I will add to what Michael has said. Some folks think that if they immediately head south, they will avoid snowy weather. All that does is add mileage and it may not even be necessary. So not only keep your schedule flexible, plan on the most direct route and keep an eye on the weather. Some places that are really far south, don't have the equipment and manpower to get to their road maintenance as quickly and efficiently as the northern crews. The other problem with "further south" are elevations. It IS true that the southern states have roads that are at higher elevations and therefore subject to more snowy-and-icy weather than you'd think. So plan on the most direct route and watch your weather.
Donna (we got our first snowfall of the season last night)