Best route- Ellicott MD to WDW?

[Goofygirl17]

We'll be driving from Ct to MD and then MD to WDW. I'd like to stop for the night at least 1/2 way between MD and WDW. I've never driven this far south before so I have no idea where that will be.

Any suggestions or ideas of how far that would be? Or suggestions for the best route to take?

Thanks!!

 

[vicki_c]

deleted - answered wrong question! LOL!

It's around 14-14.5 hours from Ellicott City to Orlando. I would recommend stopping in South Carolina somewhere (try Florence - there are a number of chain hotels around there).

 

[Goofygirl17]

Thanks Vicki- We're staying with friends in MD the first night(Wednesday). Then we're going to stop for the night on thursday before heading to Disney on Friday. We're breaking it up so the girls aren't in the car for such long days. 7 hours each day sounds good although it might be nice to go a little longer on Thursday and get there quicker on Friday.

Now I need to figure out where 7 hours from Ellicott City MD is (you're right- I forgot the city )

Thanks!

 

[Goofygirl17]

Vicki- I was actually going to write down the route you were recommending!

 

[vicki_c]

Vicki- I was actually going to write down the route you were recommending!

I guess you saw my first answer before I edited - I was like, why are they going over to Ellicott City? LOL!

Well you can take 32 and/or 97 S from Ellicott City - you'd have to look at the map - I worked off 32 not too far from Ellicott City, but I don't know the roads right there specifically. I'm sure your friends can tell you. But take 97 to 301 and just stay on 301 all the way out of Maryland into Virginia (from where you will be there is no need to go to 214 like I do). There are some yucky spots with a lot of traffic lights, especially around Waldorf, but it can still be much better than driving the beltway.

There is a newer bypass as well off of 301 - off of Mattawoman-Beantown Road (really) to Leonardtown Road then it picks back up on 301 - we took it once, but I didn't think it saved THAT much time - maybe more for saving sanity since you avoid a bunch of traffic lights. It might be on Google maps now although it wasn't a few years ago.

It's about 6 hours to Fayetteville NC, about 9 to southern SC around Charleston, so somewhere in between those two would probably work well.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Thanks Vicki. We're going to Ellicott City to visit but it's also a free place to stay I checked mapquest and Florence is about 7 hours from MD and 7 hours from WDW Any suggestions if we make it a little further than that on the second day? I'm going to print the list of suggested hotels on 95 from the other thread too.

Thanks again!

Oops- just re-read your response more carefully. I'll check out hotels between Florence and Charleston.

 

[vicki_c]

Thanks Vicki. We're going to Ellicott City to visit but it's also a free place to stay I checked mapquest and Florence is about 7 hours from MD and 7 hours from WDW Any suggestions if we make it a little further than that on the second day? I'm going to print the list of suggested hotels on 95 from the other thread too.

Thanks again!

I need to stop editing my posts while you're posting, but I have stayed as far south as Brunswick GA if you're willing to drive that far the first day, then it's not too far until Disney - maybe 3.5 hours?

 

[Goofygirl17]

I guess I'll play it by ear and see how DD10 is doing with the ride. If I have the list of hotels and numbers I can call ahead. I like to have a plan but also if there's no traffic it's nice to keep going!

 

[kidd_freeper]

Now I need to figure out where 7 hours from Ellicott City MD is (you're right- I forgot the city )

Thanks!

According to Google maps, the NC/SC border is 7 hours from Ellicott City, MD