Best route from FL to B'ham ? (Birmingham, Montgomery: home, business, race)

[sammiej]

Hi all, just wondering what is the fastest, easiest drive from northern/central florida to Birmingham ? Should I head up to Atlanta and hang a left, or take the route that seems to go diagonal towards Birmingham ??

Thanks in advance.

[Keeper]

I came up from Tampa, using I10 to Dothan exit to 231 to Montgomery and I 65. It took me 10 hours with a few stops to let the dogs take a walk. If you decide to go through Atlanta, it is bad especially at rush hour. It might be as quick if not quicker to go through Atlanta if you go through during non-rush hour.
The down side to 231 is you do have to slow down for the small towns.

[nalabama]

Any wreck in Atlanta on your route can extend your travel time by anywhere from an hour to 3 hours. We had a two-hour delay last trip through Atlanta--also the last trip we intend to make through Atlanta.

US231 is also much more visually interesting in my opinion, albeit slower.

[harry chickpea]

No question about it. The 231 route is the best by far. I've done it coming and going for about 6 trips in the last few months.

As you near Montgomery going north, there is a scenic section of road with some hills and curves. Stay in the LEFT lane when the pavement gets bad. The right lane will knock your kishkas out.

[sammiej]

Thanks all.

So coming from the Florida turnpike, I would get onto I-10 and then take 231 to I 65 ?

[harry chickpea]

Pretty much. You enter the southeast end of Montgomery and have a few miles on a street there (Southern Blvd?) to get to I-65.

[Granny Sue]

Now I come up to the track in Talladega every years and have used the route mentioned above and yet another that we actually like better.
Turnpike north to I-75. I-75 to the Tifton Ga exit. Rt 82. Go West!!
This joins up with 520 and 280 at Dawson. This 280 takes you all the way into B'ham. Now we turn off at Alexander City in Ala to get to where we stay during the race and I've never been more north than Childerburg so I can't help you there.
On this route the only "Big" towns you go thru is Opalika and Columbus.
Check them both out on your favorite map site.
We gone up one way and come home the other.

[RETIRED AF VET]

I-75n To Atlanta Then I 20w To Birmingham Is Fastest And Best Road.

I-75 To I-10 W To 231 N To I65 N Is Shorter But Doesnt Save U A Lot Of Time... Many Small Towns And Slowdowns.

[ovntguy]

I drive a truck for UPS Freight, and our route from B'ham to Tifton, GA and Orlando, FL is what captnemo62 said. From FL turnpike take I-75N @ Wildwood to Tifton, Ga Hwy 82 exit#62. Turn left @ end of ramp headed west.
Be sure to take Hwy 82 and not Business 82 close to Albany, GA(slight right exit ramp) to bypass Albany. Follow signage towards Columbus, GA. You will pick up Hwy 520, then Hwy 280 West(main 4 lane hwy into B'ham) When you get to Opelika, AL, Hwy 280 W merges onto I-85 S for about 4 miles. Jump off on Hwy 280 W exit#58 and turn right @ end of ramp. Then hammer down all the way to B'ham, should be just under 2hrs from this point. In a heavy UPS truck pulling doubles, I make Tifton, Ga in 5hrs and Orlando in 9.5hrs.

[gerri rowan]

Im traveling from Chelsea Al. off 280 to Fort Myers...which is the easiest route?