Moving From Olney, IL to Central Florida Fall 2017, I Want No Mountains I Need Help

[Midwest Michael]

No offense, but again, if those foothills in AL "almost did you in," then how can you be so confident that you know you can do it?

Those foothills are a relatively tiny elevation gain, and you'll find localized hills worse than that in nearly every state in the country.

Sometimes the strongest thing to do is admit that something is too difficult. With the level of terror you've described about a relatively small challenge/elevation change that most other people don't even consider to be noteworthy, I am legitimately concerned about your safety and the safety of others on the road.

[FourCatLadyIL]

No offense, but again, if those foothills in AL "almost did you in," then how can you be so confident that you know you can do it?

Those foothills are a relatively tiny elevation gain, and you'll find localized hills worse than that in nearly every state in the country.

Sometimes the strongest thing to do is admit that something is too difficult. With the level of terror you've described about a relatively small challenge/elevation change that most other people don't even consider to be noteworthy, I am legitimately concerned about your safety and the safety of others on the road.

My problem was, at the time I did the trip..I was dealing with my late husband's health issue which was not doing so well. I was told by Triple AAA that the road trip they gave us, had no mountains..and we had gone through one of the worst hurricane seasons on record in Florida. Plus the issue I had myself; that I didn't know that everyone else knew..I was dealing with depression. If I had been told I would be going through those kinds of foothills..how high they would be. I think I would have been able to handle it better. I'm still willing to make this trip, even if it takes me three days to do it. Slow and steady is better, than being in a hurry and hurting others. I'm willing to explore routes that are better; but localized hills would not be safe for me. If it's okay with you Midwest Michael, I'll just check back from time to time on this thread to see what anyone else has an idea of a course to take. I didn't endanger anyone on all three trips before I moved up here to Olney, IL and I'm thinking it's best that if I do take that same route again...get as far as Birmingham, stay overnight...leave the next day get Montgomery...stay overnight, more rest makes good sense.

[glc]

I think you may want to follow my alternate advice, even though it adds a lot of miles. Stay on I-55 all the way to I-12, then take that to I-10. At least you will be on Interstate highways all the way with no traffic lights or crossroads. You probably won't even notice the hills.

It's 1300 miles if you take US-50 to I-57 to I-55 to I-12 to I-10 to I-75 to Ocala. If you take 3 full days, plan on overnights around Grenada MS and Mobile AL. I have stayed in Grenada and there are 9 hotels right by the exit. Mobile has plenty of hotels in the area, I'd look at Tillmans Corner (Mobile West) west of the city or Spanish Fort/Daphne/Malbis (East Bay) east of the city. I would not stay in the city itself.

[Midwest Michael]

You've had multiple people offer you the best, flattest possible, route, considering the terror you've described crossing even relatively minor hills. And despite having multiple people offer route advice, you've repeatedly made it clear you have no intention of following that advice.

I really don't know what you're looking for from this site or anyone else, but it seems pretty clear that we've exhausted our ability to help, and at this point, I really don't think we can offer you anything more than the words: good luck and best wishes.