Driving from CT to WDW?

[pjpoppins]

Just curious on people's opinions on which route to take. I've driven a couple times (when younger and no 5 yo in tow) and taken 95 the whole way. I know NYC and DC traffic can be killer. Also, have heard that tolls, especially for some bridges, have increased significantly. I know you can shoot into NY and PA and then come down to 95 below DC. Any comments or opinions? Thanks.
Also, there will be 4 adults and my DD5 (and yes we're driving straight through).

 

[Smile&Nod]

Not sure how much time it would add, but if you go into PA and then take I-81 south you can take that as far south as Richmond, VA (well, you would take I-64 east to Richmond). once in Richmond take 295 south to get to 95 south.

the other option (pending cost) is to drive to the DC area, Lorton, VA to be exact and take the Amtrak Auto Train!

 

[UConnJack]

We drive from CT quite regularly, and we almost always go straight down 95. The trick is really timing it right. We usually drive straight through the night, pulling the kids out of school a little early on a Friday (around 1pm), and getting through NYC before traffic starts picking up (~3pm). We sometimes run into some heavyish traffic around Wilmington, DE right after the bridge, but it usually doesn't stop (an we usually stop for a quick dinner). By the time we get to Baltimore and DC around 6-7 pm , the traffic there has let up (again, may be a little slow in spots, but usually doesn't stop) and its clear sailing the rest of the way barring any accident-caused traffic. Driving straight through this way, it usually takes us 19-20 hrs, getting us to WDW by 10am.

Obviously the timing would have to be altered depending if you planned on stopping overnight and/or if you are driving on a weekend, but the concepts are the same. I have taken the I-81 route before (I-84 to I-81 to I-77 and back to I-95 in SC) when weather (i.e., a noreaster or hurricane going up the coast) or timing made I-95 a bad choice, and it is usually trouble free for the most part, but it does add at least 2 hrs compared to I-95.

 

[UConnJack]

Also, tolls add up to about $15 or so I think, and make sure you have EZ-Pass or you can easily add another hour to the trip.

 

[herdtoDisney]

We're driving straight through from CT too-in 2 weeks

We're doing 95 also. I got a Fastlane thingy, that is an ezpass thing put out by Mass. They don't charge a monthly fee or for the transponder like other states do and it works wherever ezpass works. I haven't used it yet but I got one for DS also, who goes to school in upstate NY, and it works fine.

A co worker tuned me in to ezpass, he loves it. All the times we've gone to FL and sat at the toll booths! No more for me.