Alternative route from Florida to WI

[Goldencrazy]

I recently made the trip from Orlando to WI. We left the day the bridge on I-85 had collapsed so decided to avoid Atlanta. In the past Atlanta had been alright for us. So we went to I 65 via I-10 and 231 through Dothen and Troy.We had done this before and hated 231. I am looking for an alternative route that gets me onto I-65 at Montgomery or Birmingham. I noticed I can go north out of Tallahassee or can take I-75 and cut off to Albany, Columbus. Both routes look like traffic will not be the hell of 231. Any locals or others familiar with these routes care to share your recommendations?

[hipower]

This year with Easter being later than usual the traffic north out of FL seemed a little heavier even later into April. We usually leave about the 10th and are behind much of the April 1 departure of many, but this year it was different, and we didn't start north until the 11th.

[Goldencrazy]

Yes, we left on the 31st as my mother was dying. Normally we would have stayed for 3 more weeks. 231 has always been bad for us so these alternate routes are welcome. By the way, traffic was not bad on the route until Dothan.

[SleepyBadger]

You are welcome Goldencrazy. Good luck. Grew up just east of Madison. Still go up to visit family at least once a year.

[golfknut]

We haven't taken this route but we have some friends who suggested it to us. Northbound, they stay on I-75 to Tifton, GA and then take Hwy 82 over to 231. It intersects with 231 just south of Montgomery.

The Atlanta highway collapsed I believe on Thursday evening, the 30th. Did you leave Orlando on Friday, the 31st? If so we never leave Florida one to two days either side of April 1st. Traffic is terrible with all the snowbirds leaving the state.

We have taken the I-10/231 route the past 4 years and really like 231 overall. The section thru Dothan has gotten worse with more and more traffic lights but looking at the big picture it's a nice drive either side of Dothan, all the way north to Montgomery and south to I-10.

[Goldencrazy]

Thanks Sleepy. I had a condo on the beach in Gulf Shores, Al for over 20 years so know that area very well. There are some years we may just stop off for a few days to visit but others we want to get north a bit quicker. It appears Atlanta is going to be out for awhile and actually traffic has been horrible in the Chatanooga area but I am not fond of the traffic on 231. I think I spent so much time in Dothan I will have to pay taxes.

[SleepyBadger]

We've done the trip to the panhandle from north Alabama many times in the car. When headed north, try taking I-10 to Defuniak Springs and then taking 331 up to Florala where you can either stay on 331 to Opp and pickup 84 over to I-65 at Evergreen or 55 to Andalusia where you pickup 84.

I'm assuming you don't want to stay I-10 all the way to I-65 since it is a lot longer. If you do, there is the USS Alabama battleship on Mobile bay that is a nice stop.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

You can take US27 from Tallahassee to US 82 west at Cuthbert GA. Your other alternative is I-75 north to US80 west to I-85. The 2nd option is more miles.