Any one drive from NY City?

[rvchat]

considering this for the first time due to budget.

Any advice? Thanks much. Considering ALL options here.

 

[buzz2400]

Myself and ds19 just drove from bridgeport, ct in september. Took about 19 hours. Went the alternative route I think was 80 to something to something and then get back on 95 in georgia or something like that. Hated that route. Came back on 95 and preferred that since you just keep driving and you dont' have to worry about getting to the next interstate.

Anyway, it is a very long and draining drive down there so the day that you arrive, plan on doing basically nothing. I had a real bad headache for about 2 days. I did most of the driving and then had to stay awake when he drove to make sure he was going the right way.

If you have two experienced drivers driving, you will do fine because you can then sleep while other is driving.

Also if you don't have ez pass, get it. I got it for the trip and am glad.

Also we drove straight through both ways. We stopped at rest stops to sleep for a few hours.

You can get more info on driving from our area if you go to transportation forum.

 

[ziggystardust]

I've driven a few times. 2x as a kid with my parents and sister and 2x as an adult. Starting point for us is Long Island.

Whenever we went with my parents we stopped along the way. My dad's back and his patience didn't really allow for a straight thru drive. When I went myself we drove straight thru both times. One time leaving at night, the next very early in the am. I prefer to leave early b/c I feel like it takes too much out of you to go straight thru the night.

I don't consider it a bad drive at all. You are pretty much on one road once you get out of NYC until you get to Florida.

 

[gk90]

Done it twice, doing it again next year. not a difficult trip if 2 adults share the driving and take rest stops.

Also take a look at this thread on the Transport board, "for 2000+ mile drivers": http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2507731

 

[delaneyc52]

We drove exactly once from NY (hudson valley). It makes no sense. Jet Blue is about 190 round trip for each of us and much less than the gas, hassle, etc. of driving.

 

[happily single]

I drove alone with three kids last April from RI, so about 4 hours north of nyc. I would do it again if the air fare was still high. We left RI at 3:30 a.m. or so and stopped plenty. We finally stopped in Fayetville, NC for the night (we arrived there about 3:30 p.m.). I could have driven a bit more but the kids were getting ansty.

It wasn't as budget friendly as I anticipated-but I did rent a car and get a speeding ticket But the tolls added up as well as gas and the overnight lodging (budget motels-paid less than $80 each night-Motel 8 on the way there and some indepdent chain on the way home)

I brought along my laptop with internet for the road, the kids had some toys and their ds to play with. The WOULD NOT nap

 

[njcarita]

have u thought of taking amtrak??

 

[Ginamarie]

We have driven from Long Island a few times. Lately, we've been flying, but we will be a large group for our next trip to WDW and the airfare is just too much. We will be driving and camping instead, which allows us to spend two weeks in WDW.

The drive is about 20-24 hours for us in driving time. We will have three drivers to rotate, but it can be done with two drivers comfortably. DH and I drove down for our honeymoon in 2002 and I did most of the driving.

We always leave in the EARLY morning hours (ie 3-4 am) in order to avoid traffic problems. This allows for a morning breakfast/rest/pit stop in South NJ or Maryland, and gets us into the Washington DC hour between rush hours.

 

[alwaysmom]

We've driven every time (numerous) from Western NY, Southern Tier. We got it down pat. We end up taking 19 hours, give or take. It's a long drive, easy going, hard coming home. DH does all the driving, straight through, I sleep (most of the time) . I stay up the night before packing, dropping of pets, cleaning (always come home to a clean house ) & loading while DH sleeps. He gets up around 1-2 am and off we go. DS's 12 & 14, stay up late in there comfy travel clothes. DH says by 4 am we are all snoring away. He likes it that way and instead of arguing I oblige

Now this time we want to fly but the costs have to be considered. Still deciding.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

considering this for the first time due to budget.

Any advice? Thanks much. Considering ALL options here.

Advice is to get as much sleep as possible before starting. And, you may wish to use I-81 to I-77 to i-26 to I-95 if you wish to avoid some of the intense traffic from NYC to Richmond, VA.

 

[LinK]

We drive every year..........we leave from the Poconos. I go to bed earily the night before I get up around 2 a.m. I am on the road by 3 and I drive straight through to Daytona, then stop which is about 16 hours. I will be doing it again in 2 weeks. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look out Disney here we come!!!!!!!!

 

[LinK]

At the highest gas prices it only cost about $300 round trip then hotel which is about $100.

 

[klacey1]

have u thought of taking amtrak??

Amtrak would definitely be more expensive than flying, much less driving.
OP, I guess you'd save money, but for us, time is money. We don't get a ton of days off from work, and would rather be at our vacation destination than wasting time traveling. MUCH easier for us to pony up $200 pp out of JFK or HPN than to drive-- we also both HATE driving, so the decision is fairly easily made for us. I personally would never do it.

 

[Evi]

I've done Miami to Boston my sister was determined to drive her car back here and don't really see myself ever doing it again. I'm one of those people who gets really sleepy when I drive for along time. It is doable if you have two adults sharing the drive but even so I'd probably stop somewhere half way for the night so that your not drained when you get to disney.

 

[JediMaster]

From NY its about 19-20 hours , its best to leave early morning or late evening to avoid traffic. Look at driving down and taking Amtrak back up. the cost is actually very good if booked early enough. Good Luck.

 

[njcarita]

Amtrak would definitely be more expensive than flying, much less driving.
.

we paid less about $750 for a family of 5 round trip.... so I don't think its more expensive than flying??

 

[herdtoDisney]

For my family's upcoming Feb trip, the Amtrak AutoTrain is cheaper than flying. Plus we get to have our car with us. We love the AutoTrain and it's like part of our vacation to get to travel on it.

We've driven to Fl many times from CT. It's doable, especially if you have 2 drivers. We always leave early to get through the city early, since you can really get jammed up at the GWB. It's defenitely cheaper than the train and flying, especially if you go straight through. But we find that tiring. It's not unbearable though, especially if you leave at night, drive through, and get there for early evening-then you just go to sleep at the usual time.

Forgot to add, we've often hit slowdowns in Maryland near DC. Once you're past DC, it's pretty smooth sailing (going down).

As a PP said upthread, EZPass is a good idea. I don't have one but might get one-we've spent way too much time in crazy tollbooth lines in NJ!