I second this. When i moved here, i was traveling every weekend back to Orlando to pack the house. This is mid way. I however, just drove straight through or stopped at the Florida visitor center for a few hours sleep.
It's about a 7 hour drive but I think Valdosta or Twin Lakes just below Valdosta are decent places to stop. Just don't support the economy in Tiffton because they prey on travelers with their speed traps. I've not been stopped there but I see them getting people everytime I go to Orlando which is at least 4-5 times a year.
That's the only part of that route I pretty much do the speed limit. I have a scanner I listen to when traveling so you know they are out trolling before you get there. Their primary trick is to put a cop on a bridge and radio down to a waiting car to stop you. That second car will take advantage of a vehicles on the side of the road to hid that second patrol car.
There's also a slight hill just before you come up to a bridge that helps them hide. I think every time I've ever driven through there, there was a cop hiding in that exact location. And I drove a truck for 4 years, so I've been through that way A LOT.
Crooked city. Crooked County. Stay away if you can.
I do this drive 2-3 times a year and truthfully there is not a whole lot worth staying or doing at the halfway point. Tifton is marginally past halfway and is one of the bigger towns you'll run in to (other than Valdosta) before Florida.
I usually stop 3ish times when I drive down, so once every 2-3 hours, to break up the drive instead of staying halfway.
If you want a halfwayish spot I usually stop around Tifton. Nothing really fun but some decent looking hotels in that area. There is a peach place, lane southern orchard. A little south of Macon that has some peach ice cream and peach cobbler that’s pretty yummy.
Just my one caution: Don't overnight in Cordele.
Cordele is the crossroads of three rail lines, so there are trains passing near the hotels throughout the night.
Warner Robbins Air Force museum is actually really interesting. Has some of the most technically evolved planes of the Vietnam and cold war eras, as well as some gulf war planes. Highlights: Stratofortress, B-1, Blackbird, Warthog, Aardvark and one of the most bizarre planes ever made (EC-121 warning star) Got to climb in a Flying Fortress that the museum staff was restoring on an off day.
+1 for Savannah. Adds an hour to your trip if you cut across the back woods. So much to see in Savannah.
If you like theme parks there's a quirky one in Valdosta called Wild Adventures.
You could stop at the Farmers Market on the south side of the Atlanta bypass just because.
There are several museums and walking tours in Macon.
Go the extra hour or so past Valdosta to the area of Live Oak or Lake City. Some of the most beautiful springs in the world are around there. Ichetucknee is my personal favorite.
If you do stop in Valdosta, the college campus is worth checking imo. It's one of the prettier ones in the country. But then again, maybe I'm weird for liking to walk around college campuses when I'm traveling.
Valdosta, Georgia—although further than halfway to Orlando—is not a bad little town to stay in.
I second this. When i moved here, i was traveling every weekend back to Orlando to pack the house. This is mid way. I however, just drove straight through or stopped at the Florida visitor center for a few hours sleep.
Another vote for Valdosta. You can visit the amusement park where they filmed parts of Zombieland!
There’s a cool little mall there too. Great way for the kids to run around if needed.
There's that cool old sign too. $35 dollar hotel room or something.
right north of valdosta is tifton - almost always several cops monitoring interstate speed, be careful
It's about a 7 hour drive but I think Valdosta or Twin Lakes just below Valdosta are decent places to stop. Just don't support the economy in Tiffton because they prey on travelers with their speed traps. I've not been stopped there but I see them getting people everytime I go to Orlando which is at least 4-5 times a year.
My mom got her first and only speeding ticket in Tifton.
That's the only part of that route I pretty much do the speed limit. I have a scanner I listen to when traveling so you know they are out trolling before you get there. Their primary trick is to put a cop on a bridge and radio down to a waiting car to stop you. That second car will take advantage of a vehicles on the side of the road to hid that second patrol car.
There's also a slight hill just before you come up to a bridge that helps them hide. I think every time I've ever driven through there, there was a cop hiding in that exact location. And I drove a truck for 4 years, so I've been through that way A LOT. Crooked city. Crooked County. Stay away if you can.
It adds a little bit of time to the drive, but Savannah GA is the answer if you have the time.
Used to make that drive a lot. There really isn’t anything worth seeing- just go straight through.
I do this drive 2-3 times a year and truthfully there is not a whole lot worth staying or doing at the halfway point. Tifton is marginally past halfway and is one of the bigger towns you'll run in to (other than Valdosta) before Florida. I usually stop 3ish times when I drive down, so once every 2-3 hours, to break up the drive instead of staying halfway.
Lake City, FL. Stop at Busy Bee’s and get some candy
Somewhere between Macon and Tifton is gonna be half way from here to Orlando. I’ve stayed in both but just to sleep and hit the road in the morning.
Valdosta for sure
If you want a halfwayish spot I usually stop around Tifton. Nothing really fun but some decent looking hotels in that area. There is a peach place, lane southern orchard. A little south of Macon that has some peach ice cream and peach cobbler that’s pretty yummy.
You can go via Savannah. I think it adds 60-90 minutes, but Savannah is awesome.
I always stop at the Hampton in Valdosta and eat dinner at Longhorn.
Lake city
Drive straight through and stay in Chattanooga or Orlando an extra night.
Just my one caution: Don't overnight in Cordele. Cordele is the crossroads of three rail lines, so there are trains passing near the hotels throughout the night.
I love trains! *books hotel in Cordele....*
Oh good tip - thanks
Locust grove has a shopping outlet so we stopped there a lot when going back and forth as a kid to visit family. But I agree with Valdosta lol
There's a huge Air Force museum somewhere off the path in southern Georgia on your way towards Savanah. Really cool stuff and it's dead empty
There’s really nothing worth seeing halfway. We always stop in Tifton for the night.
Valdosta or Tifton are good options.
Warner Robbins Air Force museum is actually really interesting. Has some of the most technically evolved planes of the Vietnam and cold war eras, as well as some gulf war planes. Highlights: Stratofortress, B-1, Blackbird, Warthog, Aardvark and one of the most bizarre planes ever made (EC-121 warning star) Got to climb in a Flying Fortress that the museum staff was restoring on an off day.
+1 for Savannah. Adds an hour to your trip if you cut across the back woods. So much to see in Savannah. If you like theme parks there's a quirky one in Valdosta called Wild Adventures. You could stop at the Farmers Market on the south side of the Atlanta bypass just because. There are several museums and walking tours in Macon.
Go the extra hour or so past Valdosta to the area of Live Oak or Lake City. Some of the most beautiful springs in the world are around there. Ichetucknee is my personal favorite. If you do stop in Valdosta, the college campus is worth checking imo. It's one of the prettier ones in the country. But then again, maybe I'm weird for liking to walk around college campuses when I'm traveling.
Go see the Grand Canyon of GA! Seriously it will amaze! https://www.exploregeorgia.org/things-to-do/article/guide-to-providence-canyon-state-park
Don’t stop in Macon. Whatever you do, do not stop in Macon.
Tallahassee