frazzled one
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2003
- Messages
- 116
For those folks in the Northeast driving 81 to 95, here's what we experienced a few weeks age (November 1-9):
We left Syracuse around 2 AM and did the 984 miles to Savannah in 17 hours, with a 35 minute stop for breakfast and 2 additional stops for gas. We did the standard AAA route from 81-S, 66-29-17 to Fredericksburg and on to 95. The only place we saw evidence of speed enforcement was on 95 south of Petersburg, VA, but there was a LOT in both directions. Otherwise, it surprised us how few folks were pulled over, since we were doing 70-74 mph and were passed by many folks absolutely flying by. MAJOR construction around Florence, SC. Though we were traveling on weekends, we lost about ½ hour on 95 south in the Florence area when 3 lanes were cut down to 2 and the signage was confusing. On the way back, road crews were working in the area though it was a Saturday AM, and traffic was slowed considerably. We passed many other construction areas on 81 and 95, but this is the only spot that had an impact on our travel time. We also lost about 10 minutes at what looked like a very bad accident in Hardeesville, SC - always sad and sobering to see something like that.
Stayed in the Wingate Inn at Exit 94 in Savannah on the way to WDW and back - HIGHLY recommended. Very clean, huge room with coffeemaker/microwave/fridge. There's a large free breakfast buffet which seemed excellent - don't know because dh was in such a hurry to get going that we just grabbed coffee and bagels at 6 AM. We had a $79 AAA rate - there are cheaper places to stay but we think the quality justified the cost and made it easier to get a decent night's sleep (we were unconscious before 9 PM). This seems to be a good exit - I think there were 8-10 motels and a similar number of restaurants (I-95 standard Cracker Barrel/Denny's/Shoney's, etc.), laid out so you could walk between your hotel and restaurant of choice.
Made the 286 miles between Savannah and the WL in just over 4 ½ hours, traveling on a Sunday AM. We took 95-south through Jacksonville because of the time and day, but did 295-north around the city on the way back (Friday afternoon). Lots of traffic once we hit Orlando, of course. We knew it couldn't be good news that there are traffic advisory boards up along the road, and sure enough there was a jam passing through the city and a message flashing about an incident 5 miles down in the left lane. Passed it a mile later (on the right) and it seemed as if the traffic lessened as we approached the theme park exits (can that be right?).
I don't know if we'll drive again, though it was great having our own car and we used it to visit family members in Tampa, drive to golf, USO, etc., and for a side trip to Williamsburg, VA, to visit dd20 on our way back to Syracuse. This was our 4th trip driving, and though it was easier only having to accommodate 2 people instead of 5, it's still a trying experience. It did give us some nice bonding time for our 25th anniversary trip, though! Safe driving to all -
fraz
We left Syracuse around 2 AM and did the 984 miles to Savannah in 17 hours, with a 35 minute stop for breakfast and 2 additional stops for gas. We did the standard AAA route from 81-S, 66-29-17 to Fredericksburg and on to 95. The only place we saw evidence of speed enforcement was on 95 south of Petersburg, VA, but there was a LOT in both directions. Otherwise, it surprised us how few folks were pulled over, since we were doing 70-74 mph and were passed by many folks absolutely flying by. MAJOR construction around Florence, SC. Though we were traveling on weekends, we lost about ½ hour on 95 south in the Florence area when 3 lanes were cut down to 2 and the signage was confusing. On the way back, road crews were working in the area though it was a Saturday AM, and traffic was slowed considerably. We passed many other construction areas on 81 and 95, but this is the only spot that had an impact on our travel time. We also lost about 10 minutes at what looked like a very bad accident in Hardeesville, SC - always sad and sobering to see something like that.
Stayed in the Wingate Inn at Exit 94 in Savannah on the way to WDW and back - HIGHLY recommended. Very clean, huge room with coffeemaker/microwave/fridge. There's a large free breakfast buffet which seemed excellent - don't know because dh was in such a hurry to get going that we just grabbed coffee and bagels at 6 AM. We had a $79 AAA rate - there are cheaper places to stay but we think the quality justified the cost and made it easier to get a decent night's sleep (we were unconscious before 9 PM). This seems to be a good exit - I think there were 8-10 motels and a similar number of restaurants (I-95 standard Cracker Barrel/Denny's/Shoney's, etc.), laid out so you could walk between your hotel and restaurant of choice.
Made the 286 miles between Savannah and the WL in just over 4 ½ hours, traveling on a Sunday AM. We took 95-south through Jacksonville because of the time and day, but did 295-north around the city on the way back (Friday afternoon). Lots of traffic once we hit Orlando, of course. We knew it couldn't be good news that there are traffic advisory boards up along the road, and sure enough there was a jam passing through the city and a message flashing about an incident 5 miles down in the left lane. Passed it a mile later (on the right) and it seemed as if the traffic lessened as we approached the theme park exits (can that be right?).
I don't know if we'll drive again, though it was great having our own car and we used it to visit family members in Tampa, drive to golf, USO, etc., and for a side trip to Williamsburg, VA, to visit dd20 on our way back to Syracuse. This was our 4th trip driving, and though it was easier only having to accommodate 2 people instead of 5, it's still a trying experience. It did give us some nice bonding time for our 25th anniversary trip, though! Safe driving to all -
fraz
