Advice: Driving Southern NJ to WDW

[DVCisME]

We are going to drive Sept. 1 with two children 8 months and 3 year old. Any advice would be appreciated. TIA!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Bring lots of DVD's because it's a LONG trip.

We live in S. Jersey, near Cherry Hill. We started around 6 am and drove straight through to Savannah - I think it took 12 hours. In hindsight, we were stupid to leave so late because we hit alot of traffic around Washington DC.

We stayed in a Comfort Inn in Savannah, then drove straight through to WDW the next day, which took about 5 hours.

Just curious...Why are you driving when it's so cost effective to fly?

 

[hobogary]

Go to www.usastar.com/i95 for lots of info on traveling including motels and food at all the exits on I 95. If you are near rush hours take 295 around Richmond and Jacksonville.

 

[deelam]

The best tip I can give you is to consider stopping and spending the night on the way. A straight drive is hard with little ones.
We have done it when my oldest was 2. We left really early, like 3AM. I thought my little guy would fall asleep, he didn't. He stayed awake for a long time. We stopped several times to strecth our legs. We stopped in Georgia and spent the night( the little guy was very cranky), but could have gone straight thru to Florida. We were really tired for our first day at Disney because of the long drive.

The hardest part was the drive home. You really are tired and the ride seems so much longer.

 

[fitzkerry]

My real advice, FLY! If you do drive just remember that the children must be secured in a car seat at all times while you are driving....this does make it harder to keep them entertained, but it could save a life...95 can be a tough road.

 

[DVCisME]

We decided to drive because the airfare was over $700. I am hoping it won't be to bad. We are planning on leaving Friday night and getting most of the driving done while the kids are sleeping.

 

[onlyme729]

I have driven it many times. Sometimes straight thru and sometimes stopping in GA, depending on how much traffic we hit. We usually leave around 9 am after the rush hours. We get to Savannah around 8pm and stop for the night. If we don't hit alot of traffic we can make it to DW in about 15 to 16 hours. It is about 14.5 hours of actual driving, if there is little traffic. Also I used to live in Philly before moving to Cinnaminson, NJ and I would take 95 all the way. I took 295 to 95 the last couple of times since I moved to NJ and hit a ton of traffic at the Delaware Memorial bridge. I would get on 95 as quick as possible.

 

[msmayor]

My kids were right around the same age when we made our first drive from NJ to WDW (We've done the drive three times and have had no problems).

One thing that may help your 3-year old get through the periodic 'crankies' that can happen is to gather some things at the Dollar Store, or some inexpensive new books. Wrap them like presents and keep them in a gym bag in the car. When your child gets a bit restless, or at pre-set times during the trip, bring out one of the surprises.

"If you can be paitent and quiet until we get to exit number XX, you'll get a surprise!"

"When we cross into North Carolina, you'll get a surprise!"

Stuff like that to give your child something to look forward too in shorter increments of time, since the arrival at WDW is just too long for them to contemplate.

I'd also suggest going to your local library and checking out books on tape along with the print version. You can then have the tape 'read' the story.

Its really not a bad drive as long as you prepare for it, and realize that children that young will NEED to stop and stretch their legs. Plan for a break every four hours or so, have a ball to toss around or something else to let the older one be active a bit. Have a cooler with drink boxes or pre-made sippy cups set up along with snacks like cut-up grapes, bananas, goldfish crackers, etc. that you can easily get to. If the 3-year old is potty trained, pack the potty in the car along with Clorox wipes to keep it clean and maybe a sheet or large towel to create some privacy. This way, you're not tied exclusively to rest stops...when your child says "I gotta go!" you can just pull over, create your 'outhouse' and avoid accidents.

As I said, we've driven three times (and flown once)...and we'd do the drive again in a heartbeat. Our last drive was in 2005, my kids were 14 and 11 at the time and they really enjoyed it. "Forced Family Time" can create some very special memories.

 

[Evil Princess]

FLY.

I'm 21 years old and I had to do it twice, once to get my car down there when I did the CP and once back.

I couldn't stand it. Longest car ride I've ever done by far. The way back my dad and I did it straight through, and it was much better. I felt trapped, I can't imagine how I would feel as a child.

Maybe I'm just spoiled and used to flying for all my other Disney trips. It was pure torture for me!

 

[bnorm27]

If airfare is only $700, it is far more cost effective to fly. When you calculate gas, tolls, a room overnight(both ways), I am certain it would work out to be more beneficial to fly. Plus, you cannot put a cost on your family being well rested, and not cranky by opting for a 2.5 hour plane ride vs. a 17-18 hour drive (without traffic). We made this decision last September with my kids who were 2.5 and 4.5. It was definitely better to fly.

 

[bnorm27]

I forgot to add the cost of food for that little trip too! Plus, with ME, you don't even have to worry about getting from the airport to WDW either!

 

[dsnymomof4]

I have to agree with everyone else - flying is definitely better. We've done the drive twice and it is very long. We spent about $300 in gas/tolls in August. If you do decide to drive however, I would try to drive during the time when your children would normally be sleeping - especially with an 8-month-old. We've done the overnight drive and it worked out fine with taking turns driving. The kids slepts through 70% of the drive and the rest they watched DVDs. Good luck!

 

[drewc]

If you are willing and able to drive overnight, you can limit your children's waking time stuck in the car to a more reasonable 5 or 6 hours. That's about the same time (probably less these days) than they would be spending flying (getting to and from the airport, hanging around the airport, flight time, etc.).

For those who need to travel during school breaks, driving is much more economical, especially when you don't stop at a hotel for the night (and especially if you would be renting a car when flying). If you can fly at more "off" times, it can be much more reasonable to fly, and the cost/benefit becomes attractive.

It all depends on your tolerances, and your family's tolerances for the trip. We've done both ways, and there are pros and cons to both. So far, we've found the drive to be pretty manageable, and definitely cheaper for our family of 5.

 

[riaesq]

Chances are you can get cheaper flights out of PHL or Atlantic City than 700. You only have to buy 3 tickets, right? You may get round trips for ~$100 each. Keep checking, especially for DINGS. Sept should be a slower travel time for NJ- FL.

We flew late August for 59$ each way, SW from PHL, and it could've been even lower if I were just a little quicker on the ball. Even parking at the airport was very reasonable and only added a small amount to the cost. (We LOVE Winner Parking!)

We keep debating driving vs flying and it just doesn't seem worth it to drive from here. We did drive home last spring- got an amazing deal on a van 1-way (if you are there mid-late April be sure to ask about the drive-out specials!)- but only because we really wanted to visit Savannah and Charleston. It's a loooong drive, even with stopping for the night. And btw, we had a hard time trying to find a hotel! The first few we tried were were booked solid. We finally found one around 3 am and they were adamant about adhering to check out time. Exhausting. So be sure to have a res somewhere if you do drive.