The Long Drive from the North...

Hey All...

I'm planning another trip down to the World in early June, and this will be the first one since 1976 in which I'm (ulp) driving. We're coming from Mid Michigan and I'm running into an interesting quandry:

Which way South is Best? Mapquest diverts you fairly far West to take 69 through Indiana to 465 to 65 (Kentucky) to I-24 (Georgia/Tennessee) and then to 75 South through Florida. When I look at the map, it looks like 75 South is the direct route, why not just take it all the way South?

Is it the hassle of of 75 around Cincinatti that is the problem? More truck traffic on 75?

Any hints would be good. Thanks gang,

-Lynx

I highly recommend getting a Tom Tom or Garmin, it helped a lot with my trip, even finding my way back to the hotel at night, or finding a grocery store or Target if you need supplies.

Honestly I have no idea which way is best, I drive down from NY so I take 95 straight down, but I do know that I don't trust mapquest. They have screwed me up serveral times, so if you see something that looks better on the map I would take that. Also if you belong to AAA they do trip ticks and map everything out for you....at least they use to.http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ationincar.gif

See what www.randmcnally.com says.

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Originally Posted by VGL_Lynx

Hey All...

I'm planning another trip down to the World in early June, and this will be the first one since 1976 in which I'm (ulp) driving. We're coming from Mid Michigan and I'm running into an interesting quandry:

Which way South is Best? Mapquest diverts you fairly far West to take 69 through Indiana to 465 to 65 (Kentucky) to I-24 (Georgia/Tennessee) and then to 75 South through Florida. When I look at the map, it looks like 75 South is the direct route, why not just take it all the way South?

Is it the hassle of of 75 around Cincinatti that is the problem? More truck traffic on 75?

Any hints would be good. Thanks gang,

-Lynx

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I would take I-75. My only question is, what time would you be going through Cincinatti? Weekday mornings and afternoons are a mess, but if you went through during the night, it wouldn't be bad. The I-275 bypass is the long way around, but I would use it if you get there during peak times. A lot of this route between Dayton and Cincinatti gives you an extra lane or two which will help with the truck traffic. I'm not sure about construction zones, but it seems like they are always doing something in this area, so you may want to check that out before you leave. Once you see the big water tower in Florence, KY you will be home free!

P.S. Take a "Disney's Greatest" CD with you for the trip to prevent road rage.:mickeykid

did you look at yahoo or google maps? they might be a big help.

Lynx, like you I am going down in early June and driving as well, but since I am from NJ, I am just take 95 down (like GlOny). I also have used map quest in the past and have gotten burned, so I checked other sites as well, like Yahoo's directions and RandMcnally's and compared them all. Im sure any way you go, once you get there it will be a great time. Enjoy.

Lynx,
Unless you just have to drive or are used to driving long distances,you'd better fly.I personally do not long drives.I live only 400 miles from WDW and I can't stand to drive it.But we still have to drive it,because we have to take certain things with us.I'd consider flying,myself.Rental cars aren't that bad.

Thanks all. ParkHopperDad, it comes down to finances. For where we live, airfare for a family of 5 is the killer. It's going to be an adventure for sure. We picked up a Garmin GPS unit, and are comparing several routes now.

I fully understand.I hope it works out just perfect for yall.Have a safe trip.

From Chicago:

I haven't driven to WDW in a long while however we always took the route
through Indiana Kentucky Tennessee Georgia (we took the bypass around Atlanta, longer but shorter in time). Just try and get through Chattanooga during the daylight, it is confusing and take her slow through the hills unless your are accustomed to driving them.

After one trip to Cleveland with my son as a babe we flew to WDW yearly. Now that both kids have drivers licenses we too are considering a rode trip.

We will be making the drive from Illinois in August for free dining!

We should rent an extended van and all carpool! :lol:

Our deal from when we used to drive from northeast Ohio was I-77 to 26 to 95 and then I-4. We've gone out of our way some by doing I-71 to Cincinnati and then I-75 to Florida. I detest the mountains and traffic on I-77, I-75 a bunch of years ago was very nice, few semis but that Cincinnati and Atlanta towns will try your patience. We've moved on years ago and let Amtrak do the driving, cost us about the same, alittle longer in travel time but we don't have to navigate, stress about time and traffic and worry about breakdowns.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VGL_Lynx

Hey All...

I'm planning another trip down to the World in early June, and this will be the first one since 1976 in which I'm (ulp) driving. We're coming from Mid Michigan and I'm running into an interesting quandry:

Which way South is Best? Mapquest diverts you fairly far West to take 69 through Indiana to 465 to 65 (Kentucky) to I-24 (Georgia/Tennessee) and then to 75 South through Florida. When I look at the map, it looks like 75 South is the direct route, why not just take it all the way South?

Is it the hassle of of 75 around Cincinatti that is the problem? More truck traffic on 75?

Any hints would be good. Thanks gang,

-Lynx

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For what it's worth, we drive from Chicago. We take 294 south, thru Indianapolis, Louisville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, then to Disney. We have never diverted from this route and it has served us well. You can always use the Atlanta bypass which we don't, and you only skirt the mountains through Tennessee and Kentucky, it's not like driving at altitude or anything.