Yes, we are crazy. Need driving tips from IA

[thesoldtrain]

Hi there! Before I get started, yes I know we are crazy . My family and I are taking the "Great American Road Trip" this summer, as we have family to go and see and quite a bit of time off given it is summer and both my hubby and I are teachers. We live in CA and will end up in IA, ready to head down as a straight shot to FL for our days at WDW. I am looking for any driving tips from you guys who have done this...since we aren't from the IA area, it is a bit difficult to figure out the best way to go. I printed off MapQuest, which shows the best route as going through Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, down to Orlando. Is everyone in agreement? Any tips on family friendly places to stay and drive tips? We are allowing 3 days to travel with our 3 kids (8,4,2....yes, CRAZY )from IA to FL...is this enough/too much?

Thanks for your advice!

Jeanette

 

[Vivianne]

I have no idea... I'm from the East Coast.

However, I do admire you and your family. You can make this a very memorable trip. I don't know what sites are on your way but I would do research and make it a once in a lifetime trip and visit some major spots since you have the time.

Happy travels.....

 

[chamonix]

It depends where in IA you are starting from. You could also go through the Quad Cities (Davenport/Moline) and take 74 to 57 which would then be the same route after you got to southern Illinois as you mentioned upthread, straight down on the rest of the same roads (Nashville, Atlanta, etc).

I wouldn't go through Kansas City/STL unless you were coming from far western IA (or at least Des Moines).

 

[thesoldtrain]

We will be coming from Sioux City. ANyone else have any tips? I have no clue where to start, hehe but We are excited at the thought of the road trip part, too, and yes, would love some ideas on things to see

Thanks again!

 

[sulleyfan]

We drove from Lincoln, NE in March, going through KC, St. Louis, Paducah KY, Nashville, Atlanta, Gainesville FL, and to Orlando. We used to live in FL w/ all our family in NE and made the trip from NE to FL at least 15 times driving, this is the best route we've come across for traffic and ease. 3 Days should be fine for travel time, we usually do it in 1 1/2-2 days depending on how hard we push.

We stopped in Chattanooga, TN our first night, but that was pushing it, we left at 3:45 am and stopped at about 7:30pm. We then drove from Chattanooga to Gainesville and on to Orlando the next morning, but that was just because we wanted to stop to see some friends that live there, from Chattanooga to Orlando would be about 8 hours or so.

As far as places to stay, we have always liked staying in Clarkesville, TN which is about an hour before Nashville, just make sure that you try to avoid Nashville @ rush hour. We hit it both ways this last time and it was bad.

Just a tip, stop for gas before you leave Missouri, it'll jump 30-40 cents a gallon from Missouri to Illinois and most vehicles can make it across IL into KY before another re-fuel . I'll have to ask my dad if he has any further tips, he's our chief driver and knows this route like the back of his hand, I normally fly anymore.

 

[thesoldtrain]

sulleyfan,

Thank you so much for the advice! Keep it coming!

 

[thesoldtrain]

bumpity bump bump

 

[num1tigerfan]

I live in Eastern Iowa right off of I-80. I drove it with 2 teenagers 2 years ago. We took Hwy218 South to St. Louis, then over to Paducah Ky, Down through Nashville, across through Chattenoogs, TN, then down through Atlanta and finally Florida. It was about 22 or 23 hours and wasn't really that bad. The drive through Tennessee was beautiful and there was always somewhere to stop for a short stretch that seemed interesting. I would drive it again in a heartbeat but DH hates driving and our 2 younger kiddies are not as patient as the teenagers.


Good luck

 

[manning]

Get gas in GA before entering Florida. Gas is high in northern Florida.

 

[kristinanderic]

I've spent alot of my childhood in a car, and I've driven to florida numerious times now that I am grown. Lets just say I've been to WDW about 30 times and I've only been on a airplane about 3 times....we live near St. Louis.

My best advice is drive straight through. i know it can be hard to do, but in my opinion its the best way. I hate stopping...it just makes the trip seem longer.

My husband and I can leave our house about 5pm and arrive at WDW by 11 am. We drive straight through the night...there is no traffic!!!

Make sure you have a DVD player for the kiddos, my mom used to stash a couple new movies, a new toy, coloring books, cd's, ect....anything to keep me entertained for a bit. Driving through the night is also great for the kids because they will sleep through it, no whining.

We do stop for bathroom breaks, and meals (usually cracker barrels). We keep a small cooler in the back seat and snacks with us in case we get the munchies.

AND....we ALWAYS stop at the first rest area in Florida...they will give you a free cup of Orange Juice....its just a family tradition!