Advice About Driving from Richmond, VA / Raleigh, NC to WDW

[virge]

We're throwing around the idea of driving for our 2nd trip to WDW. My husband suggested we break up the drive w/ the bulk of the drive on day 1 & a short drive the next day so we can check in & enjoy a park that day. Anyone in the Richmond or Raleigh area that has a suggestion for where to break up the drive? Thanks!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Richmond VA here too!!! We haven't done the drive to WDW, I don't think I could handle it

We're flying in September but just wanted to say hey and wish you luck!!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

We're in Wilson, only about 2 hours south of you. We drive it all the time. We leave around 5:00a and arrive about 2:30-3:00 and we're checked in and in a park by 5:00 90% of the time.

It is NOT too much of a one day drive. I travel with my wife and DD9 and we stop 2-4 times for gas and a hamburger on the road and I'm never really tired when we get there.

Just something to consider.

 

[jimmytammy]

If you are driving from Richmond, its going to take about 12 hrs I think, from Raleigh, about 9. We have driven it many times from Burlington, NC and it is easily reachable in a day. If you are determined to stop, I would suggest Kingsland, GA. Its just before crossing the FL line. We have stayed at the Microtel here, its clean, free continental breakfast, around 50-60 per night. Here is my suggestion, make a ressie, when you get to Brunswick Ga, you will be about 30 mins from Kingsland. If you feel like you can go another 3.5 hrs., then cancel the ressie and drive on and make a stay in a value or pick a place just offsite. But honestly, if you can leave early in the AM, make at least 3 stops and stretch your legs and roll on. Its not a bad drive. After the the 5 plus hrs spent in and getting to the airport on top of maybe the delay, a few more hrs, and bam, you are there.

 

[abdgeek]

I agree with OP that you can do the drive in one day. My sister does it all the time(I, however, prefer to fly) and she's near Richmond. The key is to leave in the early AM and then you're there by the evening. As OP said, it's about 12 hours depending on how often you stop. I remember my parents doing this trip with us when we were young, and we stopped in Savannah, GA for the night. We spent some time at South of the Border, so it was evening by time we got to GA. Unless you just want to take two days getting to WDW, maybe save the money for an extra night there.

 

[kirstenb1]

We're west of Richmond, and drive to a Savannah exit called Richmond Hill. Lots of hotels there to choose from. Then the next day, it's about 5.5 hrs to WDW. On the way home, we stop in Florence SC. Again, the second day of that drive is much shorter, maybe 5-6 hrs.

 

[Robinw0506]

We live in Raleigh and when we have driven, we've done it all in one day. You do need to leave early 5:30/6, but completely doable. We have stopped just north of the FL line or gone all the way to Jacksonville.

 

[jeneric997]

We are in Raleigh and have done this drive several times. We stop south of Jacksonville. We try to come in after rush hour and then in the morning it's usually easy because everyone is headed the other way.

 

[Robert P]

We, like most, usually drive all the way in one day. But previously, we've stopped in Savannah, GA area, as well as Jacksonville, FL. It's a matter of when we leave (early a.m., mid day, or after work), as well as when we want to arrive at WDW. But for your Day 2 reference, the miles from various points to WDW are listed below:

SC/GA line (i.e. Savannah exits) = 300 miles
GA/FL line = 190 miles
The bridge in downtown Jacksonville on I-95 = 160 miles

We've tried to make it Jacksonville the last few times we stopped. That leaves just over 2 hours the next day, and even if we arrive to the hotel late, we can sleep in a bit Day 2, be behind rush hour traffic going through Orlando, and hit WDW around time for lunch.

 

[cranbiz]

I now live in Durham and drive to Orlando several times a year. It takes me just about 9 hours to arrive at WDW. I pick up I95 in Benson at the I40 interchange and go. I usually make a stop in SC (Walterboro) for food and gas, another stop in GA around Exit 3 (Kings Bay) for gas and potty and then a stop around Daytona for gas (This is in my not so fuel efficient pickup).

I'm getting older now (55 this year) but still have no problems making the drive.

 

[virge]

Thanks for all the great advice! We're confident we could do the drive in one day but my husband said he'd prefer to break it in 2 so he's ready to hit the parks w/us & not feeling "hung over" from the drive. I think I like the idea of stopping at Jacksonville or near the GA/FL line on the way down.

Or maybe we'll luck out & we'll find a pot of money & get some fantastic flight deals so we can fly again