For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (III)

[cruisingkat]

We drive to Florida at least 4 times a year - (2012 we did 5 drives to Disney) from the Chicago burbs. We have tried several ways - our GPS keeps wanting us to take I65. Before we had the GPS, we usually drove I57 to I24. We tried the GPS routing of I65 and weren't happy. Supposedly according the GPS it should be about 20 -30 minutes faster - however in reality it took the same amount of time. We have tried the I65 route 3 times and had the same result so we now stick to our I57 route.
I know that I65 has a higher speed limit than IL, but IN has 2 speed limits - one for trucks and one for cars where IL has raised the speed limit for trucks to the same as cars. So when trucks pass each other, they are going the same as you and you don't get sandwiched between trucks as you do in IN. When we took I65, getting caught between trucks ate up a lot of time.
Also, there seems to be a lot less truck traffic on I57 than I65.

 

[Lizzybean]

We drive to Florida at least 4 times a year - (2012 we did 5 drives to Disney) from the Chicago burbs. We have tried several ways - our GPS keeps wanting us to take I65. Before we had the GPS, we usually drove I57 to I24. We tried the GPS routing of I65 and weren't happy. Supposedly according the GPS it should be about 20 -30 minutes faster - however in reality it took the same amount of time. We have tried the I65 route 3 times and had the same result so we now stick to our I57 route.
I know that I65 has a higher speed limit than IL, but IN has 2 speed limits - one for trucks and one for cars where IL has raised the speed limit for trucks to the same as cars. So when trucks pass each other, they are going the same as you and you don't get sandwiched between trucks as you do in IN. When we took I65, getting caught between trucks ate up a lot of time.
Also, there seems to be a lot less truck traffic on I57 than I65.

We just did 57 for the first time instead of 65. We also got the GPS telling us it would be 30 mins longer but overall I think it was a quicker, better route with less trucks, traffic, and construction. I think this might be our new regular route after 6 trips.

 

[remlover]

I think I'm being sold on the I-57 idea more and more. From my experience it is not busy. Especially once you get past Kankakee, IL. My only concern are the speed traps on 57. I got hit with a ticket (7 over) way down. I'm not sure if its before the I24 cut-off or further south going towards the border. Heck, I have even see a Corvette as a police squad car.

Do you guys and gals keep to the speed limit or a few over? I try to keep up with traffic, but when you are alone sometimes it's hard to hide.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I typically set my cruise 2-3 MPH over the limit. Much more than that & I start worrying & who needs the stress when you're on vacation?

 

[Lizzybean]

I think I'm being sold on the I-57 idea more and more. From my experience it is not busy. Especially once you get past Kankakee, IL. My only concern are the speed traps on 57. I got hit with a ticket (7 over) way down. I'm not sure if its before the I24 cut-off or further south going towards the border. Heck, I have even see a Corvette as a police squad car.

Do you guys and gals keep to the speed limit or a few over? I try to keep up with traffic, but when you are alone sometimes it's hard to hide.

There was one CRAZY speed trap about an hour north of Champaign. I can't remember the towns, maybe just before Rantoul? We counted 9 state troopers, 7 of whom had people pulled over. It was about a 5 mile stretch and I don't think we saw more than 2 cops the rest of the entire trip! We absolutely slowed down through there (funny thing was right before that area DH was getting irritated at all the people going about 60 and then we saw why!) but we picked the speed back up after that. One of my BFFs is a state trooper and when she used to be on patrol on the roads she said she almost never pulled anyone for doing 10 or less over, especially in inclement weather. She says 7 is usually the magic number.

I'm sold on 57 going forward. I hate all of the semis and construction on 65. It just seemed 57 was quicker and safer. Plus no tolls getting there unlike 65. That helped too.

 

[your friend]

Where are the speed traps on I95 south between Philly and Orlando?

 

[edbo77]

Where are the speed traps on I95 south between Philly and Orlando?

Virginia is by far the worst in my opinion. It is not uncommon for me to see more VA state troopers set up that in all the other states combined and I'm coming down from MA.

I'm actually making the drive down on Thursday, I will let you know if this still holds true.

 

[Indy Denise]

Do you really save a lot of time going down I-57? I have never traveled on I-65 through Indianapolis or Lousiville. Looking at the times, I'd probably be hitting Indy by 5pm. A lot of traffic their?

Speaking of Mt. Vernon, Seems that is the stop I always make for gas. I always forget how long Illinois is from the tip to the bottom.

It's bad! Very bad. It moves, but very slow. This route takes you through the downtown area so there is a lot of cars entering the highway....but I do have to say accidents are not the norm. There are also a lot of semis during this time too.

Also as you are nearing Indy keep to the speed limit. It seems to me that you will get pulled over especially if you have out of state plates. If you are local they often overlook things.

There are a TON over unmarked police cars and trucks...Chargers, Mustangs, and white generic pick ups with an Indy state seal on them...as well as vehicles picked up from drug busts ..so you just never know when you will get pulled over for speeding..

 

[stevil73]

Looking for some tips from all the experienced drivers from Southern NH or MA. Family of 5 (3 preschoolers) planning to drive on Easter weekend. The plan is to leave southern NH on Saturday, March 30 around 6:30pm, hoping to get alot of the drive in while the kids sleep. Since we are driving at night, I was planning on this route: 495/MA Pike/84/684/Tappan Zee/GS Pkwy/NJ Tpke/95. Plan on stopping somewhere in the Carolinas, maybe GA if everything is going ok, then onto WDW the next morning. Since its a holiday weekend, any chance of hitting any holiday traffic? Does this route seem reasonable? Thanks

 

[Bearadise]

I typically set my cruise 2-3 MPH over the limit. Much more than that & I start worrying & who needs the stress when you're on vacation?

Same-same here! I like my cruise control for just that reason. I set it and stay in the middle/middle-right lanes. Let the slower people stay behind me or to the right of me, let the speeders pass me on the left. We plan to leave with enough time ahead of us, so that barring any unforeseen circumstances, we make it to WDW on time.

I plan on giving my money to the mouse!

_

 

[pepe of ohio]

Cruise control is a wonderful thing....like stated, couple miles over speed limit and forget it, let the crazy ignorant people pass all they want..... I never have to look at my speedometer when seeing a police vehicle since I'm never speeding!!

 

[Bearadise]

Where are the speed traps on I95 south between Philly and Orlando?

Virginia is by far the worst in my opinion. It is not uncommon for me to see more VA state troopers set up that in all the other states combined and I'm coming down from MA.

I'm actually making the drive down on Thursday, I will let you know if this still holds true.

Yes please, let us know what you see regarding speed traps. The family and I are heading down the third week in February and forewarned is forearmed!

_

 

[Disneyholic]

Cruise control is a wonderful thing....like stated, couple miles over speed limit and forget it, let the crazy ignorant people pass all they want..... I never have to look at my speedometer when seeing a police vehicle since I'm never speeding!!

Just a warning about cruise control. It's not good on wet & slippery roads and if you are sleepy. If you fall asleep the car just keeps on going. If wet or slippery it can cause hydroplaning and hitting the brakes can cause further loss of control.

Saw an accident one time on the way down where the car left the road & plowed through a line of trees before a tree went through the drivers side windshield. Hopefully he fell over to the side when he dozed off. For how far the car went through the trees it looked like he probably had cruise control on & the car kept going at 65+ mph.

 

[happily single]

Looking for some tips from all the experienced drivers from Southern NH or MA. Family of 5 (3 preschoolers) planning to drive on Easter weekend. The plan is to leave southern NH on Saturday, March 30 around 6:30pm, hoping to get alot of the drive in while the kids sleep. Since we are driving at night, I was planning on this route: 495/MA Pike/84/684/Tappan Zee/GS Pkwy/NJ Tpke/95. Plan on stopping somewhere in the Carolinas, maybe GA if everything is going ok, then onto WDW the next morning. Since its a holiday weekend, any chance of hitting any holiday traffic? Does this route seem reasonable? Thanks

I can't help with the route, but if you were to leave at 6:30 p.m. (from Concord, NH) you would arrive in South Carolina approximately 15 hours later, which would be early in the day Sunday. Would you be able to sleep in the hotel while the little ones are wide awake? I've thought about driving at night to help with the kids (sleeping), but then when I would need to sleep the kids would be wide awake

 

[DSLRuser]

Cruise control is a wonderful thing.....

, let the crazy ignorant people pass all they want..... !!

Personally, I don't like cruise controll. Makes me feal "disconnected" to the car / drive. i lose focus. Having to monitor my speed and foot position keeps me mentally aware.

why are people crazy and or ignorant because they drive faster than you?

Our highway systems speed limits are products of the 70's and 80's. todays cars and todays highways are capable of supporting much greater speeds in many areas. My set speed is based on many factors.

1- the speed limit for the road
2- the traffic in my area
3 - weather
4- highway condition
5 - terrain

I am no mario andretti, but routinely drive between 10-15 miles over a posted 65mph speed limit. 15mph extra over 15 hours can save close to 3 hours off a long trip.

 

[DSLRuser]

I set it and stay in the middle/middle-right lanes. Let the slower people stay behind me or to the right of me, let the speeders pass me on the left.

_

THANK YOU! If everyone in our country would follow these simple rules, our highways would be much safer.

Simple....KEEP RIGHT, EXCEPT TO PASS

Check your mirrors people. If you are not in the right lane and someone moves up on your bumper, pull right and let faster traffic pass. i dont care if you are doing 80mph. if the ther guy wants to do 85mph, let him pass.

Nothing peeves me more than people so high and mighty that they want to be personal speed limit enforement cops by driving what they think is the safest speed possible in the left lane.

Simple....KEEP RIGHT, EXCEPT TO PASS


Even when i am doing 75 or 80, i drive as much as possible in the right lane, moving over to pass on the left, but imediatly moving back to the right.

 

[PlumDragon]

Coming from extreme Northern Illinois (Wisconsin is only 2 miles from location), I was considering stopping half-way, or at least when we got to Atlanta (12 hours). But the more and more I thought about it and talking to my brother who drives straight through, it seemed it would be more practical not to stop when we leave in late March.

I'll probably be taking I-65 to 75. I can't stand I-57 in Illinois. It is so boring to drive I want to pull my hair out. I'm planning on leaving @ 1pm, that would get us to Disney by 10am-ish. I work 3rd shift, so driving and being up at night is no big deal.

We took this route last year (end of March). Do you have two drivers? If not, I would recommend stopping. I had planned to drive straight through, but was exhausted by the time we got to Georgia. Of course, we hit some pretty bad weather that slowed use down, so that might be why. Better safe than sorry, though, IMO.

I know people are recommending 57, but we took 65 and had no issues either direction.

 

[Bearadise]

Just a warning about cruise control. It's not good on wet & slippery roads and if you are sleepy. If you fall asleep the car just keeps on going. If wet or slippery it can cause hydroplaning and hitting the brakes can cause further loss of control.

Good advise. Here in New England when Ole' Man Winter dumps a load on the highways, we drive the old fashioned way, gas and brake pedals.

As for falling asleep at the wheel, yea, cruise control is kind of like an automatic pilot in an aircraft. You have to be the one to take off and land the plane. Cruise control will just keep the vehicle at speed, one still has to steer the car. In our case, we have three adult drivers. One will drive, one will be front seat navigator and the third will "sleep" till it's time to swap around.

-

 

[nono]

I am no mario andretti, but routinely drive between 10-15 miles over a posted 65mph speed limit. 15mph extra over 15 hours can save close to 3 hours off a long trip.

You would make a good New Jerseyian. If we go only +5 around here, we're stopped for suspicious behavior.

 

[stevil73]

I can't help with the route, but if you were to leave at 6:30 p.m. (from Concord, NH) you would arrive in South Carolina approximately 15 hours later, which would be early in the day Sunday. Would you be able to sleep in the hotel while the little ones are wide awake? I've thought about driving at night to help with the kids (sleeping), but then when I would need to sleep the kids would be wide awake

The plan is the have DW (if she can sleep in the car) occupy the kids for a few hours during the day so I can catch a decent nap. On paper, this plan is great, I guess we will see how it plays out in real life.