What is the best way to find the halfway point (in driving time) between two cities?

That’s a tough call. Once again there are too many variables, starting with the driving habits of the 2 drivers. My own choice would be to start out at the same time and head toward one another. This assumes viable cell phone contact. At least with this approach the driving times even out.

What about something like this? You can choose a type of place to meet, and it appears to pick some place in the middle by either distance or time. By default, it appears to calculate on distance (see here). But you can click “Time” and adjust search radius.

Disclaimer: I have never used this tool. Can’t vouch for its accuracy.

Google map both legs and see if the map calculates the time as equal.

Keep in mind Chattanooga and north has some mountains so the drive takes more concentration.

Chattanooga should be fairly equal considering you’re a little north of Tampa. Her drive is likely a little more difficult, but less time by maybe 20–30 minutes.

You will get a hotel I assume, so the hotel might dictate where you actually stop.

The exact (or as close as possible) halfway point won’t really matter, anyway, unless both parties start at the same time, encounter similar weather and road conditions, and experience no undue stops (since we’re now into highway construction season, actual driving times are going to be problematic on a long drive such as that).

So I would strongly recommend @stanleybmanly‘s first response. Start driving – the same route! – stay in contact at regular intervals, and decide on the actual meeting point when you’re within an hour or two of the meeting point.

Given it is an almost 8 hours of driving for each of you, I would use @DoNotKnowMuch‘s suggested web site to find a meeting spot, and you can then make plans for a place to spend the night. Easier to plan on where to spend the night if you know in advance, instead of on the fly by connecting via cell phone.

That’s a good point. Assuming you won’t be just making the transfer, turning around and driving home again (the way I would do it), but making an overnight stop, the best way is to decide on a point in advance because of whatever amenities, price and other reasons appeal to you, then drive to that point and stop for the night.

Google Maps has a function like this (or did). I’ve used it before. You can also just pick a handoff point that looks like halfway and map each endpoint from there. Possibly a spot with a chasm and a very narrow bridge.

Whatever you do, leave the meetup spot and put some miles behind you before you stop for the night.

Chattanooga seems a little more than half way for you. Really, somewhere in suburban Atlanta (Kenessaw, Marietta, Acworth) makes more sense.

Since you’re doing the southern end, mountains aren’t a problem. (They only get funky in Tennessee).

The other question – do you want to do any sightseeing on the way back? There are some interesting (and beautiful) places I would suggest if you have a little time.

It’s going to be the little one’s first time out of the state, so sightseeing on the way home would be cool, as long as it’s budget friendly.

Google Maps says 8 hours Tampa to Chattanooga and 7 hours Danville to Chattanooga.
Mapquest says 8.75 and 7.5.

Google Maps says 7.75 hours Tampa to Dalton GA and 7.75 hours Danville to Dalton GA

@Call_Me_Jay but there is literally nothing in Dalton but a McDonalds, a couple of truckstops, and a bunch of carpet warehouses and manufacturing plants.

There are some cheap hotels.

Well, those things, @elbanditoroso… and the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, I think. Not to mention that “cheap hotel” is a positive selling point here.

Use the drive time feature on google maps and select an intermediate point between the two routes that splits the time difference. Most accurate right before leaving. I-75 is a straight flat shot and only gets up in elevation around lake city tn. Atlanta traffic really will slow you down and if you use google it may route you around Atlanta. Chattanooga and knoxville are not bad as long as you avoid driving through them between 7:30 and 8:30am and 3:30–5:30pm.

You are getting rid of your mother-in-law.. Don’t sweat the small stuff. DO NOT risk angering the sister in any way.

@johnpowell – it’s a fine balance between not angering the sister and not throwing her off an overpass before we make it to Chattanooga.

Eight hours in the car… I may dose her with Benadryl before we leave.

If you want to be nice drive a little further than them. Seriously, the mountains are exhausting, and they will wind up driving through more of them. You could meet just south of Chattanooga.

Would it be feasible for you to rent a modestly appointed horse trailer for her and your comfort?

Perhaps instead of traveling, you could split the cost of shipping her with her sister.

I’d look at the map and look at your route, and then pick a spot that looks halfway. I’d then “Google maps” the drive time to that spot, and if it’s farther or closer, I’d adjust from there by choosing another spot and checking the drive time to that spot. I’d then google the area and see what’s going on as far as hotels, fast food, places you can meet up for a while, comfortably and transfer the luggage and stuff like that.

I wouldn’t split hairs over ten minutes or even one hour. First of all, to do so is going to take you extra time and seem petty on all sides. If it is a bit farther but an easier ride for you and/or a nicer meetup spot, I’d go with that route. Also, as someone stated earlier, if you’re getting rid of the MIL, that in itself is a bonus and worth some extra energy.

Is the MIL leaving permanently or just temporarily? If permanently then an extra bonus! :)

Permanently.

So, so very permanently. These last seven months have been utter hell. It’s affecting my husband’s health, my son is living on pins and needles… No more. This Saturday it is over.

Nice! Good for you and your household.

Can you just put her on a bus instead? Sometimes it’s not very expensive. I think the train requires a couple of changes, which you probably wouldn’t want to put her through, but I think there is a train station near Danville coincidently.

No. She has dementia and epilepsy and cannot be trusted to take her medication or not get off at the wrong stop because she met someone that seemed nice and it’s would be “fine” for her to spend a few days in Atlanta.

I guess another option is someone could ride the train with her, and then come back on train.

That’s all unnecessarily overcomplicated. She’s got a ton of stuff here that needs to be carted back. We’re going to meet on Saturday in Chattanooga – a bit longer for us, but we miss the mountains so it balances out – and enjoying the road trip back home.

Sounds like you have the best solution. By the end of the weekend it will be all done.

Want me to show you how to download 20 hours of Masterchef AU to your phone?

Seriously…. Since the new season starts Sunday I want you to power through the 40 eps you have left of season 7.

I would kinda like a masterchef chat buddy that we could chat while watching season 8 together in the mornings.

However. I am willing to wait a bit while you catch up. Or maybe you could double-fist two seasons of Masterchef AU.