?s about Driving From Atlanta

[scrapbookingmommy]

My family and I will be driving from Atlanta at the end of April down to WDW. I have a couple of questions that I am hoping someone can help answer:

1) How long does it really take to drive from Atlanta to WDW? I have heard everything from 6 hours to over 8 hours. I am talking true driving time - I can then plan in rest breaks.
2) If we wanted to break the drive up into 2 days (as we have two young children - ages 5 and 3) where would be a good place to stop and get a hotel for the night so that we only have a couple hour drive to do the next morning?

We were originally planning to make the drive all in one day but we are wondering if we will be in better spirits when we arrive if we break it up into two days. We moved to Atlanta from Seattle last May where we had lived pretty much all of our lives so we really have NO clue as to how long it takes to get places here in the south.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[WOODY13]

Mapquest says 6 hours and 48 min. we usually do a little better than that. I would think that that is very possible to be done in one day, but that is up to you. My experience with young kids is that they sleep alot at least mine do. We always stay in Hampton inns on the way. They are always very clean, decent price, and free cont. breakfast in the morning. I know there is one in Lake city, FL., Gainesville, and Ocala. Those are within a few hours of WDW.

 

[scrapbookingmommy]

Thanks. I will take a look at those cities on a map. We may still do it in one day but not sure yet.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

It probably depends on where in the Atlanta area you're coming from. I remember making the drive from my mother's home in Calhoun to WDW in about 8-9 hours. We went through Atlanta on I-75 late morning using the HOV lane; that helped us make fairly good time.

 

[Luv2Travel]

When we used to drive through Atlanta to get to WDW it took us right around 6 hours from downtown to WDW. It's not a bad drive at all. If you wanted to stop over for a night, you might want to stay in Valdosta. I think that's about half way (if I remember correstly ).

 

[Cookie55]

I have made the trip 8 times in the past two years. I find it to be very doable in one day but I am used to long trips and I basically do not stop except for a bathroom break and fast food. I think the estimates on time are pretty close. It does matter where in Atlanta you are coming from. North of the city will add time as opposed to south. I am always going to or from Georgia Tech with my son so that is basically midtown and I plan on seven hours but usually make it in less. As for hotels I second the Hampton Inn recommendation. There are many along the way. Good Luck!

 

[KIANGA]

You Don't Say What Time You Will Be Leaving Nor Do You Say If You Will Be Staying On-site. Looks Like From Center Of Atlanta About 450 Miles And Close To 8 Hours. If Staying On-site Check-in Is 3:00 PM So If You Left At 6:00 AM You Could Be At WDW By 2:00 PM.

 

[scrapbookingmommy]

We are staying onsite at POFQ. Our kids tend to wake up around 6:00AM each day and we will be leaving on a Sunday (if we make the trip in one day). So...our thought is that we will pretty much get going as soon as the kids are up and seeing as it is Sunday we shouldn't hit much traffic. We live about 30 minutes north of Atlanta so I will obviously take that into account as to travel time from "Atlanta".

Thanks everyone for the helpful info you have given.

 

[ducklite]

Here's real life for you.

Last September I drove on a Sunday afternoon from right near the Atlanta airport to my house in just under six hours. It's another 30-45 minutes from my house to WDW, depending where on property you are going. Add half an hour in extra potty stops and such with the kids. I wouldn't break the trip up, that seems excessive for what's really not that long of a trip. Bottom line, it's seven, maybe 7 1/2 hours.

I've posted here a couple times how to take I-75 to the Tpke to 27. Do a search and you'll find it. It's the most direct route.

Anne

 

[postalcop]

well last year, we drove up to suwanee, about 1/2 hour north of atlanta, from All Star Movies and took us about 7 hours. we stoped just for gas, lunch and bathroom breaks. we have 2 young children. at the time of the trip there ages were ds 3, dd 16 months. and they were just fine with the drive. i think what saved us was the dvd players! and sunday you should have no problem with atlanta. we drive there many times to visit family, and havent hit traffic on a weekend, (so far)!!! well good luck.

~sue