I have driven from Charlotte to Orlando on several occasions. Although it can be fun, it is a lengthy drive that provides a stiff test to a driver's mettle. Before discussing the route itself, a few preparatory tips are in order:
Before you Go, Remember to "Go."
1) Renting a vehicle for the trip isn't just a luxury. If you run into problems on the road, you have a company to rely on for support. Rental car companies like Hertz genuinely care about getting their vehicles back intact, and they will do what they have to to make sure that they get the car back and keep your business. Get something that has enough room for you and your party, give you a good comfortable ride, and won't use a lot of gas.
2) If renting a vehicle is not an option, make sure that you get whatever you're driving serviced for the trip. It is over 500 miles from downtown Charlotte to downtown Orlando by highway, so you need to make sure you give your vehicle every chance to make the journey.
3) Whether or not you take your own vehicle, invest in a membership in AAA. They provide a lot of helpful travel services, including accurate TripTiks for navigating to and around Orlando.
4) Leave early, say around 5 in the morning. On the weekdays, Interstate 77 in Charlotte tends to be very busy, and accidents back up the freeway for miles.
5) In some areas along the route, services like food and gas are relatively sparse. Plan stops so that you can get both at the same time.
Are We There Yet? How Soon? Slug Bug Green! Stop Touching Me! MOM!!!!!
From Charlotte, follow Interstate 77 south to Columbia, the capital and largest city of South Carolina (100 miles from the lower leg of Interstate 277 in downtown Charlotte to Interstate 26 south of Columbia). It's about a 90-minute drive, and since there's very little between Columbia and Savannah, this would be a good place to get a snack or take a quick bathroom break.
I-77 ends at I-26, on the south side of Columbia, so take the exit for I-26 east. The signs will point at Charleston, which is well over 100 miles from Columbia. But you'll go just 54 miles to get to the junction of I-95. Take the exit for I-95 south (Exit 169-A) and follow it to Savannah. Savannah is about four hours out of Charlotte, and it is a great place to stop for gas, for sure, and a late breakfast, if you're so inclined. On my travels, I typically have stopped at Exit 102, the exit for US 80 and the suburbs of Garden City and Pooler.
Back on the road from the much-needed break, you continue south on I-95 along the Georgia coast, passing through Brunswick and Kingsland before crossing the St. Mary's River into Florida. Jacksonville, the largest city in terms of area in the continental United States (at 760 square miles), is the next major way point. This picturesque city sits on the St. John's River, and as I-95 curls past the business district, you can take in a neat skyline, which includes Modis Tower, one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in the South.
Beyond Jacksonville on I-95 is St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States. History, outlet shopping, and golf meet here to give the weary traveller an interesting aside to the main course. South of St. Augustine, I-95 is heavily traveled, but not that heavily populated. The road is flat and inviting in this stretch, making for a good 80-minute run from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach. Daytona is where the journey on I-95 ends. At Exit 260-B, get on I-4 headed west to Orlando. Downtown Orlando is a shade under 50 miles away, the culmination of an trip that, with stops, lasts a little over 8 hours. And if you've timed it just right, you won't have to deal with the fierce traffic that turns I-4 into a zoo in the middle of town.
Wherever you're headed once you get to metropolitan Orlando, have fun!
This tidbit of real travel advice was provided by Claxton Graham.
If you want to stay a day or two along the way, a vacation rental is just the ticket to help you unwind after the road. And when you get to Orlando, a gorgeous holiday villa make you never want to get back in the car again! Find just what you need to relax and enjoy your stay at Zonder.com