[Space Wrangler]

Take 331 north to Montgomery, then I-65 to Birmingham, then I-59 to Chattanooga, TN where you can pick up I-75 to Knoxville, then I-81 to Bristol, VA. I live in Chattanooga, and my family has had a place at Sandestin since '84. I've driven that route many times, and it's not that bad. I'd go north, then cut back east to miss the evacuation traffic. I've been watching some of the Destin webcams, and you're right, the ocean is un-characteristically calm. We've been on standby here to bolt down there and board up if needed all week, and have been paying very close attention to both Bonnie and Charley. My wife and I got ran out of Destin in Sept. '98 on our honeymoon due to Hurricane George, which thankfully turned out to be not that big of a deal. Grayton Beach is gorgeous----like Destin used to be before every retailer in America decided to set up shop there. Good luck!

[CobaltBlue]

That sounds like a plan. We can stop for barbecue at Bob Sykes in Bessemer, too. Thanks.

[Dutchgirl]

Grayton Beach is gorgeous----

No...Grayton is nothing special and should be avoided at all costs. Especially the state park beach cottages. Do NOT believe the pictures, brochures and actually testimony of anyone who's been there. Keep driving along 98--try Sopchoppy, St. Joe or Panacea...try Panama City or Pensacola, forget you have ever heard of ...oh never mind...it will be another Daytona in five years.