I am in the process of researching my driving options for a trip next month from Birmingham to the West Palm Beach area. Is anyone familiar with the best route to take from Birmingham? There seem to be a number of options, but I am not sure which would be the fastest. Also, if anyone has info regarding the cost of the toll roads in FL, please share. Any ideas and suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I'd follow Mapquest's recommendation and take I-20 to Atlanta, then I-75 south to the FL Turnpike.

FL Turnpike fares and info:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/turnpikepio/

Thanks rkkwan. I noticed that there are some differences between Rand McNally and Mapquest. Actually, a co-worker of mine was telling me that I should try going US 280 thru Columbus GA and then take I-75 into FL. Know anything about this route?
Thanks again.

Birmingham to Cordele (where US 280 cuts I-75) is 288 miles via I-20/75, and about 235 miles via US280.

It won't be hard to average 70MPH on the interstate, unless you hit traffic around Atlanta. But it'll be pretty hard to average 60MPH on 280, in my opinion. I've only taken 280 between Columbus and Birmingham, but it's not the fastest route, if I remember correctly. Especially at Columbus, unless you take the long detour on US80/I-185, you'll see a lot of lights.

And some lights at Auburn too.

After Columbus, it's only small towns.

I'd take the interstate. Much easier, and should be faster.

Drive fast you'll get there quicker

I've done this drive numerous times, but mostly to the other coast of Florida. rkkwan's advice is best. Don't even attempt the 280 route...way too slow. The interstate is much safer and faster. Get a book on tape to make the trip seem a little less monotonous!

Thanks for the help Bamakelly and rkkwan. To pose yet another scenario, when I enter my home address (slighthly south of BHM)on Mapquest, it directs me to take I-65 to Montgomery and then US 231 from there thru Dothan to I-10 east to I-75 south thru Orlando and to West Palm Beach from there. Is 20 east to Atlanta still better than 231 south from Montgomery?
Many thanks guys and girls!!

Birmingham to Lake City, FL (where I-10 and I-75 crossover) is about 433 miles via Atlanta, and 408 miles via Montgomery and US 231. Difference of about 25 miles.

But that involves almost 140 miles of non-freeway travel, including going around Dothan, and Montgomery. You need to make this 140 miles in 2.5 hours, or 56MPH, to equal the time on I-20/75 if you average 70 there. This may be possible, but it's definitely not worth the trouble.