Driving From NJ To WDW Via 81 To 77? Suggestions On Overnight Hotel?

[SELLINGINNJ]

Hello,
Leaving on Aug 24 from Northern NJ. We are thinking of trying 81 to 77 instead of 95. Any thoughts on this route?

I am also looking for suggestions on a hotel to stay overnight. Approximately 12 hours from NJ. Columbia area???

Thank you for your help!
Denise

 

[SELLINGINNJ]

Anyone??

 

[boBQuincy]

81 to 77 will take you far out of the way, adding about 100 miles and two hours. It also goes through Charlotte, which is really bad at rush hour although certainly not as bad as DC.

Although I make the trip in one day, I have heard the Waltersboro SC area is good to stay at overnight.

 

[mommiepoppins]

we are staying in woodstock va 13 hours to the world from there

 

[HACAM]

We drove from Kingston Ontario, Canada to WDW. We did the trip in two days. We drove about 16 hours on the first day, we left at about 2am and arrived in Florence SC at around 5pm, we took Interstate 81 to 95, and had no problems. We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites just off the 95 in Florence, it was perfect. Very clean hotel, and it serves a very good continental breakfast in the morning. We left at 9am the next morning and were in Orlando at 3-4pm (sometime around there, no later than 4pm). It was a long drive on the first day, but I am glad we got the majority of the drive out of the way on the first day. Thinking about doing it again this coming March 2007, it work out so well, our 3 children were so good, we just made sure we brought lots of snacks, drinks, games, movies etc.

Good luck with your trip.

 

[Dizz42]

We come from the Harrisburg, PA area and go 95. We stop in Kingsland GA at a Hampton Inn. Easy off; easy back on. You only have about 3 hours to WDW from there.

One time, we visited my sister's in Atlanta before going to WDW and leaving from her house we took 77. That trip, we stopped in Valdosta at a Hampton and it was nice.

Good luck and have a magical time!

 

[SELLINGINNJ]

Thanks everyone!

Any other suggestions? Anyone stay in Columbia?

 

[mlayton14]

I have driven from Central NJ and took 95. Columbia, SC is about one hour off the beaten path from I95. I have made it to Columbia in 10 hours (no kids), more likely 11-12 on a normal day. If you are simply looking for decent overnight accomodations, stay on I95 and stop in Savannah. Just my opinion.

 

[SELLINGINNJ]

We decided to go 81/77 because it is a more relaxed, scenic route. I do realize it will add some time onto our trip but that's OK!

I am just looking for hotel recommendations from folks that have gone this route before.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Dizz42]

Valdosta is off of 77. It's about 5 hours out from WDW. Nice Hampton Inn there.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Valdosta is off of I75, not 77.

We have stayed in Columbia on 2 occasions, one being about 2 weeks ago. The choices are slim and we were not overly impressed with the area safety wise. There are many hotels in the Orangeburg area on I26 about 30 minutes south of Columbia. The Rock Hill/Charlotte area may be a better pick too. Most Columbia hotels are on the west side of the city along I26 and 20, a little out of the way for you.

My parents stayed at an Amerisuites in Charlotte right off I77 for $35.00 via priceline 2 weeks ago.

Hope that helps.

 

[Robert P]

Having traveled the route alot myself, just starting in NC, IMHO:

Agreeing with kydisneyfans, Columbia does not have a great selection of hotels (visible at least) on your route down 77S towards 26E.
I would suggest you consider driving less than an extra hour (53 miles I think) beyond Columbia, and get on across 26E and onto 95S. There are quite a few hotels there, close to the interstate, and you are just under 400 miles away from WDW.

The major traffic tie up you could expect on your route is Charlotte. Avoid the 2 hour window around rush hours, and you should get through no problem. The HOV lane has eased traffic there somewhat in the last year. If you are stopping for the night, I suggest getting at least a few miles clear of that entire area, so you don't have to deal with potential traffic chaos the next morning.

Have a safe trip.

 

[SELLINGINNJ]

Thank you both so much for your invaluable information!

Question: I think reaching 95 from NJ might me a little too much for us that first day. But, I think we will be able to go a bit further than Charlotte. So......any thoughts on an overnight hotel between Charlotte and the cut over to 95?

Thanks!

 

[Robert P]

From NC/SC line to Columbia is 91 miles of pretty slim pickings, hotel wise. Agreeing with kydisneyfans (again), that Rock Hill, SC would probably be a good choice. You will be well clear of Charlotte traffic the next day, and gas will be noticeably cheaper in SC than in NC.

Just FYI, from the NC/SC line to WDW is about 535 miles.
Hope that helps.