Any New Englanders drive to WDW?

[binkyj826]

I am from MA and contiplating driving to WDW next year. I am trying to get an idea on how long it took and about how much $ in gas you may have used? I understand that different cars use different amount of gas....we are planning on renting a car so If you could tell me what you were driving I would appreciate it.
Thank you!

--Tammie

 

[dznyntnh]

The last time I drove it was about 7 years ago. I drive from Concord, NH and I usually take 2.5 days. I only drive if I really have the time to do at my own pace and not try to push the whole way through at once.

It used to take me about 10 hours to get to my first stop (Fredericksburg, VA) and about 12-13 hours to get to Kingsland, GA (last stop before Florida) and then about 3-4 hours to get to wdw.

I honestly don't remember how much gas cost me at the time. I know I had it down to a science where I had to stop between home and VA (I went to school in Fredericksburg, so I can do that drive in my sleep).

Once you get on 95, especially VA, NC, SC and GA, it is straight, flat and boring. I tend to stop every couple of hours, because it makes me very drowsy. But all in all, I enjoy the drive when I have the time to do it.

 

[Lorix2]

We've driven 2x from Manchester NH.

As dsnynthh said, it's about 2 days.

We leave and drive for about 10-12 hours getting us into VA, overnight and drive an additional 8 or so to Jacksonville, FL or drive right thru to Orlando. It's taken about 21-23 hours total.

We've driven our Expedition both times and in 2002, we spent $240.00 in gas. This past trip in April 2003, we spent about $280.00. Tolls add up to about $15.00 each way or possibly a bit more if I remember correctly.

We take 95 also and stop frequently to stretch/bathroom breaks, etc. Dress for comfort for you/children. My kids loved having their pillows and blankets with them too.

 

[binkyj826]

Thank you for all of the information! It is definitly NOT sounding bad to drive (I am trying to convince the hubby!)

--Tammie

 

[Michelemouse]

We always drive. Always. We are in Northeastern CT and it takes us 20 hours door-to-door. We usually drive straight through on the way down (leave at 2am...arrive at WDW at 10pm) and stop overnight on the way home. Our kids are really great in the car and bring books/music/etc. to entertain themselves.

We usually spend about $100 each way for gas. We drive a minivan that gets about 24 miles to the gallon.

If you would like any specific information about routes, drive times, etc. feel free to PM me.

 

[nativetxn]

I'm going to move this to our community board for you.

 

[CamColt]

We drive from Woburn MA and it takes just under 24 hours straight through.

 

[TINKTWINS]

We will be driving down on August 3rd! We drove down in April for the first time. It just really wasnt all that bad, and the money we save on airfare and a rental, ( we used our car) just really makes it well worth it. We are also AP holders so DH is much more willing to go more often. We topped off the tank every time we stopped to go the bathroom, so we were never below half tank. I think we only spent a few hundred dollars on gas. We wasted time when we stopped to eat plus all the potty breaks, so this time we are bringing more food instead of just snacks and drinks. On both the trip down and back we hit crazy traffic so we want to save as much time as possible. This time we are going to try to get to North Carolina instead of Virginia. I did all the driving with the exception of the last couple of hours getting to Mass. I just couldnt keep my eyes open any more. But like I said, we got stuck in holiday traffic and a few accidents( not ours). But im willing to do it again!!

 

[mtemm]

make sure you check with your rental company that they allow you to take the car to florida and back. For some reason I remember renting with a company that wouldn't allow us to leave the state, or possibly the New England area. Can't remember exactly. Double check, at least.

 

[Jenzebelle]

I've driven at least 10miles from Attleboro, MA (just off 95 ) to Tampa.
It's 1300 miles and takes about 23hrs to get there, but that's just an average. Depending on construction (there's a lot on 95), traffic (usually backed up on the tolls), and stopping to eat/stretch legs - it can take more or less time.

As far as gas goes, the last time I went I drove a Firebird and it cost me about $80 in gas and $20 in tolls each way - so $160 and $40 total.

I would check with your rental company before renting a car. I had a rental for a month and could only drive in Southern New England.
Also make sure to bring lots of cd's and things to do in the car. It's a long drive!

 

[wdwnutze]

We are thinking about this drive too. We would also be renting a car for the drive down. There are many co. that will let you go out of state with the car(we rented to drive to VA last year). The other thing we have been thinking about is taking amtrak. It is about 28hrs(we would have to stop overnight if we drove) and only about $125 pp roundtrip. I'm thinking that it will be a lot less sressful on me(since I would do the majority of the driving) and the cost would just about break even(there are 4 of us)or maybe be a little cheaper(wouldn't have to have 2nts extra hotel). We are in the process of looking into this seriously now.

 

[binkyj826]

Thanks for all of the great ideas

Wdwnutze - I didn't even think of amtrack! For that cost ($125) what state was that leaving out of?

--Tammie

 

[wdwnutze]

That was leaving out of South Station in Boston. I really think it's the way we're going to go and then we'll rent a car down there.