Driving from Boston to WDW --- Any Tips?

[lala3291]

Hello!

My dad (55) and I (23) have decided to make the drive from Boston to WDW this coming January. With airline prices being so high, we figured we could save money this way. Plus, we have always wanted to try driving anyways.

We are driving as straight through as possible, although the GPS says it is a 23 hour drive without stops. If anyone has done this drive before, where do you stop over and stay the night on the way? We are hoping to get as close as possible on the first day and leave early the next morning to finish the drive. Also, does anyone have any tips on what time to leave from the Boston area to start the drive that would avoid the most traffic? I have never done a drive even close to this far, so I would appreciate any information that anyone has!:good vibes

Also, we are hoping for good weather in January. We are planning on leaving a day or two early if necessary, in case we see a snow storm coming. I am thinking we could always get a room only at WDW, as I'm sure we won't be able to change our WDW package that close.

Thank you everyone!

 

[iScrap]

I've done that drive many, many times, although never in January.

We usually try to take the "snowbird route" and take Route 84 to Route 81 in PA then follow that to Route 77 in VA to Route 26 in Columbia, SC to Route 95 the rest of the way (it sounds more complicated than it is). It's a little longer than the straight Route 95 shot, but you miss all the toll roads, NY, NJ and DC traffic. I found that the rest rooms were a little nicer too. I'm not sure, though, that it's the best route for mid-winter because of the proximity of mountains and possibility of more snow.

It's definitely about 23-24 hours to Disney and we usually stop in Columbia, SC because there's a choice of hotels to stay in.

ETA: I'd plan on leaving really early - like 4:30 or 5:00 so you miss any Hartford/NY traffic. You will always hit traffic in the NY area, but that will put you there toward the end of the rush hour commute if you take I-95.

 

[deb010305]

South Shore of Massachusetts here !
We've driven to WDW from home, but never in January - too worried about ice and snow.
We take the 95 route most of the way, but opt for the Tappan Zee Bridge instead of the George Washington Bridge, and we listen to the GPS around Washington DC.
The tolls weren't too bad, we have a FastPass/Easy Pass Transponder, which was good for tolls all the way down (not Florida), and we just added extra money to the account before we left.
We try to stop on the way down in Fayetteville NC, it's probably about 12-13 hours with stops, and then its 8-9 hours to WDW.
On the way back we stop in Emporia VA, it's about 11 hours from WDW and about 11 hours to home from there.

 

[cranbiz]

Yes, I have done this drive many times before moving to FL and then NC. I lived in Carver and would try to leave between 4 and 6pm. My best time was 18 hours and my worst time was 24 hours but that had massive traffic jams and a breakdown of the trailer I was towing.

My normal travel time was 21 hours if I was just moving along at highway speed (moving along with the traffic). I used to use the GW bridge but now opt for the Tappan Zee and take the Garden State Parkway to the NJ Turnpike. I never had any issues with winter storms bad enough to cause any issues.

I would take 195 to Providence, then 95 to 295 to use the Tappan Zee, then NJ Turnpike. I usually needed a gas stop at either the last rest area or would get off at exit 1 and hit the Flying J right off the exit. (the price is normally a couple of cents per gallon better). Back on 95/295 in DE and then take 495 around DC. I also recommend 295 around Richmond as there is a major bridge reconstruction project going on there and it's easily another year before it's done (295 is also a better road). Next gas stop was either Emporia VA or Roanoke Rapids, NC. Continue on 95 thru NC and stop near Waltersboro SC for gas. Back on 95 and stop for gas at exit 3 in GA (St Mary / Kings Bay) You should be going thru Jacksonville near 12pm so just go thru the city. Probably need a gas stop in Daytona Beach and then hop onto I4 heading to Orlando. Depending on the time you get to Sanford, you may try to stay in I4 or you may opt to spend about $8.00 and take 417 to WDW. I4 anytime after 3:30 to 4pm on a weekday is not the best place to be and if you don't know the back roads around Orlando, you could be in for some traffic where 417 will usually be relatively traffic free.

If you take 417, have several dollars in quarters. They don't take EZ Pass and only the main line tolls are manned and make change.

Roanoke Rapids is your halfway point. You should make it there in less than 12 hours.

Nowadays, I can get from Durham, NC to Wareham, MA in 12 to 13 hours. Durham is a a minimum hour from the VA line, heading to MA (85 to Petersburg) so 11-12 hours to Roanoke Rapids is very doable.

 

[lala3291]

Thank you all SO much for your input! I really appreciate it. I am going to sit down with my dad and go over a route with all of your helpful information. I am a little worried about traveling in January, but unfortunately is our only option due to work/school conflicts. I have a month-long break from college in January, and my dad was able to get time off work. We may leave early depending on if we see a storm coming.

Thank you all again!

 

[HeatherC]

We are near Sturbridge and have found that the best time to leave is 5:30-6:00am. This way we zip through Hartford traffic and hit the tail end of NYC rush hour.

We also do not go near NYC! We drive 84 to 684 to 287 over the Tappan Zee to the Garden State Parkway which hooks up withthe NJ Turnpikein south Jersey.

This route has proven to be the quickest for us.

Havefun planning!!

 

[lala3291]

We are near Sturbridge and have found that the best time to leave is 5:30-6:00am. This way we zip through Hartford traffic and hit the tail end of NYC rush hour. We also do not go near NYC! We drive 84 to 684 to 287 over the Tappan Zee to the Garden State Parkway which hooks up withthe NJ Turnpikein south Jersey. This route has proven to be the quickest for us. Havefun planning!!

Thanks for your advice! I started to panic a little about January weather, so we moved our trip up to the second week in November. So our trip is actually pretty close! Thanks again.

 

[dromio42]

Take a look at the book, 'Drive I-95'. It's a great resource for the drive!

 

[lala3291]

Take a look at the book, 'Drive I-95'. It's a great resource for the drive!

Will do, thank you!

 

[littlejimmy]

If you want to drive, go for it. But I don't see how that would save you money. You can get two round trip airline tickets from boston to Orlando for about 550 bucks.

The distance to Orlando is 1300 miles. So round trip is 2600 miles. If your car gets 30 miles to the gallon, you are using about 350 bucks in gas. PLus, 2 nights in a hotel. plus, food for your total days of travel.

So, I don't see the problem with driving if that is what you want to do, but do not think it will save you money.

 

[lala3291]

If you want to drive, go for it. But I don't see how that would save you money. You can get two round trip airline tickets from boston to Orlando for about 550 bucks. The distance to Orlando is 1300 miles. So round trip is 2600 miles. If your car gets 30 miles to the gallon, you are using about 350 bucks in gas. PLus, 2 nights in a hotel. plus, food for your total days of travel. So, I don't see the problem with driving if that is what you want to do, but do not think it will save you money.

For us, the drive this time actually would save us a bit of money. I was thinking it wouldn't save us, but flights for the week we are going are very high, much higher than $550 round trip for two. Plus, we have to drive to the airport and park there, so that's an expense as well. I agree with you- generally it probably would cost around the same, but this time I think it will save us a little. At least I'm hoping it will in the long run!

 

[littlejimmy]

Ok. didn't mean to sound like you shouldn't do it or trying to tell you what to do. Have a good time bonding with your old man.

 

[lala3291]

Ok. didn't mean to sound like you shouldn't do it or trying to tell you what to do. Have a good time bonding with your old man.

Oh no- I understand completely! I appreciate what you had to say. You didn't come across that way at all. You are right- usually it is cheaper to fly, but with the particular week we are looking at, driving will probably be more cost effective. Sorry if I seemed like I didn't like what you had to say- it can be hard to communicate on message boards sometimes