Driving Down to Florida

[disney0210]

Hi everyone,

Driving down for the 1st time (flew all the time) with DH, a tween and a 3-month old. What do I need to know about driving down?

1. Best route from the GTA?
2. Tolls / transponders? Do I buy a transponder in advance? If not, how much do cash tolls typically cost?
3. Other than a Cdn driving licence, do I need any other type of international licence/permit?

We will also be driving from Orlando to Port canaveral, and then Port Canaveral back to The GTA.

Thanks in advance!

 

[glenndon]

I'm from Atlantic Canada, so can't help you with the best route from the GTA.

The cost of tolls can vary from $0.50 up to a few bucks. We always keep a little change bucket handy.

The good thing about the toll roads in the states is that they are generally well maintained, the quickest route and worth taking.

Glenndon

 

[Evelyne]

We always drive from the Ottawa area , we cross the border at 1000 islands, then 81, 83, 695, 495 and then 95 and 4. There is no tolls on
these roads and it usually goes very fine , we have done this like 22 times!!! Juste have to avoid rush hours especially for 695 and 495 because it is close to Baltimore and Wahsington, so that can be a real disater...Enjoy tour trip

 

[dsneygirl]

We always drive from the Ottawa area , we cross the border at 1000 islands, then 81, 83, 695, 495 and then 95 and 4. There is no tolls on
these roads and it usually goes very fine , we have done this like 22 times!!! Juste have to avoid rush hours especially for 695 and 495 because it is close to Baltimore and Wahsington, so that can be a real disater...Enjoy tour trip

I would also pay close attention to the weather forecast. the south has been hit hard and they will close the interstates.

 

[nutc4disney]

We are also from the GTA and always drive the I-75 route. It may be a little longer distance wise but we find it just as fast time wise. Lots of rest areas, gas stations and resturants.

 

[bankr63]

We always drive from the Ottawa area , we cross the border at 1000 islands, then 81, 83, 695, 495 and then 95 and 4. There is no tolls on
these roads and it usually goes very fine , we have done this like 22 times!!! Juste have to avoid rush hours especially for 695 and 495 because it is close to Baltimore and Wahsington, so that can be a real disater...Enjoy tour trip

I think the GTA'ers would tend more towards I-75 or the other "70's" interstates.

Driving from Ottawa, we avoid Baltimore and and Washington completely by staying on I-81 to Staunton VA before cutting down on I-64 to Richmond. A bit longer distance, but you don't have to worry about traffic nearly as much. 3 weeks from RIGHT NOW I'll be heading out of the office for our next trip!

 

[DisFan2]

I think the GTA'ers would tend more towards I-75 or the other "70's" interstates.

Driving from Ottawa, we avoid Baltimore and and Washington completely by staying on I-81 to Staunton VA before cutting down on I-64 to Richmond. A bit longer distance, but you don't have to worry about traffic nearly as much. 3 weeks from RIGHT NOW I'll be heading out of the office for our next trip!

Agree. We stopped using the Baltimore/Washington corridor years ago, although we cut east at Winchester, VA. On the way back, if we're timing it right, we will go back through Washington, taking the 495 around to Frederick, MD and then back up 81.

[Sorry for the thread hijack!]

 

[digskat]

Look for along I-75 book from Dave Hunter it is a must!!

 

[dancin Disney style]

OP...you didn't say when you were going. This winter I would not advise anyone to drive to FL. The storms have been terrible and the southern states can't handle it. The answer has been to just close the interstates and wait it out.

That aside, from the GTA the fastest route is the I77/79/95. The other route, I75, will add on 3 hrs to the drive but is safer if driving in cold weather.

The tolls along the 77/79/95 will cost you approx $7. You will require a few $1 and a bunch of coins. Almost all of the tolls have a manned lane but there are 1 or 2 that you need coins to toss in the bucket. I usually will have $5 in US quarters and $10 in singles that I keep in the car for the tolls. It's always way more than I need.

You don't need any special license...your ONT one is enough.

 

[JenluvsDisney]

We've driven several times from Waterloo (about an hour west of the GTA) and I also recommend crossing the border at Buffalo and going I79/77/95. The scenery is beautiful and it completely avoids the torturous, boring ride along the 401 to Windsor/Detroit to take the I75.

 

[krazy4crusing]

The scenery is beautiful and it completely avoids the torturous, boring ride along the 401 to Windsor/Detroit to take the I75.

SOOOOOO TRUE about the 401.... If you are driving in the warmer weather or on a day when the roads will be clear take the above route. If there is a chance of rain, snow etc... take the 75. We drive down all the time and the 77 is very dangerous in bad weather ie dense fog, ice etc... the 75 is fairly flat and easy to drive.

The 75 also has more restaurants and areas to stop if you need to do diaper changes or feedings.

 

[disney0210]

OP...you didn't say when you were going. This winter I would not advise anyone to drive to FL. The storms have been terrible and the southern states can't handle it. The answer has been to just close the interstates and wait it out.

That aside, from the GTA the fastest route is the I77/79/95. The other route, I75, will add on 3 hrs to the drive but is safer if driving in cold weather.

The tolls along the 77/79/95 will cost you approx $7. You will require a few $1 and a bunch of coins. Almost all of the tolls have a manned lane but there are 1 or 2 that you need coins to toss in the bucket. I usually will have $5 in US quarters and $10 in singles that I keep in the car for the tolls. It's always way more than I need.

You don't need any special license...your ONT one is enough.

We are going for March break. Unfortunately, we decided against flying even though driving would cost us more, because of all the baby stuff we don't want to leave behind. We are travelling with a 3-month old and as such, we thought we would have more control/flexibility if we drove.

 

[disney0210]

SOOOOOO TRUE about the 401.... If you are driving in the warmer weather or on a day when the roads will be clear take the above route. If there is a chance of rain, snow etc... take the 75. We drive down all the time and the 77 is very dangerous in bad weather ie dense fog, ice etc... the 75 is fairly flat and easy to drive.

The 75 also has more restaurants and areas to stop if you need to do diaper changes or feedings.

The diaper changes/feedings and the need to pump breast milk is exactly why we are driving, so I think the 75 it is. Must look for this Dave Hunter book.

 

[Schmeegs]

We just arrived and did the drive with our 6-year-old - I can't recommend the Dave Hunter book enough. It made the drive totally doable.

 

[Skjhjb]

We just arrived and did the drive with our 6-year-old - I can't recommend the Dave Hunter book enough. It made the drive totally doable.

Us as well! We went the other route in 2012 (August) but this time we are going the I75 route. We bought the book online from Chapters...cheaper than in store.

My Mom & Stepdad go to Florida every winter, and he doesn't recommend the I95 route in the winter months...while the scenery and mountains are beautiful, all the up and down twisty windy of that route can be dangerous in the winter months.

We don't go until May, but decided to do I75 this time for something different....and we plan to leave at 4am, so the long 401 drive to the Windsor border will be in the dark and the teenagers will all be sleeping anyway...LOL

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

The diaper changes/feedings and the need to pump breast milk is exactly why we are driving, so I think the 75 it is. Must look for this Dave Hunter book.

I'll second that. We won't go any other way -- because it took almost four hours longer than advertised taking the 'shorter' 79-77-95 route -- and also because of Hunter's book is absolutely indispensable. It turned me from a bad navigator ("uh, I think we should have turned back there") to a very good one "you'll want to get in the left lane soon".) It made the miles fly by. We took advantage of two hotel chains recommended by Hunter--Drury and Jameson Inns--and heartily recommend both to anyone. It has everything you could possibly need and some things you'd never think you'd need...until you do.

 

[dsneygirl]

The diaper changes/feedings and the need to pump breast milk is exactly why we are driving, so I think the 75 it is. Must look for this Dave Hunter book.

I would have thought the opposite. I have never driven with my kids but flown lots starting at 3 months old. 2.5 hours to MOC from BUF is one feed (maybe 2) and maybe 1 diaper change (if you get lucky just before you board) then we are there vs 24 hours in the car + stops every 2 hours for 20-30min seems like the more difficult route.