Driving from CT

[barbnbrian]

We have always flown SWA, and only when I get a deal on flights (like $49 ea way). Don't really like long car rides, especially driving at night. My inlaws live in Canada and it's 9 to 10 hrs, but a lot of it is back roads! I don't mind this ride if we leave around 5:00 a.m. and arrive mid to late afternoon.

I'm seriously thinking of our family of 5 driving to SSR this summer, so tell me, those of you who have drive from CT, how bad is it really. Give me your best suggestions to make it a little more appealing. How much do you think it costs you to drive from CT to WDW, especially now that gas prices are so high. If savings were significant, I'd be more apt to drive.

Suggestions please. Thanks!

 

[mudnuri]

we have done the trip to florida from VT MANY TIMES!!

we've done it both way- driving straight through- stopping once, and stopping twice.

I will NEVER drive straight thru again.

The last time, we stopped twice- once in NC and once in GA... On the way home we only stopped in VA (dont ask how we made it that far)

We bought the kids each a DVD player- with headphones. They watch their DVD's occasionally. They brought their game boys. Backpacks full of books, coloring stuff, homework etc.

Each kid had enough stuff that we could have driven across country and back without them getting bored.

We left VT at 330am- and were at the first rest area in New Jersey by 830am. I thought the kids would sleep - HA!

we do not let our kids eat in the trucks (DD6 choked at age 2 with food in the truck, we wont EVER do that again) so we stop every now and then for a snack, etc. They do drink in the truck though.

usually we drive DH's Diesel- so I have to plan where we're getting fuel, as one bad tank will ruin our trip. I had it down to the hour we were stopping, so if the kids started their "are we there yet" deal, I could say- 7 more exits, or whatever it was.

This may not work for you, as my kids 1st trip driving to Florida they were 18 months and 3. Plus we take a lot of weekend 4-5 hour road trips, so they're use to being in the truck for hours.

If I can help more, feel free to PM me.

Also- www.infostar.com the I-95 website, has great advice for that highway

Brandy

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

We drove down to WDW from Boston last March, stopping for gas and switching driving with my wife. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be for a long trip with a 3 year old; she did great.
We're planning on doing it again in April 2005.
Here's the trip:

Our Stops, miles traveled, time of day

Boston to Walt Disney World, 1:30 pm
Boston to New Jersey, 212, 6:00 pm
N J to Aberdeen MD, 395, 9:07 pm
MD to Rocky Mt NC, 661, 1:36 am
NC to Florence SC, 870, 4:40 am
SC to S Newport GA, 1,080, 7:58 am
GA to WDW, 1,331, 12:00 pm

Started, Friday, 3/26 1 pm
Finished, Saturday, 3/27 12pm
A 23 hr trip with 5 stops
76 gallons $131 17.51 mpg

Walt Disney World to Boston, 11:00 am
WDW to St Augustine FL, 116, 12:44 pm
FL to Savanah GA, 294, 3:55 pm
GA to Florence SC, 468, 6:22 pm
SC to Battleboro NC, 649, 9:30 pm
NC to Aberdeen MD, 944, 2:17 am
MD to Bloomfield NJ, 1125, 5:30 am
NJ to Quincy MA , 1362, 9:30 am

Good luck

 

[DizGeek]

Now thats an impressive trip report...we're planning on doing the same from Hingham at Christmas. We leave Christmas night (9pm) and I'll drive straight through the morning with my wife taking over after breakfast (8am) then I'll sleep and take over at about 5pm after dinner and bring it on in to the World.

 

[sperk99]

I have been driving from Boston to WDW for the past 5 years. It is not bad at all. We leave the day after XMAS and get to NC/VA the first night....the second night we can make it to GA or JAX, FL. We really get slowed down with all the snowbirds going to FL at the same time however leaving at any other time, you would make better time.

As far as stops go, there are many places on the way to make it more enjoyable and to see the great country we live in.

A few that come to mind are Fredericksburg, VA - for those civil war buffs (right off 95.)

South of the Border at the NC/SC state line

A restaruant in Florence, SC - it's a southern place that looks like you're eating outside but it's all inside. It was converted from an old department store. For the kids, after the meal they can go and pick out their own ice cream from an ice cream truck in the restaurant. There is also a little play area for kids as well.

Free OJ at the FL state welcoming center

St. Augustine, FL

These are just a few of the many places off of 95...