Driving from NJ to FLA next weekend...tips?

[snitchseeker]

I'm driving from NJ to Orlando next weekend!

Driving straight through besides stops for food, south of the border, state visitor centers. So, leaving around 3AM and will be arriving that late evening.

Tips + where to stop for gas/food and also: what should we bring along? I love planning it all out and would love to hear from some experienced I-95 travelers!

I'M SO EXCITED! 9 days!

Thanks!

 

[double r]

We just did this from De. the week after Christmas, our 1st stop was in Chester Va. at a Wawa about a mile and a half form the exit, cheaper fuel and I like the coffee. 2nd stop I do not remember somewhere in S.C. for fuel and driver swap. Last rest area in Ga. driver swap and then breakfast in Sanford at Cracker Barrel and last fuel stop.
We did use Rt. 301 from De. till exit 104 in Va. to miss the D.C. and Balt. traffic, some traffic lights that way but I like it better.

 

[snitchseeker]

We just did this from De. the week after Christmas, our 1st stop was in Chester Va. at a Wawa about a mile and a half form the exit, cheaper fuel and I like the coffee. 2nd stop I do not remember somewhere in S.C. for fuel and driver swap. Last rest area in Ga. driver swap and then breakfast in Sanford at Cracker Barrel and last fuel stop.
We did use Rt. 301 from De. till exit 104 in Va. to miss the D.C. and Balt. traffic, some traffic lights that way but I like it better.

thank you! the chester va. wawa sounds like a good stop!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

IF you use gasbuddy trip calculator and enter your vehicle info, start point/end point and it will calculate where you will be at when you need to refuel. It will list that days real time gas prices at surrounding stations. And calculate the total cost for a r/t.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/Trip_Calculator.aspx

 

[CPT Tripss]

I tend to make my gas stops base on prices, in the past that has meant avoiding purchases in NC and filling up in southern GA

 

[snitchseeker]

IF you use gasbuddy trip calculator and enter your vehicle info, start point/end point and it will calculate where you will be at when you need to refuel. It will list that days real time gas prices at surrounding stations. And calculate the total cost for a r/t.

ah, very smart. i have gasbuddy on my phone now thanks so much!

now here is the thing - i was trying to figure out the trip back.

we want to drive back without stopping too. we are driving back on a weekday so i was wondering what are times when DC traffic is usually BAD on a weekday. We were thinking of leaving around 11am instead of 7am so we can reach DC area after 8pm and just have to arrive back home after midnight? thoughts?

 

[Brook1099]

the later u can get thru DC the better. so.after 7 I believe is ok for a weekday.

Have a wonderful trip.. we have driven every year for the past 10 years.
we have gone both 95 and 301.

 

[nono]

we want to drive back without stopping too. we are driving back on a weekday so i was wondering what are times when DC traffic is usually BAD on a weekday. We were thinking of leaving around 11am instead of 7am so we can reach DC area after 8pm and just have to arrive back home after midnight? thoughts?

You may wish to check the math for the ride back. Your way down is taking 17-ish? hours, but your ride back seems to be warping time by a bit (if you leave at 11 a.m, you will get back at 4 a.m. roughly based upon your earlier post that you'd leave to head south at 3 a.m. and not arrive until evening) I may be misunderstanding something, so take that with a grain of salt.

Ultimately, success will depend on how many drivers. If you have 3 or more, no problem. With 2, just be sure to encourage the "off" driver to cat nap, as you are likely tired from the vacation, and will have no adrenaline hit as you will on the way down.

Best of luck for a smooth trip!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Let me know how u make out! We are driving from nj to Orlando on March 28. But we have 2 young kids so we are driving to SC and staying over and then driving the rest of the distance on the 29th. I figure between the iPad, DVD player, books, home work assignments (since we are pulling my older child out of school), And the Nintendo 3ds that should keep the kids busy the whole ride lol now me and my hubby are a different story LOL. Good luck!

 

[mrsap]

Let me know how u make out! We are driving from nj to Orlando on March 28. But we have 2 young kids so we are driving to SC and staying over and then driving the rest of the distance on the 29th. I figure between the iPad, DVD player, books, home work assignments (since we are pulling my older child out of school), And the Nintendo 3ds that should keep the kids busy the whole ride lol now me and my hubby are a different story LOL. Good luck!

That is exactly what we have done the past 2 years when leaving from NJ since having our 2nd child, and it works out great!! The ride to SC is just long enough of a trip for them. I think if we try going straight through, they'd be a mess!! Last year they were wired when we got to SC, and were up till 1am! They were so excited to be 'somewhere!' lol Then in the morning, we have breakfast and drive the remaining g 4 1/2 hrs. We do drive straight home on our way back up north though. As far as stops, we usually don't stop for food till we need gas (or a potty break!). We usually find something quick, but a place we can sit, like Wendy's or Waffle House. Make sure you pack plenty of toys, games, DVD's, tablets, snacks and coloring books and they'll be fine! We are doing it all over again in Nov.! Oh and my DH is the ONLY driver both to and from Florida!!! it can be done! lol Enjoy!


PS - are you leaving from North or South Jersey? Depending where you are leaving from, you might need to adjust your leaving time or you might get stuck in DC traffic!!!!

 

[VolvoManiac850]

While I have never done the I-95 corridor trip in question, I have pulled a few similar stunts to the west of where you are. I honestly don't mind flying, but find it more economical to just use my fuel-efficient Honda Civic. (Please disregard my user handle; my previous car and my daily driver when I signed up was a Volvo 850, which I loved dearly, but sadly, it has gone to Car Heaven--I guess I can immortalize it with the username).

Being that I've done a ton of long road trips in the last two years, I've found the following to work:

1. Leave as early in the morning as possible. By "morning", I mean whenever it says AM, not when we think of "morning" per se. Typically, I'll go to bed immediately after finishing work, then wake up at midnight to take a shower and grab a bite to eat before heading out the door. My goal is always to be on the road by 1:00 AM.

2. In addition to eating breakfast, I pack a few things to graze on throughout the day. This minimizes stops for food. I usually will pack a lunch bag with crackers, Annie's Bunny Grahams (pretty much the organic Teddy Graham), fruit, veggies, and sometimes a cup of yogurt.

3. Staying hydrated is key. When I leave, I dump a bunch of ice cubes into my water bottle. This way, I'll have a decent supply throughout the morning.

4. Keeping alert is also key. I always keep the car a bit on the cold side and chew gum while I drive.

5. Have your music playlists made up in advance. I like to make a playlist a little longer than my trip's anticipated time so I don't have to shuffle through playlists on the road.

6. Have your route memorized. You don't want to be looking at phones, maps, printouts, or GPS systems while on an interstate. I keep a pad of sticky notes in my car and write important exit numbers on it before I leave in case I do need the reference, but that's all I use.

7. Utilize rest and gas stops. Leave with a full tank of gas (do this the night before). Research 24 hour gas stations before you leave so you can find one to fill up at. I usually will do this after 2 ½ to 3 hours of driving. Later, take a legit rest stop. Here's what I usually do:

--Take a walk. Some rest stops are better than others for this. (There's actually one in Wisconsin with a legit nature trail).

--Fill up the water bottle.

--Eat one of my snacks.

--Use the restroom.

--Check the map if necessary.

--Head out after 30 minutes (max).

8. If I do want to stop for lunch, I make it a quick stop at a Starbucks. Usually, I'll get a cup of tea and a muffin. Nothing major--I've been grazing all day on the food I packed--and nothing with which to drain the wallet.

9. When I arrive somewhere, I almost certainly take a rest for a while before doing anything.

10. In general, I like to average one stop every 4 hours. Your mileage will vary.

11. If you can, go with a car with cloth seats. I find they're better than leather for long distance driving.

12. Eat a good dinner that evening.

 

[snitchseeker]

you guys rock! thank you so much!

sadly, we only have 1 driver! i know crazy but my mom is like I CAN DO IT! she has done it before but not recently. reasons why i wanted to stop on the way back - which may happen but she just wants to get it over with. she's renting a car - she doesn't want to put mileage on her car which is understandable...

we are leaving on a saturday so traffic may be calm - we live in central nj.

if we leave at 3am we would arrive in orlando around 7-8pm...

coming home: i dont know what time i would want to leave to make it easier on my mom...

im going with my sisters as well - i could drive - im 25 - but she doesnt want me to because im the typical jersey/speed demon driver hahaha - i work/live in nyc too so i dont own a car and drive a couple times a year..

my sisters are too young to drive by a year so it's just her! single mother and all!

i just want to make sure it's going to be an easy going trip down and back for her. she does so much for us and i want to make sure she's comfortable!

thanks so much again guys!

 

[NJRRK]

you guys rock! thank you so much!

sadly, we only have 1 driver! i know crazy but my mom is like I CAN DO IT! she has done it before but not recently. reasons why i wanted to stop on the way back - which may happen but she just wants to get it over with. she's renting a car - she doesn't want to put mileage on her car which is understandable...

we are leaving on a saturday so traffic may be calm - we live in central nj.

if we leave at 3am we would arrive in orlando around 7-8pm...

coming home: i dont know what time i would want to leave to make it easier on my mom...

im going with my sisters as well - i could drive - im 25 - but she doesnt want me to because im the typical jersey/speed demon driver hahaha - i work/live in nyc too so i dont own a car and drive a couple times a year..

my sisters are too young to drive by a year so it's just her! single mother and all!

i just want to make sure it's going to be an easy going trip down and back for her. she does so much for us and i want to make sure she's comfortable!

thanks so much again guys!

I just have to interject here.

One more thing to do before you go, especially with the winter we're having in the east.

PRAY FOR GOOD WEATHER!

Remember the saying "the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." You are taking a trip at the worst time of the year for traffic impeding weather. Watch weather reports and alter your plans, if needed, as necessary.

 

[edbo77]

Here's my suggestions, done this drive a bunch of times in the past few years -

Be careful driving through Virginia, there have been times where I've seen as many radar traps in VA as in the rest of the states combined. They'll get ya with the out of state plates!

Time it so you can get gas anywhere in SC, it's going to be the cheapest around.

SOTB is very tacky, but if you haven't been there before it's worth the stop.

Don't forget to stop at the Florida Welcome Center to get your free OJ!

Most importantly, don't forget to have a great time!! So many things to see along the side of the road. I bought an Interstate 95 book in the past that had maps of all the food/gas at each exit, thought it was worth it. Also gave you a bunch of quirky places to stop along the way.

 

[snitchseeker]

I just have to interject here.

One more thing to do before you go, especially with the winter we're having in the east.

PRAY FOR GOOD WEATHER!

Remember the saying "the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." You are taking a trip at the worst time of the year for traffic impeding weather. Watch weather reports and alter your plans, if needed, as necessary.

I'm a weather nerd so I've been following the weather like crazy! It looks like a warm streak is coming on Saturday when we leave so that's good!

 

[nono]

im going with my sisters as well - i could drive - im 25 - but she doesnt want me to because im the typical jersey/speed demon driver hahaha - i work/live in nyc too so i dont own a car and drive a couple times a year..

You volunteer to drive in NC then...not too much traffic and the speed limit is already 70. (Just don't do the automatic "+10" that NJ drivers do...) Tell Mom you need the practice.

Have fun!

 

[snitchseeker]

You volunteer to drive in NC then...not too much traffic and the speed limit is already 70. (Just don't do the automatic "+10" that NJ drivers do...) Tell Mom you need the practice.

Have fun!

Thank you! I'll ask but I won't be home to see my mom (I need to give her my license and stuff) before she picks up the rental car

She said she will be fine and she has agreed to stop overnight on the way back which is great! So she is driving all the way down and then stopping on the way back. Sounds better now hahaha

 

[BadDad]

Nice rest stop in NC
It's called Kenley (exit 106 or 107) - "Truck Stop Road"
Good gas / clean restrooms / many restaurants

It's themed like a lighthouse. We stop there because you can kill 3 birds with one stone

 

[snitchseeker]

Nice rest stop in NC
It's called Kenley (exit 106 or 107) - "Truck Stop Road"
Good gas / clean restrooms / many restaurants

It's themed like a lighthouse. We stop there because you can kill 3 birds with one stone

ah, very nice! thank you!

 

[monorailsilver]

Here's my suggestions, done this drive a bunch of times in the past few years -

Be careful driving through Virginia, there have been times where I've seen as many radar traps in VA as in the rest of the states combined. They'll get ya with the out of state plates!

Time it so you can get gas anywhere in SC, it's going to be the cheapest around.

SOTB is very tacky, but if you haven't been there before it's worth the stop.

Don't forget to stop at the Florida Welcome Center to get your free OJ!

Most importantly, don't forget to have a great time!! So many things to see along the side of the road. I bought an Interstate 95 book in the past that had maps of all the food/gas at each exit, thought it was worth it. Also gave you a bunch of quirky places to stop along the way.

North Carolina too! We were around a bunch if cars and ironically there were 3 from CT, we were one of them...all in a row. My dh knew better then to be speeding in those parts so he let the One of the CT cars pass him. Sure enough, here comes the county mounty pulling him over seconds later. In fact my dh was still in the right lane and the old man (not a CT plate) that was in the right pulled right into our lane. My dh had to do some fast moves to avoid an accident. The old man moved so the county mounty could get by.

As far as driving.. Will you have internet access? We use google maps and the traffic part in that is pretty spot on! We also used the i95 exit app. I forget the name if it but it told us what was off each exit. I think there are 2 we used. They are on DHs phone which he has and he isn't by me. I didn't download them to mine otherwise I'd tell you the names.