Driving from Missouri to WDW in Dec?

[Ub_Iwerks]

Has anyone driven from the midwest to WDW in Dec? How is the weather? We could take two days each way and still have a week or so in Florida. I'm worried that flying for a family of 4 will be way too expensive.

 

[mdparker88]

We have driven from Kansas to Florida in December several times. It can be a long drive and two days is about right for it. We have been fortunate in that the weather was not bad on any of those trips...cold, but not snowy, icy, etc. Just remember to dress in layers for the trip. We were all pealing off our layers as we were traveling south and then putting them all back on for the return trip north.

 

[chamonix]

Not sure where in Mo you are, but SW flies out of STL and you can get some really good deals with them. I would read the threads on SW here on this forum and check it out before you make the decision in stone to drive. It's a long drive, and that time of year you could have any kind of weather--ice storms, blizzards, rain, etc. (of course, it might be fine too)

 

[new_mouser]

I wouldn't take a chance on driving. I'm not sure the route you woult be taking, but you're going to have to go through at least one of the southern states which can have some bizarre weather in December. Also keep in mind that since snow and ice are rare in these states that they aren't usually as fully prepared to handle bad weather as, say in the northeast. I've seen 70 degrees (which in December usually indicates tornado) down to below freezing with icy roads.

 

[DISFANS3]

WE live in SW Missouri, and have made the drive several times. It takes us two days to get there, we did it stright thru one time took about 19-20 hours never again. WE have never made the drive in the dec so can not help you there... The route we take Spfd Mo - Memphis- Jackson Ms- Mobile Al- Pensacola-Orlando.. I like this route might be a little longer then others but you miss Atlanta..... We just returned from WDW last week, had to fly out of KCI- good fare not enough time to drive.....

 

[packetminnie]

We drove from KC in Feb. We drive to St Louis then across IL and down thru GA. I don't remember any bad weather or any trouble getting across the mountains. However, it isn't something I would choose to do again. DMIL and DFIL refuse to fly and were too old to drive by themselves. You can get some pretty decent fares out of KC on SWA. Last Dec we paid 59/one-way for the four of us and I think it was cheaper to fly than drive since we always stay in a hotel 2 nights when we drive.

 

[angel's momma]

We drove from Central IL in 2004.

We took 2 days down & 2 back, by choice.

Driving down was great - beautiful weather. We don't like driving in big cities, but it was apretty easy drive - except for Atlanta.

First day driving back was great too.

Last day coming home - around 2 pm we hit a Blizzard in Kentucky.
Like new_mouser said - the locals don't know how to handle that.
DH & I had been taking turns driving, but he volunteered to just keep driving.
We were going westbound & traffic was moving at a snail's pace, but at least it was moving - east bound was at a standstill. We saw so many accidents.
Weather didn't clear up until about an hour from home. We should have been home by 8 pm, but it was slightly after midnight due to weather delays.

We're going back to wdw this Dec - flying.

 

[judykay53]

We planned to drive last September and do it in two days (which is what we did in 2004). . Then Southwest came out with their $39 airfare from Jackson, MS and it was cheaper for the four of us to fly when you consider having to pay for motel, gas and meals. The four of us flew for a little less than $400 The St. Louis fare was a little more (darn that Mississippi River). I would definitely keep an eye on the airfares and always keep that in mind.