Driving down advice?

[snickerboo]

We're driving down next month (hopefully, anyway-dh's job is a little precarious right now). We thought we might rent a car at the Buffalo airport and drive it (unlimited miles) rather than put the wear and tear on our own car. Anyone done this? We'll be taking the westward route (I-79, US19, I-77, I-95) since we'll be going from Buffalo and we're actually staying at Cocoa Beach this time instead of the full Disney vacay (did that last time and loved it but want to relax a little more and see the ocean this time).

Any tips? We're planning on splitting the trip between 2 drivers (me and dh) and staying overnight in Charlotte there and back. Looks like it's about 20 hours from Buffalo, so maybe 12+ hours per day on the road. Our kids are great car travellers and we'll have a DVD player.

 

[Kurby]

We drove that route in last May - it was a great route.

we stopped in S.C. and again in Daytona Beach.

The drive was really good except the first night there was a tornado where we were going to stop so we kept driving for an hour (we only found out when we found a hotel that it was an actual tornado and not just a really bad storm)

our daughter was only 7 months at the time and we stopped when she wanted either to feed or to crawl around.

i have motion sickness so i did/do most of the driving where ever we go and this was no exception. i only let Patrick drive a total of 3 hours the who way down LOL (no control issues here)

we didn't rent a car so i dont' know how that would work but it is really the best way to go if you have kids and find the air fare too expensive.

 

[branmack]

We drove this route last September. We loved it, the scenery was wonderful.

The 1st day we were on the road 13 hrs. We left at 5am and stopped at Richburg SC at 6:00pm. We ran into traffic in Pittsburgh and Charlotte.
The 2nd day we were on the road 7 1/2 hrs. We left at 7am and arrived at Disney at 2:30pm.

On the way back we were on the road 8 hrs. We didn't leave Orlando till noon and stopped in Statesville NC at 8pm.
The next day we were on the road 10 hrs. We left at 8am and arrived at the Peace Bridge around 6pm.

We did not rent a car.

 

[snickerboo]

Thanks I've been thinking about how and when to go since....oh...about 2 days after we got back last year! LOL I think we're pretty well prepared. Just wondering if there were any tips I'd missed. I cannot wait to go back and hope we still can! (dh's company was bought out and so far he's been very lucky to keep his job but we don't know if the new boss will okay the vacation plans. Keep your fingers crossed!)

 

[A&CsMom]

We have driven this route twice (2005 and 2006), and can't wait to do it again! We finally got around to getting Triptiks from CAA this time. Mapquest is fine, but I like having the smaller maps, plus we will have the Tour Books for FL and NC/SC/Georgia. We are going to try to drive straight through on the way there, but I have booked an motel in Beckley, WV on the way home. If we do it over two days, we like to make the first day a long one. Both times we have gone we have thought we could make it straight through on the way there, but we have agreed that if we will be smart about it if we get too tired. On the way there we are usually so excited that we leave at 3 or 4 am and drive until midnight, then barely sleep and leave again at 6 am. The first time we drove in 2005, it was January and we only made it to Pittsburgh the first day due to a severe snow storm, and the next day we left Pittsburgh at 8:30 am and drove straight through to Ocala, arriving around 2 or 2:30 am (we were staying in that area with my parents).

I guess my main tips are to pack a cooler with your favourite drinks (saves money and stops), pack snacks to keep the kids happy, borrow/buy new dvds to help pass the time, bring a blanket and maybe those neck pillows for anyone who may sleep, and make everyone use the washroom when you stop (every time!). Also, Cracker Barrell has clean washrooms.

Also, in case you are not aware, go a little under the speed limit in the Summersville, WV area of US19 because there are many speed traps. The police will apparently ticket you for even 1 mile over the limit! Our Triptik even notes the radar traps in this area!

Have a great trip!

 

[iluveeyore]

Snickerboo - where in Ontario are you? We rented from Budget twice (one in Niagara Falls - I'm sure there are others). They have unlimited miles on their rentals and allow them into the US. We've driven to Orlando and Charlotte and got very reasonable rates. Last trip they didn't have our mid-size car and we got a free upgrade to an SUV. Just go to budget.com and check it out. We drive the same route and Charlotte is where we stop too. Have a safe trip!

 

[snickerboo]

Also, in case you are not aware, go a little under the speed limit in the Summersville, WV area of US19 because there are many speed traps. The police will apparently ticket you for even 1 mile over the limit! Our Triptik even notes the radar traps in this area!

Thanks!!! Maybe I should look into Triptik.

We live near London but have family in Niagara. We have booked with Alamo. So far, we've got a Grand Prix booked, which should be fine because it's what we drive now. I did not know Budget in NF had unlimited miles. That's good to know! Thanks.

 

[jtconn]

another good place for hotels is in rock hill sc just south of charlotte plenty of choices and cheaper than if booking in charlotte

 

[dancin Disney style]

We drove this route last September. We loved it, the scenery was wonderful.

The 1st day we were on the road 13 hrs. We left at 5am and stopped at Richburg SC at 6:00pm. We ran into traffic in Pittsburgh and Charlotte.
The 2nd day we were on the road 7 1/2 hrs. We left at 7am and arrived at Disney at 2:30pm.

On the way back we were on the road 8 hrs. We didn't leave Orlando till noon and stopped in Statesville NC at 8pm.
The next day we were on the road 10 hrs. We left at 8am and arrived at the Peace Bridge around 6pm.

We did not rent a car.

Branmack---- How much and for how long did you stop? We are planning to do the drive next year for March break and I REALLY hate car trips but I have agreed. If we could do it in the length of time you have described I think I might be able to keep my sanity.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

I have 2 peices of advice.

1- DO NOT SPEED ON US19 you WILL get a ticket there. They radar the hwy 100% of the time 24 hrs a day somewhere along the stretch. Every time we go we always see people pulled over. Always.

2- get yourself a cheap cb radio and magnet mount antenna from canadian tire or anywhere they sell them. Keep it on channel 19. The Truck drivers in the USA always warn you when there are police ahead. Good for the other hwys. STILL DO NOT SPEED ON US19. This is always good for accidents too.

When we went down in May 2004 we were told about I 95 closed down for a truck fire. We found out 2 hrs away from the accident. When we got closer we found out where the back up started and where they were detouring the hwy. We ended up following a few trucks and went the other way around. We got off one exit before the back up. The detour took us 3/4 of a hour longer than if the hwy was open. The back up before they sent you off the hwy was 2 plus hrs wait. Then you had to sit in the detour traffic off the hwy. We figured we saved almost 4 hrs. The truckers on the radio saved us all kinds of hassels there. We found out just as we were leaving orlando. The accident was 1 hour north of daytona on I95. We don't travel without a cb ever.

 

[branmack]

Day 1 to Orlando:
-15mins at a PA reststop for restroom
-1 hr at Morgantown WV for breakfast
-15 mins at Summersville WV for gas
-30 mins in Beckley WV for lunch.
-15 mins North Carolina Welcome center for bathroom
-Final stop Richburg SC

Day 2 to Orlando:
-15 mins Savanaha GA for gas
-45 mins Florida Welcome center for lunch
-Hooray WDW!!!

Day 1 Returning Home:
-1 hr Ridgeland SC for lunch
-15 min at rest stop south of Charlotte NC
-Final stop Statesville NC for night

Day 2 Returning Home:
-45 mins bathroom and Walmart in Summersville Wv
-30 mins Morgantown WV for lunch
-15 mins PA Welcome Center for restroom
-15 mins Rest Stop in PA just before NY state Line for restroom
-Hooray Home Sweet Home!!

I must say that my kids were excellent. This was their first long trip and we thought that we would be making alot more stops. They were the ones that set the pace. Everytime we stopped they were the ones asking if we were ready to hit the road again. They couldn't wait to get to WDW and surprisely enough they couldn't wait to get home.