How long does it take you to get to the Ft?

[hopegirl66]

Hi everyone, my family is really thinking about taking the drive to Ft Wilderness next year when we get a camper. I was just wondering about how long it takes everyone to get there, do you drive straight thru or make stops? From SE PA is was thinking of breaking it up into 3 days or so....Thanks for the info!

[loriandmatt]

we are from the Philly area (also SE PA) and it generally takes us about 16-18 hours total and we split that up into two days.

leave for first leg around midnight-1am, stop here and there for grup and gas, overnight near or just over fla line (we like setting St. Augustine as a goal) and then the next day waking up with most of the drive behind us. we are in WDW by late morning to mid day at the latest on that 2nd day.

[LarryJ]

Hi everyone, my family is really thinking about taking the drive to Ft Wilderness next year when we get a camper. I was just wondering about how long it takes everyone to get there, do you drive straight thru or make stops? From SE PA is was thinking of breaking it up into 3 days or so....Thanks for the info!

We're basically just south of D.C. on I-95 about 30mi north of Fredrickburg and we spend three nights going with the last night around Jax. which puts us at FW around 10 the 11 A.M. for check in.

Larry

[LarryJ]

we are from the Philly area (also SE PA) and it generally takes us about 16-18 hours total and we split that up into two days.

leave for first leg around midnight-1am, stop here and there for grup and gas, overnight near or just over fla line (we like setting St. Augustine as a goal) and then the next day waking up with most of the drive behind us. we are in WDW by late morning to mid day at the latest on that 2nd day.

WOW I could never tow a TT for 14 to 16 hours in a day. Way back when in my younger days I did tow a Pop Up from San Diego to Albuquerque, NM which was just north of 12 to 13 hours and man I was beat. I limit my towing to around 6 hours a day and that's fine for me and with at least one fuel stop and several pit stops that still makes it close to an 8 hr. day.

Larry

[hopegirl66]

we had a pop up before but never really went anywhere too far, just OC Md, that sort of thing so this would be something way different for us and our boys 18,16 & 12. I can hear the fighting now. We want to get a travel trailer that has the quad bunk set up. We will pull it with a Tahoe, so I'm thinking it would need to be an ultra light. We haven't had our pop-up in 3 years and I miss camping so much. Grew up camping with my Aunt & Uncle. My hubby is from Philly, never camped till we went and he fell in love with it.

[clkelley]

I'm only 690 miles away and I split my drive up. I leave right after work and get South of Atlanta the first night. Leave 5pm Central and stop about 11pm Eastern, then leave the next morning about 7ish Eastern which gets me to WDW right at check-in time.

I've driven straight through with the camper once, and I don't like it.

Going home, I leave the WDW area around 8 - 9pmish and drive to Ocala and overnight, then finish the drive home the next day.

[Born 2 Fish]

From middle TN.

Towing a TT,,12 hours with all the stops.

Not towing TT,,10 hours with all the stops.

[LONE-STAR]

We are 1000 miles from WDW. We pull straight through no sleep. We get diesel about every 200 miles. I always allow 24 hrs but we do it in about 18 hrs. With no trailer we did it in 15hrs.

[jugman]

We are 500 miles and will stop around lake city on the way down, because we will leave the evening before. Then the next day we won't be so tired. When we leave we drive all the way home. Depending on how many times we stop it takes between 9-10 hours.

[BradyBz12]

We're coming from southern NH - about 1200 miles. We travel the Garden State down to 95 the rest of the way. We usually leave at about 5pm and drive until about 4-6am, which gets us to around Richmond VA.

We usually stop for about 4-6 hours to sleep, eat and then get back on the road. We generally get as far as Jacksonville by about 8-10pm, crash for the night (Walmart) and then get up around 7-8am to finish up the trip the next day. Usually has us checking into FW between 11am-noon the next day.

Have a safe and fun trip!

[We4mickey]

Drive about 1300 miles, leave 3 or 4 am drive about 12 to 14 hours depending on traffic to northern Georgia. Up early again and usually at the fort by 11.

[Cdash]

We drove it from Michigan a year ago, and I think we are doing it again in January. Just under 1200 miles for us. Left around noon, drove to just south of Atlanta (about 1am), overnighted at a cracker barrel and drove onto FW and got there at about 4pm. We push it hard the first day, so the second day will be easier with more recoup time.

This time we'll be leaving earlier since we are not driving with others.

[bord1niowa]

We drive 1300 miles from Iowa and stop about 550 to 600 miles then again in Lake city and finish it up in the morning. That was with a pop up. Next time will be with a 27 foot trailer. We'll see how that goes.

[Shannone1]

1100 miles here.

Leave here at around 9:00am on Day ONE and stop overnight in mid-Tennessee.

Leave about the same time on Day TWO and stop in Lake City, FL.

Day Three leave campground about 9:00 and arrive at FW for check in.

Going home we push it a bit more so we can get an extra day in at FW.

Leave about 7:30am from FW and drive until about 9:00pm that night...usually puts us southern KY depending on traffic.

Head for home about 7:30/8:00am and arrive home about 7:00pm that night...again depending on traffic.

[gmflanigan]

It takes us about 2 days--one about 12-14 hours and the 2nd day 6-7 hours. We are always in a hurry to get there so we drive more on day 1 so day 2 is easier. Don't want to miss anything. LOL

[tjbarton]

We arrived in Kissimmee for the night before we go to the Fort. We drive the I90 to the I71 to the I75 and the Florida Turnpike. Its a 21.5 hour drive with out stops but we brake it up. We stop at Knoxville TN. for the first night.
Its almost 1400 miles. We come for just north of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Now time to leave the hotel for the Fort. Calling for rain for the week we are here. Rain storm last night, just hope the rain holds off so I can set up the camp. Tenting for the first time for my wife.

[Mickey Canada]

From Southern Ontario, it's just under 1200 miles. We have driven it over two days previously. (day 1:gone by 5 am, stop at 9pm - day 2:gone by 10am, there by 1'ish). It's about 20 hours.

We are leaving this Thursday morning but I think we are going to do a straight run. We'll see. We haven't made any reservations to stop. If we get tired, we'll call it a night.

[cruising spud]

We are also from SE Pennsylvania. We take three days going down and two coming back.

On the way down, we stop in southern Virginia, next northern Florida, and day three, we head to Disney. We don't get onto 95 until mid-way through VA.

On the way back we travel 95 the whole way and stop about halfway through South Carolina.

[Shan-man]

I just wanted to suggest a great stop en route to Disney on I-95, St. Mary's GA. It is just north of the FL border. It's a beautiful little oceanside town that has a nice park right on the ocean. Next to the park is a lot of boat parking, which doubles nicely as RV parking. And just a few short blocks from the waterfront is a wonderful little restaurant called Sterling's Southern Cafe with the best crab bisque and crab cakes I've ever had. Leave St Marys and go another mile or so south on I-95 and there is a perfectly serviceable and cheap overnight RV Park, Stark's First in Florida. It's certainly not a destination type campground, but it's right off the interstate, and yet quiet, all the sites are pull-through, and I think was $20 a night last time I was there. This is a great way to finish a day of driving early, enjoy a lovely meal and some downtime in a picturesque oceanside park, and overnight for cheap. Get back on the road by 9:30am and you'll be at FW by check-in.

[5stljayhawks]

It's two full days. 650 miles stl to s. of atlanta11-12 hours. and 450 miles the next day7-8 hours. Map out your rest stops, they are great to get the kids out and run them around for 10-15 minutes. Watch out for dog dung....:yay:

[njcamper95]

We leave central NJ about 3 am and drive to savanha GA and stay in the KOA there we usually arrive around 8 pm then we drive to disney leaving around 8-9 am and getting to disney around 2 pm we make stops for fuel and to walk the dogs and our selves every 2-3 hrs this is pulling a 32 ft TT the trip home we leave disney around 9-10 and travel to one of the KOA camps in NC then to home the next day south of the border is about the half way point for me so we like to do better then that the first day each way so the last part is shorter

[bradisgoofy]

1200 miles in 2 1/2 days. Around 500 miles the first two days, that gets us to FW about 1pm on the third day. I'm on vacation and want to enjoy the trip, plus I'm a little older and just can't handle 12 to 14 hours behind the wheel.

[DisneyDadinOhio]

We are about 950 miles from the Fort. We have gone the I-75 route, as well as I-77, I-26, I-95, to I-4. I-75 is much easier IMO - depending on when you go through (or around) Atlanta.

First stop is at a great KOA in Sweetwater, TN. Very nice facility, with paved roads, pull thrus, and very quiet.

We then drive until we are about 1-2 hours from the Fort. I would like to know where everyone stays in Florida - Ocala, Lake City, etc. Are there any decent campgrounds within 1-2 hours of the Fort along I-75..?

[DznyRulz]

We're basically just south of D.C. on I-95 about 30mi north of Fredrickburg . . .

I'm basically just south of DC as well, about 36 miles north of Fredericksburg. Our total driving time is about 16 hours, approximately 857 miles door to door according to the GPS. We leave on Saturday and overnight at the Flying J in Brunswick, GA. On the return trip we overnight at the Flying J in Kenly, NC.

[physcocat]

:cool1: sw fla. 1 1/2 hr. away!

[dblr]

We are also from SE Pennsylvania. We take three days going down and two coming back.

On the way down, we stop in southern Virginia, next northern Florida, and day three, we head to Disney. We don't get onto 95 until mid-way through VA.

On the way back we travel 95 the whole way and stop about halfway through South Carolina.

We are from De. and this is almost the same way we do it. We leave around 4pm and travel down Rt301 to 95. On the 2nd day we stop in lower Ga. we try to start out in the morning after 9 so the work traffic is over this works out the best for us.

[dblr]

[QUOTE=cruising spud;

[mike k.]

Hi everyone, my family is really thinking about taking the drive to Ft Wilderness next year when we get a camper. I was just wondering about how long it takes everyone to get there, do you drive straight thru or make stops? From SE PA is was thinking of breaking it up into 3 days or so....Thanks for the info!

:surfweb: Hopegirl66.
We leave Levittown as soon as DS'S are out of school,usually on a Friday. Depending on their last class, we will take them out of school early. For some reason they always end up with Phys.Ed. either first period or last period.
If we're towing(24'TT) we split trip into 2 days. Try to hit Lower NC or Northern SC by 11:00PM or so. Always stay in Hotel. Camper is usually full of gear. Always have good luck at Holiday Inn Express.Free breakfast is a big help. Back on road by 9:00am Saturday and into Disney around 6-7:00PM depending on stops. If you have propane onboard, you can't use the tunnels thru Baltimore. Stay away from 695 WEST during rush hour. Although we take it during off hours. We go 695 east(FSKey bridge) to 97 South to 50W. to 301 South and by-pass Baltimore & DC, although the bridge over the Potamac on 301 at night is a white knuckler. Double check these directions before using them, I'm going by memory. Drove home from Brunswick,GA one trip and that was too much for me(14hrs.) and I drive a trailer for work 5-6 days a week year round. We usually let older teenage DS drive in SC,GA. Roads are pretty flat and straight. Best of luck.
:worship: Wish we were going too!

[Tricializ]

It takes us about 22-24 hours to get there. So, we typically do the drive this way....
Leave super early on our departure day around 3 in the morning and drive to Manchester Tennessee. Then we get up at a reasonable hour but early and hit the road the next day for the fort. We try to get in before dark and set up camp. Then the next day we are up for fun! :)
Tricia

[medic9016]

5 1/2 hour for us here in South Carolina.

[DisneyBishops]

Well let's see it depends on the traffic. If it is heavy it takes us about 1 1/2 hrs and if light about an hour. But I don't get in any hurry just take my time. But then again it is 60 miles from my driveway to the entrance of the fort.

[Doggmeat]

5 hours via alt 27-i75-turnpike-27-192. like the less traveled route.

[disney4dan]

We're in N. Central Massachusetts and the shortest distance for us is 1,300 miles, but the route we take adds 70 miles each way. We spend two overnights usually, did three overnights on this last trip in order to enjoy places along the way.

This last time we left at 4:00 am and the first overnight (7:00 pm arrival) was in Fredericksburg, VA KOA. Then 2 nights at Hunting Island State Park on the SC coast to relax. Left at 6:00am and got to the Fort mid-day with a shopping break for food at Wal-Mart along the way.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

Enjoy the trip!

[Camping Cat]

We are about 950 miles from the Fort. We have gone the I-75 route, as well as I-77, I-26, I-95, to I-4. I-75 is much easier IMO - depending on when you go through (or around) Atlanta.

First stop is at a great KOA in Sweetwater, TN. Very nice facility, with paved roads, pull thrus, and very quiet.

We then drive until we are about 1-2 hours from the Fort. I would like to know where everyone stays in Florida - Ocala, Lake City, etc. Are there any decent campgrounds within 1-2 hours of the Fort along I-75..?

You can check out campgrounds in FL at this site http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Florida/


We've stayed at this campground in Alachua several times. It is nothing fancy but it's just off the Interstate and not far from WDW. We get up in the morning and are at WDW in just a couple of hours.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Florida/Alachua.html

[Camping Cat]

We're in New Orleans and about 650 miles from WDW. For many years we would stop in Tallahassee for the night to break up our trip, but when we brought our (then) 11 month old granddaughter with us, we decided to stay 2 nights on the road since we didn't know how she would react to long hours stuck in a carseat. We drove the first day only to Pensacola and stopped at the Milton KOA, about 4 hours. The second day was longer, about 6 hours. We stopped at the Travelers Campground in Alachua FL for the second night. The next morning, it only took us a couple of hours to get to FW. We liked this schedule so much we stuck to it the next December even though our granddaughter wasn't with us.

[gillenkl]

Coming from Delaware, just over the PA state line - about 990 miles. Next trip we'll spent 2 nights on the road. Last year we did it just 1 night and it was too much for the kids (and me!)

We leave about 5:30AM and spend one night in Fayetteville, NC. Probably get there around 2:30 and let the kids us the pool and chill.

Next day drive to Savannah South KOA and spent the night.

Next day on to Disney.

[mdoc]

We're from northern Illinois, and it generally takes us about 20 hours each way. On the way down, we usually leave at the crack of dawn (or before) and drive 15 hours the first day, then leave very early the second day and drive another 5. On the way home, it depends when we leave Fort Wilderness. If we leave late morning, we'll drive 10 hours the first day and 10 the second. If we leave in the late afternoon/early evening, we'll drive 5 hours the first day and 15 the second. Normally we have 9 days (including travel), so we try to just plow through so as not to spend most of the vacation in transit.

[kimluvswdw]

It usually takes us 11-12 hours from Virginia Beach if we take the motohome. Less with just the truck.

[SunshineCamper]

Don't hate me...it takes 30-45 mins. depending on I-4 traffic.:worship:

Just south of Gainesville there is a state park in Micanopy, FL (2 hrs. from Disney) is Paynes Prairie State Park-$15 a night and close to I-75. It's a good option if you're coming down 75 to the turnpike.:)

Coming down from I-95 route-Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine is not just off 95-but it's a great campgrounds especially to see the beach. $23-$24a night. this is a great stop either way.:thumbsup2

[Dirtslinger]

We have 1081 miles to drive when we go. We usually go straight down if we drive the van, but that is over now with the Fort being the only place we stay now. We stay one night on the road, usually at a Flying J. We try to get south of Atlanta and then it makes for an easy drive the next day. We have left late afternoon/early evening and only made it to Oakgrove Ky and then just finished the trip the next day. Any way we do it, it only takes us 1 1/2 days for our trip.

[MadFF]

Hi everyone, my family is really thinking about taking the drive to Ft Wilderness next year when we get a camper. I was just wondering about how long it takes everyone to get there, do you drive straight thru or make stops? From SE PA is was thinking of breaking it up into 3 days or so....Thanks for the info!


Well, I'll tell you how our drive goes when we get back! We are leaving tomorrow morning, 3:00AM, from Connecticut. We have one overnight stop in South Carolina planned. I would love to make more stops on the way, but it is hard enough to get this much time off (full week) as it is.

[gmflanigan]

It's way shorter going than coming. Have fun!!

[clkelley]

5 hours via alt 27-i75-turnpike-27-192. like the less traveled route.

There is an even less traveled route and you don't have to deal with 27 and 192!!!

I-75 S

Get off at exit 328 (approximately 140 miles from Georgia/Florida State Line, approximately 107 miles from I-10)

Travel on Florida Turnpike to Exit 267A (429S) (approximately 42 miles)

Travel on 429S to Exit 8 (Disney World/Hartzog Rd) (approximately 14 miles)

This road will take you to West Buena Vista Dr near Coronado Springs.

Turn right if going to All-Stars or Animal Kingdom Lodge, turn left if going anywhere else, then follow the Disney signs to your destination.

Tolls on the main Turnpike will be $2.50 for a standard vehicle. (More if pulling a trailer).

Tolls on 429S to Disney World will be just $1.00 as the Disney World Exit doesn't appear to charge a toll.

[Camping Cat]

There is an even less traveled route and you don't have to deal with 27 and 192!!!

I-75 S

Get off at exit 328 (approximately 140 miles from Georgia/Florida State Line, approximately 107 miles from I-10)

Travel on Florida Turnpike to Exit 267A (429S) (approximately 42 miles)

Travel on 429S to Exit 8 (Disney World/Hartzog Rd) (approximately 14 miles)

This road will take you to West Buena Vista Dr near Coronado Springs.

Turn right if going to All-Stars or Animal Kingdom Lodge, turn left if going anywhere else, then follow the Disney signs to your destination.

Tolls on the main Turnpike will be $2.50 for a standard vehicle. (More if pulling a trailer).

Tolls on 429S to Disney World will be just $1.00 as the Disney World Exit doesn't appear to charge a toll.

This is the way we go also, Carol. It only took one time on 27 towing a camper and we swore off it for life! Too many lights! We love the Turnpike and we definitely LOVE the new road to WDW! What a difference!

[jennypenny]

We drive from Bucks County. We split it into two days. On the way there, we stop in Savannah (exit 94 off of 95). We have a popup and don't camp, just stop at the Spring hill suites. We head out after the free breakfast and arrive in WDW in time for lunch around 1pm. On the way back, we drive to Rocky Mount. Once we drove straight through so we'd go through DC-Philly during the night but I was blown for two days after (I do all of the driving).

[dtum]

Day one - leave OH via 77S and drive to someplace in NC (just an overnight campground so it doesn't have to be perfect and NC doesn't have very many places to sop)

Day two - leave NC and drive to Jacksonville, FL via 95S. We love Flamingo Lake RV resort at Jax and it's close to Disney.

Day three - arrive Disney around 10ish--hoping for early check-in and we're there!

Towing a fifth-wheel safely, we don't like to rush. Better safe than sorry and we can take the extra day vacation to fit the three-day drive in. :woohoo:

[tinksgilrs251520]

Usually takes about 2 days cause we also split the days we are actually taking 75 for a little bit and then going to knoxville, TN then spending the night and hopefully arriving at the Fort mid-day


Go Obama!!!!!!!:banana:

[AnnamarieZ]

Our friends drive from Oshkosh to the World twice (or three times) per year leaving at 6pm and driving straight through via Indiana - only stopping for gas until morning. Then they stop for breakfast and later stop for lunch so their boys (6 and 3) can play and stretch their legs. They do stop at a motel on the way back - not pushing so hard.

We will be doing their driving plan this time around (just tenting at the Fort). My DH just LOVES to drive and works 3rd shift, so he is used to being up at night. In the past, we have driven from Oshkosh to Macon, GA before stopping.

Have a magical trip! :wizard:

[testtubes]

It takes 14-15 hours in the MH. In our younger years (1980s) we would drive straight through but now spend the night somewhere in Florida when needing a break along the way.

[mntman]

:woohoo: In March 09 we will be driving from northern New Mexico 28 hrs. hoping to do it without stops we have 3 drivers.:cool2:

[ShaneGray]

I am very lucky
I only have to drive 2 hours.

[ftwildernessguy]

Just got back today and my total time behind the wheel from FW to my house was 22 hours. I kept the speed right at about 60mph to save gas and, while gas was definitely saved, my driving time went from 19 to 22 hours.

[4daubers]

Wow. I thought our trips were a day short of forever to get there but some of y'all are truly in the forever time zone. :worship:

We leave at 6:00 AM and push to Milton KOA in Florida the first night. Second day, leave at 6:00 and usually arrive around 2:00 at FW depending on stops. The first full day at FW is a fort only day to settle in, get bearings and begin enjoying the fort.

This is our first time trip at Christmas and because of school schedules, may try to leave after school and go as far as possible since we now have 4 drivers in the family. We're fortunate to travel with another family that has the same drive stamina as we do.

Our trips to Florida never seem to be a enjoy the trip along the way. It's ears pinned back, pedal to the medal and go.

I'm so anxious to go, I'm not even going to gripe about IH 10!