So my wife planned a family vacation to Destin and we'll be traveling down 65 from TN. My questions are how's the construction, overal road conditions, is the old saying "9 your fine" true?

You won't notice a difference in quality from tn to AL



 

North of Birmingham there is a construction project going on where the interchange for I22 is being built, but it shouldn't affect you going south.
South of B'ham, around Hoover/Pelham, make sure you're not going warp one and you should be fine.
Farther south than that, I got nothing.

I'll have the wife and kids in the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle and outlaws, oops inlaws, following so I plan on setting the cruise control at about 8mph over.

Be aware of construction between MM242 and MM238 southbound.

I havent figured out what their schedule is, but it sucks when they have lanes closed

Forgot about that.. It'd be nice if ALDOT could leave well enough alone for just one month. Is that so much to ask for>

Careful around Montgomery. Last time I was through 65 was crawling with troopers 10 miles on either side of the city. '9 you're fine' varies. When I was working it was give em 10 - write at 11 - but - and this is a VERY BIG BUT - some will write you for less than 5 over. In some areas the limit is 70. 78 might cost you. I really don't know what to tell ya other than be careful. If you are travelling during one of the revenue generating periods ( Labor Day - July 4th - etc ) set your cruise control at the limit - sit back - relax and drive.

You will enjoy Destin. Unless you are planning a stop in or around Mobile take the Hwy 225 exit from I-65 to Spanish Fort and hit I-10 east there. Will cut 30 miles or so off your drive. Maybe someone else can chime in with better directions but there is no reason to drive through Mobile unless you just want to.

Sounds like I will keep with the flow of traffic unless they're going crazy fast.

Just keep an eye out for any silver four door Toyota sedans around Montgomery. The troopers have one or two they like to sneak in there.

That just absolutely sucks. Revenue generation at it's finest.

Don't get me going on that stuff. Our local PD has a blacked out Chrysler 300 and a beat up white Corsica for "traffic enforcement". Nashville has various makes and models for the same purpose.  They have a task force that only pulls cars over for traffic violations and only during certain hours.  It took me by surprise one night to see a purple grand am writing a ticket down town Nashville. Bastards.

Anyone have a best route?  My wife is dead set on using map quest and getting off and going 31 which I think I did like 20years ago and it took forever.

US Hwy 31 is full of speed traps and red lights.  Small towns are using the PoPo to generate revenue from the non locals just passing through their towns.    
They will even authorize overtime for unmarked speed enforcement units during the week before and after the holiday.  
They bank on the fact that you will not return to fight the ticket and just pay it online.  

Split the difference. 31 down to Montgomery then 65 to finish up.

That's the way we came down yesterday. It wasn't too bad and only saw one cop once off of 65. I just kept up with the flow and it went okay except for two screaming kids in the back seat

Good deal. Enjoy your vacation.