"For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only!" (Part V)

[BVC4us]

We too, are about to drive again. We are driving from Massachusetts . We will try the other route this time...78-81-77-26. We are trying to get to Orangeburg, SC. I know someone mentioned that the hotel they stayed in was terrible but does anyone know if the area is okay? Are there a lot of hotels around there? Thanks...I'm excited but getting anxious about the drive.

 

[Simba's Girl]

BCV-are you picking up 81 past NYC? When we drive down from MA, we take the Tappan-Zee and route around the skirts of NYC norther NJ. It is easy to pick up I80-I81 from there and head south on what we call the "western" route avoiding most of I95.I will note that I have heard that there is construction on that bridge, so YMMV. Very pretty drive.

 

[deedisneydream97]

We too, are about to drive again. We are driving from Massachusetts . We will try the other route this time...78-81-77-26. We are trying to get to Orangeburg, SC. I know someone mentioned that the hotel they stayed in was terrible but does anyone know if the area is okay? Are there a lot of hotels around there? Thanks...I'm excited but getting anxious about the drive.

Do you have AAA? When you map out a trip, it will show you all the hotels in the area. I don't know anything about Orangeburg. I would imagine it is no better or any worse than any other I-95 stop over. I know that I prefer hotels that have interior hallways and not exterior doors.

BCV-are you picking up 81 past NYC? When we drive down from MA, we take the Tappan-Zee and route around the skirts of NYC norther NJ. It is easy to pick up I80-I81 from there and head south on what we call the "western" route avoiding most of I95.I will note that I have heard that there is construction on that bridge, so YMMV. Very pretty drive.

The Tappan Zee construction should not impact much. They are building an entirely new span, and so far (as of last month anyway) all construction seems to be taking place along side the existing bridge. Also, you don't have to take 80 all the way to 81 in Penn. You can get on 33 south in the Stroudsburg, PA area from 80 and that hooks in to 78 in the Lehigh Valley area and then that hooks in to 81. There is a little rush hour stuff that goes on, but nothing like the NYC or DC area.

Will be doing the drive also this summer, but we are in NJ, so will be driving down as far as Brunswick, GA.

 

[pwdebbie]

We too, are about to drive again. We are driving from Massachusetts . We will try the other route this time...78-81-77-26. We are trying to get to Orangeburg, SC. I know someone mentioned that the hotel they stayed in was terrible but does anyone know if the area is okay? Are there a lot of hotels around there? Thanks...I'm excited but getting anxious about the drive.

That was me. Do NOT stay at the Southern Lodge. Sleep Inn was great and there are several other chains at that exit. It used to be just hotels, gas station or two, and a few little quick restaurants. I was surprised at the growth in this area in the last few years. Totally safe feeling area, just choose a well-known chain.

 

[pwdebbie]

Ok someone - How do I get from Disney property to 417? I don't see a single sign for 417 on our bus travels to the parks. Heading north first thing Friday morning.

 

[deedisneydream97]

I think it is also known as something else...like the Greenway or Florida's turnpike? What resort or park will you be coming from? It looks like you can pick it up by the Osceloa Parkway which is the roadway that feeds off into Victory Way (pop, AoA) and the Blizzard Beach area.

 

[minnie mum]

Ok someone - How do I get from Disney property to 417? I don't see a single sign for 417 on our bus travels to the parks. Heading north first thing Friday morning.

Couldn't be easier. Depending on which resort you're staying at, Irlo Bronson/192, Osceola Parkway, and Epcot Center Drive/536 all intersect with the 417. We used it when we left for home during morning rush hour and judging by the radio traffic reports, we saved beaucoup time. Have a safe trip home.

 

[scrappinmom]

I'm actually excited to drive from Crystal lake, Il (about 60 miles north of Chicago) to WDW. It's our first real (longer than 3 days) trip since 2011...We're staying 10 nights...Leaving 6/25 - driving past Atlanta (about 12 hrs) then stopping for the night, driving the next morning to WDW - Goal is to hit Coronado by 3pm on Friday the 26th! It's just my 2 girls (20 &15) and I. We are celebrating one dd's 21st birthday while we are there!

Thanks for all the tips & comments - I've spent nearly all morning reading them....time to get to work!

 

[Cheerio]

We too, are about to drive again. We are driving from Massachusetts . We will try the other route this time...78-81-77-26. We are trying to get to Orangeburg, SC. I know someone mentioned that the hotel they stayed in was terrible but does anyone know if the area is okay? Are there a lot of hotels around there? Thanks...I'm excited but getting anxious about the drive.

We have Country Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn in Orangeburg recommended to us. We'll be staying at one of them when we drive down in Feb There's lots of hotels right there to pick from.

 

[BC1836]

Awaiting a driving report from dvczerfs, a record holder on this site (see post #1 on page one), who shoud be in Lake Buena Vista by now.

All the best!

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

I'm looking for a little clarification for those of you who drive down the East coast. I've read that some people take the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, to 97, to 50, to 301, to 95 to avoid D.C.
1. Is the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel also I895? So it would be 95s to 895s to 97 (instead of getting on 295S)?
2. Is 495 also a workaround DC?

Thanks! We are traveling on a Saturday in the summer (early August), probably getting to the D.C. area around 11:00am.

 

[dvczerfs]

Hello old friends!!! DD decided on Wednesday afternoon to take Friday off so we cancelled over night reservations in Virginia and added a night at okw!! We departed the Lehigh valley at 12:35 am and hit the Florida Welcoming center 13 1/2 hours later. ( the sign did say 95 ). Lol
We took 78/81/66/17/95/4. We are taking 4/95/26/77/81/78 home. The later is about 45 min faster.
No issue but a bit of rain in Virginia. The only traffic we hit was some slow downs on i4 in Orlando. I hit Orlando at 5:00 rush hour. We spent some time with a disdad who works close to the Florida state line. We had a nice meet up again!!!
Anyway, time for bed, I've been up for 23 straight hours. Lol. We leave Monday , May 11th for home. Drive safe, keep the shinny side up!!!

 

[BC1836]

I'm looking for a little clarification for those of you who drive down the East coast. I've read that some people take the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, to 97, to 50, to 301, to 95 to avoid D.C.
1. Is the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel also I895? So it would be 95s to 895s to 97 (instead of getting on 295S)?
2. Is 495 also a workaround DC?

Thanks! We are traveling on a Saturday in the summer (early August), probably getting to the D.C. area around 11:00am.

The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ($4.00) is on I-95.

Remember: if you are near Baltimore or DC around rosh hour the

I'm looking for a little clarification for those of you who drive down the East coast. I've read that some people take the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, to 97, to 50, to 301, to 95 to avoid D.C.
1. Is the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel also I895? So it would be 95s to 895s to 97 (instead of getting on 295S)?
2. Is 495 also a workaround DC?

Thanks! We are traveling on a Saturday in the summer (early August), probably getting to the D.C. area around 11:00am.

The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ($4.00) is on I-95.

Remember: driving near Baltimore or DC around rush hour means that the corresponding beltways are equally as crowded.

Note: Traffic can be heavier on a Saturday in the summer as drivers head to DE and VA beaches. Things improve south of Richmond.

All the best.

 

[BC1836]

What form of WDW transportation makes you appreciate your personal motor vehicle: bus or monorail (we're leaving out the launches, cruisers and ferries)?

We vote: "Bus!"

All the best.

 

[amcnj]

Hello old friends!!! DD decided on Wednesday afternoon to take Friday off so we cancelled over night reservations in Virginia and added a night at okw!! We departed the Lehigh valley at 12:35 am and hit the Florida Welcoming center 13 1/2 hours later. ( the sign did say 95 ). Lol
We took 78/81/66/17/95/4. We are taking 4/95/26/77/81/78 home. The later is about 45 min faster.
No issue but a bit of rain in Virginia. The only traffic we hit was some slow downs on i4 in Orlando. I hit Orlando at 5:00 rush hour. We spent some time with a disdad who works close to the Florida state line. We had a nice meet up again!!!
Anyway, time for bed, I've been up for 23 straight hours. Lol. We leave Monday , May 11th for home. Drive safe, keep the shinny side up!!!

Enjoy your trip. Glad to hear it was pretty much a problem free ride.

 

[celebrationgamer]

Ok someone - How do I get from Disney property to 417? I don't see a single sign for 417 on our bus travels to the parks. Heading north first thing Friday morning.

In my mind, the easiest way to get to 417 from Disney Property is via the Osceola. This is the route most of the Magic Express buses take. If you're staying at Art of Animation or AKL, you're practically there already. If you're driving north in Florida, you'll connect up to the 417 by taking Florida's Turnpike straight to Orlando.

From Disney property, I tend to take World Drive to 192 (Irlo Bronson), but that's because I live a block away from the Celebration exit for 417.

417 runs up the east side of Orlando, and is a gateway for locations like Cocoa Beach, the Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Beach (although the more direct route there is the traffic-heavy I4), and, of course, MCO Airport.

 

[cranbiz]

The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ($4.00) is on I-95.

Remember: if you are near Baltimore or DC around rosh hour the


The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ($4.00) is on I-95.

Remember: driving near Baltimore or DC around rush hour means that the corresponding beltways are equally as crowded.

Note: Traffic can be heavier on a Saturday in the summer as drivers head to DE and VA beaches. Things improve south of Richmond.

All the best.

No, the Ft McHenry Tunnel is on I95. The Baltimore Harbor tunnel is I895. Both are $4.00.

Personally, I would just stay on I95 and pick up I495 around DC unless you are there during rush hour. Then all bets are off.

I have frequented the MA to FL routes and as of late, NC to MA and I always do this. Going any other route is much more trouble and has not been worth it IMHO.

 

[BC1836]

No, the Ft McHenry Tunnel is on I95. The Baltimore Harbor tunnel is I895.

After 36 drives to WDW we thought we were on I-95!

All the best!

 

[pmdeve]

What time do we need to leave Philadelphia to avoid DC rush hour?

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

No, the Ft McHenry Tunnel is on I95. The Baltimore Harbor tunnel is I895. Both are $4.00.

Personally, I would just stay on I95 and pick up I495 around DC unless you are there during rush hour. Then all bets are off.

I have frequented the MA to FL routes and as of late, NC to MA and I always do this. Going any other route is much more trouble and has not been worth it IMHO.

Thanks! I know I'm map challenged but that really threw me for a loop!