Austin, TX to Orlando, FL

[dsmith3]

Howdy, friends. We are planning Spring Break trip to Disney/Universal Studios (Orlando, FL area) from Austin, TX.

Any areas to watch out for? We have never driven this route (have flown in the past) so wasn't sure if there were areas best to avoid.

Also, we are thinking of stopping in Gulf Shores, AL as our "halfway" point (outbound and return trips). Again, never been there so would welcome any advice on awesome RV campgrounds near the water (is walking distance an option?) as well as favorite restaurants, activities, etc.

We have three kids ages 9, 12 and 14.

Many thanks,
Dave & Tracy

[dsmith3]

Thanks, folks. Appreciate the good feedback. For our stopover (in Gulf Shores or wherever we finally decide) we really prefer a campground with beachfront access on the Gulf (not lake, lagoon, etc.). Do RV campgrounds exist where you can walk a very short distance from your campsite to the beach on the Gulf side?

[GoPackGo]

I believe the Garlits museum is on I-75 ????

I expect you will take Florida's Turnpike from I-75 over to I-4. It is a toll road as are several others in the Orlando area (408, 417, and 528). If you're going to be driving around the area on those roads (and they are absolutely the best way to get around), you may want to consider getting an 'E-Pass', available at any Publix grocery store. Lived in the Orlando area for over 15 years and never understood why folks would wait in those long lines to pay cash at the toll booths. I had an E-Pass within a week of moving there.

Drop me a note if you have E-Pass questions.

Tim

[1971duster340]

Gulf State Park has been our stopping spot many times on your same route, but we've been lucky to stay not having reservations. The Gulf is clear and blue, beaches almost too white...you can see our feet when the water is up to your neck. Battleship Alabama is a blast for kids (and adults), but it takes awhile to get em off...near the Gulf Shores exit. Search for Lambert's Restaurant in Gulf Shores, but that's a thread all it's on. The rest is just interstate, but some parts look like East TX. If the drag racer Don Garlits is familiar, he lives on I95 and has a super museum. Oh my, he's still the kid at 82!

[rnelson]

Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores is right in Gulf Shores. It even has its own section of beach. Good park, but I would suggest early reservations, especially during Spring break.

[agesilaus]

I've done it many times, down I-10. We did it both ways this summer. We've never stopped at Gulf Shore tho, thought about doing the state park one year but they had a three day minimum stay. I-10 itself is fine. LA or MS always, one or the other or both, have the road torn up near the Mississippi river bridge. So it seems like there is always a traffic jam, the east bound lane was backed up for miles when we went thru going west.

Stay on I-12 when you get near New Orleans, it connects back into I-10 on the other side. I-10 thru Florida is flat as a board and a straight board at that. The most exciting part of the trip is the tunnel at Mobile.

You are doing the most boring part of our summer trips out west. I usually just go as fast as possible not expecting anything good until we get past San Antonio. We tried a couple of days in Louisiana the summer on the way back. Took the Tabasco tour and so on. Ate some gumbo at a highly rated restaurant. But we both felt it was not worth repeating.

BK