Driving from DC to Orlando - need advice

[momofmikey]

BRERALEX-
I live on Long Island, about an hour east of the city. We've driven twice so far. It takes us about 18 hours, so you're probably less depending on what part of Jersey you're in. I got a trip tix from AAA and it says it's something like 17 hours, 11 minutes from the Verrazano Bridge.

 

[BRERALEX]

thanx momofmikey thats sounds awesome.

i think i can handle 18 hours. i live in north jersey so best bet would be for me to guess it would take 18 hours.

now its pick a hotel time!!!

 

[snugglebug]

We're in southern Maryland and we plan to drive straight through. We're pretty experience since we used to live in Maine and often made the drive to Texas to visit family. I find it easier to drive at night since traffic isnt' bad and the kids sleep We plan to leave sometime before midnight and hope to make it to WDW for lunch.

 

[momofmikey]

Just got back from WDW. We drove down from Long Island with my 1 yo DS. Left Kings Park (about 45 minutes east of Verrazano - no traffic) at 7:30 Saturday night. Drove straight through - stopped at Cracker Barrel in SC at 6:45 next am for breakfast. back on road at 8:00. Stopped at GA rest stop for 15 minutes, then at Mcdonalds for 45 minutes - got to Disney at 4:15 Sunday. Trip back even better. Left Disney at 5:30 pm Saturday evening, and got to NY at 12:30 pm Sunday. Fair warning - there was an unbelievable amount of cops out - don't know if it's b/c it was a Saturday night or what, but seriously saw at least 20 on the trip down. Never did more than 4 miles over the speed limit. What's nice is it's 70 miles most of the trip.

 

[Cindy B]

We've gone straight through from the Philly area. We leave around 4 pm, get past DC (yes, thats the worst traffic in the whole drive!), and stop in Richmond around 9-10 pm.

Then have a quick stop, and then go on until a gas break, and then go from there.. we usually get to Florida at 6 am (border rest stop), then on 2 more hours to my aunts house in Daytona area. From her house, only a hour from Orlando.

 

[JudithM]

I would plan on the 17 hours with various stops for eating, rest room visits, gas, stretch breaks, an outlet or two, etc. We find we need those stretch breaks. If it takes less than 17 hours, then great, but plan for some short breaks every so often.

We have stopped at various Hampton Inns along I95 & have never gone wrong - clean, friendly, comes iwth continental breakfast, etc. We recently stopped at Clark's Inn in Santee, SC. They had a coupon in the SC hotel guide books that can be found at the Welcome Centers & other locations. Clark's Restaurant in on the property - we ate dinner & breakfast there - nice, sit down restaurant. We would stay there again.

 

[AuntBJ]

Couldn't resist responding when I saw someone mention my town. If you decide to stay in Manning, make sure you get off on Exit 119. There we have a Comfort Inn, Guesthouse Inn. Holiday Inn Express and Ramada Limited. The Comfort Inn is supposed to be OK. The Holiday Inn Express is about 2-3 years old. The Ramada Limited is brand new and sits directly behind a Shoney's which has a pretty good breakfast bar. The Guesthouse Inn has been recently remodeled.

Don't advise stopping at Exit 108. This exit has unfortunately started to run down.

Save a few pennies and come on into town for cheaper prices on gas. Also there are some good local places to eat.

I live a mile or so from Exit 119 and it takes us 7 hours to get to WDW.