Along Interstate 75 [Spiral-bound]

 

 

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I thought Dave Hunter was nuts when he announced all those years ago he was going to do a book about the Eastern United States' busiest north-south artery: Interstate 75. But he was really onto something. This book gets better year after year, and justifiably more popular as well.

Even if you're a paid up member of AAA, like me (or any auto club for that matter), this book will be a great supplement to the strip maps, wall maps and hotel guides you usually take along with you. In almost painstaking detail, milepost by milepost, Hunter tells you everything you wanted to know about I-75 and some things you'll probably wish you didn't (although you'll learn something there too).

He tells you exactly where to find the radar traps, what you'll find at every exit between Detroit and the Georgia/Florida line, and this year's constructions zones. And he offers some sage advice on what to do in case you hear a tornado warning on your car radio (listing all the counties that run along and parallel the I-75 route).

For places to stay along the way, he offers suggestions on his favorites; as well as how to save money at any hotel by playing by the hotel industry's own rules. He posits a great tip on how the carpool lanes really work (a potential timesaver in Atlanta). He even suggests advice on what bypasses to take around major cities, parallel routes in rural areas if you want to get off the beaten path, and why one should never stay overnight in a city unless absolutely necessary.

On a personal note, Hunter is a really classy guy. I've never met him in person, but I would like to now, especially after I noticed what I thought was a glaring ommission in the book: a potential shortcut between two cities along the I-75 route. I e-mailed him, and he promised to investigate it on his next trip. A month later, he wrote back saying that he tried that shortcut himself and while it faster it's not worth it because of all the turns one must make to get to it.

A remarkable achievement for a guy who self-publishes this book. If you follow just one of the money-saving tips he offers, the book will pay for itself and you'll want to keep getting each new edition, year after year.

For the past two years, in the months of July and August, I have taken my youngest son - presently 11 years of age (and at times my 16 year old son) on three or four week excursions to Florida and other parts of the United States. Most of the time we flew to Florida by plane, rented a vehicle and drove around the entire state exploring hidden secret treasures and of course did the usual amusement parks in Orlando.

As we have attended most of Orlando, Florida's wonderful amusement parks on numerous occasions, I thought that it would be nice to drive from Canada to Florida during July and August 2012, and take in the many historic sites, restaurants, museums, landscapes etc. thus I went on-line and purchased a spiral book titled "Along Interstate 75" by Dave Hunter.

Upon receiving "Along Interstate 75" in time for Christmas, my wife wrapped the book and placed it under the Christmas Tree for my 11 year old son. Whilst he was busy with his new Ipad 2, I picked up the book and have not been able to put the book down and have read the contents from front to back twice! My 11 year old son has also read a fair chunk of the book and has even highlighted places which he would like to visit in the summer. We decided that we would drive approximately six days from Windsor, Ontario, Canada until we landed at our destination in Florida and thus we would be able to visit the many lovely sites listed in the book.

"Along Interstate 75" is an amazing book! Not only is it spiral bound which means that the book will lay flat and will not shut on itself, it is also filled with great stories, descriptions and knowledge about local sites, provides excellent travel and insider tips, identifies great restaurants and hotels, provides historic stories about the many locations as well as excellent maps which include radar speed traps and helpful road information. Each coloured map provides the reader with a 25 mile section from the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, right to Florida! Every 25 miles, all you have to do is quickly turn the page and you are back on track! Each exit on the map is clearly marked and also provides an alternate parallel route in the event of construction or collision on Interstate 75! The maps also include every lodging facility, gas station, rest stop, car wash, malls, antique malls, flea markets, factory outlets and restaurants!

The book also provides "off the beaten path" information which includes historic towns, parks, secret attractions, historic battlefields, hidden beauty locations, unique buildings and even radio stations to provide advance traffic news! This book is not just a map-book, but also contains mile by mile detailed write ups describing and providing the history or information about towns, hotels, restaurants, museums, historic sites, parks, military bases and hidden beauty! This book also provides contact telephone numbers for many hotels and restaurants including the names of the owners or operators! This is an awesome publication! Basically, Dave Hunter has done the forward reconnaissance footwork of most places on the Interstate 75 route and this will save us much time and money as all we have to do is select locations which interest us and just follow the 25 mile per page map! This is way better than the GPS unit that I usually depend on!

Since Christmas, we have been going over the entire book selecting sites, restaurants, hotels and attractions we would like to view and I can honestly say that we cannot wait to take our 2012 July and August road trip!

"Along Interstate 75" is a must purchase for anyone travelling down Highway 75. I will update this review after we complete our 2012 summer journey down Interstate 75!

Along Interstate I 75 is a must have for anyone travelling south.This book was very informative.Where to stay,eat,buy gas,points of interest,you name it - It is all there.Dave Hunter has thought of every detail starting in Detoit and ending at the Florida border.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Must have travel companion
This book was so amazing. It really made the long trip with two kids go smoother. Being able to plan ahead was priceless. The fun facts made for interesting conversation.

Published 4 months ago by tjeaston

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, What a truly informative Map Book
I recently received this book after initial purchase 4 weeks ago. The information in the "Along I-75" is "Very Precise" with hundreds of Warnings, interesting Facts, and cost... Read more

Published 7 months ago by dwctse

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as any GPS
We ordered this book in preparation for our long drive from Toronto to Orlando and it was helpful! The details in this book from places to stay, recommended rest stops, photo... Read more

Published 10 months ago by Erps

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