Driving from Fairfax VA

[Massey33]

Any clues/advice on driving from Fairfax, VA to Orlando? We are going Dec 16-19. Would like to fly to save time for such a short trip but airfare is pretty restrictive. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Tina]

We have done the drive twice (we live in Bristow, near Manassas).

The first time we drove straight through. It took us about 13 hours - but about 2 of those were due to an accident that closed part of 95 in N.Carolina. They routed traffic around some back country roads and it really slowed us down. By the time we got to WDW, we were exhausted (and REALLY had to pee!!). We were so tired, we felt like we were still in a moving car. The 2 of us switched off every 2 - 3 hours, but it was still very exhausting.

The 2nd trip, we decided to stop overnight in Santee, S. Carolina. We left around 5:30pm on a Friday night and made it to Santee around 1am. We stayed at the Hampton Inn for $89. The next morning, we had only a 5-6 hour drive to WDW. We were much happier with the stopover. We arrived feeling fairly fresh and ready to get started.

If you can't spare the time for a stopover, I recommend flying. The long drive really packs a punch to your energy.

 

[nana2tots]

Hey, DH has family that lives in Manassas, so we travel there , not that often though!!!!nana2tots

 

[Tina]

 

[Massey33]

Tina,

We're planning on splitting the drive on the way there but driving straight through on the way back. MapQuest is showing a 14 hour drive taking 95 South to 295 South then back to 95 South to I-4 West when we get close to Orlando. Is this the way you go?

 

[mickey58729]

We drove down a couple of years ago from Alexandria, VA and it took us about 12 hours (of course, we only stopped for gas) and that is the route that we took. I would also recommend flying because by the time you get there you are exhausted and don't feel like doing anything that day. Prices for Round Trip are around $180 per person right now. You might hit some traffic coming back since that will be the weekend before Christmas. Good luck and have a safe trip if you do drive. We are going Dec 3-11 and are flying out of Dulles.

 

[punkin]

I drove down from Potomac. MD (suburban DC) and it took me 14 hours. I drove alone with two kiddies and we stopped pretty much every two hours for a stretch. It is a much easier drive on the way down than back up.

 

[Tina]

The stretch around 95 isn't really necessary, but I don't think it will cost/save any time anyway. If you're not comfortable with metro driving, then take the 295 route. Watch your speed in South Carolina - they're tough there. My neighbor, who is a DC lietenant (sp?) got a speeding ticket there. Boy, was he mad!! You'll find that most of the traffic clips along between 70 and 80mph. The drive is fairly easy, just tiring. The toughest part of the trip is finding clean bathrooms.

 

[SOMEDAYMYPRINCEWILLC]

we are leaving nov 3rd from gloucester va to drive half way to disney and then doing the same thing on the way back the following weekend.. we'll stay at a hotel to sleep some so we aren't exhausted.. we drive 8 hrs to visit family in ny and do that straight
with two children ages 10 and 13 and we are beat from that.. we get there around 1 or 2 am .. but anyway i will let you know how our drive is.. if you'd like. ill write after we get back .. I CANNOT WAIT. we have only been once for our honeymoon 15 years ago .. sept .. our kids have never been.. donna

 

[ducklite]

Leave mid day on Friday, use the Richmond bypass, and don't stop every fifteen minutes and you can make it in under 12 hours provided you hit no major construction or accidents. Grab a cheap room offsite, you'll be there in time to get a good nights sleep. You might want to look at rooms in the Altamonte Springs, FL area--they are usually greatly discounted on the weekend, and I-4 traffic will be easily manageable on a Saturday morning.

It's an easy trip

Anne

 

[loriandave]

Don't forget to check out the I-95 guide available by clicking on "transportation" along the left side of the DIS main page. Its a little outdated, but at least you get an idea what coming up the next exit. I have made this drive three times (from Occoquan, VA) with from 2-6 kids and managed to stop at "South of the Border" only once. It took about 14 hours each time with full stops for two meals and 2-3 bathroom stops in between. Personally, I found it easiest to leave about 3 am so that I was not overly tired during the dark part of the trip.

 

[SteveMouse]

Southwest currently has airfare in the 180 pp range, inclusive of taxes, from Dulles to Orlando. For a trip that quick, I'd seriously consider flying, not to mention that trying to drive straight through on the way back could get kind of ugly- you MAY see the begining of Christmas travel (although it should really get worse the 21st).

-steve

 

[blessedby3]

I would check with SWA and download their ding. You should be able to come upon a ding for that time frame since it isnt too close to Christmas. I would plan on driving, but jump on any cheap ding fare you see. We have flown SW last year ($28 each way), but we have to drive 3 hours to get to Raleigh. Not sure what you are near, but they fly out of Norfolk and Baltimore as well as Raleigh Durham. We live in Roanoke. Flying would be so much better especially on that short of a trip. Hope you have a great time.