Driving from northern Ohio in May...any tips?

[MrsUqdah]

We will be spending 5/11- 5/18 In WDW checking in off-site 5/11 and on- site 5/13. We plan to start driving Sat morning 5/10. Where are the best places to stop for rest breaks and also for an over night stay where would you recommend (State/city and accommodations) there is 5 of us. Myself and my husband and our three kids ages 2,6 and 14. Thank you in advance for you suggestions

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Our neighbor here in Ohio drove 1/2 way to Cleveland TN and spent the night. She said it was an 8 hour ride to Cleveland TN. I would try staying at Country Inn and Suites they sleep 6 people.

 

[LadyBeBop]

What part of Northern Ohio are you coming from? If you're taking I-75 from NW Ohio, I can help. I live less than 10 minutes from I-75 in Kentucky. However, if you're taking I-77 from Cleveland and NE Ohio....well I know the I-75 route.

 

[bcuinohio]

I live in NE Ohio and take the I-77, I-26, I-95 and I-4. We do it in two days. We usually stop on Columbia, SC but have gone as far as Savannah, GA the first day. From Columbia, it is about 450 miles to WDW, from Savannah is about 300 miles to WDW. Although there are some decent hotels between Columbia and Savannah, the selection is much better in those two areas.

For the return trip, we stop in Northern Charlotte or Statesville. It is about halfway if you live near Cleveland.

I usually look for Marriot, Hilton and Hyatt owned hotels. It has been about five years since we drove but we stayed at a Springhill Suites near Savannah. I think it was at exit 104. WE have also stayed at Courtyard suites in Columbia. Trip advisor has some highly rated Hilton Gardens and Hampton Inns in Columbia also.

In Charlotte, there is a Fairfield Inn and Drury Inn near Northlake Mall.

 

[MrsUqdah]

Yes I live in the Cleveland area...my brother drove to Disney with his family and they stopped in Savannah GA. I was thinking we may stay there as well for the night I do remember my brother telling about some mountains in Virginia that were hard to navigate at night so I was nervous about that route.

 

[bcuinohio]

Yes I live in the Cleveland area...my brother drove to Disney with his family and they stopped in Savannah GA. I was thinking we may stay there as well for the night I do remember my brother telling about some mountains in Virginia that were hard to navigate at night so I was nervous about that route.

The section from Beckley, WV to Wytheville, VA is kind of hilly. The WV portion is more winding. If you leave early in the morning, it should be light when you go through. It is about six hours into the drive before you get into this section. It is a interstate so the roads are two lanes in each direction. Gas prices in WV always seem more expensive. I try to fill up in Marietta and then wait until VA to fill up again.

Also try to avoid going through Charlotte from 4-6 PM. During rush hour it can back up. When staying overnight, I always try to stay on the side of town that I would be driving in the opposite direction of the morning rush hour traffic. That really only applies if you leave your hotel during the morning rush hour.

VERY IMPORTANT: Have a roll of quarters and some singles in your car in case you end up on one the toll roads near WDW. I ended up on one using my GPS to get to the grocery store from our hotel.

 

[Vernie822]

This was probably 10 years ago, but my family (7 of us) used to drive from Pittsburgh to Disney every other year. My parents would load up the van around 8 AM, we'd drive until maybe 10 PM, with some stops of course because 3 of my 4 siblings were under 5. We stayed in Savannah, GA, a few times. It made for a quick and easy drive the next morning, and then we could relax by the pool in the afternoon!

 

[uccats97]

As a family of 6, we look for Hampton Inn and Suites. I usually pull up my route in google maps and pick a city where I would like to stop. Then I look for rooms in that city and check them out on Trip Advisor. I never drive without reservations anymore. One year we ran in to a 2 hour stretch in GA where every room was sold out. We ended up in the nastiest roach motel. Never again!!

 

[Robert P]

Also try to avoid going through Charlotte from 4-6 PM. During rush hour it can back up. When staying overnight, I always try to stay on the side of town that I would be driving in the opposite direction of the morning rush hour traffic. That really only applies if you leave your hotel during the morning rush hour.

That's some really good advice there. I've seen people on the boards talk about getting to Charlotte to stop over, but you want to be on the far side of Charlotte based on direction of travel, as stated above. If headed North, you'd want to clear Charlotte altogether if possible, and look at staying in the Huntersville, Mooresville, Statesville areas (that's about a 25 miles stretch there). Statesville would be my option, as you'd be well beyond the reach of any Lake Norman traffic backups the next day.

 

[bcuinohio]

I drive through Jacksonville as opposed to taking I-295 around it. I have always gone through at non peak hours though.

Are you a AAA member? If so you can get a trip tik rom them. It lists the construction spots on there.

 

[Rose23]

http://www.thenextexit.com/index.html

Fellow Ohio driver, this book is invaluable when driving on our yearly Disney trip from Central Ohio. You can pick it up at Cracker Barrel stores, Barnes & Nobles or order on-line. It helps you plan out your stops on either route, I-71/75 or I-77 and provides, in advance, everything at every single exit off of every interstate in the United States.

Safe travels!

 

[bcuinohio]

http://www.thenextexit.com/index.html

Fellow Ohio driver, this book is invaluable when driving on our yearly Disney trip from Central Ohio. You can pick it up at Cracker Barrel stores, Barnes & Nobles or order on-line. It helps you plan out your stops on either route, I-71/75 or I-77 and provides, in advance, everything at every single exit off of every interstate in the United States.

Safe travels!

Very interesting. I may have to pick one up.

 

[MrsUqdah]

The section from Beckley, WV to Wytheville, VA is kind of hilly. The WV portion is more winding. If you leave early in the morning, it should be light when you go through. It is about six hours into the drive before you get into this section. It is a interstate so the roads are two lanes in each direction. Gas prices in WV always seem more expensive. I try to fill up in Marietta and then wait until VA to fill up again. Also try to avoid going through Charlotte from 4-6 PM. During rush hour it can back up. When staying overnight, I always try to stay on the side of town that I would be driving in the opposite direction of the morning rush hour traffic. That really only applies if you leave your hotel during the morning rush hour. VERY IMPORTANT: Have a roll of quarters and some singles in your car in case you end up on one the toll roads near WDW. I ended up on one using my GPS to get to the grocery store from our hotel.

Thank you so much...really great advice

 

[MrsUqdah]

I drive through Jacksonville as opposed to taking I-295 around it. I have always gone through at non peak hours though. Are you a AAA member? If so you can get a trip tik rom them. It lists the construction spots on there.

We are AAA members so that's an excellent idea thanks

 

[MrsUqdah]

http://www.thenextexit.com/index.html Fellow Ohio driver, this book is invaluable when driving on our yearly Disney trip from Central Ohio. You can pick it up at Cracker Barrel stores, Barnes & Nobles or order on-line. It helps you plan out your stops on either route, I-71/75 or I-77 and provides, in advance, everything at every single exit off of every interstate in the United States. Safe travels!

You are AWESOME thank you. I have a Cracker Barrel about a mile from my home

 

[bhiggs7]

Last summer, we drove through the night and stayed in Brusnwick, GA. There is a beach about 10 minutes from the highway. Great way to chill before heading to the World the next morning. Hotels were very reasonable, also.