Driving from NJ to WDW

[SRedding517]

Hi Everyone
DW (23) and I (25) booked our trip for WDW last night! We rented a condo just outside Disney. We will be going 1/18-1/25. Our last time there was just over 2 years ago. We drove the last time just as we will this time. Last time we didn't stop until Jacksonville, FL which took about 14-15 hrs. We want to break up the drive a little more this time. Possibly leave around 3am get to a hotel by night and drive the rest the next day.
My question is, does anyone have any hotel recommendations?
Thanks!

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

What city did you want to stop in?

 

[Missytara]

Santee, South Carolina is a perfect place to stop.

 

[nono]

Newark to Savannah, GA (the town, not just I-95 exit) is about 13 hours with four 15 min stops*...if you want to leave at 3 a.m., you'd make it in plenty of time for a lovely stroll around town and super dinner...


*Assuming no major traffic tie ups

 

[teacher1717]

We just did this drive 2 weeks ago. Actually, we do this drive every year. This year we stayed in Savannah Georgia and it was a perfect distance IMHO. It was about 13 hours from us (Northeast NJ) so the first day was a bit of a haul, but it made the second day much easier.

 

[antree]

Whenever we drove we stopped at Savannah Georgia, sorry can't remember the hotel, it has been years. Just want to let you know too, if you leave around 3am you will be in Disney by 8pm. We left one year at 4am and was checking in our hotel in Disney at 8pm and was at Dinner by 9pm.

 

[nono]

In Savannah, there are many good choices in the historic district and it isn't too painful to get off/on I-95 from there.

Tripadvisor (Savannah specific) has a boatload of suggestions.

 

[GaBelle]

If you wish to stop about 2 hours earlier (before Savannah), you could stop in Florence, SC. Lots of hotel choices, easy interstate on/off. I've stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn.

 

[Brook1099]

we drive every year from Jersey, we generally leave around 2 am to be DC traffic and stop very little just for bathroom and quick drive thru food. We have stopped in both Santee SC and stayed at Clarks Inn and a Best Western, both clean and comfy. We prefer to go a little further so Savannah( take us about 12 hrs no traffic, it is a great exit, we have stayed at the Baymont Inn and Suites, and walked over to Sonic for a bite to eat. This year we are changing it up and leaving after dinner on a Friday night, stop shortly after midnight( somewhere hopefully in NC) and finish up the drive on Sat.

Have a great trip.

 

[ncc1701]

When I drove from NJ (Philly suburbs) Walterboro, SC was the stop for the night. It is south of Santee but before Georgia. It took us about 13 hours with traffic ( no matter what day or time the DC/ N. VA area always seemed to have an issue),a fast food lunch stop, gas & a stop or 2 at rest areas.

 

[disneymom0811]

Whenever we drove we stopped at Savannah Georgia, sorry can't remember the hotel, it has been years. Just want to let you know too, if you leave around 3am you will be in Disney by 8pm. We left one year at 4am and was checking in our hotel in Disney at 8pm and was at Dinner by 9pm.

Wow really? Leaving at 4am, (from ny) driving all day, wasn't sure how far we would get by night time.

 

[4myboyz]

We drive from New York every year and stop I'm Savannah. It's a long first day but the second is a lay up. We don't want to disrupt our body clocks with crazy hour driving so leave 6am and get to Savannah around 7pm. We have stayed at that Super 8 by Sonic 3x. This year we may splurge for the Embassy Suites.

 

[mom2mizmous]

I am so happy that you started this thread! we have driven from conn. to disney more times than I can count in the past, so we have that part down ! But next year we will be doing a cruise wedding for my niece which leaves from a nj port. We figured we would be part way to disney anyway so we will just continue to disney when we disembark. We had NO idea of how long it would take us or how far we would get in a day (would drive for quite a while but would want to stop after 10 or 12 hours ). so thanks again op and others for the info!

 

[SRedding517]

Thank you all for your helpful replies! I know many of you said to stay over in Savannah GA to break up the trip, Does anyone know of a good hotel that's in the middle of the town?

 

[mrsap]

Thank you all for your helpful replies! I know many of you said to stay over in Savannah GA to break up the trip, Does anyone know of a good hotel that's in the middle of the town?

We also drive from North NJ to WDW every time. We stopped at the Holiday Inn right off 95 in Savannah last year, don't go there! lol a good friend of ours stays at The Hampton Inn right off 95 in Savannah and said its great, very clean. I believe breakfast is included. It's around $104 for the night, but i'm willing to pay more to avoid last years mistake. We had also stayed at Candlewood Suites in Hilton Head, NC in 2010 and thought they were very clean-got a suite for a good price with breakfast included. It was a few miles out of the way, but it was worth it. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Danibelle]

Thank you all for your helpful replies! I know many of you said to stay over in Savannah GA to break up the trip, Does anyone know of a good hotel that's in the middle of the town?

I would recommend the Courtyard by Marriott on Liberty or the Desoto Hilton. They are well located in the historic district.

There is also a nice Hampton on Bay St. where my relatives have stayed. It is pretty nice and includes a breakfast.

 

[goofybob]

We drive from Staten Island quite often, both Santee and the Savanah exits are great options.

 

[amcnj]

I am about an hour and 10 minutes from the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I leave at 2:30 am, by DC by 5:30 am and in the WDW area by 6:30 pm usually, but has been as late as 8:30 pm depending on stops, traffic, weather, etc.

 

[nono]

I am about an hour and 10 minutes from the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I leave at 2:30 am, by DC by 5:30 am and in the WDW area by 6:30 pm usually, but has been as late as 8:30 pm depending on stops, traffic, weather, etc.

amcnj -- I misread your post that you were 10 min from the Del Mem Br...and was thinking, Man, he drives slow! Was trying to figure out how you lost soooo much time by DC! Gotta wear the reading specs...

 

[4myboyz]

We have stayed in the Super 8 in Savannah a few times. Very clean and only about $65.