Where to stay on the way to Orlando?

[dbb00]

Hi all, we are leaving for Orlando on Friday (june 3rd) and are trying to figure out where to stay on the way down. Macon, Ga. is just a little over half way for us and is where we are thinking of staying. Anyone know of anyplace better to stay? Anyone know of any good clean hotels to stay at or anyplace to absolutely avoid? We need a cheap rate because it will take at least 4 or 5 rooms for everyone. I'm talking as cheap as possible, but clean. Been searching the discount hotel sites but not lots for Macon arean. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks !!!

 

[stacy6552]

There's an I95 website thats awesome. Google it, cuz I dont know the address. Its got lodging info and food info, exit by exit.

 

[java]

Check out this site
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Transportation/Driving_to_Florida.htm
It does list hotels by exit #.
But man if GA was halfway for me I would drive on through.

 

[debbie655]

But man if GA was halfway for me I would drive on through.

ME TOO!!!

Here is the I-95 website http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm. Lots of info!

 

[Local_Girl]

If the OP is coming from Illinois, and plans to stop in Macon, they are coming down I-75, not I-95.

We come down I-75, but stop north of Atlanta in Calhoun, GA at the HI Express there. We are usually traveling Sat-Sun and Sun morning isn't bad driving through downtown Atlanta. Sorry I can't give you info on Macon...we've never stopped there ourselves.

 

[KFriedhoff]

We are going down in November and driving from Iowa City, IA. We are staying at the Super 8's in Marion IL and Macon GA.

 

[dbb00]

We are going down in November and driving from Iowa City, IA. We are staying at the Super 8's in Marion IL and Macon GA.

I live in Marion. lol. guess you'll be passing through.

I want to drive all the way through, actually I usually do, but we are going as a family, All 14 of us and there are 2 and 3 year olds and other young kids, so everyone else wants to stay half way.

Yes, we will be taking I-75 and I just want to make sure we get past Atlanta. I wanted to stay in Valdosta, but others think it is too long to drive with the kids.

 

[KFriedhoff]

It will be my family of five with a three year old. I orginally was going to try and drive with only one overnight stop, but then commen sense popped into my head and we split it into two stops. Looking forward to the whole thing. Never been there and are planning on two weeks in Orlando.

 

[dbb00]

KFriedhoff - Macon is about 7 1/2 hours from Marion, not including stops. The drive is pretty easy except Chattanoga area. The hills are really bad through there. I always dread that portion of the trip. Just try to avoid Atlanta during rush hour, but Nashville isnot too bad. Sounds like an awesome time, you will have lots of fun.

 

[robinb]

Personally, I would push on through GA almost to the boarder. Maybe to Valdosta. If you stop at Macon, you'll have a 7 hour drive ahead of you the next day too. It's better, IMO, to have one long drive and then a shorter drive the next day. That way you can arrive at WDW with enough time to check-in, relax at the pool and have a nice dinner for your first night. If you're driving until almost dinner time on the second day you won't have as a relaxing start to your vacation.

 

[TN Traveler]

dbb---When we were coming back last year from Disney we stayed at a place in Valdosta. It was clean but "budget" property for sure! I want to say it was a Family Inn or something like that but wouldnt swear to it. Can tell you it had a pool and a Wendy's next to it but other than that, clueless.
Sorry. They also had a ctl bkft which wasn't alot but it held us over for us to make it through ATL and into CHA. Chattanooga's not too bad...I love the hills and curves. Mont Eagle can be tricky but rest is cool. That'd be a good place to stop if you want to kill some time and do a little sight seeing. Lot of neat stuff in Chattanooga. And of course being from Nashville I'm a little partial to it too! Marion isn't too far from Nashville. I have cousins in Charleston and O'Fallon and an aunt and uncle in Lerna so "kinda" famaliar w/your area.

Another suggestion, stop at the GA rest center that's on I-75/I-24 and get one of the coupon books for the state of GA. We have used them several different times in our travels and find them to be helpful. And of course you want to stop at the FL rest center just as you cross I-75 into FL. TONS of
brochures, a great picnic area, clean potties and fresh FL OJ!! Gets you in the spirit of being on vacation!
Have a wonderful time.
Karen aka TN Traveler

 

[dbb00]

Thanks Karen. Yep, Chattanooga is a beautiful place. Lots of beautiful landscape and sights, just hate the hills on the drive and the Semi's on that stretch of highway. Makes me nervous. lol. Love Nashville too...Beautiful area. Nashville is a little over 2 hours from here. I'm thinking Valdosta too, checking rates on hotels, seems to be a little cheaper too.

 

[swincha]

Thanks Karen. Yep, Chattanooga is a beautiful place. Lots of beautiful landscape and sights, just hate the hills on the drive and the Semi's on that stretch of highway. Makes me nervous. lol. Love Nashville too...Beautiful area. Nashville is a little over 2 hours from here. I'm thinking Valdosta too, checking rates on hotels, seems to be a little cheaper too.

i am driving from st louis and thinking on the way to stop in chattanooga and on the way back atlanta.
we have 6 but will use a blow up mattress for kids. any good place to stay under 100. where is valdosta?

 

[Antonia]

I stayed at the LaQuinta Inn in Macon Ga last month and it seemed brand new and very nice. Had a nice atrium lobby with a great free continental breakfast and even had a little waffle maker and cups of batter. The pool area was nice and it had free internet in the lobby, too. I would definitely recommend the LaQuinta if you decide on Macon.

 

[Local_Girl]

Personally, I would keep to your plan to stay in Macon. We went as far as Valdosta on one trip and that last stretch through southern GA in the middle of the night was awful! Of course, we are traveling from further north so our drive is much longer...Valdosta is another 2-1/2 hours beyond Macon and that would bring your drive to 10 hours without stops...pretty long for a big traveling party with little ones. Macon is about 6-1/2 hours north of Orlando, which is not bad for your second day, and would allow plenty of time in the afternoon/evening for relaxing or doing something fun!

 

[dbb00]

i am driving from st louis and thinking on the way to stop in chattanooga and on the way back atlanta.
we have 6 but will use a blow up mattress for kids. any good place to stay under 100. where is valdosta?

swincha - Valdosta would be about a 12 hour drive from St. Louis, it's just before the Florida boarder. Probably about 4 hours + to Orlando from Valdosta. Chattanooga is a beautiful area to stay, especially if you wanted to stay a day or two. I always try to get through Atlanta just because of the traffic, but it's a great city too. Try searching Orbitz, hotelkingdom or use Tripadvisor to find a hotel. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a hotel under a hundred. Most allow children under 18 to stay free.

 

[dbb00]

Thanks for the tip Antonia. I'll check it out. Thanks everyone for the replies.

Real quick, has anyone stayed at any of the Comfort Inn's around Macon. A friend might be able to get me a deal for $40 a night at one of those.

 

[dawgsgirl]

If you are going to stay in Macon, be sure the motel is on I-475 and not on I-75. You will be taking I-475 around Macon and I-75 will be out of your way. Personally, I would stay either just north or south of Macon and not stay there. Forsyth is just north and Perry is just south.

 

[bdb7607]

We stayed at Country Inn Suites in Valdosta for $80, clean, cntl bkfst was good and an indoor pool. would stay there again

Driving all the way to Valdosta was a haul, but it sure was nice to have the short drive the next day!

Good luck

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

A couple of years ago I stayed at the Sleep Inn in Valdosta and it was brand new at the time....it was very, very nice and we paid around $60 for the night....not bad at all.