the drive from memphis

[maryszhi]

hey guys my friends and i are thinking of going to disney for fall break from our university that is located in memphis. my question is with two drivers, is it possible to do in one day? what are some good break/stopping points for the bathroom and food/gasoline?
thanks!

 

[wiigirl]

My very first trip to WDW we drove down straight without stopping overnight. It was 8 of us, 4 kids and 4 adults and my Dad and Uncle took turns driving. We are from NJ and it took us 19 hours just stopping for gas, food and bathroom breaks. Since you are coming from Memphis, I think it is very possible with two drivers!

Wow!

 

[B Shull]

we were fixing on if we go, we leave at 4.30 am is that good

That's about the time we try to leave Memphis. If you take the Atlanta route you will get through there at a good time. If you take the south Alabama route it isn't a real issue. I just like the Atlanta route because after you get on 20 easy it is all interstate there after. Plus I always travel on Saturday

 

[maryszhi]

That's about the time we try to leave Memphis. If you take the Atlanta route you will get through there at a good time. If you take the south Alabama route it isn't a real issue. I just like the Atlanta route because after you get on 20 easy it is all interstate there after. Plus I always travel on Saturday

which route do you recommend? i am torn based on what maquest has

 

[draybook]

78 East to Birmingham, then head to Montgomery. From Montgomery head down 231 towards Dothan and take it down to the 10 east. Take that to 75 and head straight down. We make it in about 12 hours and I usually do all of the driving. We're coming from Olive Branch so you might as well say Memphis.

 

[B Shull]

which route do you recommend? i am torn based on what maquest has

The post by draybook is the shortest route to take. the only thing i dislike about it is you will be driving south of Dothan Alabama on a state highway with red lights until you reach interstate 10 in Flordia.watch out for mapquest it will have you going on more state highways with stop signs and red lights only because it is shorter.
I take 78 East to Birmingham,20 east to Atlanta,in Atlanta just after you pass Six Flags take the bypass south around Atlanta, get on 75 south, turn left to get on the Florida Turnpike ( about 1 hout to go) , then follow the signs to Disney.As most people know Mississippi still has not finished 78 all the way to Birmingham so there is a short streach with some red lights just before you reach 20 but after that it is all interstate from there. I hate to go through small towns with slow traffic.

 

[maryszhi]

The post by draybook is the shortest route to take. the only thing i dislike about it is you will be driving south of Dothan Alabama on a state highway with red lights until you reach interstate 10 in Flordia.watch out for mapquest it will have you going on more state highways with stop signs and red lights only because it is shorter.
I take 78 East to Birmingham,20 east to Atlanta,in Atlanta just after you pass Six Flags take the bypass south around Atlanta, get on 75 south, turn left to get on the Florida Turnpike ( about 1 hout to go) , then follow the signs to Disney.As most people know Mississippi still has not finished 78 all the way to Birmingham so there is a short streach with some red lights just before you reach 20 but after that it is all interstate from there. I hate to go through small towns with slow traffic.

wait they have stop signs and red lights on a highway?????? wow i have never seen that before!

 

[B Shull]

wait they have stop signs and red lights on a highway?????? wow i have never seen that before!

Guess you haven't traveled Mississippi or Alabama highways much. It is not all interstate. Miles of uncontroled access highway. There is about 14 miles of 78 highway where it is not complete so you leave the interstate and drive on old 78 that has stop signs and red lights.

 

[maryszhi]

Guess you haven't traveled Mississippi or Alabama highways much. It is not all interstate. Miles of uncontroled access highway. There is about 14 miles of 78 highway where it is not complete so you leave the interstate and drive on old 78 that has stop signs and red lights.

its safe right......

 

[B Shull]

its safe right......

It is fine. The stretch of new 78 gets closer to b
Birmingham every time we drive it. In years past it stoped in Jasper now it is a lot closer. Once you get into Birmingham it is all interstate the rest of the way if take 20 to Atlanta.
The only route I know that is all interstate is Mphis to Nashville to Chattanooga to Atlanta to orlando but it is an extra 100 miles (about 950 miles). I have taken that route years ago.
It's all good regardless which way you drive just don't trust mapquest or a GPS because they will take you a shorter route but it will be on state highways with stops and speed traps so beware and try to stay with interstate travel.

 

[bigorangeandy]

we were fixing on if we go, we leave at 4.30 am is that good

That should get you to into the Atlanta area around 11am to noon, should be no problem, you'll be coming into Birmingham around 7:30 am so you could have a little traffic then.