we will be driving this week from chicago to ft. lauderdale and wanted suggestions on areas to stop and see along the way....

What is your projected route? Or is that what you are trying to determine? How much time do you have to get there? Do you need fastest route or most scenic?

we do not have a planned route and can take our time. Savannah was a thought.

We have driven that route when we used to live in the Chicago area. You can make it to Asheville, NC for the first night in about 12 hours. The Biltmore Estate is very worthwhile and Asheville is full of arts & crafts and a good entrance to the Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway. If you are going to Savannah, Charleston is not that far out of your way and also very historical and worthwhile visiting. It's about 5-6 hours from Asheville. Savannah is about 1 1/2 - 2 hours from Charleston. St. Augustine, FL is very historical and worthwhile as well. All these places are well documented on this site and you can find lodging and restaurant recs.

It's a beautiful city and that certainly would be a good option.

The route you propose takes you through Indianapolis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta (a fave city). Certainly items of interest in each place.

I know that there are free online services (maybe even Mapquest/yahoo) where you can select "most scenic route". I'd check the tourism boards for each of the states that are a possibility through which you might travel. We don't know what you're looking for, though...scenery or history or ??? So the tourism boards are a great place to start. Here is one for Chattanooga. http://www.chattanoogafun.com/

Nashville: http://www.nashvillecvb.com/visitors/index

Savannah:
http://www.savannah-visit.com/

Have fun! I have done many road trips across the US and I feel it is a lost art! Relax, make sure you stop regularly to stretch and enjoy America!!!

And one more hint...ask the locals! When looking for unusual things to see/do, and when looking for a great place to eat...ask the locals!

I enjoyed Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. You won't have to worry about the weather, either.