Driving from Maine to Orlando! Any suggestions???

[carrielovesdisney]

We are driving to WDW with a 6 & a 4 year old. Any hint or suggestions anyone can share?

 

[Mickman0_3]

Are you stopping overnight? That is a terribly long drive to go straight through.

 

[ancestry]

I just want to wish you good luck. We too live in Maine and just can not bring ourselves to do the drive. Anything over 12 hours is brutal to us.

My one hint/suggestion is that you time your departure from Maine so that you don't get stuck around New York City or Washington D.C. during any peak travel times. Traffic in those areas can add hours onto what is already a 24+ hour drive.

 

[CarpeDisney]

My one hint/suggestion is that you time your departure from Maine so that you don't get stuck around New York City or Washington D.C. during any peak travel times. Traffic in those areas can add hours onto what is already a 24+ hour drive.

I would definitely agree with this. As you'll most likely be driving through the main hub of NYC commuter territory only 4 hours or so into your trip, any additional time at this point can set the tone and make the remainder of the trip seem much longer.

Where in Maine is the journey beginning? Portland area, or up in "the county"? This could also have a tremendous impact on where you decide to break, rest, and possibly sleep.

 

[kacaju]

http://www.i95exitguide.com/stopovers/index.php

 

[drgnfly30]

We are driving to WDW with a 6 & a 4 year old. Any hint or suggestions anyone can share?

Other than, "Fly instead"...

Bring a bunch of DVD's, Snacks, Prize bags (fill a bag full of little toys, stickers, etc.. and for every hour/100 miles whatever that they are good they can pick a prize), car games (license plate bingo & the like).

As another poster said, time it out to avoid certain metropolitan areas at rush hours (ie. NYC, Wash DC).

When DH & I drove we would leave Delaware around 7pm DH would drive until around 5am (while I slept) & then I'd switch & drive the rest of the way through with him sleeping.. HOWEVER, since your drive is much longer I would definately consider finding someplace 1/2 or 2/3's of the way there & stay the night!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[HFC1969]

Wow... Is all I can say..

I'm saying a small prayer for you guys..

We have a 7 hour drive to OKC this weekend... and Im wondering if we make it..

 

[lisa-upnorth]

ummm...have you had any recent hits to the head

I am up north too and would never try that long car ride.With the price of gas,meals,hotels...it will not be cheap.The biggest thing is the mood you will be in be the time you get there.You will be tired and spent before you even start I would look into other travel ideas and use the car as a last resort. I am not a flyer and we take the train to disney. It is 24hours but a restful fun trip!Kids love it!! I have an amtrak thread post that you can read for info.It is great to wake up and be at Disney before lunch

 

[plutolovr]

Fly....

 

[minnie mum]

PFFT. Lots of people drive to WDW from just as far away. And do it year after year. Not just because of the hassle of flying, but because the drive is a part of the vacation. A great way to decompress from the day to day stressors of life (if the traffic will permit) before starting your WDW visit.

I'm assuming you are going to stop somewhere past the midway point to sleep. The previous poster who gave the link for the I95 exit info gave you some good info. Also AAA triptiks are really great-you can get info on hotels, gas etc.

My one tip, after a few drives from Ontario, is to stop for at least a few minutes every 2-3 hours. Try to do your gas/meal/pee/driver switch at these times. Our rule: everybody pees during a regular stop. No exceptions. And we keep a bag of snacks in the front for nibbles between stops. It's amazing what a help just a 10 minute break can be for the primary driver. For me it's a MUST to reduce the chance of 'highway hypnosis', especially at night.

 

[carrielovesdisney]

no hits to the head here! we drove in april of 09' and had a wonderful trip. wonderful ride. we weren't tired when we got there, just excited. this time i have made up state goodie bags to give to the kids that have information about the state we are in. i have no worries about driving, just wanted to know if anyone had any secrets they could share.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

the state treat sounds fun! it will help the time pass. I couldn't take it in the car that long, but if you have done it before you know what it is like.I know I would be pooped and cranky!Also-hope i didn't upset you with the head bump joke I was just being funny!

Have a safe trip

 

[drgnfly30]

no hits to the head here! we drove in april of 09' and had a wonderful trip. wonderful ride. we weren't tired when we got there, just excited. this time i have made up state goodie bags to give to the kids that have information about the state we are in. i have no worries about driving, just wanted to know if anyone had any secrets they could share.

You are a better woman than I :

BTW the State bags are a GREAT idea! :

Happy & safe travels!

 

[Rockmtn]

we drove from southern maine a couple of years back with our 6 yr old at the time.
We left at 10pm and cruised right through NYC and got through Wash. DC around 5-6am. My wife took over once we were through DC while I got some zzz.
We kept on going till we hit savannah GA at about 4pm. Checked into our reserved room, went to dinner, relaxed and watched some tv, went to bed early and the next day had an easy 4 hr drive to wdw.

Worked out really well as my son slept till 7am the first leg of the trip so it was really only a 9 hr car ride as far as he was concerned.

The ride down is not the problem. It is the return trip that is the real downer.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

There's a specific thread on this board called For 2,000+ miles round trip drivers. I'm sure there are a lot great tips a secrets there.
Have a safe trip!!