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I do this trip regularly, but we usually go as far as North Florida and never in the summer.

I find http://www.i75online.com/I75BookInfo.html book to be extremely helpful. That of course assumes you'd decide to take the I-75 all the way down. I-90 would be an alternative in the summer i suppose, but i never tried it.

We always budget 1.5 days to get to North Florida and stop for a sleep over at whatever cluster of hotels we are closest to. I-75 book is really good that way as it lets you plan your stops in advance and see all the local attractions along the way. There many interesting things along the way, most of them mentioned in the book.

PS. If you are driving all the way to Miami, do the Keys - it is not that much extra driving and it's worth it.

Vans should easily hold 7 people and luggage. Infact some vans can hold upto 8 people and luggage (bench in middle and not captain chairs). Also if you are carrying tons of stuff then you can put stuff on top of van if it has a carrier. Note: the last row in some vans are not good for adults sittings for long drives .. I know Honda Oddysey is good but not sure of other vans.
Tip: Get a van with a DVD player.

I have an SUV that can hold 7 people but very little luggage .. thats the problem with SUVs.

We do the drive every year and Charlotte, NC is almost exactly halfway. We leave about 3:00 am and check into the Embassy Suites near Billy Graham Library. Its right off the highway. Amazing Hotel! Salt Water pool, mad to order free breakfast, they have a managers reception at night where snacks and drinks (including wobbly pops) are free. As a bonus, the have a great steakhouse on site. You might pay $20 or $30 more but well worth it. Once you wake up, you're refreshed and are halfway there.
Cheers and good luck.

Forgot to mention, I wouldnt do the I-75 route. Most boring drive in the world. That route is old school, GPS or google you're destination and the I-77 way is much nicer, more scenic and quicker. I-75 was pre GPS days, plus you dont have to go thru Detroit>

just got back from florida on sunday.
8 of us rented a toyota sienna, with luggage...a bit tight, but we made it...3 drivers, drove straight through, only stopping for gas/food/rest.
with all stops took just under 24 hours to port canavral.

avoid the i75 route..

Whatever you do... make sure to switch your "avoid toll routes" option off your GPS

We drove down in the Fall of 2009 with my parents in tow on I-90 and then my parents drove down themselves on I-75 a few weeks ago. They said in retrospect, that the I-90 route was way better.

Also, a friend who travels down regularly recommended we take the I-90 route as well, which is why we did -- I believe you miss most of the major cities taking that route -- I think Charlotte is the only one you hit, from my recollection.

You have to do the drive at least once - it is pretty cool. The scenery through West Virginia is awesome, although it might not be at this time of year. We drove down during the Fall which was beautiful through the mountains!

Have fun!

Good point cupcake mommy!

We used to drive down to Florida every year when I was a kid. Dad would drive straight through. We'd leave around 4:00 in the afternoon so most of the drove was through the night and there was less traffic. I remember he used to get in tight behind tractor-trailer trucks almost drafting them because they would know where the cops were. The faster they went, the faster we went and the other way around (funny, because he was a cop himself). The car stopped when we needed gas. We'd arrive in Florida sometime the next afternoon and Dad would unpack and get the car washed before taking a quick nap. Then we'd take two days coming home because he wasn't in any rush to get home.

We've done both the I75 and I90; got caught in construction both times so couldn't tell you which was quicker.

However, unless you can switch drivers or have someone you trust to drive 24/7, I'd suggest doing two 12 hour days. We've tried a few different timing combinations, and I always find the 12 hour days much easier on us. If you leave early enough on day 1, you can still enjoy part of the time in the city you're overnighting in. Savannah is gorgeous!

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Driven than route more than a few times to go to Orlando. We've always done the I-77 route. Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriot, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn, and La Quinta are all lodgings that are a pretty safe bets along the route. We usually try to make it to Charlotte but due to having gone in late February/early March driving conditions have had us end up at various places through the Carolinas and Virginias. Avoid HoJo's and EcoLodge. Liked MicroTel hotels in terms of price and quality. Have tried a number all along that route and their pretty consistently well kept and well priced.

Last year my family and I went to Florida when the oranges froze and the lizards were falling out of the trees. Fun times.

On the way back, we stopped over in Georgia and we had to laugh cause the news was going CRAZY over the weather. They anchor lady had to explain to the residents why they were using the "element" salt on the roads and sidewalks.

We're missing some key info to answer you post. Who's going? How long do you want to be away? How long do you want to be on the road? Kids travelling with you? All adults?
There's a TONNE of adventure to be had on the drive to Florida. Ruby Falls, Silver Springs (Where they filmed the old Tarzan TV shows), The views from the mountains in Kentucky, "crazy-Americans" galore, the welcome centres as you cross each state line, the variances in how the speed limit is (or isn't) enforced....

We went that same winter, over Christmas and New Year's, and DAMN it was cold - especially since we were camping (Port Orange/Daytona). Still, a ton of fun.

We did the I-75 route. It was the first time I'd ever driven so I can't compare, but I agree Ohio is deadly boring. Still, once you get into Tennessee and Georgia it's lovely. Just stay away from the "sweet tea" - always opt for the "unsweet tea". And get away from the interstate now and again before the billboards and the chain restaurants drive you mad. I recommend lunch in Stillwater, Tennessee.

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I have probably driven to Florida at least 15 times within a 6 year span, so I know the drive well. I would typically just drive until I got tired, then switch drivers. I have always driven straight through, including once by myself.

If you are driving at night, I would start looking for gas stations at 1/4 tank as sometimes you can be driving for while with no open gas station in sight, especially along I77. The I-77 route is a much nicer drive then I-75 through VA & WV especially. However, once you hit Georgia, you have hit the 2nd most boring state in the union to drive through. But don't worry, that will end once you hit Florida. The single most boring state in the union to drive through, as you will soon find out

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