-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
WDW from Huntsville, Alabama
- Thread starter DisneyDew
- Start date
fillerup
Well-Known Member
I live 5 minutes from Diz - family lives 30 minutes from H'ville, so I make this drive about 5 times a year.
Depends to a degree where in H'ville you'll be living. You want to find the quickest way to I20 to Atlanta.
If west Huntsville, I65 to Birmingham, I 20 to Atlanta.
Otherwise, Hwy 431 to Anniston, I20 to Atlanta.
From I20, Atlanta bypass, I285 South to I75. I75 to the Fla Turnpike. Turnpike to I4, I4 West to Disney.
You'll see a lot of advice to get off the turnpike at Hwy 27, then south to 192. This is only advisable if your destination is 192. I've timed both ways and staying on the turnpike to I4 is much quicker and more pleasant due to congestion.
About 80% of the trip will be limits of 70 mph.
All told, it's about 650 miles. Two weeks ago, it took me 12 hours going up (weather and traffic), and 9.5 hours getting back. You never know.
Depends to a degree where in H'ville you'll be living. You want to find the quickest way to I20 to Atlanta.
If west Huntsville, I65 to Birmingham, I 20 to Atlanta.
Otherwise, Hwy 431 to Anniston, I20 to Atlanta.
From I20, Atlanta bypass, I285 South to I75. I75 to the Fla Turnpike. Turnpike to I4, I4 West to Disney.
You'll see a lot of advice to get off the turnpike at Hwy 27, then south to 192. This is only advisable if your destination is 192. I've timed both ways and staying on the turnpike to I4 is much quicker and more pleasant due to congestion.
About 80% of the trip will be limits of 70 mph.
All told, it's about 650 miles. Two weeks ago, it took me 12 hours going up (weather and traffic), and 9.5 hours getting back. You never know.
Upvote
0
pinkrose said:
I will second that, I live in Huntsville, AL and we do not go through Atlanta. I prefer going through Dothan as well, It is shorter and a more interesting drive. Can't remember exact route or times though at this moment.
I forgot my manners, and had to edit the post. Have you decided to relocate yet? Huntsville is a wonderful place, I have been now for 12 years and plan to stay here for a long time. The town is not at all stereotypical Alabama. What will you be doing here?
Upvote
0
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
Huntsville is a great town to live in and you will love it. What part of town will you be living in? Do you need a house--the one in my avatar is for sale in Huntsville!
As for WDW, we would always go through Dothan. It takes too long to go through Atlanta. Once you are through Dothan, you can continue on 231 into Florida and catch I-10 at Marianna. We typically would take I-10 to I-75, catch the turnpike and get to WDW that way. Trip takes about 10 1/2 hours.
Enjoy your time there. I spent 15 years there and loved every minute of it.
As for WDW, we would always go through Dothan. It takes too long to go through Atlanta. Once you are through Dothan, you can continue on 231 into Florida and catch I-10 at Marianna. We typically would take I-10 to I-75, catch the turnpike and get to WDW that way. Trip takes about 10 1/2 hours.
Enjoy your time there. I spent 15 years there and loved every minute of it.
Upvote
0
wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
I am just going to comment oh how outstanding this board is!!!! I read the original post and thought who would possibly know this???? Well not only have you gotten several great answers but you got them in a very short amount of time. WDWMagic Board Members are the absolute BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Belle
Upvote
0
fillerup
Well-Known Member
Final thought on this topic. I made this drive a couple weeks ago. Through Dothan, just shy of 12 hours. Back through Atlanta, via bypass, 9 hours 45 minutes. But of course, you never know what you're going to get in Atlanta.
FWIW - Mapquest has the Dothan route to Huntsville as 655 miles, and Atlanta at 634.
Not a big difference, but all in all I consider Montgomery & Dothan combined more of a hassle than Atlanta.
Without a doubt, once out of Dothan, this is a much more interesting route if you're not in a hurry, especially if you skip Interstate 10 and continue south of Tallahassee to Perry and then on over to Ocala via Rte 27. The mileage is almost exactly the same as I-10.
And my 2 cents - Huntsville is a great city.
FWIW - Mapquest has the Dothan route to Huntsville as 655 miles, and Atlanta at 634.
Not a big difference, but all in all I consider Montgomery & Dothan combined more of a hassle than Atlanta.
Without a doubt, once out of Dothan, this is a much more interesting route if you're not in a hurry, especially if you skip Interstate 10 and continue south of Tallahassee to Perry and then on over to Ocala via Rte 27. The mileage is almost exactly the same as I-10.
And my 2 cents - Huntsville is a great city.
Upvote
0
I live in Birmingham and it only takes me 8.5 to 9 hours to drive from here to WDW.
I never go the Atlanta route. I don't know why that is always the recommendation when you go to any map website. It takes me 2 hours to get to Atlanta and I can be in Montgomery in less than an hour. I go the Montgomery route, then some back roads, then hit interstate. Good luck with your move
I never go the Atlanta route. I don't know why that is always the recommendation when you go to any map website. It takes me 2 hours to get to Atlanta and I can be in Montgomery in less than an hour. I go the Montgomery route, then some back roads, then hit interstate. Good luck with your move
Upvote
0
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
Another thought....I-20 east out of Birmingham is a terrible road--lots of construction and a lousy road to ride on. It's also boring as heck. I would also tend to avoid that much travel on I-75 (ATL to Florida Turnpike). It can get very congested.
Upvote
0
fillerup
Well-Known Member
Ok - I'm resurrecting this topic for one reason - Contrition.
I've done the Orlando/North Alabama trip six times this year due to the grave illness of a family member & I was consistently arguing for the Atlanta route.
No More. The last three trips have been Bham, Montgomery, 231 thru Dothan to I-10 East thru Tallahassee to Hwy 19 exit, then to 27 South thru Perry & Chiefland, Alt 27 to Ocala & I75/Turnpike to OTown.
Once off Interstate 10, Hwy 27/Alt 27 is mile after mile of 4 lane beautiful countryside absolutely devoid of traffic.
While your average speed may be lower this way, the distance to Ocala is actually 30 miles shorter, so no time is lost. And you skip the horror show that is I-75 from Lake City to Ocala.
I will take this route from here on out and recommend it to anyone else coming from anywhere west & north of Tallahassee.
I've done the Orlando/North Alabama trip six times this year due to the grave illness of a family member & I was consistently arguing for the Atlanta route.
No More. The last three trips have been Bham, Montgomery, 231 thru Dothan to I-10 East thru Tallahassee to Hwy 19 exit, then to 27 South thru Perry & Chiefland, Alt 27 to Ocala & I75/Turnpike to OTown.
Once off Interstate 10, Hwy 27/Alt 27 is mile after mile of 4 lane beautiful countryside absolutely devoid of traffic.
While your average speed may be lower this way, the distance to Ocala is actually 30 miles shorter, so no time is lost. And you skip the horror show that is I-75 from Lake City to Ocala.
I will take this route from here on out and recommend it to anyone else coming from anywhere west & north of Tallahassee.
Upvote
0
tigger1968
Well-Known Member
This is what I get for wandering away from the boards for a few weeks....
I just saw this thread and I live in Huntsville! DisneyDew, are you still planning to relocate to Huntsville? It's a great city, and nothing like the stereotypical Southern town. If you have any questions or need advice, feel free to let me know!
And I have to agree, I prefer thru Dothan as opposed thru Atlanta. Granted, we typically fly, as I can hop Southwest out of Birmingham, or Delta out of Huntsville. Both offer non-stop flights, which can put me there in a few hours!
I just saw this thread and I live in Huntsville! DisneyDew, are you still planning to relocate to Huntsville? It's a great city, and nothing like the stereotypical Southern town. If you have any questions or need advice, feel free to let me know!
And I have to agree, I prefer thru Dothan as opposed thru Atlanta. Granted, we typically fly, as I can hop Southwest out of Birmingham, or Delta out of Huntsville. Both offer non-stop flights, which can put me there in a few hours!
Upvote
0
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
best place I've ever lived. where in HSV are you? we just moved to FLA from the Monrovia area.tigger1968 said:
Upvote
0
tigger1968
Well-Known Member
Creepy!
I grew up in Winter Garden, FL and moved to Huntsville. I live in the Monrovia area myself! What part of Monrovia were you in? I live off Kelly Springs Rd...
I grew up in Winter Garden, FL and moved to Huntsville. I live in the Monrovia area myself! What part of Monrovia were you in? I live off Kelly Springs Rd...
Upvote
0
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
We lived in the subdivision across the street from the cotton gin on Jeff Road. We just signed a contract on selling our house yesterday. Do you live in the Wagon Wheel subdivision? I can't remember the exact name....Wagon Wheel Estates?tigger1968 said:
Upvote
0
tigger1968
Well-Known Member
SpongeScott said:We lived in the subdivision across the street from the cotton gin on Jeff Road. We just signed a contract on selling our house yesterday. Do you live in the Wagon Wheel subdivision? I can't remember the exact name....Wagon Wheel Estates?
Yes! I live in Wagon Wheel! I have the house that sits in front of that big silo on the farm behind the neighborhood. How bizarre that we lived about a half mile away from each other. I knew there were probably a few other Huntsville folks on the boards here, but I didn't think one would live down the road from me. And of course, you move away before we figure it out... :brick: We coulda met for a lunch and swapped WDW stories! :lol:
Upvote
0