Driving from London to WDW in March 2008

[Jeffan1ca]

I'll be swinging by London to pick up my In-Laws for a March Break 2008 trip to WDW. We have opted to drive instead of flying to keep cost down. Ideally we would like to fly out of Buffalo but doubt prices will be reasonable. I'll keep checking for flights but have resigned myself that we will be driving. How far do most people drive per day? There are no young kids so stops will be infrequent. Is it possible to get on the otherside of Atlanta on the first day. I really don't want to stay 2 nights at I-75 hotels.

 

[101DalmFan]

In February, we crossed at Windsor for the first time (we usually cross at Buffalo and then drive across Ohio and hook up with I-75 in Cincinnati -- we've done that for many reasons, shopping along the way at certain favourite store in Ohio a big one ) -- we crossed the border around 8:30 a.m. (yes, we left TO very early.....) and we spent our first night in Knoxville TN; we got there around 5 pm. DH and I were very tired so we didn't push it any further and we knew from experience that once you get past Knoxville, for a while there aren't many hotel choices. We wanted a decent hotel and a good southern bbq dinner, then a good night's sleep

You can make Knoxville to Orlando in one day, assuming no construction delays etc. -- last August we left Orlando and made it all the way to Knoxville on our first day driving home. So that would mean only one night on I-75.

Also, if you don't already have it, I HIGHLY recommend getting a copy of the Driving I-75 book (by Dave Hunter). You can find it in most Chapters etc, but here's a link to the book's site:
http://www.i75online.com/

We absolutely wouldn't hit I-75 without it -- we LOVE this book. Our older version is totally scribbled in, with exits circled, stars beside certain things, etc. We just got the new copy recently. The book is so worthwhile.

Have a great vacation!

 

[NancyK]

We've driven from the London area a few times. We generally leave about 4 a.m. We've never had any trouble making it south of Atlanta the first night. It IS a lot of driving, but we would rather do an extra long day the first day, and then a shorter second day.

 

[rjan67]

We drive from Sarnia all the time. Atlanta is 12 hours out so judge accordingly. We just came back from WDW this month and there is some killer construction south of Atlanta but should hopefully be over by then! We frequently drive straight down with no overnights and make it in about 21 hours. We have small children who behave excellently in the car. Personally I would leave as early as possible in the morning.

 

[Brianne&Sami'smom]

We drive to Florida every March break. My husband and I enjoy the drive and have never had any problems - - except for the return trip this year when the tire blew on our friend's van and we spent a couple of hours in Georgia while they had it fixed. We made our own fun out it and kept the kids entertained. We have driven the I95 and the I75. Now we usually drive down via I77 / I79.

 

[Jeffan1ca]

Thanks everyone for the information. Based on your feedback, we'll probably end up leaving London around 04:00 so as to make it through Detroit before their rush hour. I do have the Dave Hunter's I-75 book and have been reading it diligently. I've even checked out some hotels just south of Atlanta and can't believe the low price they offer. Now to phone Disney and reserve our room.

 

[F4disneyfan]

I'll be swinging by London to pick up my In-Laws for a March Break 2008 trip to WDW. We have opted to drive instead of flying to keep cost down. Ideally we would like to fly out of Buffalo but doubt prices will be reasonable. I'll keep checking for flights but have resigned myself that we will be driving. How far do most people drive per day? There are no young kids so stops will be infrequent. Is it possible to get on the otherside of Atlanta on the first day. I really don't want to stay 2 nights at I-75 hotels.

We usually leave around Dinner time on the Friday evening and drive all night and stop for a couple hours in the AM at the GA welcome centre. We then drive to the rest stop in Macon GA on the Macon bypass. We will have lunch there and then let the kids run around. We will stop around 3 or 4 in the afternoon in Valdosta at milemarker 18 for the evening there are plenty of hotels etc at this exit and lots of options for food. So we are very close to Florida when we stop for the night.

 

[Ham Ham]

We live in Mississauga and can never get the flights out of Buffalo to work for us. We've flown out of Pittsburgh and are flying out of Detroit this fall. Depending on where you live you might want to consider, Flint, Rochester & Cleveland and the above mentioned cities. All less than a five hour drive from Mississauga.

Depending on what day of the week you leave, departing London at 4:00 AM, you will hit Atlanta's rush hour.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Whenever my parents and I drive down I-75 when going South, we always take 2 and a half days because we don't like to rush. The 1st night we leave home around 2:00 AM and drive all the way to Cleveland, Tennesse and stay at the Hampton Inn off exit 27. The 2nd day we drive to Valdosta, Georgia and stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites, off exit 16 which in my opinion is the best Hampton Inn location ever. So the next day we arrive in Clearwater Beach and our vacation begins.