Driving Class C Motor home from NJ

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

We're headed down with another family (9 total, 5 kids) the last week in August. Right now we check in on Saturday. We're trying to figure out the best way to make to drive. Google maps says 15 hrs from our door to AoA (where we are dropping them off).

My initial plan was to leave around 6p on Friday and drive until midnight, then hit the road again around 7a and arrive around 5p.

We've never made this drive so I don't know how realistic that plan is. Will there be a place we can drive into and stay at midnight? We won't need a full hook up, we can make do "dry camping" overnight.

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[yoopermom]

You might want to post this on the camping board to get more answers.

I drove WI to FW in a Class C five summers in a row. 9 is going to be a squeeze. Are you planning on two in the front seats, three on the couch, and two on each side of the dinette?

15 hrs would be driving a regular car, with little to no traffic, with little to no stops. I would figure on at least 2-3 more hours.

If you are planning on stopping to sleep, where are you going to sleep 9 people?
It used to be that you could stop in a WalMart parking lot or Flying J truckstop and grab a quick sleep, but I just wouldn't reccomend it. You can get a cheap campsite for $40 or $50 bucks, dump your tanks (which will probably be pretty full from 9 people using them), and the kids could even grab a quick swim or playground time in the a.m. before you leave. (You could even bring a tent and put a few of the people in it for the night.)

Part of rving is the drive itself, and if you pressure yourself to get there fast, not stop, make everyone uncomfortable, it's not a very fun trip. Don't go faster than you're comfortable with, minimize distractions (aka keep the kids busy), have lots of food/drink available, stop when you get tired/need a stretch, etc. Check with your insurance if you plan on letting multiple people take turns driving.

DS has GREAT memories of our trips to WDW in our class C, I'm sure you'll make lots yourself!

Terri

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Yes, we know it will be tight. The girls are 10, 6 (x2) and 3 (x2), so most of the passengers are small Our sleeping plan is eaither A) the other family gets a room at a hotel and we sleep in the RV at a cheap campsite or B) we all stay at a campsite with H, 3 y/o, and me sleeping in the queen bed, my 6 & 10 yr old sleep over the cab, and the other family splits between the couch and dinette. It's only for a few hours, so I think we can make it work. I'll try posting this on the camping board for suggestions, thanks.