Directions for Dummies.....

Wow! They gave a totally different route than I'm used to. They claim the drive time is shorter but more miles than what mapquest said. Strange. I just was wondering about the end of the trip from south of Birmingham off I-65. I've seen a few different suggestions so wondered if one is better than another.

There are multiple routes, and many posters each have their own preference. If you use a map search, such as google or yahoo, be sure to take it with a grain of salt. Never rely 100%. My ex-wife would tell you to simply follow the green hwy signs. You know, I tried that a few times, and it works. I don't think she has ever looked at a map, but she always gets where she's going. You may try to search for a thread using the key word, "directions."

Thanks, SJ. I know I'll make it there just fine since I've found my way several other times. We've stayed in Destin on our past 4 visits but never anywhere in SoWal. Last year was to be our first time but it coincided with Dennis. So my kids & I will be staying for 10 days with my mom & dad this time and then another 10 over July 4 week with my husband & his brother's family. Can't wait to get there whichever route I take! :clap_1:

here is one brief link. It appears that the other thread with directions has expired.

if you're ever lost remember the motto 'go south!'

simplest ever route i ever saw (three turns onto different roads, yep, three!) was I-65 south to exit at Montgomery, Alabama South Blvd (Hwy 80) where you turn left at the light, buy gas and then go about a mile then turn right onto Hwy 331, and then turn right again at Hwy 98 and you're there.

I-65, 331, 98, 30A - can anybody better that for simplicity?

this is assuming anyone can follow the twists and turns of a lower alabama road once you're on it! 😀

have fun

oh yeah, if you see a big black truck pulling a large cruising boat in your rear view mirror, just get out of the way (please) :razz:

if you're ever lost remember the motto 'go south!'

simplest ever route i ever saw (three turns onto different roads, yep, three!) was I-65 south to exit at Montgomery, Alabama South Blvd (Hwy 80) where you turn left at the light, buy gas and then go about a mile then turn right onto Hwy 331, and then turn right again at Hwy 98 and you're there.

I-65, 331, 98, 30A - can anybody better that for simplicity?

this is assuming anyone can follow the twists and turns of a lower alabama road once you're on it! 😀

have fun

oh yeah, if you see a big black truck pulling a large cruising boat in your rear view mirror, just get out of the way (please) :razz:

I would have to agree. We come down every year and go the same route. It is the easiest and most direct. We are also departing from the Cleveland area.

I would have to agree. We come down every year and go the same route. It is the easiest and most direct. We are also departing from the Cleveland area.

:clap_1: Same way we have been going for the past 3-4 yrs. Used to go through Georgianna, but this seems to be much quicker, and the old houses in some of the communities you go through are just beautiful. Not much scenery if you go the I-65 Georgianna route.

:clap_1: Same way we have been going for the past 3-4 yrs. Used to go through Georgianna, but this seems to be much quicker, and the old houses in some of the communities you go through are just beautiful. Not much scenery if you go the I-65 Georgianna route.

More turns on the I-65 route but I've got it down. Better gas stations (which is very important), more eating options, better quality roads, etc.

More turns on the I-65 route but I've got it down. Better gas stations (which is very important), more eating options, better quality roads, etc.

all you think of is gas stations. can you say freak!!

all you think of is gas stations. can you say freak!!

I was talking about the cleanliness of the bathrooms. And maybe even the fountain drinks! You're the freak!

I was talking about the cleanliness of the bathrooms. And maybe even the fountain drinks! You're the freak!

Gas stations contain many amazing things. You just gotta keep your peepers open.

When we came from Memphis last year we took 65 from Birmingham and stayed on 65 past Montgomery and exited off 106 at Georgiana and then got onto Hwy 55 and took it all the way past Andalusia and then to Florala where we picked up 331 the rest of the way to 98. It cut off an hour of our time. Might have been a little farther mileage wise but was a good highway to travel. Will do it again the next time we come.

When we came from Memphis last year we took 65 from Birmingham and stayed on 65 past Montgomery and exited off 106 at Georgiana and then got onto Hwy 55 and took it all the way past Andalusia and then to Florala where we picked up 331 the rest of the way to 98. It cut off an hour of our time. Might have been a little farther mileage wise but was a good highway to travel. Will do it again the next time we come.

That is the way I always go. No Luverne, no Brantley, no Opp or Opp Bypass...

oh no! no paint-peeling Luvurrrrn, or the silly half-mile of 25 mph up to the traffic light in Brantley?

Jeepers!

It simply wouldn't have been a trip to Florida without the quaint childhood memories of screaming "its Freddy Kreuger! AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" while pointing at people in Luvern out of the open windows trying to smell the salt air, or my dad peeling out at the Brantley traffic light but keeping it well under 25mph (or was that Freeport)

We got gas at Cowboys just outside of Birmingham. Gas prices there were the best we had seen along our entire trip. Very nice store!

Here's what Mapquest.com came up with when I entered the two routes.
It looks like it's pretty much a wash. 2.5 hours whichever route you take. We've always gone with 331 south out of Montgomery straight to the beach. They seem to be making longer and longer stretches of it 4 lane now (2 each way) so it's not too bad.
We'll be staying in one of the Topsail Hill Preserve cottages in August. We've never been there but it does look pretty nice, and quieter than the main drag.
Grayton has gotten too busy, so we stayed at Gulf Place the last few times.
Now we'll try escaping into the woods. Anyone been to Topsail Hill?


Montgomery, AL. to Georgiana, AL. (I-65)
Total Est. Distance: 61.32 miles
Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 1 minute
&
Georgiana, AL. to Florala, AL. (AL-55)
Total Est. Distance: 57.03 miles
Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Total Combined time= 2 hr 39 minutes
**************************************************************

Montgomery, AL. to Florala, AL. (US-331)
Total Est. Distance: 105.14 miles

Total Est. Time: 2 hours, 31 minutes

:welcome: gilesdad! Is that your precious in your avatar?