Driving down from NYC, please tell me about these stopovers

[bangzoom6877]

We are going back to Disney next summer and driving down once again. We have the whole summer off (teachers here!), so we have time! Last summer when we drove down, we stopped in Lumberton, NC (on the way down and on the way back), and Savannah, GA (on the way down). We then went to Boca Raton to visit family before going to Disney. (On the way back up we also hit the DC area to visit some of my old college friends).

Next summer, we would like to look into going a different way. We are, once again, driving down to Boca Raton before heading to Disney. We will probably stay in Lumberton, NC again for our first stop (just a clean place to sleep), but I am thinking about driving down to Jacksonville, FL for the second night stayover. How is the Jacksonville area? It is 5 hours 40 minutes according to mapquest, from Lumberton, and 4 and a half hours north of Boca Raton. The driving time would be perfect for days 2 and 3 of the drive. But I have no clue whatsoever about the Jacksonville area. The only areas I know in Florida are Orlando and Southern Florida.

How about the Atlanta, GA area? I have a friend who lives right near Atlanta and would love to visit her on the way back up. I know Atlanta is about 7 hours from Disney, no problem for us. Anyone know what would be midway between Atlanta and NYC for the trip back home? Just looking for a safe, clean place to stay. Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Anyone?

 

[edbo77]

My experience with Jax is this - if you're going to stay there try to stay north of the city on I95 near the AP. You should have more options of hotels around that area. Once you go south of Jax you get into the Ponte Vedra/St. Augustine area which is a bit more upscale = more $$.

Driving to Atlanta is going to be out of your way, it's too far to the west from I95 and not worth traveling that way in my opinion.