Just passing through (Montgomery, Dothan, Ozark: hotels, live in, vs)

[chadci]

My wife and I are driving from Indianapolis to Key West - however, we have stops to make along the way to see family etc. Looking at the maps, traveling through Alabama only adds about 45 minutes vs the traditional route of traveling through Georgia. I've driven through Alabama several times so I'm pretty familliar with the road.

This time is a bit different. From the map it looks like I need to travel from Montgomery to Tallahassee ( which is where we'll bunk for the night). It doesn't appear to be interstate for most of the way until we connect with I-10. What should we expect from this leg of the trip?

I'm a bit, anxious, as my wife and I traveled up through the panhandle last year, got kind of turned around and ended up somewhere in Alabama. There were a few horses running along the road as well as assorted wildlife. I TRY and avoid these situations as much as possible

Thanks!

[jakabedy]

I live in Alabama now, but grew up in the FL panhandle. You'll be dealing with a pretty heavily-travelled road (US 231), even though it's not interstate. Do pay attention to speed limits. It's largely a rural, nondescript route. Once you hit I-10, it stays rural until you get into Tallahassee.

[chadci]

Thanks, yes, I does look like I'll be on 231 for about 115 miles +/-. I don't mind rural, as long as it's safe. If I can get on the road early enough, we should be able to hit I-10 before dark.

[jakabedy]

It's a safe road in good condition. It's pretty straight, so not twisty or windy. Have a wonderful vacation!

[cpg35223]

Having had my share of marathon drives to Southern Florida, I would rather shoot myself than take the route you're contemplating. Too much traffic, too many out-of-sync traffic lights, and too many speed traps by towns starved for revenue. Actually, if I were in your shoes, this is the route I'd take:

AVOID Highway 231 through such towns such as Troy, Ozark, and Dothan. It is traffic light hell. You will hate it. Then you will get to I-10, which is also one dull stretch of road.

After much trial and error, I found the best route. When you get to Montgomery, hang a left on I-85 for a few miles until you get to the exit for Hwy 110, heading to Eufala. Hwy 110 becomes 82 until it reaches Valdosta, Georgia, where you can head straight south on 75 until you reach the Florida Turnpike. OR if you have to stay in Tallahassee, then turn south on 39 and go through Blakely and Bainbridge.

Honest to God, you have perhaps five traffic lights the entire stretch, plus you get to avoid Atlanta. Eat lunch in Eufala, which is one of the prettiest small towns in Alabama. But don't take 231 through Dothan. I'm begging you.

[jakabedy]

CPG has a point.

[chadci]

Valdosta works just as well as Tallahassee.

I remember when we got "lost" coming back from Sarasota last year in the panhandle. We stopped for dinner at a (really good) little place. I couldn't get there again if I had to. People in there (including the few police officers having dinner) were complaining about all of the speed traps around. I noticed a series of signs. One might say 55 and then no more than 100 yards later 30.

I'll map out the route you suggested but it sounds good to me! I had planned on stopping in Valdosta had I gone through Atlanta. I've been that way enough times to not want to do it again. Two years ago I went through the Virginias and Carolinas just to avoid Atlanta. It was beautiful, but a bit to curvy

Thanks!
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Had a look at the route and it looks perfect. Looks like 82 spits into 75 at Tifton, GA ( about 40 miles north of Valdosta). I think that'll be the perfect place to stop for the night. Looking at hotels there now.

Thanks!