Northern KY to Disney, then Disney to Destin

[atomlinson]

Well, we're booked for June 2016. Staying at Fort Wilderness for week 1, then from there, we head over to Camp Gulf in Miramar Beach for week 2. Very excited about this trip, but also nervous because I've never towed anything this far, so I'm already planning now.

I don't know why, but overpasses always concern me. I think the drive from KY to Disney will be no worries as far as overpasses go, but how about the drive from Disney to Destin? Mapquest has me starting off taking Hwy. 535 to Stoneybrook West Parkway, then onto 91, which turns into 75 North, then to I-10 West, exiting at 331, where I then know where I'm going.

Does this sound like the route I want to go? Anything unusual about this route that will make towing a TT a challenge? I see that I will be encountering some tolls along the way. Is there a special lane for taller vehicles, or does any lane work?

Hope these questions aren't too dumb, just wanting to have a great family vacation, that doesn't become a Griswold-esque disaster. Thanks so much!

[atomlinson]

ifd22 wrote:

atomlinson wrote:

ifd22 wrote:
Making the same trip to Disney in June....see you there!

We arrive on June 12. Have a good time! So is ifd=Independence Fire Dept.?

Yes it is.

I'm sure we know mutual people. I was a ff/emt at Bromley for 13 years.

[ifd22]

atomlinson wrote:

ifd22 wrote:
Making the same trip to Disney in June....see you there!

We arrive on June 12. Have a good time! So is ifd=Independence Fire Dept.?

Yes it is.

[atomlinson]

ifd22 wrote:
Making the same trip to Disney in June....see you there!

We arrive on June 12. Have a good time! So is ifd=Independence Fire Dept.?

[Rangerman40]

Most of the toll booths provide change but they have been getting rid of a lot of the booths and just take a picture of your license plate and mail you a bill a couple weeks later.

[ifd22]

Making the same trip to Disney in June....see you there!

[tegu69]

Generally stay to right lanes for toll takers. Turnpike in Orlando is great now, I-75 not so. Tolls beat stop and go, but Orlando has a lot of it.

[atomlinson]

Another dumb question- are the toll stations staffed and will provide change, or are they automated and require exact change?

[Allworth]

Avoid Florida tolls when towing, if possible. They are outrageous. Other than that, Keep Florida Green; bring yankee money!

[DrewE]

Assuming your signature is up to date, your rig supposedly is a little less than 11' high. There are not too many overpasses that are that low, particularly on major through highways, and those that are should be pretty well marked. Many commercial vehicles are taller; most school buses are fairly close, maybe a few inches lower.

That's very general, I know. I don't have the knowledge others have about your specific route options. But in general, you don't need to be overly worried about your height, but rather just keep aware of it. (Non-highway structures like gas station canopies or drive-through window structures are rather more frequently height constrained.)

[atomlinson]

Thanks everyone!

[Tvov]

At most tolls, any lane will work for a travel trailer. Sometimes you might see signs saying something like "Trucks and Trailers Right Lanes Only", then just move over to the right lanes. You should have plenty of warning. I am almost always in the right lanes when I am towing on the highways, so it is rarely an issue anyways. You will probably be paying more for towing a trailer, if cars are $1 you might be $5 or $8 dollars, so be ready for that.

If you can use any lane at a toll, and you know you have to bear left immediately after the toll (such as when entering a different road), try to use the left side toll lanes so you are already lined up for where you need to go after the toll.

Between now and your trip, when you are just driving around, imagine you are towing. How would you negotiate this or that intersection? When you see signs for upcoming road changes, which lane do you think would be better if you were towing?

Also, when you are close to leaving, make another thread in these forums asking about road conditions. Usually someone who just towed on those roads will respond letting you know what to expect (or to re-route your trip).

You'll be fine, the trip will go fine, and you will have fun!

[Triker33]

No toll way is from Fort Wilderness take World Dr S to 192W to US27N(4 lane) to 44W then I75 N.
Will be less miles also.

That's the way I go N & S every year.

[azdryheat]

Nothing wrong with that route as I see it.

I don't totally rely on a computer mapping service or GPS planned route without checking my Motor Carrier atlas. If the truckers won't use the route then neither will I. But then I'm dragging around a 41' 'condo' with real height concerns. You shouldn't have any trouble with yours.

Also, the toll roads in FL are a real PITA and I would try to avoid them - unless you like stopping every few miles and paying a disinterested toll-booth person.

[RoaminRichards]

Hi,
I live in the Metro Orlando area. The route suggested to you by MapQuest is fine. Hwy 535 is all four lane road all the way. It is heavily traveled by locals during rush hour but easy in between. You can take 535 to Stoneybrooke Parkway then connect to Hwy 91 which is actually the Florida Turnpike.(Tolls Apply)The turnpike will connect you to I-75N which will get you to I-10.
One other option available to you from Ft. Wilderness is to connect to World Drive inside Disney and travel south to US 192 West then connect to 429N off of US 192.(Tolls Apply) This would by-pass all of Hwy 535 and Stoneybrook Parkway connecting you to the Florida Turnpike. This route would be somewhat quicker with less traffic. If I were choosing this would be my choice as it eliminates almost all local traffic and is virtually non stop other than tolls. Safe travels and enjoy!