As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Hi, DH & I are planning a trip next Nov/Dec. We want to visit our friends near Detroit & then go on down to WDW. DH says he'd like to drive so we could see some on the country on the way down. I know it would take about 16/17 hours but what I was wondering was would we see much or is the journey mainly on interstate highways? also would we need to have an overnight stop on the way?
The other alternative in to fly down from DTW to MCO.
We'll have my DM & our 2 DS's (who will be 8 & 4 by then) with us.
Any opinions will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Lisa.
I think I've posted this in the wrong forum Sorry.
PassPorter Guide Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chapel Hill, NC USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 36,592
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Re: Question for passporters in Michigan area
That would be a long road trip . Since no one from MI has answered yet.....
We drive to Michigan just about every year from NC and we do take all Interstates most of the time now. We used to cut through some smaller highways in Ohio to go through Columbus, but its much easier to go Interstate timewise. Now a trip from Detroit to Fla I figure is more like 20 hours or so (someone correct me if I'm wrong). That may be too much for you.
If you can fly...I'd do it.
We love driving to WDW - but from Illinois (1 hour outside of Chicago) it takes us approximately 20 hours - I would think you need to tack on another 2-4 hours coming from Michigan.
When we drive, we generally stop in Atlanta overnight.
Hey! Yea, I'd say it takes around 20-21 hours to get to WDW from Michigan. We're driving from NYC, which is a straight run right down te Jersey Turnpike and I95, and that takes around 16-17 hours. So it will be longer for you. If you don't mind being in the car for that long then I'd go for it, who knows when you'll get another chance to take a road trip! Also, with young kids I would defiitely stop overnight. My friend has a house in Tampa and drives down about twice a year and drives straight through, but she's 17 and it's just her and her mom. With kids I'd definitely stop overnight - I'm 17 and my brother's 16 and WE'LL even be stopping overnight!
Well, being from Michigan, born and raised, I would agree with the others and say more like 23-24 hours! I had a friend who used to drive every year to St. Augustine from Pontiac (about 45 min. north), and that was 24 hours, but her dad drives slow! As for the drive itself, to do it quickest, it'd mostly highway. We drive every year as well to MI, but from the Greensboro area, and it takes us 12 hours, with few stops. It's mostly interstates, the Ohio turnpike, which is always busy with semi-trucks, and not a lot of sights, until maybe West Virginia. Then you get some mountains, nice views, and from there down they tend to beautify the highways more and plant lots of flowers along the sides and in the mediuns.
Of course, Metro is a really busy airport too. How old are your children? And what is your budget? That would be the two main factors in deciding. It would be a good 2 long-day drive from Michigan. Not sure what tickets prices are for flights out of Metro, or even City, though.
Good luck, and sorry if this was long. Hope it helps! Ruth, NC now since 2000
From central Indiana, it takes 18-20 hours to get to WDW. Detroit is about 3-4 hours north of me. You'll pretty much take I-75 straight down, all interstate. You'll see some pretty country, but heck, after a while, it all looks the same!! Georgia is a large state and seems to take forever to get thru and it is pretty........boring that is. Good luck! Sounds like a great holiday. What could be better, visiting friends AND a trip to WDW!!
DH and I drove from Central Indiana to WDW last May - and we're about 4 hours southwest of Detroit.
FWIW, we planned 2 days each way, with a couple of stops (World of Coca Cola in Atlanta & Daytona USA at Daytona Beach). Especially considering the time of year (think SNOW), I'd be reluctant to try to drive all the way through.
If you do decide to drive, I'd recommend the book Along Interstate 75 by Dave Hunter - it covers I-75 from Detroit to the Florida border and includes info about food/gas/lodging at every exit, as well as touristy info along the way. Each page covers about 25 miles, so it makes it pretty easy to plan stops. It's available through Amazon, but you could check your local library first.
i live about an hour and a half north of Detroit. I've only made that trip once many, many years ago! It was just way too long for me. But I'm not a very good passenger. (And I don't like to waste time getting to WDW ) But there are alot of placed you could stop and see.
Hi. I am from Michigan, live in a suburb of Detroit and we make the WDW drive once a year, this Feb. 2005 being our 5th year. It takes us approximately 19 hours to get there. We have both driven straight thru (but you are extremely tired when you get there) and we have stopped along the way. I suggest stopping. We generally put in a long drive the first day and stay somewhere in south Georgia. Then we make the rest of the drive on day 2, usually arriving at check in time around 3:00 PM. Lots of pretty scenery, especially the mountains in Tennesee. If you have any other questions let me know.
We are about 1 hour from Detroit and you can make it in 18 hours but we stop here and there along the way (Kentucky is nice) and we also stop in south Georgia for the night. It usually takes us about 24 hours of driving time to get there, but as I said we stop for meals and breaks and don't feel too bad when we arrive. We will also be driving down in February arriving at WDW on Feb 6.
Well its nice to hear other Michiganders will be down there at the same time. Thanks for the confirmation of the driving time! My husband doesn't like to stop much, no loitering for silly things like meals. And bathroom stops must be kept to a minimum. 19 hours is just about right for driving time for us!
I am also from Michigan and we are flying down to Disney Nov 5th thru the 11th. If you do decide to fly, check out spritair.com. They have some really good deals! That is the airline we are flying and we are leaving out of Detroit. It is a long drive, but I'm sure you would see some interesting things along the way!
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Pixie Dust
. Since no one from MI has answered yet.....
As for the drive itself, to do it quickest, it'd mostly highway. We drive every year as well to MI, but from the Greensboro area, and it takes us 12 hours, with few stops. It's mostly interstates, the Ohio turnpike, which is always busy with semi-trucks, and not a lot of sights, until maybe West Virginia. Then you get some mountains, nice views, and from there down they tend to beautify the highways more and plant lots of flowers along the sides and in the mediuns. 
Ruth, NC now since 2000 
) But there are alot of placed you could stop and see. 
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