The I-75 Connection to WDW

[JB2K]

Seems volumes has been written about "that other interstate highway" (I-95) and getting to Walt Disney World.

Let's hear from those drivers who use I-75 to get there!

The most common routes are I-75S (through Atlanta) + the Florida Toll Roads, and I-10E + I-75S + Florida Toll Roads.

Does anyone have any favorite alternate routes/stops they want to share with everyone else?

 

[kydisneyfans]

I hit I75 4 miles from my house by the KY Horse Park, the only time I leave I75 is the Macon bypass and the Florida Turnpike.

We've made the trip so many times when we pass something it's a "been there done that".

The southbound spot is the FL Welcome Center.

Ironically the only schedule stop northbound is always the last QT convenience store north of Atlanta. We like QTs and the 52 oz drinks last the remainder of the drive. They have a good selection and good prices for a convenience store.

 

[double r]

We might try to go this way next summer with our camper after our trip to Disney. So I would like any ideas of places to stay and things to do, we might take like 3 weeks to go from Disney to Goshen In. Any help would be great.

 

[hearts8701]

we drive from Chicago taking many trips thru the years the last few years we drive 75 south to the turnpike exiting at 429 instead of going to 4 the exit takes us to western way where Coronado Springs is located

 

[Goofyseven]

How do you go from Chicago? We have been taking 41 to 24 to 75

Paul

 

[hearts8701]

How do you go from Chicago? We have been taking 41 to 24 to 75 Paul

From Chicago we go thru Indiana 65 to 24 to 75 not a big fan of 57 thru Illinois but I have taken it when the weather is bad in Indiana

 

[smidgy]

we liked 57 through IL. you don't hit a city until Nashville.
and we live far NW of chgo, so we like the newer 355 to 80.

when we get to nashville,(whether via 65 or 57) we really like the 155 Briley Parkway bypass.. yew, there is one point where you are "off" the interstae and there are 2 stoplights. but it is SO much nicer than the mayhem that is downtown nashville.

one year (in our never ending quest to avoid ATlanta) we stayed on 65 after Nashville. went to ALabama. too some little state route (110? don't remember) from Montgomery to 10 in florida. biggest mistake we ever made. I t took forever.!! and then once you get to 10, you're like "oh boy! we're if fla!" still a LONG way just to get east to 75.

oh yeah. one more attempt at avoiding most of atlanta. we stayed on 65 to Birmingham, then cut over east (on 20? i think?) to the atlanta bypass. that wouldn't mhave been too bad, but it POURED through Birmingham, and 20 was totally under construction.

we used to make it through atlanta, then see how far we could get. macon was good. stay somewhere on the 475 bypass. but we liked to make it further south. not tifton, can't remember the town now.

and yes, we also esited the turnpike on 429 and then took the Western Way. lets out on Vista Buena Drive right by Coronado. (you don't get the big purple sign fanfare, tho... oh well)
sometimes we would decide to leave a day early, and stay at a cheap motel on 192 in Kissimee, jsut to be in fla. lit by the pool, have cocktails, get up super early and check into the disney resort bright and early!!! we would enter Disney property through the Sherbeth road entrance. absolutely NO fanfare there!

 

[kydisneyfans]

I can help with some stops in KY if travelling from IN.

The KY Horse Park at exit 120 is nice if you are into horses. They also have a large campground and host many events(not all horse related).

The bourbon trail is just west of I75 if you want a small detour.

Berea is a nice arts/crafts community. The KY Artisan Center is exit 76, they have ultra clean restrooms too. Downtown is very nice, then you have the usual exit type stuff at exit 77.

Renfro Valley is exit 62, that is old time country music on the weekends.

Corbin exit 29 is the first KFC, it's about a mile off the interstate.

Cumberland Falls is 10 miles or so west of exit 25, the views there are fantastic.

 

[LindaBabe]

We get on at Cartersville, GA. For us, it's a long day to the world, because we try to stop every 2 hours to walk around. Always get coffee at the Macdonalds in Forsyth, GA, and take the by pass around Macon. We also take the Turnpike to the Western Way.

After late starts coming home - or when driving from Miami, we've stopped at the Fairfield in Tifton, and the Hampton Inn at the Lake park exit, both in GA. The Hampton was really nice, the Fairfield was ok (problem with smokers, but a great breakfast)

 

[Gumbo4x4]

From STL
I44
I270
I255
I64
I57
I24
I75
Fl Turnpike
192

We stay on Briley PKWY when we stay in Nashville, but typically just drive 24 right through the city when passing through. Did have a nasty backup at Chattanooga last time through. Right at rush hour and heavy truck traffic backed up due to that steep hill on the East side of the city.

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

I can help with some stops in KY if travelling from IN.

...


Berea is a nice arts/crafts community. The KY Artisan Center is exit 76, they have ultra clean restrooms too. Downtown is very nice, then you have the usual exit type stuff at exit 77.

....

I'll second a stop in Berea for the Artisan Center. Assuming you are passing through at the right time of day. Love the clean restrooms, and good meal if it's time for lunch.

We are also drivers who exit the turnpike at 429 into Western Way. Nice quiet drive, virtually no traffic when we've driven through, and contrary to a pp who said no purple sign, we have pictures of a purple welcome to Disney sign from our drives down that way.

 

[hearts8701]

I have seen many purple signs also using 429 it has some of the highest elevations in Orange County and is often within a few miles of the Lake Wales Ridge. The road peaks at Mile Marker 13 where on clear days it is possible to see the skyline of downtown Orlando to the northeast and Space Mountain, Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth (Epcot), The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and the Contemporary Resort of Walt Disney World to the southeast

 

[smidgy]

ok! ok! I stand corrected! you do go under a purple sign when using the western way. guess I was thinking of the sherbeth road entrance, from 192.

but even before they connected 429 to disney with the "wetern way" I can't believe we took the turnpike all the way to I4, and then back west to disney. we could have taken 429 to 192 and then gotten to disney probperty a number of ways. but we knew so little then!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

We liked 57 through IL. you don't hit a city until Nashville.

Agree.....much less traffic....especially truck traffic, than using I-65 through Indiana.

One year (in our never ending quest to avoid ATlanta) we stayed on 65 after Nashville. went to ALabama. too some little state route (110? don't remember) from Montgomery to 10 in florida.

That would be US 231 in Montgomery to I-10 at Cottondale, Florida, via Dothan, Alabama. The route itself isn't that bad....but Dothan is a traffic nightmare.

We also esited the turnpike on 429 and then took the Western Way. lets out on Vista Buena Drive right by Coronado. (you don't get the big purple sign fanfare, tho... oh well)

Disney does have the big bright "Welcome" sign on Western Way, the exit off TOLL 429.

BobK/Orlando

 

[smidgy]

Agree.....much less traffic....especially truck traffic, than using I-65 through Indiana.


That would be US 231 in Montgomery to I-10 at Cottondale, Florida, via Dothan, Alabama. The route itself isn't that bad....but Dothan is a traffic nightmare.

yes, that was it! and Dothan drove hubbynuts. all the stoplights. he siad he kept expecting a little town parade to come through and when we finally got to Florida, we couldn't beleive how far we still were to WDW..

Disney does have the big bright "Welcome" sign on Western Way, the exit off TOLL 429.

BobK/Orlando

Yes I know know!!!!! sheesh... attention everyone! I was WRONG about the purple sign!!!!

 

[mikewdw]

any construction on I-75? planning on trip over New Years
mikewdw

 

[smidgy]

has there ever NOT been construction on 75 between Macon and Valdosta?

 

[mikewdw]

so true! didn't know if there was anyone other stuff going on?

 

[Dis_Dreamin]

any construction on I-75? planning on trip over New Years
mikewdw

Usually when I'm planning a trip, I check out each state's DOT site. Usually, they have the most up to date info about what construction projects are going on all the way along your route.

Here's Georgia's site:
http://www.511ga.org/

Here's Florida's site:
http://www.fl511.com/

 

[mikewdw]

thanks
cant ever remember the DOT sites
mikewdw