Road trip Advice

[PianT]

I am planning a road trip to south Florida next month. Looking for some advice from people who have made the trip.

We will leave from the south shore of Lake Ontario and the destination is south west coast of Florida, our two young children will travel with us.

Some tell me to cross the boarder at Windsor, others say Qeenston.

I know about mapquest, but was looking for some real world experience from people who either live along the route or have made the drive, things that mapquest can't know about.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[TripleJackInGA]

Well I live not too far from I-75 here just South of Atlanta. All I can say from my perspective is that you can pretty much hammer-down all the way through GA, but FL cops are sneaky bastiches! In GA they have to be visible within 500', and they can't be in unmarked cars.Also, I'm not sure of the timing, but beware of the Love-Bugs in FL if they're gettin' their groove on.Best gas prices should be in GA, especially right before the FL border.

Oh yeah, it's best to drive straight through Atlanta versus going around I-285, but you should make sure you are not about to go through Atlanta (or anywhere 20 miles North), or are stuck *in* Atlanta between the hours of 6AM and 9AM, and in the afternoon, 4PM to 7PM.

Good luck!

[cook]

I make the trip every year from Kansas City,can't help you directions from Canada,but say,from Tenn.on down it should be the same.Those travel guides can help save money on hotels.Seems eaiser to go right thru the major cities if not rush hour.Especially atlanta-those by-passes are longer and have lots of traffic also.
the big grin says tenn.,Kentucky,and georgia have clever speed traps.

[bigdogdad]

quote:Originally posted by PianT

I am planning a road trip to south Florida next month.
We will leave from the south shore of Lake Ontario and the destination is south west coast of Florida, our two young children will travel with us.

What part of Southwest Florida? I'm in the South Fort Myers area. Worked on the boat all last weekend and should have it ready to go this weekend. Maybe we could hook up for something, even it a quick bit to eat or drink. Unfortunately when Cook was down here last month things didn't work out, family, me working and so on.

[Hooligan]

I used to live in Michigan, we always took the Ohio Turnpike to Cleveland and got on I-77 to Columbia SC, I-26 to I-95 to the East Coast of Florida. At Daytona Beach you can take I-4 thru Orlando (Sea World, Disney World etc.) all of the way to the Tampa area (Busch Gardens). I like that way vs I-75.

I agree with TripleJack, gas up in GA, gas prices here are about $1.55 US. Have a great time. [^]

[quicksilverdon]

Avoid "South of the Border" they plaster your car with stickers. Resist the temptation and ignore the signs![:0]

[PianT]

Excellent tips and advice. I will keep them all in mind.

The trip planner I have (Microsoft Mappoint) must be what mapquest uses, the route seems a bit convoluted, cross at peace bridge with the route changing plenty of times (most on I-90).

I-75 seems the most straight forward route, I always liked the "keep it simple" rule, but stiil in the planning stage.

bigdog, we will end up in Bonita Springs so it looks like we will pass very close to you, when we get a bit closer to departure time we can talk about hooking up, that would be fun.

Decided not to take the Cruiser for this run, we will need the extra room the Santa Fe has.

[KingKole02]

PainT PT,
When you make it to SW FL. Where about is it that you are going. I live in the Cape Coral/Ft Myers area. which is about 200 miles south of Tampa.

On 75 take the Daniels exit in this area, and that will take you to the airport. I work one light down on the left.

[bigdogdad]

quote:Originally posted by PianT



bigdog, we will end up in Bonita Springs so it looks like we will pass very close to you, when we get a bit closer to departure time we can talk about hooking up, that would be fun.

Sounds like a plan. I'm 5 - 10 minutes north of Bonita Springs on RT. 41. Keep in touch. Boy, your almost coming from the other side of the world!

[Hooligan]

quote:Originally posted by bigdogdad

Sounds like a plan. I'm 5 - 10 minutes north of Bonita Springs on RT. 41. Keep in touch. Boy, your almost coming from the other side of the world!

With the snow they have had "Up North", I'm sure PainT will think this is summer.