Driving from NJ to HHI

[Fitswimmer]

Anyone done this? I'm leaving on 9/2, and coming back on 9/8. I'm thinking that the trip should take from 12-15 hours-am I close?

I got the "clean rest area" advice from Mom. They live in Florida and drive up when they visit. She actually keeps a "naughty and nice" list in her purse!! She says Delaware is to be avoided, as is the Walt Whitman in NJ and Virginia, which used to be highly rated in her book has sunk to a "hold it for North Carolina or try a Mcdonalds" rating. Am I the only one that has a parent that does this??

 

[jima53]

Our best stop going north or south to Cape Cod is always the Maryland house up on the turnpike in your area. I know this doesn't help much but at least the security people keep the bathroom creeps under control. Once you get to Florida most of the rest areas have onsite cleaning and security people.


Jim

 

[justloveit]

It does take us 12 hours to get to Hilton Head from the S.Jersey area. Nice and easy right down I-95. As far as the rest areas, I agree with Maryland House as a great rest stop. We have also used the Welcome Center in Laurel MD. The Welcome Centers are usually better maintained. There are alot of nice rest areas in NC, and if combining gas and bathroom stop, look for those really large travel centers with multiple gas pumps, such as WAWA. Have a safe trip and a wonderful vacation.

 

[pb4ugo]

your time estimate is probably spot on...i think we get from long branch, nj to florence, sc in approx 9 hrs - and hhi is a good three hrs below there.

here are some websites that should help you with the trip - we use them often since we have a vacation house in maine and dvc in florida:

http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm
http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Transportation/Driving_to_Florida.htm

we'll be doing hhi this nov [the week of election day/veteran's day] - would love to hear how you find the resort and surrounding area!

we'll be in jersey the weekend you travel - waving goodbye to the bennies and taking back our beaches and restaurants!

 

[dis-happy]

We drove cross country once when I was pregnant. You can guess how often I made my dh pull in someplace so I could... (you know). Anyway, it was pretty funny---I got so good at assessing a gas station bathroom from inside the car. Sometimes we'd pull up, I'd say no way, and across the street in search of someplace else we'd go!

Anyway, I've found that most of the rest areas between NC, SC and FL are very clean. A lot of times, cleaner than stopping at a fast food place. And if you pull up to a gas station, avoid the places where you have to take a key and go around the outside of the building to get to the bathroom. Words to the wise....

 

[camp1007]

We just drove down to HH last week in July....we live in Central NJ, Left on Sat around 8am...hit traffic on Jersey Turnpike, Delaware, and Virginia....took us longer that we thought..Stopped at the rest stop just before Baltiimore.....we stopped over Sat night, in N Carolina..then got up early Sunday and finally made it to HH......

 

[CMedley78]

Saturday traffic can be an issue. We drove down from CT on July 30, a Sunday, and had no problem with traffic whatsoever. We drove back on Saturday, totally different story. It took us fifteen hours total from southeastern CT, so depending on traffic, you should be there in twelve.

Word to the wise, when you get to the DC area and I-95 splits to be 495 or I-95/495, just go on 495. It is less traveled and a much nicer ride. It will also save you lots of time considering there is construction on the other route.

Have fun!

 

[Fitswimmer]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm using the traffic excuse to get us on the road at O'dark thirty. I figure if we can get out of NJ quickly, we'll beat most of the shore traffic.
I'm looking forward to the trip. I start Law School right after I get back so it may be the last bit of relaxation I get for a LONG time.

You're right about the 495 thing, I drove to Florida in 2001 (DN would not fly after 9-11) and we went that way. Much easier.

The websites are very cool. Thank you for sharing.