Need traffic info for Memorial day weekend travel

[BeachbumAggie]

I know it's early but we need to book our hotel for Fri night. We'll be leaving Arlington, TX early on the Fri of Memorial Day weekend. We'll stop for lunch in Hattiesburg and then will drive on. Most years we drive to Pensacola on Fri night and hang out at their beach on Sat am to look for shells. I'm thinking since it's Memorial Day weekend that's not such a grand idea! We'll probably go to Navarre and drive to Pensacola one day during the week after Memorial Day.

My question (that I'm taking a while to get to) is how rough can I expect the traffic to be on I-10 east bound between Pensacola and the exit to Seagrove (DeFuniak, I think is where we go thru)? Should we try and find a hotel in the DeFuniak area or is there anything between there and 30A where we could rent for Fri night that would be decent and clean? Or if anyone has any other driving rec's for us.

We usually come down for our two weeks at the end of July or early August so traffic's never been a big concern for us before.

Thanks!!

[ShallowsNole]

If you aren't coming all the way in to 30A on Friday nite, I think there is a Hampton Inn in Crestview. Might want to check - generally clean, plenty of places to eat breakfast Saturday morning, and about an hour from SoWal.

There is something brand-new in DeFuniak, but I can't remember what it is. Also, my brother and family like to stay at the Best Western Crossroads Inn when they come to visit, as it is near my other brother and relatively near me, but I've heard VERY mixed reviews on the travel sites.

Good luck

[DuneLaker]

Biloxi is only about 4 hours from SoWal. The Isle of Capri is on the far east end and makes for a quick escape in the morning. That could be fun. The Hilton Garden Inn on Pensacola Beach is just a two hour drive from SoWal. Have you been to New Orleans lately? That is just a five hour drive to SoWal. If I had the chance and time, if you want to make it all the way in to DeFuniak Springs, then stay at the historic Hotel DeFuniak hotel. Classic. Check to make sure the bar and restaurant will be open the night you arrive. I'd check in. Go walk around the lakeyard, check out the historic sites such as the railroad depot and caboose, museum open 11 - 4, several historical churches around lake, oldest library in Florida, and the Little Big Store, a general store blast from the past. Then, have a nice southern dinner at Bogey's at hotel and drinks at the bar. Settle in the hotel lobby with an old book. Watch out for ghosts in the halls at night. We and our families have often just made the trip straight through, no matter what. But, a few times lately, I've tried some of these other options with good and happy results. have a hullabaloo trip.