driving from deptford Nj

[tci1212]

We are driving to Disney and I am planning on leaving at 2 am from Deptford NJ,will we be thru the DC and Richmond traffic by rush hour? Or will we need to leave earlier? Also do we need to take the beltways at this time of night or stay on 95? Thanks for any help.

 

[jel0511]

I live in Central NJ, and we left here at 3:30am, and were thorugh DC by 6:30am with minimal traffic, this was a Thursday. I think leaving at 2:00AM is overkill, as long as you hit the beltway by 6:00AM, you'll be fine. We did hit Richmond around 9:00am (had stopped for breakfast) or so, and we just took the 295 byass, and had no problems. It is slightly longer than taking 95 straight through, but we avoided big time traffic that way, so we might have come out ahead.

 

[Kim&Chris]

If you're leaving at 2 am, you don't have to worry about DC traffic...you will be fine. We, however, were not so smart last year. We left Cinnaminson, NJ at around 6:30 am and hit the DC traffic right at rush hour and CRAWLED through.

You are definitely doing the right thing by leaving so early....you will breeze right through the DC area without a problem.

 

[LtlTee]

We leave from Marlton, and when we drive we plan on pulling out of the driveway by 3:30 AM. This puts us well past the D.C. rush hour mess. We usually stay over in Brunswick, GA and we reach there around 3:00-4:00 PM, with a stop for lunch and bathroom breaks.

 

[BWVDenise]

We left Turnersville (right next to Deptford) at 4 a.m. and we were in Fredericksburg by 7 a.m. and Savannah at 4 p.m. I believe we did use the beltways.

 

[tci1212]

Thanks everyone,we are driving straight through. So leaving at 2 am should get us to florida by 7pm. Hopefully we won't see too much traffic.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree that you should be fine.
Just to note--the Beltway around DC is also I-95 (they're one and the same)--which is one of the many problems with that entire traffic system. Most cities have the Beltways seperate from I-95--but not DC!!! Truly a monumemnt to poor planning if ever there was one.
And do take I-295 around Richmond--as jel0511 says, it's slighty longer, but a much more traffic-free ride.

 

[mom2of2]

Where do you stay in Brunswick? I did a search on travelocity as well as a few other sites and I'm not seeing much cheaper then $50 for a night. Have you found a decent place for cheaper? We are hoping to take about 12 hours to get there and will have my 2 DS's so a pool is a must as well as something close by to eat. How long is the trip to WDW from Brunswick? I'm guessing about 4 hours right?

 

[LtlTee]

Mom2of2,

We stayed at Hampton Inn -- I don't remember the exact cost, but I do know it was more than $50 -- maybe around $80. We did have a coupon from the Entertainment Book that brought it down a little. There are a couple of exits off Rt. 95 for Brunswick -- both have pretty much the same types of hotels and restaurants -- Applebee's, Cracker Barrel, Denny's, etc. It is about a 12 hour trip for us to Brunswick. Stopping at 3:30 PM or so gives the kids (and us!) a chance to unwind in the pool, and then we just walk across the parking lot to Cracker Barrel or where ever for dinner. We are on the road by 7:30 the next morning and arrive at WDW by 11:30. It just works better for us this way rather than driving straight thru. We arrive ready for a full day at Disney and aren't exhausted.
The best tool I have found for driving is a book called The Next Exit. It lists all the interstates that run through the United States and tells you exactly what hotel, restaurant, gas station, etc. you can find at what exit. If you are traveling with a specific gas credit card, for example, you know exactly where you'll be able to stop. Also, it is really helpful with hotel information.

 

[packy]

One tip on DC. You have a choice (just North of DC) to go left or right around DC. Left is I95, Right is I495. Definetely stay on I95. They both end up at the same place but the Western route on I495 will definitely take you longer.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Packy:
Correct that left is the marked I-95. But it is also I-495, same as going right.
I agree with staying on the "I-95" (left) route, as it gives you easier access to the mixing bowl. But because it IS the marked I-95 route, it tends to have the most Interstate-type traffic.
Frankly, either direction is a mess

 

[mom2of2]

We plan on staying in Brunswick overnight and then the next AM DH wants to hit Daytona International Speedway to go to the museum. THEN we head to WDW. We are staying at DD CbM and I don't think they allow early check in. Either way thanks for the info!!!