From Cincinnati to FL?

[acritzer]

My wife and I are considering a trip to Disney with the camper. It's either my paranoid nature or just good planning, but I'm a bit concerned about the haul. Anyone familiar with the route and demands on the TV? It would be the longest trip for us and certainly the one with the most elevation changes.
And, are there decent places to stop overnight for either gas and/or a rest?

Quick notes on equip.
2011 ford expedition el
2008 keystone cougar 29bhs

[mickey48]

very nice topic. wife and i are leaving cinti and going all the way to key west. could use some info and places to stay,

[jaycocamprs]

fireman41 wrote:

jaycocamprs wrote:
When you get to Downtown Atlanta look for the lanes with the I-75 symbols painted on them. They are the LEFT ones and the ones you want. Keep left!

I think he has to take I285 around Atlanta.

Isn't it anything over 6 wheels if traveling through must take the bypass. I know I have to in my big truck but I was thinking that campers had too also.

Your big rig is a CMV. Log books, weigh stations, and the like. RV's don't have the same rules.

[BarneyS]

RV's are fine going through Atlanta. NO need or want to take the bypass.
Barney

[fireman41]

jaycocamprs wrote:
When you get to Downtown Atlanta look for the lanes with the I-75 symbols painted on them. They are the LEFT ones and the ones you want. Keep left!

I think he has to take I285 around Atlanta.

Isn't it anything over 6 wheels if traveling through must take the bypass. I know I have to in my big truck but I was thinking that campers had too also.

[jaycocamprs]

When you get to Downtown Atlanta look for the lanes with the I-75 symbols painted on them. They are the LEFT ones and the ones you want. Keep left!

[Dick_B]

Mountain Directory East is a good reference for this trip. Also, see the posts on driving thru Atlanta or around it.

[Chrisatthebeach]

The KOA in Cartersville is north of Atlanta and a good overnight spot, then you can depart after breakfast and go through Atlanta around 10am after rush hour is over. I second the posts regarding the right lane, stay one or two away from the right, the road is 5-6 lanes wide through downtown. The KOA also has pull throughs so you do not have to unhook.

[Rangerman40]

When driving through Atlanta DO NOT stay in the right lane..... You need to get over one or two because the right lane always turns into an exit only lane, and it happens multiple times while going through downtown. And try to drive through downtown in the 10am-2pm range for minimal traffic (it's still going to suck though).

Where are you planning on stopping for the night? I live in Dayton and can usually get to southern Georgia before I have to hang it up for the night. There is a really big rest stop about 50 miles north of Valdosta that we stayed at last month that was pretty nice. Also right at the KY/Tenn state line is a really neat rest stop that looks like a log cabin. It's a good place to stretch your legs before you tackle Jellico. Fuel up in Corbin KY and you'll make it all the way into Georgia before needing to stop again which is nice because some of the gas stations in Tennessee are less than ideally situated since they are crammed on a mountain side.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

There is construction on I-75 in Florida between Gainesville and Ocala. There are barricades but it didn't slow the traffic when we came through heading north. Stay alert for traffic backups. The cutoff to Disney is the Florida Turnpike which is toll. You can check the FL DOT website for construction before you leave.

[ifd22]

I'll be making the same trip in 37 days. I'll let you know how it went. I'm not concerned with the climb over Jelico, I'm just hoping traffic isn't horrible. I almost went insane sitting in 5 hours of bumper to bumper traffic in Alabama last year on I-65 driving a CRV. I can only pray that I-75 is better pulling a 31' TT.

[acritzer]

Thanks guys. Its been a long time since I've made the drive. Couldn't really remember how big the climb was.

[camperforlife]

What Barney said^^^^^^^^^. Jellico is the only challenge but there will be plenty big rigs going 40-45 MPH in the truck lane. Follow the leader if you need and don't stress out.

[BarneyS]

Just go down I75 until you get into Florida and you will see the turn off to go to Disney North of Tampa. I75 is smooth highway all the way now (didn't used to be that way)and there is only one semi hard climb just as you enter Tennessee (Jellico). Just drop down a gear and follow the trucks if necessary. The rest of the way is mostly small hills. The trucks are heavy in places as you near a large city but nothing really bad.

We used to go down via I64/I65 because of fewer trucks but the road is much rougher and the citys harder to get through or around. Have found I75 to be our choice for the past 8 or 9 years. There are plenty of campgrounds and gas stations available also. You are already past the worst part of the trip (construction from Toledo to past Dayton). We usually try to go straight through Atlanta around 10:00am or a bit later. Never had a problem that way. Also, try to drive one lane over from the right lane so you don't get caught in the many lane endings and people trying to merge. Most of the road through Atlanta is multi lane so you will not be holding anybody up by doing that.

Hope you have a smooth, pleasant, and stress free trip! 🙂
Barney