Indianapolis to Disney World & back; best route to drive & best hotel stop?
 

Is it best to go thru Atlanta, or take another route? Some time ago, we took a route that went thru Alabama. I think we switched interstates around Chattanooga, maybe, don't remember. Isn't there also a route thru Cincy? Anyone know which is the best - drive & mileage wize? Which has the most construction going on? Hate going thru Atlanta! We'll have AAA route us, but like to tell them which route since they don't always pick the best one.

Then, rather than waste our expensive WDW hotel night by arriving late p.m., any suggestions on a nice average priced hotel (under $150) about 4 hours away from WDW? We've stayed at hotels in Georgia, between Atlanta & Florida, & WOW, those hotels were dumpy! But couldn't seem to find any that weren't.

We could drive on thru & stay in the Disney area for that nite, but since we are doing a 1 nite hotel stop anyway, might as well stop about 4 hours away & give ourselves a little shorter stretch & not arrive at our hotel so late - hate those left over late night rooms! We figure 4 hours the next morning is not a bad drive & we can still checkin fairly early at WDW.

Thanks in advance, Julie

Another thought. Which days do you think will be the best for traveling?

Our current plan to Florida is to travel on Thanksgiving day, avoiding the Friday big shopping day & the Sat & Sun after Thanksgiving shopping days.

Our current plan back to Indy is to travel on Saturday, Dec 18 since Fridays are usually a busy traffic day. Would Sunday be better?

Hi Julie. We often drive through AL on our way through Indianapolis, but that's because we start out in Tallahassee, which is west of I-75. The route through Atlanta (that's the one where you would go through Chattanooga) is more direct and a little shorter time-wise if you're going Indianapolis to Orlando.

You can also go over to Cincinnati and head south on I-75, taking you through Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta. It's longer than just heading south from Indianapolis, a little shorter than going through Alabama. We have done it once or twice to avoid construction but it's not our normal route north.

As far as traveling back goes - I think the most important thing is avoiding Friday traffic; we've done it on Saturdays and Sundays and I don't remember a major difference.

I wish I had a good hotel recommendation for you; if you're coming through that stretch of south GA there are lots of budget and mid-priced hotels, so maybe you just need to check online for the most current reviews you can find.

Julie, I've never driven that route but a quick look at the map suggests that you'll have to take I-75 before switching to I-4 into Orlando. If you want to stay approximately 4 hours from Orlando, consider Valdosta, GA.

Alternatively, Gainesville, FL is closer and would have a Cabot Lodge http://www.cabotlodgegainesville.com available just off the interstate. If you have never stayed at a Cabot Lodge before, they have very good amenities including complimentary deluxe continental breakfast buffet and complimentary nightly cocktails. You will be well under $150/night.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Thank you so much Barbara_in_FL & Orlando_Vic. Looks like our regular route thru Atlanta it is! However, DH & I were talking just earlier & realized on Thanksgiving Day, surely there won't be much traffic most anywhere, even in Atlanta - we hope!

Coming back I guess we'll travel on Saturday, rather than Friday.

Julie

By the time you get to Atlanta everyone should be in a turkey-induced stupor, and you'll sail through. Hope you have a good trip.