We just made the long trek from IL to WDW end of Dec., early Jan. It was just the 2nd time we've driven since we moved here in 2016, but we also moved up from Tampa and we're long time Michiganders who used to drive to stay at Fort Wilderness.
Atlanta has been our high priority to avoid during busy hours. Even if it meant stopping at a rest stop for a nap so that we can drive through Atlanta late at night or very early am. We've lost a lot time in the past stuck in traffic at both 75 through Atlanta, and the detour, and avoid it all cost.
We also appreciate Love's stops, and typically decent gas prices. We use gasbuddy to check around for gas prices, close to exits. We found on this last trip GA in generally had the lowest prices, was surprised to see GA prices much lower than KY and TN. We were also able to use Kroger fuel points in GA.
While we too, like to pick Chattanooga for a motel stay. This is a good proximity point to WDW, and the prices are generally decent for both motels and gas. This past trip, we drove through. Stopping a few times as needed at rest stops, sometimes a few hour naps, and switching drivers. Don't know that we could do that every time, but we did get there quicker and had more park time.
We decided to pay to rent a car this time. I think it was maybe $35-$45/day for a 40 mpg compact, new car. We both have newer cars, didn't want to rack the miles, and I was bit worried about car dings at those tight WDW parking.
We had a good trip, except that given the time period, we experienced ice/snow once we hit IL on the way home. And if it wasn't more of a last minute planning thing, we would have gotten decent flight prices and not had to drive. Our flights would have been way above the norm and about $2k for 2 of us round (Christmas).