Traveling I-75 - Anything Open Christmas Eve/Day?

[disneyfreak89]

We are heading to Florida for the very first time on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day along I-75.

Has anyone traveled on those days and are most restaurants/gas stations open or closed?

 

[Traveliz]

I have done it several times and actually Christmas day is the most awesome day to drive to Florida in my opinion. There are plenty of gas stations open but food selection is slim so plan on either the Denny's in southern Georgia for lunch right off the highway, there's a few subways here and they're open, and last year we came across a McDonald's that was open. We sort of planned on gas station food and snacks that we brought along but if we found a place we wanted to eat we ate then because the pickings are slim. The traffic or lack of it is the best part about driving on Christmas Day. I can't speak to Christmas eve because we've only driven late on Christmas Eve like after 9 PM and that's been fine too. Liz

 

[kydisneyfans]

Waffle Houses are open on Christmas also, not that I would eat there, but it's an option....Christmas Eve will have places closing early, Cracker Barrels usually close at 2 or 3:00. You will not have problems finding open gas stations, especially truck stop exits.

 

[LadyBeBop]

On Christmas Eve, most of your sit-down restaurants (Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans) close between 3 and 5 PM. Your fast food restaurants (McDonald's Wendy's) will close about 7

On Christmas Day; PP mentioned Waffle House. I actually like Waffle House. And south of the Ohio River, there is usually a WH at least every other exit. Sometimes as many as two on an exit.

Denny's are also open; however there aren't many around here.

IHOPs are open until mid-afternoon.

And I think most Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas.

Most gas stations will be open; however I wouldn't let your gas tank go below 1/4 of a tank.

 

[Squirlz]

Waffle House! My Brother and I were traveling one Christmas Eve. We had dinner there and breakfast Christmas morning. It was slammed with locals Christmas morning! Must be the popular thing to do. I remember I had managed to avoid hearing Achy Breaky Heart up until then, but it came on the jukebox and everybody started singing along. Gotta love Waffle House and Tennessee!

 

[betterbutter]

The truck stops will be open for fuel and food.

 

[disneyfreak89]

Thanks for all the replies! Good to know about Waffle House (we've never been, some look a little run down/scary)
and Denny's and truck stops. At least we know we won't be completely w/o food and fuel.

 

[angiedora]

I agree, Waffle House is a great Christmas Day place to eat. They never close. If you're trying to eat healthy, you can request your food be cooked without oil and butter. I like to get a grilled chicken breast with onions, mushrooms, and peppers with a side of hash browns steamed with ice under a dome. It's not on the menu, but the Waffle House is great about cooking what you ask for.
If you don't have diet restrictions, try the pecan waffle, mmmmm. The hot apple pie is also very good.

 

[CanadianPaco]

I agree, Waffle House is a great Christmas Day place to eat. They never close. If you're trying to eat healthy, you can request your food be cooked without oil and butter. I like to get a grilled chicken breast with onions, mushrooms, and peppers with a side of hash browns steamed with ice under a dome. It's not on the menu, but the Waffle House is great about cooking what you ask for.
If you don't have diet restrictions, try the pecan waffle, mmmmm. The hot apple pie is also very good.

Sounds wonderful!!!!

 

[disneyfreak89]

I looked up the Waffle House's menu online just in case we have to eat there. My DH says he'll probably just order a burger but when I looked I didn't see any fries, only hashbrowns??? Do they not have fries or can I special request them?

 

[charmed59]

I looked up the Waffle House's menu online just in case we have to eat there. My DH says he'll probably just order a burger but when I looked I didn't see any fries, only hashbrowns??? Do they not have fries or can I special request them?

Waffle Houses are a fast food type place. Ordering fries there would be like ordering baked fish at Mc Donalds. They only have shredded potatoes in the building, so it would be impossible for them to make fries.

 

[disneyfreak89]

Waffle Houses are a fast food type place. Ordering fries there would be like ordering baked fish at Mc Donalds. They only have shredded potatoes in the building, so it would be impossible for them to make fries.

Ok, got it, they only have hashbrowns.......but just for the record, fries ARE fast food.