Where to Stop If We Drive to Florida.. I- 75.. - Sterling Heights,MI

We do this often...17 hrs from Texas to S. Georgia (my parents live 30 min for Tallahassee). I would discourage the night time drive. It sounds great in theory. We have tried it twice. Both times we were completely exhausted. Wiped. You say you'll sleep when the other is driving. What happens to us is we are worried the driver is too tired and wind up cat napping or not sleeping to make sure the driver is ok. The kids don't sleep very well either because they are in the car, so they are a cranky mess during the drive and when we get to my parents' house. If something like a lovey or blanket falls, you can't find it because it's dark. Potty breaks are harder because they wake up and have to pee NOW. So we do the trip in one shot, we just leave early in the a.m. We're better rested and the kids are happier too. It's the same work without the added exhaustion factor.

Like 20+ hours of driving one way??? Stop at the airport!!

That stuff was great in college but not so much anymore!

Are you sure flying is super expensive? I paid $198 for a roundtrip ticket. Gas prices are insane.

We drove from MN to FL last year (our kids were 6, 5 and 3 - it was fine!). We stopped in Chattanooga, we had a great time. There are tons of things for families to do in that area.

We visited a cave, and also went to the Tennesee Valley Railroad Museum. It was great.

Hi Lisa,

We drove from Ft. Lauderdale to your neck of the woods....Mt. Clemens, MI last summer. I wouldn't suggest driving through the night unless you are sure that your in-laws will take over with the kids for the day and night after you arrive:)

My boys were 20 months and 6 when we drove last June. We left after work on Friday and drove from Ft. Lauderdale to Ocala. We fed the boys in the car and just pushed up I-75. We rolled in around 9ish and gave the boys baths and put them to bed:) Next morning, we drove Ocala to Chattangooga, TN. We went to Lookout Mountain National Park (NOT the incline railway or other touristy stuff!) - the park is free and has lots of room to picnic and run around and play:)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain

http://www.choochoo.com/
http://www.ridetheincline.com/
http://www.lookoutmountain.com/

We left Ocala around 7am because of severe fog and got in about 3pm. We drove directly to the park since I knew that we could have fog in the morning and that would destroy the view. We stayed the night in Chattanooga and then due to rain the next morning drove straight on up to Mt. Clemens. We got in around 7pm. We did make several - go run around and get the wiggles out - stops but we also had terrible rains which meant having to eat at McDonalds instead of picnicking.

I'm not sure how far south you are going in FL - there is lots to do around Gainesville, FL if you are interested:
http://www.visitgainesville.com/

Let me know if you have any questions:) C.

Honestly, with the cost of gas, food, lodging on the way, and the cost of any of the atractions, you might be better off flying. We drove straight from Chicago to Jacksonville with our 1yr old and 3yr old, and it was a full 24 hour trip. We didn't even stop to do any "attractions" (just breaks to eat and stretch legs/play for 15 minutes).

If you do decide to drive, Atlanta has a ton of things for kids...as does Gatlinburg and Chattanooga.

My husband & I just drove down to Orlando from Milwaukee in November... we pushed & got to Chattanooga by 10pm the first day (that was after leaving a bit late & not stopping except for gas & potty breaks... ate on the road).

That left us lots of time the next day to do sightseeing. We stopped @ Lane Orchards (just south of Macon, GA) where they have lots of southern produce for sale (think Peaches & Pecans, jams & jellies!) plus there is a play area for the kids. I have pictures of my two Ridgeback boys, one on a John Deer tractor, the other on a Harnishfegger (sp?) Int'l tractor.

We then stopped for a wine tasting @ Horse Creek winery, followed by THE BEST catfish dinner in Adel, GA. "The Catfish House", which was just one more exit south (see their Facebook page for address & phone# to get directions)

I know driving through KY & TN, I wished we had more time to sightsee. There is tons to see in Chattanooga. I took the boys for a walk on the historic Walnut Street bridge.

My one warning about "cheap" lodging - I stayed @ LaQuinta in FL - great experience. Stayed @ Motel 6 in Chattanooga. On the way down, it was me & my husband, we were @ the one just east of Chattanooga, right off the interstate. Not too bad - outdoor room entrances, etc. typical motel. Didn't feel "unsafe" but it was the 2 of us & 2 big dogs.
On the way back, hubby had already flown home & so I booked a Motel 6 just outside of historic downtown Chattanooga. Indoor room entrances, locked lobby @ night... thought I'd be good. Was very nice when I checked in, but later that night when I had to get something out of my van, I thought I saw drug deals & prostitution pick-ups.

Spend a bit of extra $$ & stay in something LaQuinta or higher, esp when travelling with children!! People of ill-caliber don't spend the $$ to stay @those places.

One thing you can do while travelling state to state is to stop @ the visitor center (just inside the state lines along the interstate highways). Gives you a chance to stretch your legs, & also browse the brochures of things to do in the state. I've found the desk clerks are usually very helpful & offer their own recommendations as well!

i just wanted to say huge kudos for driving. we drive ks to florida regularly, and have made longer trips, since my son was 2 years old. no biggie - actually just like anything else in life - it's what you make of it. having a good attitude and enjoying spending time with your family is key. decide to make it a positive experience, and it will be! have a blast!

Chattanooga TN has lots of things for your kids' ages. Including the Tennessee Aquarium.
Atlanta also has lots to offer. You could hike Stone Mountain, for one. They also have an aquarium. And The Fernbank (museum). And Six Flags. And Coca-Cola.
http://fernbankmuseum.org/explore-exhibits/
http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/planyourvisit.htm
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/
http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/