Drivers beware....

[gopherit]

We always drive to WDW (or any other vacation spots)... can't ever seem to get a flight fare to justify our fam of 5 doing anything BUT driving. But I had the chance to SERIOUSLY rethink that plan this wkend! Drivers, seriously check the "local events" near the interstates when you elect to drive the long haul to WDW. I had to travel down about 7 hrs south this wkend (on same route we always taketo WDW -- mostly I-77). Well, dumb me, I realized traffic wouldn't be pretty (it was, after all, Memorial day wkend), but then , as I was stuck in major stand-still traffic at the Virginia/WV border, it dawns on me -- uh oh. Wasn't the NASCAR race supposed to be in Charlotte this wkend? UGH. A 7 hr trip took about 8.5. But that was NOTHING. I left S.C. at 11 am on Monday (mem day) to head north and I kid you not -- I think I traveled the entire length of I-77 in N.C. at the rate of 10 mph. (Well, not the entire length -- I took some smaller roads up as far as Statesville to try to dodge Charlotte. Did GREAT until I hit I-77. Bumper to bumper.) I am not kidding when I say that from 11 am until 6:30 pm, our car continued on its journey (only 1 5 minute -- if that -- bathroom break inbetween) And at the end of that nearly 8 hr journey, I was STILL a good 2 hrs from home! You might crack it up to Mem day and stormy weather -- but honestly, considering there were so many RVs (most sporting their favorite driver's number, as were many cars bearing similar signs/stickers / flags) I have to believe race fans were a BIG contributor. THe roads thinned a BIT at the I-81 split off I-77, then again near Bristol as more folks split off.

First thing I did when I got home was check NASCAR.com to see the August schedule -- thankfully, no southerly destinations during that timeframe of our trip! For those of you driving down during Daytona (around July 3rd, I think) -- well, Heaven Help you.

[Familyof14]

I know what you mean with the NASCAR race traffic. We live near Bristol and in March and August...it is a mad house! I would like to just stay home, but when we are in town, my husband makes us go to the race for entertainment purposes. His company has a suite...thank goodness! :D All of our hotels and eateries are booked!

[ksy8384]

I know that's how it is around here with Atlanta Motor Speedway just up the road. We plan to stay at home or very local and not even think about heading up Atlanta way. Funny thing is "Atlanta" Motor Speedway is about an hour south of Atlanta.

Sorry about the bad traffic.

Kalen

[JudithM]

I understand about checking areas near your driving route. We just returned from WDW along I95. I remembered reading about I95 in GA because the G8 economic summit will be held along the GA coast next week. On the drive down May 23 & 24 it seemed that all of I95 was covered with police - state police, local sheriffs, etc. - almost like they were getting ready for the G8. We drove straight home this past Sunday & only saw police in the Orlando area.