1st Time driving to WDW

[RevKjb]

Hi. We're driving to WDW in April 2016 after dozens of times flying! Any tips for leaving Hamilton, ON to get to "the world"? Ways to avoid? What would you recommend for time?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, eh?!

 

[migel]

We're almost neighbours, we're in Grimsby. July 2014 was my first driving trek to Disney, since then we've done the trek two more times (not including when our fight home from Orlando was cancelled in August and I rented a car and drove straight through the night).
There's only 3 of us and I do all the driving. Our usual routine is to leave by 3-4 am. With minimal stops for gas/washroom/food, we make it to Columbia South Carolina by about 5 pm. This makes Day 1 the heavier driving day. We always take the I79 77 26 95 route, it's the most direct, and other than an occasional slow down (usually entering CHarlotte NC, the I26 depending on the time of day, and the I4 approaching Orlando), it's a good go. Also, a good portion of the drive is 70 mph speed limit, makes for good time. For winter months however, there are safer routes to avoid poor driving conditions. We stay in Columbia SC, lots of decent hotels right off the highway.

Day 2 is another early rise, we're usually on the road before 5 am (helps to beat any slowdown on the I26, the first leg is still under construction). Day 2 drive is usually less than 7 hours, so we are at our condo, generally before 1pm. The I4 is under construction, and the closer to Orlando, the more bogged down it gets. Consider taking the 417 toll road at Sanford, it will cost you about 3-4 tolls, but may be worth it. We have a sunpass now, so it's convenient for us.

Watch your speeds, especially in the Virginia's and Carolinas. If you take the route we've taken, there is about an hour section called the Mountaineering Hwy, that has stop lights and the speed limit fluctuates continually from 50 mph, to 60, etc. Lots of troopers around

For the trip home, we leave around 6 am and drive to West Virginia, I think we stayed in Summersville. This makes day 1 the long trek.

Next March Break we may do the drive straight through, although it takes a full day of recuperation afterwards. Good luck!

 

[dancin Disney style]

If you do a search of this forum you will find a few good/long threads about the drive.

The PP's info is pretty much how we do it(from Oakville) but we leave home around 2:30am and drive until approx. 9pm. That usually leaves us 3-4 hours for the second day which also gives us the opportunity to sleep a little late if we wish.

 

[RevKjb]

We're almost neighbours, we're in Grimsby. July 2014 was my first driving trek to Disney, since then we've done the trek two more times (not including when our fight home from Orlando was cancelled in August and I rented a car and drove straight through the night).
There's only 3 of us and I do all the driving. Our usual routine is to leave by 3-4 am. With minimal stops for gas/washroom/food, we make it to Columbia South Carolina by about 5 pm. This makes Day 1 the heavier driving day. We always take the I79 77 26 95 route, it's the most direct, and other than an occasional slow down (usually entering CHarlotte NC, the I26 depending on the time of day, and the I4 approaching Orlando), it's a good go. Also, a good portion of the drive is 70 mph speed limit, makes for good time. For winter months however, there are safer routes to avoid poor driving conditions. We stay in Columbia SC, lots of decent hotels right off the highway.

Day 2 is another early rise, we're usually on the road before 5 am (helps to beat any slowdown on the I26, the first leg is still under construction). Day 2 drive is usually less than 7 hours, so we are at our condo, generally before 1pm. The I4 is under construction, and the closer to Orlando, the more bogged down it gets. Consider taking the 417 toll road at Sanford, it will cost you about 3-4 tolls, but may be worth it. We have a sunpass now, so it's convenient for us.

Watch your speeds, especially in the Virginia's and Carolinas. If you take the route we've taken, there is about an hour section called the Mountaineering Hwy, that has stop lights and the speed limit fluctuates continually from 50 mph, to 60, etc. Lots of troopers around

For the trip home, we leave around 6 am and drive to West Virginia, I think we stayed in Summersville. This makes day 1 the long trek.

Next March Break we may do the drive straight through, although it takes a full day of recuperation afterwards. Good luck![/QUOTE

Thanks for the details! Very helpful!