Driving from Lehigh Valley (PA/NJ)

[basknj]

We will be driving for first time to WDW leaving at 6:00 am on Thursday, June 17th. We're leaning toward taking I-78 to I-81 instead of I-95 so we avoid traffic in Philly, Balt. & DC. Any downside to this other than slightly longer?

Our plan is to stay the night in Savannah and finish the drive on Friday.

Any other suggestions/thoughts welcome. We're trying to get excited about the 17 hour drive versus our usual 2.5 hour flight.

Thanks!

 

[Robert P]

We will be driving for first time to WDW leaving at 6:00 am on Thursday, June 17th. We're leaning toward taking I-78 to I-81 instead of I-95 so we avoid traffic in Philly, Balt. & DC. Any downside to this other than slightly longer?

Our plan is to stay the night in Savannah and finish the drive on Friday.

Any other suggestions/thoughts welcome. We're trying to get excited about the 17 hour drive versus our usual 2.5 hour flight.

Thanks!

We greatly prefer that route for our trips North and back. Takes many of the major cities out of play, and almost all of the tolls.


Taking the 78-81-77-26-95-4 route:
From Allentown, PA (along 78) to the NC/SC line just below Charlotte, NC is @ 570 miles. From the NC/SC line to Savannah is another 230, so you're looking at about 800 miles that first day, with just under 300 to WDW on day 2. Assuming no unusual traffic issues, I think the 17 hour estimate is about right, assuming you stay within 10 mph of the posted speed, and don't stop for long meal breaks.

My only suggestions:
1 - since you will be driving during the week, time your drive (if possible) to avoid Charlotte, NC between 4 and 6 p.m. Rush hour is not good there.
2 - Do not plan to gas up in NC. Highest gas prices from VA to GA. You'd only be in NC for a little more than 100 miles anyway, so gas up before or after NC.

Travel Safe!

 

[loveysbydesign]

That's the route we plan to take when we drive for the 1st time in......9 days! It took me a long time to convince dhd to drive down but it is the only way we can afford this last minute trip to surprise our kids and celebrate my youngest son's 3rd birthday!
Originally we were leaving early Sat. morning and arriving Sun. evening.
Now we're leaving at 3-4 p.m. on a Friday as my dh can not get the day off work and our check-in was changed to Sat. Figure we'll drive til 10-11p.m. Then stop over a little south of Roanoke, VA. Then leave no later than 7 a.m. on Sat. for the rest of the long drive down hoping to arrive no later than 7-8 p.m. This gives us plenty of time to take a break every 2 1/2-3 hours. I don't think my almost 3 y.o. can go any longer than that between breaks!

 

[loveysbydesign]

We greatly prefer that route for our trips North and back. Takes many of the major cities out of play, and almost all of the tolls.


Taking the 78-81-77-26-95-4 route:
From Allentown, PA (along 78) to the NC/SC line just below Charlotte, NC is @ 570 miles. From the NC/SC line to Savannah is another 230, so you're looking at about 800 miles that first day, with just under 300 to WDW on day 2. Assuming no unusual traffic issues, I think the 17 hour estimate is about right, assuming you stay within 10 mph of the posted speed, and don't stop for long meal breaks.

My only suggestions:
1 - since you will be driving during the week, time your drive (if possible) to avoid Charlotte, NC between 4 and 6 p.m. Rush hour is not good there.
2 - Do not plan to gas up in NC. Highest gas prices from VA to GA. You'd only be in NC for a little more than 100 miles anyway, so gas up before or after NC.

Travel Safe!

Can we make it a little south of Roanoke, VA in 6-7 hours?

 

[Robert P]

Without knowing exactly where you are starting from, I can only say that I think so. Last Summer, I made Harrisburg, PA to Statesville, NC (30 mins North of Charlotte along I-77) in 6.5 hours, and I wasn't pushing the speed too much (thank you Virginia for still banning radar detectors). Roanoke is probably a good target for you, b/c there isn't much (city wise) from there down to Charlotte.

Unless it has changed within the last year, there are no 70 mph zones along I-81 down to I-77, so that was keeping the speed within 10 mph of the 60/65 posted speed limits.

Once you hit the NC/SC line, you'll have 530 miles to WDW. The average time from that point, based on other's previous posts and our years of driving, is between 7.5 and 8.5 hours, without major long stops.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Without knowing exactly where you are starting from, I can only say that I think so. Last Summer, I made Harrisburg, PA to Statesville, NC (30 mins North of Charlotte along I-77) in 6.5 hours, and I wasn't pushing the speed too much (thank you Virginia for still banning radar detectors). Roanoke is probably a good target for you, b/c there isn't much (city wise) from there down to Charlotte.

Unless it has changed within the last year, there are no 70 mph zones along I-81 down to I-77, so that was keeping the speed within 10 mph of the 60/65 posted speed limits.

Once you hit the NC/SC line, you'll have 530 miles to WDW. The average time from that point, based on other's previous posts and our years of driving, is between 7.5 and 8.5 hours, without major long stops.

We're coming from Alburtis...10 minutes from Rte 100 and Rte 78 in Fogelsville, west of Allentown.

 

[Robert P]

I think making it to Roanoke will be no problem then.

 

[basknj]

We greatly prefer that route for our trips North and back. Takes many of the major cities out of play, and almost all of the tolls.


Taking the 78-81-77-26-95-4 route:
From Allentown, PA (along 78) to the NC/SC line just below Charlotte, NC is @ 570 miles. From the NC/SC line to Savannah is another 230, so you're looking at about 800 miles that first day, with just under 300 to WDW on day 2. Assuming no unusual traffic issues, I think the 17 hour estimate is about right, assuming you stay within 10 mph of the posted speed, and don't stop for long meal breaks.

My only suggestions:
1 - since you will be driving during the week, time your drive (if possible) to avoid Charlotte, NC between 4 and 6 p.m. Rush hour is not good there.
2 - Do not plan to gas up in NC. Highest gas prices from VA to GA. You'd only be in NC for a little more than 100 miles anyway, so gas up before or after NC.

Travel Safe!

Based on your answers here and in some other similar posts, we've made up our mind to take I-81 versus I-95. I also think we'll try to leave a little earlier -- otherwise, we'll probabaly be arriving in Charlotte right around 4:00 pm.

Thanks for your help, we appreciate it! By the way, great dining reviews!

 

[basknj]

That's the route we plan to take when we drive for the 1st time in......9 days! It took me a long time to convince dhd to drive down but it is the only way we can afford this last minute trip to surprise our kids and celebrate my youngest son's 3rd birthday!
Originally we were leaving early Sat. morning and arriving Sun. evening.
Now we're leaving at 3-4 p.m. on a Friday as my dh can not get the day off work and our check-in was changed to Sat. Figure we'll drive til 10-11p.m. Then stop over a little south of Roanoke, VA. Then leave no later than 7 a.m. on Sat. for the rest of the long drive down hoping to arrive no later than 7-8 p.m. This gives us plenty of time to take a break every 2 1/2-3 hours. I don't think my almost 3 y.o. can go any longer than that between breaks!

I'm kinda with your DH on not looking forward to driving but it was the only way to make this trip happen for us too -- which also happens to be a last minute surprise for our kids.

Your plan to take breaks every couple of hours makes a lot of sense -- any other plans to survive the drive? We're actually located in Central West Jersey and have about a half hour longer trip.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I'm kinda with your DH on not looking forward to driving but it was the only way to make this trip happen for us too -- which also happens to be a last minute surprise for our kids.

Your plan to take breaks every couple of hours makes a lot of sense -- any other plans to survive the drive? We're actually located in Central West Jersey and have about a half hour longer trip.

Well I just got back from Ollies outlet and got all kinds of goodies to entertain my kids. Activity books, mini pinball games, blendy pens, magic pen books etc for my almost 3 y.o. Also thinking I may bite the bullet and get a cheap portable dvd played. My older 2 are easier to entertain- good, long books, mix max players and ds's works for them

 

[pamjb]

There are some great ideas on this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=226819

I used some of the ideas for DH's aunt who flew with her grandsons, ages 10 & 2.

I printed some stuff from Jt&DOLLY, who is a designer on the Dis. I printed the tic tac toe boards, covered them in clear contact paper, and sent along a dry erase marker.

http://www.4shared.com/dir/18428241/4b39460d/sharing.html

loveys, if I would of known you were going to Ollie's, I could of given some of these to you. You probably drove past my house......

 

[loveysbydesign]

There are some great ideas on this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=226819

I used some of the ideas for DH's aunt who flew with her grandsons, ages 10 & 2.

I printed some stuff from Jt&DOLLY, who is a designer on the Dis. I printed the tic tac toe boards, covered them in clear contact paper, and sent along a dry erase marker.

http://www.4shared.com/dir/18428241/4b39460d/sharing.html

loveys, if I would of known you were going to Ollie's, I could of given some of these to you. You probably drove past my house......

Thanks for the links! Where are you at in Orefield?

 

[pamjb]

Thanks for the links! Where are you at in Orefield?

I am in what I call "suburban Orefield", just right off of Tilghman St, maybe 2 miles from Ollie's. Although, I assume that you went to that Ollie's and not the one by the airport.
"Back in the Day" DH worked at the Iron Horse in Alburtis and my DFIL was born and raised in Alburtis.

 

[Robert P]

Based on your answers here and in some other similar posts, we've made up our mind to take I-81 versus I-95. I also think we'll try to leave a little earlier -- otherwise, we'll probabaly be arriving in Charlotte right around 4:00 pm.

Thanks for your help, we appreciate it! By the way, great dining reviews!

I hope the inland route works out for you.

Just note that 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. is the peak time for traffic issues. It can happen anywhere, at anytime. As you approach Charlotte on I-77 South, there is a HOV lane on the left that may be useful. I think it begins @ mile marker 20, and continues down to @ mile marker 10, where it just blends back into the regular traffic lanes. Depending on traffic flow, it can be handy at times.

Thank you for the dining review comments. Glad that you enjoyed them.

 

[basknj]

I hope the inland route works out for you.

Just note that 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. is the peak time for traffic issues. It can happen anywhere, at anytime. As you approach Charlotte on I-77 South, there is a HOV lane on the left that may be useful. I think it begins @ mile marker 20, and continues down to @ mile marker 10, where it just blends back into the regular traffic lanes. Depending on traffic flow, it can be handy at times.

Thank you for the dining review comments. Glad that you enjoyed them.

Hi Robert P:

Thanks for the tip about the HOV lane -- that may be very handy.

And, if we get desperate, there's always the shoulder, right? Sorry, Jersey driver here and we're actually obligated under state law to maintain our image at all times.

 

[DisneyDadC]

my mother in law likes that route better then the I 95 corridor.We live right off 95 and she would prefer me to drive west and take the route you are going over 95.I just cant see it for us though ,but from where you are coming from I think you are way better off taking the route you stated.

 

[basknj]

my mother in law likes that route better then the I 95 corridor.We live right off 95 and she would prefer me to drive west and take the route you are going over 95.I just cant see it for us though ,but from where you are coming from I think you are way better off taking the route you stated.

Hi DisneyDadC:

I have to agree with you. If I lived right off I-95 in Bucks County, I'd take I-95 and just time my drive to avoid the big cities at rush hour. For you to get out to I-81 would be kind of a pain -- the turnpike, I guess?

If you don't mind me asking, what's a Dis Dad?

 

[jasko5990]

With the exception of taking Amtrak's Auto Train in 2008, we have driven from the Philadelphia, PA area every trip since 2002. My current strategy is to wake up around 6am the day we are leaving, then go back to bed around 4-5pm and sleep until about 11pm. We leave around midnight and drive straight through on I-95. My wife & kids stay awake that day until we leave, then they sleep in the Avalanche and don't wake up until we are in North Carolina where we stop for gas and a Cracker Barrel breakfast around 7am. We then hit the road again, only stopping for one more gas stop and when bathroom breaks are needed. The trip lasts 16 hours, + or - 1/2 hour. By leaving when we do we miss all of the morning traffic in the northern section of I-95 (especially around the Washington DC area), and when we stop for breakfast we avoid a lot of the traffic during the morning rush. I have tried other departure times, routes, and also stopping for sleep along the way, and have found this current strategy to be the best for us. The long drive and hours aren't a problem for me since I work rotating shifts and spend up to 13 hours a day in a vehicle and am used to being awake all night in a car. The few times I needed a power nap my wife drove for a short time (usually less than 45 minutes) so I could rest. We get to do it again in 2011.

 

[DisneyDadC]

Hi DisneyDadC:

I have to agree with you. If I lived right off I-95 in Bucks County, I'd take I-95 and just time my drive to avoid the big cities at rush hour. For you to get out to I-81 would be kind of a pain -- the turnpike, I guess?

If you don't mind me asking, what's a Dis Dad?

Its a group of oh say like 460 some guys (dads) here from the Dis that have a love for Disney.You can find our group in the family section of the Dis site.We all just talk about our trips ,families and just everday talk.