Route Chicago to St Augustine

[Goodman8]

Morning

Rolling south middle of december and returning early january. We had a travel trailer with bunk house for years. Kids almost gone soon and we wanted a 5th with all the goodies. took delivery of our rig, 20k loaded in june 2017. been running north to traverse city during summer. so much better to pull than trailer! in fact, the ford keeps spacing from vehicles in front PLUS stops at lights on its own. ok if you thinkin stay alert....im there. but cool stuff came with our dream set up. here's my questions:

1. Best route to northern florida?
2. Stops day 1 Nashville, day 2 Atlanta Best overnites?
3. Best things to do or see on stop days?
4. Winter travel tips ie: road conditions forecasted?

Thanks to all for your suggestions.
Kerry

[jkwilson]

john&bet wrote:

jkwilson wrote:

john&bet wrote:

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
The shortest route is 65 to Louisville to 64 to 75 to 10 to 95. As long as you have 2 in the tow vehicle you can legally use the HOV lane thru Atlanta. Just watch the sighs carefully as there are a couple left lane exits.

The I-64 bridge over the river is toll too. No toll booths as they take a picture of your plates and mail you a bill. That goes for I-65 too. I crossed the river on I-65 on 3 Oct. and I have yet to get my bill.

No, the 64 bridge is not tolled.

Is not the I-64 bridge the new east end bridge? I thought it was, could be wrong I guess.

No, 64 is the Sherman Minton bridge that has been in use for close to 60 years. The east end bridge is on 265 and the other new bridge is on 65.

[john_bet]

jkwilson wrote:

john&bet wrote:

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
The shortest route is 65 to Louisville to 64 to 75 to 10 to 95. As long as you have 2 in the tow vehicle you can legally use the HOV lane thru Atlanta. Just watch the sighs carefully as there are a couple left lane exits.

The I-64 bridge over the river is toll too. No toll booths as they take a picture of your plates and mail you a bill. That goes for I-65 too. I crossed the river on I-65 on 3 Oct. and I have yet to get my bill.

No, the 64 bridge is not tolled.

Is not the I-64 bridge the new east end bridge? I thought it was, could be wrong I guess.

[jkwilson]

john&bet wrote:

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
The shortest route is 65 to Louisville to 64 to 75 to 10 to 95. As long as you have 2 in the tow vehicle you can legally use the HOV lane thru Atlanta. Just watch the sighs carefully as there are a couple left lane exits.

The I-64 bridge over the river is toll too. No toll booths as they take a picture of your plates and mail you a bill. That goes for I-65 too. I crossed the river on I-65 on 3 Oct. and I have yet to get my bill.

No, the 64 bridge is not tolled.

[BarneyS]

spud1957 wrote:
Should this be moved to Roads and Routes?

Yep, it should. Consider it done.:)
Barney

[john_bet]

Mortimer Brewster wrote:
I’ve taken both I57 through Illinois and I65 through Indiana. There isn’t a whole lot of difference. I57 is slightly longer but I’ve found traffic to be lighter going through Illinois. If you opt for I65 you should know that the bridge across the Ohio River by Louisville is now a toll bridge. Google Maps can show you an alternate route if you want to avoid the toll.
Keep an eye on the weather and be flexible with your plans. Heading south I’d be more concerned about icy conditions than with snow.

I suppose you know that bridge has no toll booths. They take a picture of you plates and mail you a bill unless you got a transponder or some such thing. Same goes for the I-64 bridge on the eastend of Louisville.

[john_bet]

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
The shortest route is 65 to Louisville to 64 to 75 to 10 to 95. As long as you have 2 in the tow vehicle you can legally use the HOV lane thru Atlanta. Just watch the sighs carefully as there are a couple left lane exits.

The I-64 bridge over the river is toll too. No toll booths as they take a picture of your plates and mail you a bill. That goes for I-65 too. I crossed the river on I-65 on 3 Oct. and I have yet to get my bill.

[spud1957]

Should this be moved to Roads and Routes?

[GrumpyandGrandm]

The shortest route is 65 to Louisville to 64 to 75 to 10 to 95. As long as you have 2 in the tow vehicle you can legally use the HOV lane thru Atlanta. Just watch the sighs carefully as there are a couple left lane exits.

[Sam_Spade]

rockhillmanor wrote:

And then just outside Atlanta I stay at another KOA that is tucked into the pines and on a lake. Another ahhh moment CG for me.

The definition of "just outside" might vary a bit.

The only one shown on the KOA trip planner north of Atlanta is about half way from Chattanooga. Trip planner says 50 miles from downtown.

[rockhillmanor]

When I head south for the winter I plan my stop in Nashville and stay at the KOA there.

I treat myself to the best site they have, and I ask for the pull thru site with the full length concrete patio where you just step out of your MH onto the patio, no deploying steps needed! AND it comes with a full set of real nice wrought iron table and chairs. Ahhh. I stop for the night but most times end up staying a couple of days!

And then just outside Atlanta I stay at another KOA that is tucked into the pines and on a lake. Another ahhh moment CG for me.

This last CG allows me to get up before the sun comes up and drive peacefully thru Atlanta where half the time I see no other cars. AND the light show of Atlanta all lit up at night is an added bonus for a stress free drive thru Atlanta.

After that I just read the CG bill board signs along the interstate and pull off at the CG's that are an easy off and easy on. No reservations needed until I reach my destination. :C

[LIKE2BUILD]

bad99ram wrote:
We also head down to Florida. But after getting stuck in Atlanta 3 hours in stop and go traffic we now take a different route. We take 65 south out of Nashville then cut off on 231 to Dothan. We pick uo 10E from there. Good roads. Food for thought

Yep, Atlanta is a nightmare. Actually all of I-75 is a nightmare anymore.

For your stay in Nashville you can hit Two Rivers Campground. It's right by the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills.

This fall we stayed Nashville Shores Campground. This has beautiful scenery looking over Percy Priest Lake.

KJ

[stickdog]

rockhillmanor wrote:
X10

I57 down to I24 Paducah,to I65 Nashville, and then what I do is take a turn at Birmingham to Route 20 over to I75 and that down to Florida.

Why you ask do I take this route? It is a 'pleasant' drive in an RV with nice roads. AND to avoid the steep grade in Chattanooga.

Be aware that if you take the Chattanooga route you will encounter a 7-1/2% grade STRAIGHT DOWN. I did it ONCE and NEVER again!. :E

IMHO, JMHO I'd think about it with your new to you 5'er. Bring a change of clothes if you opt to take that route with that grade. :W

He has a new Ford. 7-1/2 grade is nothing for it with towhaul and exhaust brake start down at 45 it will stay at 45. Even with my 09 it was no problem without the exhaust brake. You got to keep up with new technology. He may also have electric over hydralic disk brakes on his fiver. A vast improvement over drum brakes.

[rockhillmanor]

X10

I57 down to I24 Paducah,to I65 Nashville, and then what I do is take a turn at Birmingham to Route 20 over to I75 and that down to Florida.

Why you ask do I take this route? It is a 'pleasant' drive in an RV with nice roads. AND to avoid the steep grade in Chattanooga.

Be aware that if you take the Chattanooga route you will encounter a 7-1/2% grade STRAIGHT DOWN. I did it ONCE and NEVER again!. :E

IMHO, JMHO I'd think about it with your new to you 5'er. Bring a change of clothes if you opt to take that route with that grade. :W

[Mortimer_Brewst]

I’ve taken both I57 through Illinois and I65 through Indiana. There isn’t a whole lot of difference. I57 is slightly longer but I’ve found traffic to be lighter going through Illinois. If you opt for I65 you should know that the bridge across the Ohio River by Louisville is now a toll bridge. Google Maps can show you an alternate route if you want to avoid the toll.
Keep an eye on the weather and be flexible with your plans. Heading south I’d be more concerned about icy conditions than with snow.