (around 9 hours) before returning home the next day (approx 7 hours)

It was not at all a bad trip, at least not like I remembered from my childhood. It was the 1st we had driven since the mid 80s. Birmingham was the worst part of the trip. There were a few shady areas before you leave HWY 78 to get on the interstate. One more thing -- from Tupelo to Birmingham, there are not a lot of gas stations or restaurants.

Have fun.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Memphis, TN - I-22/78 - Birmingham, AL -HWY 38 to Auburn AL - Tifton, GA down I-75 to the Florida Turnpike.

In July, we took this route. From just about an hour north of Memphis, we drove to Tupelo MS on a Friday night (3 hours), to Tifton on Saturday (8.5 hours), then to WDW on Sunday (4.5 hours). We enjoyed the ride from B-ham to Tifton, but we were not in a hurry. Some of the 2 lanes will make you mad if you are in a hurry, though. On the way back we stopped at Windcreek state park in Alabama (around 9 hours) before returning home the next day (approx 7 hours)

It was not at all a bad trip, at least not like I remembered from my childhood. It was the 1st we had driven since the mid 80s. Birmingham was the worst part of the trip. There were a few shady areas before you leave HWY 78 to get on the interstate. One more thing -- from Tupelo to Birmingham, there are not a lot of gas stations or restaurants.
Have fun.

She's not kidding! This is a new road. There are some gas stations...but not many. I keep stopping at a gas station in Carbon Hill, Alabama.

 

[rebelstand]

I wouldn't say we were in a hurry. However, since we are traveling for 2.5 -2.7 days with two kids and a great dane expediency would be good. The great dane requires a longish stop (30 to 45 minutes) every 4-5 hours, which is why I am planning this far in advance. I am trying to get my route locked down so I can plan those stops efficiently. then I can figure out what time I should leave (ie... should I take the kids out of school half a day or just not send them at all).

Since we only have till the following Friday (arriving on Sunday), we want to be at the Fort at check in or just after so we can explore/experience the Fort (got to the movie, see chip & dale, maybe watch the fireworks on the beach, ride our bikes around the loops...etc.).

 

[retired and happy]

If I hit I-10 from 231, I would take US 27 just east of Tallahassee. It's a relatively new 4 lane road and not much traffic. Saves a lot of miles from going on to I-75 and comes out at Williston just a few miles on I-75 to the Sunshine Parkway.