Calling all D.C. to Orlando Drivers

[cpl100]

I am wondering where the midpoint is on the route from Washington D.C. to Orlando and what the driving time would be to it. Would like to overnight midway or just south of mid way.

Thanks to all who respond.

 

[candleonwater]

I would guess somewhere around the SC/GA border... however, what we did was push a little bit more, and stayed on Ormond Beach for the night. We figured that way, we could get to bed early, wake up refreshed for the short drive to WDW the next morning.

 

[schwaa]

Savannah's a good place to stop, lot's a hotels near the highway and it's only 6 hours from Orlando for the next day.

 

[Selket]

I agree with the person who suggests stopping at Savannah, GA. The drive from there the next day is reasonable...if you are anxious to get to WDW. It is not halfway however! This puts the longest day of driving first. Perhaps stopping just inside SC would work if you want to stop earlier. I am thinking of doing priceline for a Savannah, GA hotel (near the interstate - I don't plan to visit the city).

I'd be happy to see any hotel recommendations for just inside of GA.

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by candleonwater
I would guess somewhere around the SC/GA border... however, what we did was push a little bit more, and stayed on Ormond Beach for the night. We figured that way, we could get to bed early, wake up refreshed for the short drive to WDW the next morning.

How many hours driving was that and what time did you leave D.C. please?

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by Selket
I agree with the person who suggests stopping at Savannah, GA. The drive from there the next day is reasonable...if you are anxious to get to WDW. It is not halfway however! This puts the longest day of driving first. Perhaps stopping just inside SC would work if you want to stop earlier. I am thinking of doing priceline for a Savannah, GA hotel (near the interstate - I don't plan to visit the city).

Do you know how many hours driving it is from D.C. to Savannah? And would that also be on Rt. 95? What time do you suggest leaving D.C.? Thanks.

 

[candleonwater]

I live just south of DC (Maybe 8 miles outside) and from Alexandria to Savannah is about 9.5 - 10 hours (leaving about 5 hours the following day). To Ormond Beach it took us just under 13 hours, leaving 1.5 hours the following morning.

Traffic south of DC can be bad from about 3:00 (or 3:30) until 6:30 or 7.

 

[Selket]

Savannah is not far from 95 - that is roughly the area I prefer to stay just into GA. Are you staying in DC on the way down? What time to leave depends on where you're staying and what day of the week. I live in the Maryland suburbs and if I'm leaving on a weekday I'd either leave before rush hour (that's early...maybe 4-5 a.m.) or towards the end of it 8:30-9:30). If you are staying south of DC you'll avoid much of the hassle. On the weekends I would try to leave in the morning like around 8 or 9 - as early as I could without getting up too early! Weekend morning traffic isn't all that bad usually unless there is an accident or road work.

Try http://www.mapquest.com for info on how long it would take and how many miles it is from where you're staying to Savannah. How long it takes depends on how much traffic you hit around DC and how many stops! We stop a bunch so it can take us forever to get anywhere. Last time leaving around 1 p.m. or so it took us about 12 hours! We hit traffic and stopped alot (traveling with a young child). I don't suggest that

Good luck!

 

[cpl100]

Yes, I am stopping and staying two nights in D.C. As of right now, we are staying in the DuPont Circle area. We will arrive in D.C. on a Tuesday afternoon and leave on Thursday morning. Does that change any driving tips?

 

[candleonwater]

I don't think you'll run into too much, other than the extra traffic in the city on your way out.

 

[alvernon90]

Also, don't miss this site:

http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm

It gives information about restaurants, hotels, etc on every exit on Interstate 95, by exit number. Print out the relevant state pages, and you can plan ahead, knowing that a better restaurant is two exits up or whatever.

 

[dcfromva]

cpl100,
My DH says Santee, SC is halfway for us. But, we like to go a little further making the second day just a little shorter. Savanah is a good stop. There are motels that are just off I-95. I think the city name is Port Wentworth, GA for looking it up on Expedia. I believe we stayed at a Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Savannah I-95 North last time. It was fine for an overnight stay. There were several hotels in that area.
This is a bit off the beaten path, but Disney's Hilton Head resort is also just about halfway, too. (But, it is about 30mins off I-95). The accomodations are really nice there (But, it would be better to stay longer than just overnight. )
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Web site (to check if they have any promotions..)

-DC

 

[cpl100]

You are all so great! Thanks for all the help. I am still checking out the references here. So far, I have found these directions into D.C. (from North) on Mapquest. Do they look good to you locals? I know sometimes Mapquest can get flukey.

17: NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE S becomes I-295 S (Portions toll). 5.56 miles

18: Take the I-95 N exit on the left toward WILMINGTON. 0.26 miles

19: Merge onto I-95 S via the exit- on the left- toward BALTIMORE (Portions toll). 98.55 miles

20: Take the BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON PARKWAY exit- exit number 22B- toward WASHINGTON. 0.39 miles

21: Merge onto MD-295 S. 5.18 miles

22: Take the exit toward WASHINGTON. 0.61 miles

23: Merge onto US-50 W/ NEW YORK AVE NE. 3.69 miles

24: Turn RIGHT onto FLORIDA AVE NE. 0.53 miles

25: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto R ST NW. 1.46 miles

26: Turn RIGHT onto NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE NW. 0.07 miles

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by dcfromva
cpl100,
My DH says Santee, SC is halfway for us. But, we like to go a little further making the second day just a little shorter. Savanah is a good stop. There are motels that are just off I-95. I think the city name is Port Wentworth, GA for looking it up on Expedia. I believe we stayed at a Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Savannah I-95 North last time. It was fine for an overnight stay. There were several hotels in that area.
This is a bit off the beaten path, but Disney's Hilton Head resort is also just about halfway, too. (But, it is about 30mins off I-95). The accomodations are really nice there (But, it would be better to stay longer than just overnight. )
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Web site (to check if they have any promotions..)

-DC

I found this on the web. The place looks very nice. (I notice that there are three locations listed for Savannah GA, though). On the Port Wentworth one, it says they have continental breakfast, refridgerators in all rooms and a web rate of $69.00 right now. Does that sound like a good rate to you? Thanks for the tip.

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by alvernon90
Also, don't miss this site:

http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm

It gives information about restaurants, hotels, etc on every exit on Interstate 95, by exit number. Print out the relevant state pages, and you can plan ahead, knowing that a better restaurant is two exits up or whatever.

I used to have a link to a place that listed every exit number by state. Is this it? Because I have been floundering around the site for a half hour and can't find the lists.

 

[cpl100]

After having done quite a bit of research on your hints and tips, I am in a bit of a quandry. Mapquest lists D.C. to Florence as 6 hrs 36 minutes and to Port Wentworth as 9 hrs 19 minutes. With stops I would add an hour for each trip I would imagine. I am now wondering if there is a good place in between the two. Perhaps an hour south of Florence would be the perfect match for my stamina. I am the lone driver and I just don't see myself driving 10 1/2 hours with stops.

Thanks again!

 

[candleonwater]

You know, I find it funny that, here I've been trying to help out on this topic, and yesterday I decided to drive down for my trip in October! However, I'm not going to be leaving the DC area until early evening... and I'm just going to have to push as long as I can... maybe 1 am... and try to get as far as I can.

 

[cpl100]

Have fun on your trip. I can't believe mine is less than a month away now!