‹ The Thanksgiving drive · Thanksgiving out
I-75, Michigan to Florida
Southbound: Detroit to Tampa · 1130 miles · about 21 hours before traffic · 6 stops
The snowbird drive, about 1,150 miles: Hungarian hot dogs in Toledo, chili on spaghetti in Cincinnati, the first Kentucky Fried Chicken in Corbin, a chili dog in Atlanta, pecans in South Georgia and a Cuban sandwich at the end in Tampa.
1A photo like it
Tony Packo's
Get: The Hungarian hot dog with Packo's chili sauce, a side of chicken paprikash and a jar of their pickles and peppers for the house.
The Toledo institution M*A*S*H made famous, with buns signed by everyone who's passed through. A fun first stop an hour out of Detroit.
Where to get off: Cross the Maumee from I-75 to Front Street in East Toledo.
Photo like it: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Camp Washington Chili
Get: A three-way (spaghetti, chili, a pile of shredded cheddar) or a five-way with beans and onions, plus two cheese coneys.
Cincinnati's chili, the sweet-spiced kind on spaghetti, from the parlor that's practically on the exit ramp. The James Beard Foundation named it an American Classic.
Where to get off: I-75 at Hopple Street, a minute from the highway.
Photo like it: SKY Le Magnifique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Harland Sanders Café and Museum
Get: A bucket of the original recipe, eaten in the restored 1940s café where the Colonel first fried it.
Road-trip history you can eat: the motel café where Harland Sanders worked out the recipe, restored and still frying, with his kitchen on show.
Where to get off: Corbin exits off I-75, onto US-25W.
Photo like it: Ssemmanda will, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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The Varsity
Get: Two chili dogs, onion rings and a Frosted Orange. Say "What'll ya have" back to them; it's tradition.
The world's largest drive-in, right beside the highway through Atlanta. Fast, loud and exactly what you want halfway to Florida.
Where to get off: North Avenue exit off the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).
Photo like it: Jonas Nordström, CC BY 2.0.
5A photo like it
Ellis Bros. Pecans
Get: A bag of this year's pecans for the pie, a pecan log roll and a cup of their pecan ice cream.
November is pecan harvest in South Georgia, and this family farm store is open every day of the year, holidays included.
Where to get off: I-75 exit 109; the store is about a mile off the exit.
Photo like it: Daderot, CC0.
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Columbia Restaurant
Get: The 1905 Salad tossed at the table and a Cuban sandwich, or the paella if you've got time and company.
Florida's oldest restaurant, all tiles and courtyards in Ybor City. You made it: sit down.
Where to get off: The end of the drive: I-75 to I-4 west, then the 21st Street exit into Ybor City.
Photo like it: Krista, CC BY 2.0.
Take them with you
Open the whole drive in Google Maps with every stop on it, in the order you're driving. Drop any you'll skip right there.
Open the drive in Google MapsOn the map
Pins are numbered like the stops above. The dashed line joins them in order; it isn't the road.
Another road
Boston to D.C.
I-95, Boston to Washington · 442 miles · 5 stops
Olneyville New York System · Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana · Madonia Brothers Bakery · Reading Terminal Market · Faidley's Seafood
Manhattan to the East End
The LIE to the Hamptons · 115 miles · 4 stops
Briermere Farms · Tate's Bake Shop · Candy Kitchen · Cromer's Market
L.A. to the Bay
I-5, Los Angeles to San Francisco · 388 miles · 4 stops
Philippe the Original · Bravo Farms · Harris Ranch · Pea Soup Andersen's
Not your road?
Tell Chef where you're driving from and to, and he'll find the stops worth getting off for.
Good to know
Where should you stop to eat on I-75 from Detroit to Tampa?
Tony Packo's in Toledo (The Hungarian hot dog with Packo's chili sauce, a side of chicken paprikash and a jar of their pickles and peppers for the house); Camp Washington Chili in Cincinnati (A three-way); Harland Sanders Café and Museum in Corbin (A bucket of the original recipe, eaten in the restored 1940s café where the Colonel first fried it); The Varsity in Atlanta (Two chili dogs, onion rings and a Frosted Orange); Ellis Bros. Pecans in Vienna (A bag of this year's pecans for the pie, a pecan log roll and a cup of their pecan ice cream); Columbia Restaurant in Tampa (The 1905 Salad tossed at the table and a Cuban sandwich, or the paella if you've got time and company).
How far off the highway are the stops?
Every stop is within about ten minutes of I-75 except Columbia, which is the end of the drive (I-75 to I-4 into Ybor City). Ellis Bros. is barely off the exit; The Varsity is right beside the Downtown Connector.
When should you leave for Thanksgiving?
Most people split this into two days with a night near Knoxville or Chattanooga. Atlanta traffic is worst 3pm to 7pm on weekdays; time The Varsity for lunch.
Are they open on Thanksgiving Day?
Camp Washington Chili: Closed Sundays. The Varsity: Closed on Thanksgiving Day. Ellis Bros. Pecans: Open holidays, Thanksgiving included. For the rest, call ahead: many close early on Wednesday or close for the holiday.
Every place checked open on November 5, 2026. Hours are the usual ones as listed; holiday hours change, so call ahead the week of Thanksgiving. Miles and hours are estimates from the start of the drive, before traffic. Photos marked "a photo like it" are of the food, not the place. Chef Amazing isn't paid by any place here. Something wrong, or a stop we missed? hello@chefamazing.com.
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