Kingston, Ontario

[crazyfordisney2000]

Has anyone out there driven from Kingston or Kingston area to Orlando? We'd like to give it a try to save $$$$$$$$$ How long did it take? Did you stop and if so where etc? Would love some info!

 

[bdoyledimou]

well, from Toronto, we stopped in Erie Pa.

It is a beautiful drive.. takes about 24 hours (with breaks) and if ya hve more then 1 driver it's easy...

 

[zakerdog]

We drive from Kingston a couple of times a year and it takes 23 hours driving time (straight through). We cross at 1000 Islands bridge take I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95 to I-4. Nice drive, good roads, we make several stops along the way.

 

[Sheribo]

We drive from Kingston a couple of times a year and it takes 23 hours driving time (straight through). We cross at 1000 Islands bridge take I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95 to I-4. Nice drive, good roads, we make several stops along the way.

We drive from Ottawa 2x, same route. Straight through with minimal stops. We pack movies and a cooler full of sandwiches & snacks. 24hrs usually and we love it.

However, we're flying next week. We though we'd stop in Rochester for the DVC Traveling Road Show at the Strong museum. Someone suggested we look at the cost of flying from Rochester and we got 4 flights for $660 and can leave our car at the hotel. Driving would have been cheaper but we decided to fly to get there faster after our night at the museum.

We will go back to driving in March. We love to have our vehicle in Orlando. Can get out own groceries, go to outlet malls and not worry about bringing stuff back on the plane.

 

[drcandon]

We have driven from Belleville Ontario - close enough..we decided to take it a bit easy and did 2 stops - first just inside Virginia ( we wanted to see the caves) and the second night inside Georgia. It was a very easy drive we stopped as necessary and did not push the speed limits. About 10 hours the first day - maybe 8 or 9 the second. The third day Orlando close to lunch - just in time to check in..getting up and going by 7 - 7:30 in the morning each day

I really all depends on how you push it -if you drive straight it is about 21 hours non stop...

If you do it in 2 days then the first day you have to make well into North Carolina..then you can make Orlando by dinner time the second day...

So if you get up and going by 6 am - only stop to do your business -eat all meals except dinner on the road or at one of the rest stations - you can make it in two days and be there for afternoon parade!!! If you are not exhausted...

And it all depends on the roads - ie time of the year

Just be aware that if you decide to go through the mountains then you are commited - there is no way to cut across - so if the mountains are icy or freezinf rain - that could slow you down by a day or I have heard of one case two...

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Thanks, I'm loving all this info and the tips, keep it coming !!!

I like the idea of 2 days, we have 2 kids , 7 & 5 and are pretty good in the car, but I feel 21-24 hrs straight is a bit much.

(I love this dancing banana LOL!!!!!)

 

[Nagle]

We drive yearly from Brockville and our preferred route is the one suggested by Zakerdog. Last time we drove to Rock Hill SC, just south of Charlotte on the 1st day and then on to Orlando on the second. Total driving time is usually 21 to 24 hours depending on construction, traffic, weather etc....

John

 

[nepean]

We are in Orlando right now. We left Ottawa at 6:20 on Thursday morning and arrived in St. Augustine,Florida at 8:00 am on Friday. It is another 2 hours from St. Augustine. We didn't stop except for gas and eating. We did stop in Georgia for 1 1/2 at 4:30 am since the fog was coming in. We paid a total of $98 in gas driving a 2006 Impala. Gas was $1.97 to 2.39 per gallon. The $2.39 was near Syracuse.

If you want to stop at about 12 hours you would be south of Richmon VA.

Please pm me any other question.s

Nepean

 

[nepean]

We are in Orlando right now. We left Ottawa at 6:20 on Thursday morning and arrived in St. Augustine,Florida at 8:00 am on Friday. It is another 2 hours from St. Augustine. We didn't stop except for gas and eating. We did stop in Georgia for 1 1/2 at 4:30 am since the fog was coming in. We paid a total of $98 in gas driving a 2006 Impala. Gas was $1.97 to 2.39 per gallon. The $2.39 was near Syracuse.

If you want to stop at about 12 hours you would be south of Richmon VA.

Please pm me any other question.s

Nepean

 

[nepean]

Sorry about the double post. Internet is weird here.

We take 81-66-17-95-4. The mountains can be hazardous in the winter. We have had freezing rain and had to stop overnight. The roads are excellent

Nepean

 

[normmo]

We always drive from Kingston (seeing as we live there) and have done it two ways - the first time we took three days to get down and the second time we drove straight through. Much preferred driving straight through and plan to do it again for our next trip at the end of April. It took us 26 hours but we took lots of breaks since we had a four year old and I was pregnant with our second. Driving at night meant no traffic and we made really good time but both my DH and I can easily go one day without much if any sleep - it's definitely not for everyone though! As previous posters said though watch the weather through the Pennsylvania mountains and we found it a little tricky going around Washington D.C. so I wouldn't want to do it in the middle of the night without my navigator awake. Have a great trip!
Mo

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Straight thorugh, sounds crazy, but yet tempting to me. We're not going till Sept/Oct 2009 or MAYBE Dec, but we are nervous about trying to drive in Dec. Thought maybe 2010 go in Dec if we have enough airmiles then fly. Anyone try winter driving??:

 

[normmo]

We've driven in November and did run into some weather in Pennsylvania but made it through. When I was a child my family drove straight through in the winter but we had to be prepared because if the weather is bad they close the roads and that's it - you find a motel and wait it out so you have to be prepared for that. We always give ourselves an extra day when driving straight through just in case the car breaks down or the weather is bad. That way we are in Orlando, have a day to get caught up before hitting the parks and we get to try either an offsite hotel or this time, we might do a deluxe as a treat. As I said before, it may not be for everyone but works for us!
Mo

 

[amaley01]

We love the drive (from Cornwall to WDW)
After you get past the mountains it's usually smooth with CAA trip tik .
We leave 7ish and unless it's for gas or bathroom, we stop in North Carolina 8ish for the night. The second day we arrive Downtown Disney to eat & shop at 7ish
Our girls' are occupied with their Nintendo DS or TVs in the van

 

[candielips]

We are in Orlando right now. We left Ottawa at 6:20 on Thursday morning and arrived in St. Augustine,Florida at 8:00 am on Friday. It is another 2 hours from St. Augustine. We didn't stop except for gas and eating. We did stop in Georgia for 1 1/2 at 4:30 am since the fog was coming in. We paid a total of $98 in gas driving a 2006 Impala. Gas was $1.97 to 2.39 per gallon. The $2.39 was near Syracuse.

If you want to stop at about 12 hours you would be south of Richmon VA.

Please pm me any other question.s

Nepean

OMG $98! Is that all? Do you mind if I ask what your mileage is like on your vehicle? We are driving from Newcastle, ON in Aug 2009 & were estimating $200 each way. I could only imagine $98! We drive a 07 Sante Fe so I know it wouldn't be that cheap but I can dream.