The I-65 vs I-75 debate once again

[Scutapipig]

We'll be driving at the end of August from west Michigan, and we're looking for comments on which route seems to be our best option based on current traffic flow and construction.

AAA routing indicates that I-65 will take approximately one hour longer, but will it actually save us time based upon the assumption we won't be held up in traffic in Atlanta? The way our schedule is currently set, if we take I-75, our estimated time through Atlanta would be a Thursday afternoon between 1:30-3:30pm.

Ideas and suggestions are appreciated! And thank you!

 

[Luv2Travel]

Where do your routing plans tell you to get off of I-65? I live in North Alabama just beside the interstate. We used to take I-65 to Birmingham, then I-20 to Atlanta, then I-75 down to Orlando. That's was on our first few drives to WDW, since then we've tried several routes to make it a shorter and quicker drive. Now we stay on I-65 to Montgomery, then get on Hwy 231 to Tallahassee, then get on I-10 until we hit I-75 to go down to Orlando. The drive is shorter and 30 to 45 minutes quicker.

Now after saying all of that, again, I live in Alabama and am used to Hwy 231 (highway through lots of small southern AL cities with red lights and speed changes). You might feel more comfortable staying on the interstate the whole way. What I mean by that is that you won't be slowing down every now and then and thinking you won't ever get there.

Now after making that short story long, I'll tell you that we don't drive the other way any more either - we fly!

 

[Scutapipig]

Luv2Travel, thank you for your input!

Our options are:
1) I-65 and then take a connector highway (24) around Nashville to meet up with I-75 around Chattanooga, or
2) I-65 all the way down and use Hwy 231 to I-10 and then hook into I-75 in Florida. (Little Alabama towns don't scare us and we actually prefer them....unless you know something about them that we don't!)

We have used both routes, but its been about 3 years. I'm looking for any quirks or changes in the last few years that may have one route preferred over the other.

I believe we're leaning towards going through Alabama instead of Georgia.

Thanks!

*bumping for other opinions*

 

[Scutapipig]

*bumping for the weekday readers*

 

[spiceycat]

hi!

I like the Ala way myself - but people who work with me - prefer Ga.

I live in Birmingham.

if AAA is telling you to take on I85 exit 6 - don't - go a little further take exit 9 (the next exit) - you will be happily surprised at the time saved.... (plus you won't get lost). (turn right - this roads ends at US 231 - turn left)

Also on the Turnpike I preferred taking US 27 - to US 192 - this lets you in the backroad of Disney - especially if you are staying in Kissimmee/Davenport or anything along or around US 27. while some people prefer taking the florida turnpike to I4.

of course when I started taking this route it was mostly orange groves - now I think there might one or two left - but very, very few.

if you go Ala - be carefully of the Al state troopers - there are more along US 231 than the Interstates. (college students going to the beach) but unlike Ga they will let you go a few miles over the speed limit - they are looking for dangerous behavior. excess speeding (over 80 mph - remember college kids), going back and forth between the lanes, drunk driving - or being distracted while you are driving (college kids).

oh this trip I am also flying - SW - $231 for both of us to fly to Orlando and back....

 

[BamaBaloo]

As a resident of Alabama, I cordially invite you to drive through our state and spend your rest stop money here. Lots of road improvements over the past few years, and the friendliest people anywhere.

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

 

[Laz]

I use to take 75 all the way until I ran into a 6 hour traffic jam below Atlanta. I am going to go the I 65-231 route the next time.

Thanks for the exit tip for 231!

 

[Scutapipig]

if AAA is telling you to take on I85 exit 6 - don't - go a little further take exit 9 (the next exit) - you will be happily surprised at the time saved.... (plus you won't get lost). (turn right - this roads ends at US 231 - turn left)

AAA has us routed I-65 South, to exit number 168 to US-80/US-82.

Do you still recommend I-85 to exit 9 (which I can see on the map and that it hooks into 231 via Taylor Road) or would US-80/82 be just as good of a choice.

Thanks!

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

We are driving from Indiana and I guess I never gave it much thought about what route to take. I've just assumed we'd take I-65 down to Nashville and then I-24 to Chattanooga and then I-75 through Atlanta all the way to Florida. Wondering now if we should look at other routes. I don't though want to get off the beaten path anywhere and I want to have plenty of options for an overnight hotel stay. I just want to find the quickest way there.

 

[Laz]

A lot of people, like myself, have gotten a little gun-shy about I-75 due to a horrible traffic jam a couple of years ago during spring break. Combine that with the already heavy traffic, and you can understand why some are considering alternate routes.

The I-65/I-80/US231 is what my father uses every year when he comes up from the Tampa area to visit. He loves it. It does take a little longer, but less traffic and hassles

 

[manning]

And then there is the by pass in Dothan. Yuck.

 

[clkelley]

I'm a Huntsville/Madison person also, and I have tried it all.

I've gone I-65/I-20/I-75

I've gone US72E/I-24/I-75

I've gone US431S/I-20/I-75

I've gone I-65/US231S/I-10/I-75

I always seem to go back to I-65/I-20/I-75

My gas mileage always seems to be better and I make the best time.

We also carefully plan our trips to get through Atlanta before 3:30 PM ET or after 9PM ET.

If you are going through Atlanta between 1:30 and 3:30 pm, it shouldn't be too bad. The lunchtime traffic is not near as bad as the morning or evening rush hour. If you can shoot straight down I-75 from Chattanooga, and there are at least 2 of you in the car, hop in the high occupancy lane and go. There should be no problems.

 

[BamaBaloo]

if AAA is telling you to take on I85 exit 6 - don't - go a little further take exit 9 (the next exit) - you will be happily surprised at the time saved.... (plus you won't get lost). (turn right - this roads ends at US 231 - turn left)

I live in Montgomery, and I highly recommend taking exit 9 as well. 231 through Montgomery is a mess of red lights and traffic. Exit 9 (Taylor Rd.) goes through nice residential/suburb type areas with little stopping and almost no traffic, and it comes out on 231 below Montgomery.

 

[TyRy]

Hmmmm the route through Alabama is looking more tempting as if we do I-75 we should hit Atlanta just in time for Friday night rush hour. Is 231 clearly marked all the way? I'm looking at maps online and it just seems to disappear. What about traffic in Montgomery during rush hours?

THANKS!

Ty

 

[TyRy]

Thought of one more question - what is the average time to get from Nashville to Atlanta. I know Mapquest and other programs have a time, but I'd like to know from people who really drive it. It looks like that is where we make the decision on which state we'll be headed through. If we knew we were two or three hours away, it would help us judge better.

THANKS!

Ty

 

[Scutapipig]

AAA reports the distance between Nashville to Atlanta is approximately four hours. In my experience, AAA is usually right on target with its distance and time approximations.

In the past, the delays we've experienced have been through Chattanooga and Atlanta and those have been construction and/or accident delays.

 

[BamaBaloo]

231 is very clearly marked. If you take the Exit 9 route off of I-85, that road will end at 231, hang a left, then you have to make a right turn in Dothan, but that is clearly marked as well.

As for traffic, the only traffic on I-65 around Montgomery is during morning rush hour. Afternoon might be a little heavy, but there should be no stopping unless there is an accident.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The stretch in Montgomery from I-65 to US231 is not bad at all. (Don't make the mistake of turning onto US331 though!). But my recollection of the drive on US231 itself was lots of towns, lots of traffic lights, lower speed limits, Alabama State troopers, lots of local police....and then the Dothan traffic circle with lots of local traffic and traffic lights that never seem to end.

If you're going to Panama City, that's the way to go. If you're coming down to Orlando I'd still recommend I-24 from Nashville to Chatanooga and then I-75 the rest of the way. If you get Atlanta during rush hour take the bypass which moves much better than going through downtown. But other times of the day I-75 flows good. I-75 can be horrendous on holiday weekends and that might be the only time I'd consider traveling via Alabama.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Scutapipig]

Thanks to everyone for their input! Very much appreciated!

 

[Scutapipig]

Just wanted to thank Spiceycat and BamaBaloo for the info!

We took I-65 to Hwy 231 and it was a breeze! We overnighted at Exit 6 and then we were back on the road by 5:30am the next morning. We took Exit 9 (VERY nice area there!) and we breezed down Hwy 231 without incident and almost no traffic. The only surprise was dense fog, but we had no problem with it.

We did head home via I-75 and regretted it. There was a tremendous amount of construction from the Florida state line up until Atlanta and we probably lost two hours of time from the traffic and construction backups. We also didn't like the overabundance of billboards through this area either. (It's not saying much for the girls at the Bare It All places when they have to adverstise they have "Great Food" at the establishment! Ewww! LOL)

So, in the great debate of I-65 vs I-75, Alabama wins hands down! We loved the state and will take this route every time now!