Any Drivers from Long Island Here?(or any where in the Northeast)

[MickyLynn]

We had a Saturday check-in last time, and were picking someone up in Harrisburg. We left eastern Suffolk Friday after work, then left PA at 5 am Saturday (breezed through DC around 8 am) and arrived in Orlando around 10. If not going to central PA, we probably could have made it to at least Delaware on Friday night, then gone straight through.

Our return trip- we left around 3 pm, stopped for dinner, and made it to Quantico around 3 am. Left at 8 am, got to Mt. Kisco around noon, home by 3.

Crazy? No. That said, we've also driven straight through to NOLA, leaving JFK at 9:30 am Thursday, arriving at 6:30 am Friday. So maybe I'm not the internet stranger to take advice from. (2 am to 4 am, I find, is rough. It is so hard to stay awake in that span. )

 

[iheartglaciers]

I drove solo from Westchester in February. I always fly, but didn't want to because of the pandemic. Since I was driving alone, I broke up the trip and only drove in 5-7 hour segments per day during the daytime, which means I made two overnights on the way there. But I also stopped at Hilton Head Island for a week on the way down.

I thought about whether the risk was higher flying during the pandemic versus driving for 16+ hours per way. And I originally decided flying was less risky. But then ultimately I settled on driving shorter segments and only in the daylight hours to make it safer (plus it became part of a larger road trip). But it all depends if you have the time to do it.

Definitely don't think you're crazy! The drive was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I loved the freedom of having my own car.

 

[Travel60]

Just a mention of the auto train.

Drive from LI to southern DC suburbs arriving by 1:00 pm or so. Train leaves DC about 4:00 pm, arrives Sanford, FL (just north of Orlando) by 8:00 am or so. You can get regular train seats, a roomette, or a room with bathroom. If you are in a roomette or room you get dinner and breakfast. Going north, times are pretty much the same.

We do that one way most years and meander visiting friends the other way.

 

[iheartglaciers]

Just a mention of the auto train.

Drive from LI to southern DC suburbs arriving by 1:00 pm or so. Train leaves DC about 4:00 pm, arrives Sanford, FL (just north of Orlando) by 8:00 am or so. You can get regular train seats, a roomette, or a room with bathroom. If you are in a roomette or room you get dinner and breakfast. Going north, times are pretty much the same.

We do that one way most years and meander visiting friends the other way.

Interesting option! Approximately how much does it cost?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Thinking of driving in and looking for some recommendations for the drive there and back.
1. What time do you leave home?
2. Do you drive straight through or make a stop If you stop overnight where?
3. What time do you leave WDW for your return home?
4. Do you drive straight through or make a stop If you stop overnight where?
5. Do you think it is safe to drive?
6. Do you think I am crazy?

I understand that these answers will be based on your experience and everyone has a different feel for it. Just looking to hear about everyone's experience.

We drive from Georgia to NJ about twice a year. It's a 17 hour plus drive. We leave early in am, usually around 6 a.m. You do not want to be anywhere near Atlanta during traffic hours. We always have an overnight stay. We pack on overnight bag so we're not lugging all the suitcases. Usually stop in VA area for hotel. Yes, it's safe to drive. For those trips, we make sure vehicle is checked out first...oil change, tires checked, etc. We do not drive well into the night or during the night. No, you're not crazy. We drive from GA to WDW for all our trips now (not originally from GA). According to google maps it's supposed to take about 7 hours. We've been driving it for 5 years now and it has always taken us longer than 7 hours. Not because we're stopping every hour, it's because of traffic and construction. As I mentioned about driving from GA to NJ, you don't want to be anywhere near Atlanta during peak traffic hours. It's even bad during regular hours. It really is that bad. We lived in California for many years before moving to GA. Drove to DL many times. Atlanta traffic is worse than LA/Anaheim traffic. I didn't think that was possible.

 

[Travel60]

Interesting option! Approximately how much does it cost?

It depends on season...December/January going south and March/April going north most expensive. You pay for car then per person depending on accomodation you choose. Go to Amtrak Auto-train.

 

[wmcyip]

We drive from NYC crossing the VZ then via I95. We also travel wIth two young children.

1. What time do you leave home?
Goal is by 7am, generally on Saturdays, though we have left on other days as well.

2. Do you drive straight through or make a stop If you stop overnight where?
We stop and stay overnight in NC. Hard to drive straight and farther with the youngsters. Traffic
plays a significant role in the drive, we have arrived at our hotel as early as 5pm and as late as 9pm. We tend to book a hotel for the night so there is an end point to our day and it is nice to have a bed and shower after a long long day in the car.

3. What time do you leave WDW for your return home?
Goal by 8am

4. Do you drive straight through or make a stop If you stop overnight where?
Same as going down to FL, though we tend to arrive earlier in NC because there is less traffic.

5. Do you think it is safe to drive?
We feel safe driving, though you must remain vigilant as we have encountered situations that are scary, which stems from drivers, and storms. Always take your time and never rush.

6. Do you think I am crazy?
Not at all as it is personal preference. You should also check Transportation board, lot of discussions about driving to/from there.

 

[mac_tlc]

Interesting option! Approximately how much does it cost?

A lot more than it used to! We won’t do the auto train without getting a sleeping compartment. Priced a round trip in August, with a bedroom, and with a minivan and it was $1700 for two.
They now charge more for “extended vehicles” like minivans, 3 row SUVs etc.

For us, at the right price it’s a good option. Unfortunately we still have the worst part of the drive anyway, getting to/from CT to VA.

mac_tlc