Driving down in December?

[Madame]

Hi everyone!

We are headed down to Miami for our first DCL cruise this December. Flight costs for the 5 of us are outrageous!! About 1/2 the cost of the cruise. We live about 30 mins outside of Windsor & will cross the border at Detroit. We sail on Sun Dec 21st (before 4pm) - I am a teacher so we can't leave home until 3pm on Fri the 19th. So if any of you have ever done this...

1. Should/can we stop on the Fri night? (We have DD 7 DS 5 DS 5 with us and they are usually in bed by 7pm & I don't know how they will handle spending the night slumped over in the van.)

2. If we should/can stop, where?

3. What is the normal weather like on the way down? I know freak weather can happen, but for anyone who has done gone down in December what were the driving conditions like?

TIA!

 

[bdoyledimou]

have you looked at flights out of Detroit or Flint? usually not as bad as Canada -- but --- once you get south of Ohio the weather tends to clear up -=- shouldnt' be anything you can't handle.

if you CAN drive through -- do so -- find a rest stop at about 4 am and sleep till 6 am and keep on going -- especially with you leaving late on Friday -- pausing to sleep is going to delay.

And also -- Traffic in Miami is CRAZY -- they were going 80 in the 60s -- avoid the express lanes -- its even WORSE there ----

 

[Madame]

Yes I did price out of Detroit. Unfortunately it's difficult because I can't just pick any flight on the Friday . Morning flights are cheaper & there are several we have no chance of making because of school schedule. I think our best bet is to probably drive through as well. And Thanks for the advice about Miami-my Dad was a long-haul trucker mainly TO - Miami (I used to close my eyes in Miami when I went with him over breaks !eek! I see things haven't changed lol!!).

 

[sheboz]

Madame, I live in Windsor. Have you checked flights from Flint or possibly Ohio? Have a great trip! Subscribing!

 

[Madame]

Madame, I live in Windsor. Have you checked flights from Flint or possibly Ohio? Have a great trip! Subscribing!

We live in Kingsville . I took your advice and checked Flint, Toledo, Cleveland, Cincinnati... Lol! I checked Spirit too & everything is between $2500 & $3000 plus an extra night in a hotel-which is always more since we need a suite or 2 rooms. We are paying $1200 for the 5 of us plus MIL this August, so over double just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I'll keep an eye on flights, but it is peak season & I think we'll end up driving straight through & hitting Miami in the afternoon Saturday. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know how we make out!

 

[sheboz]

Groupon often has park and fly deals . I often check out the Detroit groupon. We recently became a family of five and are planning the drive down for the first time. I look forward to hearing your plans. Where will you stop?

 

[Madame]

This is what we have so far - driving straight through with breaks for food etc.

Kingsville to Miami

Dayton
4h40 mins
Supper
Wendy's off Needmore & Timmies

Dayton to Georgetown
2h
BK

Georgetown to Knoxville
3h

Knoxville to Atlanta
3h25 mins
Breakfast

Atlanta to Tifton
3h

Tifton to Gainesville
2.5 h
Lunch

Gainesville to Kissimmee
2h6 mins
Snack

Kissimmee to Miami
3.5h
Supper

If you have any suggestions I'd be grateful!

 

[PensFan]

Only thing I have to add is I wish you the best possible weather! Not giving yourself much time to get down there late December.