For those folks driving!

[Karenj2]

I'm sure this has been asked before (after 120 pages), but here's my question...

We've got two families (each with 2 adults, 1 child just under 2yo). We're thinking of renting a minivan (or SUV) and driving down to camp at Ft. Wilderness in March 2012. We (together) haven't gone on a road trip before - DH, DD, and I traveled in Sweden when DD was 1yo), but our max drive time was usually about 5 hours during the daytime. (During which the last

On the way down, we're thinking of leaving between 6-8pm, and driving through the night. The way back, we'll probably split our trip over two days - figuring we'll be tired at that point.

1) Are we crazy? DH and I are used to flying - but with the camping gear, we figured it'd be easier to drive.

2) I was thinking that it'd be cheaper/nicer to get a 2br suite on the way back home - are there any you'd recommend on I-95 in North or South Carolina?

3) I saw an earlier post requesting a playground list off of I-95, but didn't see any answers to that question - if there is one, can I get a link?

4) Any recommendations on how to entertain two almost two year olds? Do you think they'll actually sleep in the car through morning?

5) I personally don't sleep well in the car - I always end up staying awake. What shift of the driving would you recommend I do?

[Jrabbit910]

heading down to WDW tomorrow night! SUPER EXCITED & NERVOUS! Never did a long road trip w/ the kids.. hopefully all goes well and to everyone else that is taking a road trip!!!

[aholmesy44]

I am driving the family to WDW in November from Philadelphia any tips would be greatly appreciated

[loveysbydesign]

We are driving for the 2nd time from the allentown, PA area and I just wanted to mention to those of you with long drives to check out this thread!http://www.disboards.com/showthread....07731&page=252

[byejou]

OK I have a really silly question.......We are driving down with our camper from NJ for 1st time and plan to take 95 straight through however I know you can not take tunnels with propane tanks which we do have connect to camper. Has anyone needed to detour away from tunneled highways? If so, what do u do?

[hushupu]

Originally Posted by byejou

OK I have a really silly question.......We are driving down with our camper from NJ for 1st time and plan to take 95 straight through however I know you can not take tunnels with propane tanks which we do have connect to camper. Has anyone needed to detour away from tunneled highways? If so, what do u do?

I believe the only tunnel between you and Disney is the one in Baltimore. Take the 695 around the west side of Baltimore and you will be all set only adds 4 or 5 mile to the whole trip and you save on the toll.

[Octoberbride03]

Originally Posted by hushupu

I believe the only tunnel between you and Disney is the one in Baltimore. Take the 695 around the west side of Baltimore and you will be all set only adds 4 or 5 mile to the whole trip and you save on the toll.

Actually, if he goes over to DE and down to 13 then that'll take him down the Eastern Shore and across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. DH & I go over that 1 ALL the time, and campers use it like crazy. Only time there is a propane restriction is during a high wind/weather event. There is a toll but I think the headaches saved from going around DC is more than worth it.

[uganda]

Hi dude, we are travelling in the vehicles drive to careful. It is useful for you and yours, I have to plan the travel in all times specifically in night duration.

[italiamom]

Hi,
we will be driving in 14 days from a suburb of Chgo., to Disney, 1st time....
Folks on this board suggested we drive until we get to Valdosta, Ga. But, i don't know for sure if we can drive that long without stopping for the nite. Can't we just find a nice hotel whenever we want and book a room at that moment? If we decide to stop in another city or state, we will have to pay for the reservation even if we cancel, within 24 hrs. of arrival Help...

[Rhody73]

Originally Posted by Luvamouse

We are in southern Rhode Island and greatly prefer to avoid 95. We catch 84W to 81S. We then take 77 in southern Virginia to Rte 26 in Columbia, SC, then onto 95 from there. Easy, fast, beautiful drive. Traffic a non-issue basically. About 100 miles longer for us, but worth the trade off avoiding the cities. We used to wing it on the hotels, now we know how far we'll get and book a hotel (with a 6 p.m. same day cancellation) where we want to be. Alternatively, look for a few of the chains you like, and get numbers for their locations along your route, covering a 200 mile range or so. I really like to know the cities we'll stop in as their have a been a couple of random stops we really wish we hadn't made 14 hours is the limit we now have, having done the non-stop drives. They simply weren't worth it to us in the long run. Good luck! Have fun! A little planning goes a long way, you won't regret it.

Try Google Maps. Punch in your route, punch in where you'd LIKE to be on the first night. It'll give you an idea of time usually going the posted limit. You also have the ability to drag the route to another highway. You can probably make it to Charlotte, NC in 14 hours, depending on the number of stops, with this route. Charlotte to WDW is 550 miles- about 9-10 hours. Been there, done that...many times

We drive to Florida every January. Here is another alternative that eliminates most of 95 aggrevation. We leave RI and take 95-287-Garden State-NJ Thruway. We then hop off 95 in Delaware and take 301 South aound Middletown. About 30 minutes longer but a pretty easy ride. We connect back on 95 south of Frederickburg. We avoid NY City, Baltimore and DC. Leaving RI at 7am we hit NC border aound 6pm w plenty of brief pit stops and usually a quick lunch around Delaware. We have driven home your route. It is also good( not sure how it is in winter) but is tough on a rainy day w the large number of trucks that take that route.

[Rhody73]

Originally Posted by louey

Coming home though more like 17ish ugh traffic near DC , GPS lady took us 295 to Rt 301 then a rain storm... too many lights that way Safe travels

I used to go 95 both north and south. On 3 occasions I hit 45-90 minute delays in DC area both in AM and PM. I now go 301( Delaware-Fredericksburg) w the lights after hearing from posters on this site. I think it is 30-45 minutes longer but no hassles the 5 or 6 times we have taken it.

[joednt]

We are on our second trip to WDW in three years. We also drove to Port Canaveral last year to cruise on the Disney Magic. We are coming from Texas.

Every year when we get ready to make the trip, we take our mini-van into the mechanic and tell them to "check it over becasue we're going on a long trip." I trust this shop but I also believe they might be "finding" things that might not really need to be fixed or changed out. This van prep usually costs us about $500 and we would like to save a little money this year.

Do you have any suggestions on what else to get done besides: oil change, tire rotation, tire balance, and alignment?

Thanks!

[Rhody73]

Check belts and hoses for wear.

[imscoochy]

First time driving! Does anybody know any friendly dog stops/ hotels. also any tips would be well appreciated. Thanks Mitch

[nono]

Originally Posted by imscoochy

First time driving! Does anybody know any friendly dog stops/ hotels. also any tips would be well appreciated. Thanks Mitch

All the rest stops along our route, I95, have dog walking areas. Here's a place to check out pet-friendly lodging:

http://www.bringfido.com/

HTH!