Driving from New England in Winter???

[TinkHappy]

Has anyone driven from New England in the winter time? With airfare so high, we are actually considering driving in February . I am not sure it is a great idea, so I was wondering if anyone has attempted this?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

My son did this last year and it took them 9 hours from New London CT to clear NYC.

 

[Lew]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
My son did this last year and it took them 9 hours from New London CT to clear NYC.

Gail,

I may be wrong, but I don't think your story instills a lot of confidence in anyone considering the drive down!

 

[CamColt]

Oh My! And I thought the traffic we hit in NJ last month was bad.

We have done it in August 2x and September once, but when we booked our Dec trip, we opted to fly just in case.

Good luck!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lew
Gail,

I may be wrong, but I don't think your story instills a lot of confidence in anyone considering the drive down!

Probably not, but, the question was asked. It was in a snow storm. I probably should have added that at the beginning, but, I was distracted, sorry.

I would do just about anything to fly, I hate long rides in cars and traffic instills terror in me, not to mention delays with road construction, accidents, etc. I will fly, hang the cost. JMHO.

 

[TinkHappy]

Gail ~ last year was a rough winter and this year we are going to have another tough winter, according to the Farmers Almanac. I remember BDL was closed down for 3 days (during Pres. vacation). I am just thinking about driving, I haven't commited, I am still waiting for SWA to come out with their fares. I have considered the Auto Train (again), but we would still have to drive down to Lorton, VA.

 

[mcnuss]

FYI - I think there is greater risk being stuck in your car or having an accident in unanticpated inclement weather than having an airport closed for multiple days, and if you are really worried about that, you could buy trip insurance (www.insuremytrip.com) which is not that costly. I think you just lose too much time on the drive, and there are too many factors which wreak havoc on traffic but don't affect the airlines. Just as an example, DH and DD decided to join me on a business trip to DC this summer. It was a rainy, not stormy just drizzly, day, and despite an early afternoon start (around 1:30 pm), they rolled into our Baltimore area relatives' home at close to 2 am. Nearly 12 hours for an 8 hour drive, just bc of rain!!

You couldn't pay me to drive to FL unless I had unlimited time to make the trip.

 

[wee-haggis]

ITA with Gail.
I'm not so sure that the cost savings with driving is as much as some folk seem to think it is?
With the price of gas,uncalculable wear and tear on your vehicle,possible hotel room,meals,loss of 2 to 3 days vacation.

I'd rather put it off until next year and be able to afford the plane and rented car rather than drive for 27hours each way with the kids.
JMHO

 

[mcnuss]

I'd rather put it off until next year and be able to afford the plane and rented car rather than drive for 27hours each way with the kids.

Or with DH - LOL!!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

TinkHappy - they're seriously predicting another bad winter??? My DH works for the state DOT - I barely saw him for six months; he was either working or sleeping (because he worked so much). He even got called in on Christmas and New Year's...*sigh*

Well, for anyone who is thinking of driving...if it's going to be like last year, driving is going to be messy. During one storm, my company closed for the day. What would normally be a 1/2 hour drive home took 2 hours 20 minutes. And lots of bad drivers come out when the road conditions are less than ideal. If there hasn't been any snow, you'd probably be okay, but if there has, I personally would rethink driving.

"Of course that's just my opinion. I could be wrong."

 

[Joan S.]

Hi Tracy, We drove out of RI last February. We left on a tuesday nite(2/11th) at around 11pm and drove right thru!! My hubby and I alternated driving. We only encountered a small snow squall I believe in Maryland(we made a quick stop and it was not snowing, when we came out of the rest area it was white out conditions) But we drove right thru it in about 15 minutes!After that the worst part of the trip was ALL THE CONSTRUCTION after the FL border. I was driving and it was dark and it was very SCARY!(very poor visibility and narrow lanes with big trucks passing us!) We had the BEST time in FL and missed the NE blizzard the following week in RI!WE stayed for 10 nites.On the way home the WORST FOG I had ever seen was the only bad weather we encountered. I am waiting for Southwest to release the fares for Feb.2004, if I can snag some tickets for somewhere aound $200. we will fly, if not we may drive down again! Just thought I would let you know you are not alone! Joan

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by TinkHappy
Gail ~ last year was a rough winter and this year we are going to have another tough winter, according to the Farmers Almanac. I remember BDL was closed down for 3 days (during Pres. vacation). I am just thinking about driving, I haven't commited, I am still waiting for SWA to come out with their fares. I have considered the Auto Train (again), but we would still have to drive down to Lorton, VA.

Tracy,
I sure did not mean to rain on your parade. I guess I was just giving my opinion and not being very objective. The drive to Lorton Va is no picnic either ( I used to live in that area). Whatever you decide, I am sure it will be the best decision for you. I sincerely hope it is not going to be a nasty winter this year, I will go NUTS!!!

 

[TinkHappy]

Gail ~ No problem!!! . I DO NOT like to fly at all and if I can drive I would rather do that. Now with the airline prices so high...it was just a thought. I am not sure...I too am waiting for SWA to release their Feb 2004 fares. Just like Joan, if I can get tickets around $200.00 I will scoop them up...no brainer.
UGH!!!! Decisions, decisions!!!
Joan ~ thank you very much for the driving report from RI!!!
Are you thinking about driving during Feb break?