No way would I do the I-75 Atlanta route. That drive through GA is even worse than the drive down 95. I'm def doing I-26 to I-95, the only question is whether to go 74 and I-40 or cross country through Franklin and Highlands to Greenville. Looking for someone with experience of the back road. May depend on the weather too, if 5/3 is stormy, I'll go to I-40 otherwise ???
The route through Franklin to Greenville will be more fun, but will take longer.
Google Maps also shows a couple of western routes that go through Atlanta. It says they're a bit shorter than the eastern route, but take maybe 10 minutes longer. But I think you may actually make better time with the western route.
I'd do what your google map suggested...go East and then eventually down I-95. DO NOT go West to I-75 and down, because then you will have to go on the FL Turnpike towards Daytona and it is a messy toll road.
I've driven most of that route to Greenville. Like I said, fun, but slower. Even the way I drive. And as you suggest very weather dependent.
I've added twisty segments like this to my drive home before. For me, on these long drives out of MOTD, I find myself wishing I had done the fastest highway route by the time I reach the destination. Extra roads like that at the start seem to make the drive twice as long... But maybe that's just me.
Living in Jacksonville, I make most of the drive you are contemplating. I usually leave around 7AM on Sunday to get to the 'big roads' before traffic builds.
I-75/Atlanta is a very little bit shorter, but I typically go I-95. Only caveat is roads in South Carolina are wretched. Traffic stinks too.
I'll look at a map tonight/tomorrow as I don't recall the specifics I use to get to I-40 off the top of my head. OP's first option sounds more like it though.
Thanks Paul & AAONMS, I don't leave Fontana until 9:30 or 10 due to participation in the twilight and midnight runs. I'm planning to stop probably around Savannah and finish the trip on Monday morning.
I do I26 to I40 to hwy74 to hwy28 every year to Fontana from Charleston (and back)....little over 5 hrs depending..(traffic/LEOs)...
26 is a bit crappy in the upper part of the State (as mentioned), but they have been working on it for at least 3 years now (hence the traffic part for about 3-4 miles usually) so it is getting better (snicker)....
I'd come that route and just drop off onto I95 straight south
