Suggestions of where to stay halfway

[TIFFANY&CO]

We are driving from New Orleans to Orlando and my DH would like to make it a 2 day drive. Does anyone have any suggestions on where we could stop kinda halfway? We would like to stop somewhere on the beach but driving to Gulf Shores or Pensacola would kinda defeat the purpose since they are both not far from New Orleans and it would make our second day driving a little longer.

Thanks!

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

Hi there! We are from Gonzales/ Baton Rouge...and were planning to drive and stop in Destin overnight. It is about a 6 hour drive I believe. From Destin I think it is 5-6 hours. And, Destin is a nice place relax for the evening..maybe do some shopping or eat Dip N Dots!

 

[Matt]

I just always recommend driving more than half way. I'd make it to Florida for sure. I always enjoy waking up and having only 3-4 hours to go! That's up to you though. Destin is a good option but cheaper hotels will be found inland

 

[cowtownmom]

Yes, Destin hotels are very expensive and depending on when you are going, you may not even find any with vacancies. And, it is not much farther than Pensacola, so you will not gain much in distance. You could go on around to Panama City, but that takes you off course a bit and would actually make your drive longer.

 

[OKW Lover]

We have friends from NOLA who usually plan on driving all the way to Ocala the first day. They report that there are a lot of inexpensive hotels available there and the remaining drive to WDW the next day is an easy one, allowing them to hit one of the parks that afternoon/evening.

 

[HunnyPots]

I had to laugh becuase NO is our half-way point! Once we're past NO I feel like we're almost there.

Seriously, we're driving to Tallahassee the first day and that will leave us with about a 3 1/2 hour drive the next day. Hotels were much cheaper than in any of the beach towns along the way.

 

[TigerKat]

We always drive straight thru, but I would think Tallahassee would be a good stopping point!!

 

[TIFFANY&CO]

thanks so much for all the info. I think my Dh is thinking of Tallahassee, but we'll just see.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[LSUDis]

We try to make it to Lake City, FL b/c that's where we stop going east and start going south. It's a long drive for one day, but a short one the next.

We have stopped in Marietta, too. The problem is that I-10 veers away from the coast after Pensacola area.

 

[ShannonP]

I'm also from the NO area.

We always drive to Tallahassee...about a 6 hour drive...then its a quick trip the next morning to see Mickey!!!

 

[Kimi313]

Hi we are from north alabama and when DD was younger we use to stop in Lake City also. We stopped at a Holiday Inn right off the interestate and on Fri and Sat nights they would offer, at that time, a very affordable buffet. It was great and the chef would come out and cut the prime rib for you. Then we would go for a quick swim, shower, and bed. Then in the morning we were only a hop and a skip from Mickey. We would usually be in the parks by 1:00. We never had to wait for a room, we would just check in and then they brought the luggage right up and off we would go. If your not planning to go in the parks that day you could just lay around and enjoy the hotel. Not bad either.

 

[silverspark7]

I had to laugh becuase NO is our half-way point! Once we're past NO I feel like we're almost there.

You know, it might be faster for you if instead of staying on I-10 from baton rouge to new orleans....if you took I-12 in Baton Rouge and hit I-10 again in Slidell. Might cut off about 30 mins maybe more depending on what time you would have driven through New Orleans