Driving from Long Island, NY to Orlando, FL- what is the best way to do it

[FtW Mike]

Peach026 Buckee's is HUGE down South mostly Texas, Louisiana and are expanding eastward. In Florida there are 2 off 95 One South of Jacksonville the other south of Daytona

 

[shafke]

A lot depends on what time you plan to leave and where in NY.
We have done the drive a couple of ways from LI.
Leave at night sometime after evening Rush - 8 -10pm. The first time we planned on stopping in Florence SC but got to NC/SC border around 8-9am. We made it to Southern GA that time.
If you are leaving in the morning I would suggest planning on getting on the road before the morning rush... you want to be into NJ no later than 7am. We have done this and stopped at the Cracker Barrel off the 1st exit in MD for Breakfast. By doing this we miss the morning rush for NY, Baltimore, and DC.

We have also done I81-I77-I26-I95.... stopped in Charlotte for a couple of days to do Carowinds. This route only adds about an hour overall to the travel time and bypasses all the major cities until GA.

 

[dawz1026]

Hey we have done this drive from Hicksville over 15 times. We have it down to a science LOL. We leave Saturday 6am so no one is over tired or losing sleep etc. Keeping a normal routine is best. We get to Jacksonville and stay at the Crown Plaza off i95 which is 15 hours with a few bathroom breaks. I pack a cooler for lunch and we have dinner at this hotel it is awesome. Nest day it is 2 hour ride and room is always ready and we are in epcot by 11am ! I have so much info. When the kids were smaller Target dollar spot had and still does the best road trip games. Car Bingo is one fun one we still do and my kids are 15 and 26 lol. Ask away! I rent a vehicle too and get great deals. We head down in August!

 

[CATANDSAL1009]

Hey we have done this drive from Hicksville over 15 times. We have it down to a science LOL. We leave Saturday 6am so no one is over tired or losing sleep etc. Keeping a normal routine is best. We get to Jacksonville and stay at the Crown Plaza off i95 which is 15 hours with a few bathroom breaks. I pack a cooler for lunch and we have dinner at this hotel it is awesome. Nest day it is 2 hour ride and room is always ready and we are in epcot by 11am ! I have so much info. When the kids were smaller Target dollar spot had and still does the best road trip games. Car Bingo is one fun one we still do and my kids are 15 and 26 lol. Ask away! I rent a vehicle too and get great deals. We head down in August!

That’s awesome!!! Omg you’re my hero! Lol. We’re in Franklin Square! Leaving at 6am is a perfect idea. How many breaks do you usually do on the way down? And is it usually more than one of you driving? How do you split the time if it’s more than one of you? It’ll be my husband and I driving down. We were thinking to do 6hrs each the first day. But if we can do 15hrs that would make life sooo much better the next day! Lol. I was thinking we do breakfast and lunch in the car and that I would pack some snacks along the way. The hotel you stay at in Jacksonville - Crown Plaza- do you typically book it in advance or just do it that same night you arrive? Also, on the way back home do you stop in Jacksonville again and do 15hrs the next day? Thank you soooo much. I’m actually so surprised as to how many people drive to Florida.

 

[dawz1026]

That’s awesome!!! Omg you’re my hero! Lol. We’re in Franklin Square! Leaving at 6am is a perfect idea. How many breaks do you usually do on the way down? And is it usually more than one of you driving? How do you split the time if it’s more than one of you? It’ll be my husband and I driving down. We were thinking to do 6hrs each the first day. But if we can do 15hrs that would make life sooo much better the next day! Lol. I was thinking we do breakfast and lunch in the car and that I would pack some snacks along the way. The hotel you stay at in Jacksonville - Crown Plaza- do you typically book it in advance or just do it that same night you arrive? Also, on the way back home do you stop in Jacksonville again and do 15hrs the next day? Thank you soooo much. I’m actually so surprised as to how many people drive to Florida.

My husband does all the driving as per his request. We stop in Maryland at the Maryland House (3 hours exact) SO 9AM then we stop Around noon usually Virginia /NC border. Then South of The Border around 4ish bathroom and gas and once usually in Ga for restroom and gas. I do book in advance to get a good room location. They have an indoor pool and bar area inside and I like getting a main floor room so it is easier to get in and out with bags etc. The way home now we drive straight through on Sunday. Leave at 6am and home by 10/11 sometimes earlier. When my kids were younger the trick was get the room for 6 nights at WDW and just leave very late on Saturday. That way you do not waste a Disney day and you can drive as far as you want and get a room. I recommend at least getting in 5/6 hours. Then the next day have breakfast and be home by 6pm. Time to unpack and throw a load in!

 

[CATANDSAL1009]

My husband does all the driving as per his request. We stop in Maryland at the Maryland House (3 hours exact) SO 9AM then we stop Around noon usually Virginia /NC border. Then South of The Border around 4ish bathroom and gas and once usually in Ga for restroom and gas. I do book in advance to get a good room location. They have an indoor pool and bar area inside and I like getting a main floor room so it is easier to get in and out with bags etc. The way home now we drive straight through on Sunday. Leave at 6am and home by 10/11 sometimes earlier. When my kids were younger the trick was get the room for 6 nights at WDW and just leave very late on Saturday. That way you do not waste a Disney day and you can drive as far as you want and get a room. I recommend at least getting in 5/6 hours. Then the next day have breakfast and be home by 6pm. Time to unpack and throw a load in!

I can't thank you enough for breaking it down for me. I definitely feel more confident making this trip now. lol. When you would leave Disney- what were your plans for that day typically? Check out for us would be July 3rd and I never thought to spend that day in Disney either. I also just found out on a FB post that on July 3rd and July 4th they do something special for the 4th of July. That would be awesome to spend another day at Disney!