anyone drive down from NH?

[Disneynutbsv]

We are considering this for our trip for next summer just in case we cannot get cheap enough airfare...we have driven down before, but we were with a potty training child, this time it would be with 3 kids, (15, 9, 9), so it would be a little easier.
How far did you make it on your first day? My dh is one of those that will drive as far as he possibly can, but knowing that the kids can only take so much in a car (and we do have the dvd in the car as well), we will need to stop somewhere. We would probably hit at least Virginia, but maybe N. Carolina....
any suggestions on making it easier. I know this is pretty far in advance to ask, but I love planning things and I'll feel better having something to do

 

[Mac and Us]

We live about an hour south of you. In the past we flew. Back in April we drove our motorhome with a 3.5 year old. I had a box (12" x 24" x 15") full of activities for her. We used about 1/2 of the items for the trip down and back.

We will be headed back down for Christmas. I have refilled the box for this trip. It has Color Wonder books/markers/finger paints, bags and bags of the sticky back foam art stuff along with the foam art sheets, things to make christmas ornaments with (got ideas from the Michaels craft store website), DVD's, colorings pages (printed from the web), a few puzzles, a new toy or 2, etc. etc.

It takes us 30-32 hours to drive down. We drive I91, I84, I81, I66, RT 17 to I95. We like to bypass the major cities (ie: washington, dc and baltimore, NY). We drive between 55-60 MPH (better gas mileage) and we share the driving. We stop about every 4 hours to get gas, go potty and stretch. We usually stop for a 2-3 hour nap (not included in the 30-32 hours) sometime around midnight/1am and start back driving around 3am.

Our daughter is in her car seat at all times while the motorhome is moving. She does really well if you keep her entertained. We try to do a lot of the driving while she's sleeping.

I realize your kids are older. However, I think the key is to keep them entertained.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Thanks for the great info!! I appreciate it!

 

[skbasnett]

You know me...

We did that drive in September. We live in Northern MA (AAA TA???) It is interesting to say the least. But definately go the way that is listed in the post above. OR you could always fly. Especially if you dont have alot of time.

 

[Sammy]

OMG...I you guys who drive with kids! My kids do not travel well and I would need before I ever tackled driving to WDW from NH!

 

[Kristi1357]

OMG...I you guys who drive with kids! My kids do not travel well and I would need before I ever tackled driving to WDW from NH!

We did the drive from Nashua 5 times in the last 2 years - before DS was 2! I guess I need lots of The first time he was 6 months old.

I actually think driving is less stressful than flying for us. We flew down last week and came home Monday. I hate flying and lugging a car seat, stroller, etc. in the airport is a huge pain! Nevermind, DS had a meltdown for about 15 mins on Monday's flight. I felt so bad for those around us! When we drive, we can bring all kinds of "stuff:" bottled water, more food (breakfast and snack items), beach towels, etc.

And I could start a whole other thread on never, never, EVER doing disney again without having our car or a rental.....

Back on topic - the drive is fun. We try to head out of NH in the early evening and get through DC before morning rush hour. This is not for everyone, but we both work odd shifts so driving at night is not a problem for us. We usually go straight through on the way down (lots of extra adrenaline when you know you are going to WDW). On the way back we usually stop over somewhere along the way. We have a video player in our van and lots of Disney VHS movies to keep DS occupied. I always buy some new books and some cheap toys for the trip also. He does really well with the ride, esp. when a movie is on!

Kristi

 

[Mac and Us]

I agree with Kristi.....driving is more fun for us. We have flown several times with our DD but it is a hassel for us.

We are fairly lucky in that our DD travels well. I have a 40 min (each way) commute to work and she's with me everyday.

I think the key is to make it fun. Make sure you bring things that are 'new' to them. It keeps them entertained longer.

We also try to plan the trip to leave mid-day around 3pm. We instruct her preschool to NOT let her nap. She usually falls asleep (approx. 1 hr) shortly after we start. We stop around 7pm to have dinner, put pj's on her, brush her teeth and go potty. We then set her up with a movie, she falls asleep around 9pm. We drive until midnight 1am, stop for a few hours rest and start back around 3-4am. During the day we stop every 4 hours for approx. 30 minutes.

As I mentioned above, we drive a motorhome. However, she is in her carseat at all times while it is moving so it is no different than in a car.

I start planning activities months in advance. I hit the craft isles, toy clearance isles, etc. I also hit the dollar store before leaving as well. Sometimes the dollar store has trinket items that will keep them happy for a little bit longer. Also, pointing out things along the way. I had our DD counting red cars. She was happy counting red cars for at least an hour.

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

for those driving is Books on tape. We travel quite a bit and my family loves to listen to stories on tape. It keeps us all entertained, including the driver! We go to Cracker Barrel restaurants and rent them. They end up costing $4. You put a deposit down on them and when you return the tapes/cd's you get your deposit back. The best part is, you return them to any Cracker Barrel. We listen to one on the way down and another one on the way back. My sons thought I was nuts the first time we tried this but now they ask me to turn the stories on. They have many different stories from Magic Tree house to adult story lines! Just remind the driver to watch the gas gauge!! We almost ran out of gas as he was caught up in the story and forgot to look at the gauge!!

 

[travel with kids]

Disneynutbsv--We live just over the ME/NH border. We stop in Fredericksburg, VA when we take 95. We have taken other routes, but never the same one twice. My kids are now 15 & 10, the struggles have changed over the years (now dd can not even look at ds without some type of fight--just a few years ago it was fighting over a colored pencil). DS is now more comfortable sitting in the front seat (he is 6' 1"), and this actually breaks up the fighting time.

We have driven to FL 8 times. My DH loves to drive (I hate to drive but will drive through NH and SC to simply say I helped!!) We are some what cursed when it comes to flying to FL. The few times that we have booked an airflight, we (the Northeast) have had a nor'easter (EVERYTIME!!). The last time was President's Day 2003. I am forwarning you all now. We have a flight booked for Feb. 16, 2006!!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Disneynutbsv--We live just over the ME/NH border. We stop in Fredericksburg, VA when we take 95. We have taken other routes, but never the same one twice. My kids are now 15 & 10, the struggles have changed over the years (now dd can not even look at ds without some type of fight--just a few years ago it was fighting over a colored pencil). DS is now more comfortable sitting in the front seat (he is 6' 1"), and this actually breaks up the fighting time.

We have driven to FL 8 times. My DH loves to drive (I hate to drive but will drive through NH and SC to simply say I helped!!) We are some what cursed when it comes to flying to FL. The few times that we have booked an airflight, we (the Northeast) have had a nor'easter (EVERYTIME!!). The last time was President's Day 2003. I am forwarning you all now. We have a flight booked for Feb. 16, 2006!!

travel with kids, how long does the trip normally take you? What time of day do you leave? I know what you mean about the arguing between kids!!!

 

[travel with kids]

travel with kids, how long does the trip normally take you? What time of day do you leave?

We live 10 minutes from Conway. It takes us about 12 hours to make it to Fredericksburg, VA and another 12 hours to Orlando. We leave very early to avoid morning traffic on 495 and Hartford. If we plan it right, we make it through NYC/NJ after the major AM commute (we use the Tappenzee(sp?) Bridge) not the Washington. We try to make it through Maryland, Delaware and DC area before the evening commute starts. We have never had traffic problems south of VA (unless it is road construciton, accident, etc).

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We live 10 minutes from Conway. It takes us about 12 hours to make it to Fredericksburg, VA and another 12 hours to Orlando. We leave very early to avoid morning traffic on 495 and Hartford. If we plan it right, we make it through NYC/NJ after the major AM commute (we use the Tappenzee(sp?) Bridge) not the Washington. We try to make it through Maryland, Delaware and DC area before the evening commute starts. We have never had traffic problems south of VA (unless it is road construciton, accident, etc).

We are on the other side of the Kancamangus Hwy

 

[Snowysmom]

We drove from Northern Mass and stopped at Rocky Mount, NC. We left Mass. at 4 am and got to NC around 6 pm and that included a one hour traffic jam in northern VA. I was looking at Fredicksburg, VA too. That may be a better stopping off point for you coming from northern NH. We enjoyed the drive. The kids (teens) had a DVD player and video game system so they were occupied. Older DS had his license so we put him to work driving a bit.