Anyone else drive over 1,000 miles???

[obnurse2003]

I am not too pleased, but my DH does NOT fly and we live in west central Illinois. It is about 1,179 miles! We are doing this in 2 days. My DH and I did this alone one year and it was loooong for just the two of us. Now we are taking the kids and I am not looking forward to the drive.

He would fly, I THINK, if the tickets were a little cheaper! But so far, no good deals that I can find.

Just wondered if ANYONE else is in the same situation. From most of the boards, it looks like everyone else gets to fly!!!

 

[jel0511]

We actually always used to fly and this summer we decided to drive just for the fun of it. We live in Central NJ, so it's about 1100 miles to WDW from here. We did it over two days, and it wasn't bad at all, actually it was fun!!! We left here at 3:30AM to get by DC before rush hour hit, and after that it was smooth sailing. We drove until 5:30PM and stopped in Brunswick, GA. That was abut 850 miles or so of driving on the first day. We then drove from Brunswick, to South Florida, so we probably drove almost another 400 or so that day. We do have a DVD player in the car and it was a LIFESAVER!! The kids just sat there and watched movies all day and they didn't complain once. We also had other toys for them to play with when they got bored of the movies, but they never got bored at the same time. They also both took a nap in the afternoon, so we did get a little quiet time. My kids are 5 and 2, so they didn't want to use the wireless headphones with the DVD player, so we had to listen to all their stuff on the way down, and it was fine. We plan on doing it again next summer!! We did come to the conclusion we'll only do this if we plan on staying in FL or WDW for almost 2 weeks, it is a long drive to only stay for a week. This year we were in FL between visiting family and WDW for 2 weeks, and next year we're going straight to WDW and staying for 2 weeks. Good luck, driving isn't as bad as it's made out to be!!

 

[CamColt]

Weve driven from MA twice and plan to do it again in August. Its between 1200-1300 miles. We do it straight through in about 24 hours. I never thought I would do it, but after trying it, I have to say it wasnt bad at all.

 

[travelbug]

The last time I drove down was in December with my 17 YO niece. We met up with my other 17 YO niece in northern FL. We were so excited to be going to WDW that the drive really didn't seem that long. The weather was excellent too, which certainly helped. I forget the mileage from here but I think it's somewhere around 1100-1200 miles.

Keep checking the travel websites as often as you can in case some el cheapo airfares pop up. If so, grab them!! If not, try to make the best of the drive and keep reminding yourself what's at the end of the drive. Good luck!

 

[monalsw]

i used to drive, then i started to fly, then i had kids and we drove again!

a few trips ago, we were 8 females in the family, ages 7-81. 2 cars, 2 days driving and 2 rooms, 8 nights there. with 2 adults and 2 kids per car, and stopping overnight, it seemed to take forever!

next to last trip, we drove straight through; me, my mom and my kids, 14yo dd and 4yo ds. mom wanted to fly, but it was only 6 months after 9-11 and i hadn't reconciled with that yet. i did all the driving, there and back, stopping only for food and potty. i believe it was 1100 miles. i was happy to do it, gave us more time at the world!

then, last trip, dh joined us and we flew. first time for me in years and first time ever for him and the kids. we boarded at 7:20 and landed at 9:30; all i could think of is 'it takes me longer to drive to columbus for meetings for work-i could fly to disney in that time!'.

and we'll probably never drive again!!!

 

[Dizneeforus]

Yes, we've driven to Disney before. We leave this Friday (maybe Thursday evening we're thinking now) and will drive the 1100+ miles from Northern NJ to WDW.

We drove last year, with 3 of our kids, and it wasn't TOO bad. We have a video system in the car and that helps a LOT. We bring lots of videos, books, Gameboys, snacks, etc. to keep them busy.

This will be about our 14th trip to Disney and the 2nd that we've driven. Not my favorite mode of transportation, but air is pricey these days.

 

[msdis]

Just back this weekend. over 1700 miles each way. We stopped 3/4 of the way down in Columbia, SC at at DI (horrible place-another story) and on the way home we drove 28 hours straight. It will be a loooooooong time before we drive again. Pace your self and you will be fine. We knew better but we did it anyways. When it's over, it's over and you just want to get home. Fly one way and drive the other is the best way to go but Pan Am just pulled out of our city and they were the only cost effective airline that you could do this with. Good luck!

 

[Pryncess'mom]

We have driven several times, and we like it! Living in South Jersey we have to drive EVERYWHERE we go, so FL is no problem!!! We do have a full size van with Tv/vcr combo and comfy captains chairs. Even so, we usually leave at night, and drive all night and all day, then stop somewhere in GA or north FL . We like to arrive at the World in the morning ready to go!!
It will be an experience and there are many things to do in the car to make time pass quickly and fun. Bingo games, license plate games, look for cars of a certain color, etc. Enjoy!

Deb

 

[frazzled one]

We drive about 1300 miles from upstate NY, usually taking 2 days to do it - about 18 hours the first day and 4-5 the next. We leave at midnight, do gas/potty breaks as needed, and stop for a rapid lunch at McD's. The next day, we're out of the motel by 6:00 AM. We've done that 3 times with 3 kids, who were pretty young the first time we tried it (and that was before we'd ever heard about tv/vcr setups in the car, which is my nomination for the greatest advance in family travel since the automobile). Yes, it's a long haul, but it saved us so much money on airfare that it seemed worth it - even with spending 2 extra nights in a motel and meals for 5 on the road, I think we came out $600 ahead on our last trip.

It helps to hand out little surprises such as sticker books, travel games, etc., every few hours. Books on tape can be an excellent way of passing the time and keeping the driver awake. On one adults-only drive, we started listening to "A Town Like Alice" by Neville Shute and we kept cutting our breaks short so we could get back in the car and hear what happened next!

fraz

 

[JFS]

We drove for the first time last week since we were staying at WDW for 1 week and VB for an additional week. We have two kids 10&15. The drive from South Jersey was long and exhausting even though we stopped overnight. With hotel, meals, gas, time and wear and tear on car (2500 miles total), you probably save little. Any $$$ extra that flying costs is probably worth it considering stress and aggravation. Driving is also alot riskier since sometimes I95 resembled the Daytona 500 except with 18 wheelers, tailgaters at 80+MPH and many fatigued drivers. Next time we will probably fly to Orlando and after stay at WDW rent a car for drive to VB. If you drive, good luck!

 

[mmiller711]

We always drive. DH is Not a flyer!! Sometimes we drive straight through. (about 23 hours).
This time:
Thursday: Michigan to Cleveland (pick up Grandson)
Friday: Cleveland to Fla. (visit relatives)
Sat: Lady Lake Fla. to Orlando (about 1 1/2 hours)

I am getting so excited! Gotta get going on some stuff here now...

 

[Padre Disney]

We just drove this past March form WDM, Iowa to Orlando over 1400 miles straight through. six of us , 4 were kids
Drove over 4200 miles round trip first week of July from WDM to California and back with 9 of us in one suburban and 2 were my in-laws. It was WONDERFUL!. We had a great time. We will all be driving again for March 2004 trip.

 

[tinaluis]

We drove from Chicago in January, 2003 and are driving again in October, 2003. We drive to save $$$ -- there are 5 of us and we always stay for at least 2 weeks -- we've had luck finding decent airfare but end up spending a huge amount on car rental for 2 weeks. This trip we may stay for 3 weeks, so driving it is. We have a TV/VCR for our van and stop when we have to, food, potty breaks, etc. We usually stop just before Atlanta for the night on the way down and near Nashville on the way back. It's not a piece of cake, and if we could fly and rent a car for the same price as driving we'd fly, but since we can't we drive.

 

[Lory]

We have only been to Disney once in April 2002 and yes we drove. About 1600 miles from Northern Wisconsin. I've never flown and dont want to. Our kids were 8 and 4 at the time and they did very well. My husband drove the whole time and the first day we drove about 16 hours and stopped in Nashville for 6 hours of sleep and then drove about another 13 the next day arriving about 6:30 pm. Brought tons of stuff for the kids to do and talked about Disney the whole time so it wasnt to bad. Only stopped to eat quickly, get gas and potty.
The drive back was ok but not quite as pleasent. Everyone was bummed having to leave, pretty worn out and just wanted to get home and rest. Vacations are tiring!!!
We are going again in Dec. 2004 to FW. We are taking our new travel trailer so will sleep half way down in that. Cant wait!!!
We usually take about 17 days off work so we have about 13 days in Florida.

 

[Snowysmom]

We just got back from driving, Mass to FL, 1331.7 miles according to the trip odometer. We went to FL in 3 stages, Mass to NC, NC to St. Augustine, and then to Orlando. We went to sightsee in St Augustine. On the way home we did the drive in 2 days, FL to NC and NC to Mass. It took about 24 hours. We bought a DVD system for the van so the kids had something to do. The screens just hook over the front seats. My kids are teenagers so they can keep themselves busy for the most part. They also brought books, puzzle books, and magazines. My older son can drive so he did some driving. We have never really liked flying so we decided to drive this time. There were a few traffic jams south of DC on the way down and in Connecticut on the way back. There are alot of construction areas too but other than having to slow down to 45 or 55, we were never really stopped. Also, be careful to keep to the speed limit for safety and because we saw state troopers suddenly appear out of the woods to pull over speeders. This is especially true in VA, NC, and SC. We stopped every 3 hours or so to walk around and hit the restrooms. Next trip we plan to drive again.

Candy

 

[Padre Disney]

snowysmom,
Just wondering how long your teen had a license before you let him drive during your trip. On our March trip our oldest daughter was 17 and could have drove and our son was 15 and also could have drove. Both the kids are good drivers but we could not bring ourselves to let them drive. We had our 2 younger children with us. I really wanted to let them drive & give us a break but was worried about an accident. Not worried about them so much as all the other crazy drivers out there. How long did you him drive for?
Thanks

 

[geffric]

WE drive from Chicago. We have been doing this since mid 90's. We leave about 5 am and drive until we get between Altanta and Macon or just past Macon, GA. depending on potty stops, food stops and traffic. That way we get to WDW in the early afternoon. DH and I change drivers every 2 hours and make the kids get out, potty and run races for 5 minutes. We have the TV /VCR for the kids. On the way back ,we leave WDW about 6PM, drive to Adele GA - get ther about 10 or 11 and then drive straight home the next day. We get home about 11 PM.

 

[cindala]

Yep, we use to drive over 1100 miles from Northern NJ. Now we have been flying. It takes 2 hours and 8 minutes, not 18 hours!

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

We drive from SW Michigan so it is like 1,200 miles each way ... we go about 3 out of every 4 years and tow a pop-up camper to stay at Ft. Wilderness for 9 nights. I actually enjoy "road trips" and look forward to the time with the kids and seeing all the great scenery. I also enjoy having my own vehicle while on vacation.

Our kids were 17 & 18 on our last trip, but we didn't let them drive because of the high speeds and the fact that we are towing a camper. I think they are good drivers, but feel more in control if it is just my husband and myself behind the wheel. We switch about every 3 hours.

We ALWAYS stop whenever anyone needs to and ALWAYS make a stop and make sure we have a full tank before entering any large city.

Usually we leave on a Wed about 3:30 am and drive to Valdosta, GA just north of the Florida border by 8:00 pm. Pizza and then bed. We are on the road by 7:30 on Thurs and pull into Ft. Wilderness by 11:30.

On the way home, we'll be on the road by 6:30 am on a Saturday and then stay overnight in Elizabethtown, KY (south of Louisville) ... we get home about 1:00 pm on Sunday.

I enjoy our road trips ... longest trip with the camper and kids was to Yellowstone, WY and back. Fun!!

 

[djm99]

We are driving from St. Louis, MO it's a little bit over 1,000 miles may 1020 miles or something like that. We are going to stay overnight in Atlanta. This is our first vacation driving anywhere with our daughter, now 3 yrs old (WE LOVE THE FRIENDLY SKIES). This is going to be a challege but I read these board messages almost "religiously" getting tip after tip, so I think I'm prepared. But anyway - I'm looking so forward to getting out of STL and going to Orlando.