Driving from NYC...question about stopover (St. Augustine, FL)

[bangzoom6877]

We're driving down from NYC this coming July. But before going to WDW, we are going all the way down to Boca Raton to visit some relatives for a few days. So, we are breaking up the trip so we stay over 2 nights along the way and we arrive in Boca Raton on the third day.

Last time we drove down, we stayed in Lumberton, NC the first night which we were very happy with. We were right off I-95 and it was very easy, plus we felt safe which is the most important thing. Then we drove to Savannah, GA because I have always wanted to see Savannah, and DH wanted to go back there (he had gone there once before). However, Savannah was only about 3 and a half hours from where we stayed in Lumberton. We did this purposely so we drove more the first day and had the whole afternoon to spend in Savannah. From Savannah, it's a little over 6 hours to drive to Boca Raton. So, I am looking for something that will allow us to drive the least amount of hours on the day we arrive in Boca.

It looks like, timewise, St. Augustine, FL would be a good stop. It's 6 hours from Lumberton, NC and only 4 hours to drive to Boca Raton from St. Augustine. That would be perfect, exactly what we're looking to do. However, I know nothing about that area, whether it is a safe town to stay in, etc. Can anyone give me some tips? Anyone live in that area or ever stay in that area?

I only knew about Lumberton because my sister had stayed there one time on the way back from WDW, and DH knew Savannah. So we were set for the last trip. On the way home from WDW last time we stayed in Lumberton, NC the first night, then we spent a few days in the DC area to visit some of my old college friends. Again, I know the area so I knew where to stay.

Sorry this post is so long, and thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[bangzoom6877]

bump

 

[dzorn]

I don't know about a place to say but we really enjoyed it. My in laws have rented a condo there for a month in spring a few years in a row we always stayed with them. I love the Disney outlet there.

Denise in MI

 

[persimmondeb]

It's a beautiful, historical small city, very tourist and night-life oriented, near to the beach, and right off of 95. It makes a fabulous stopover, and personally, I feel safer there than in Lumberton.

We drive from Philly, and find it makes a great first night stop, since my husband wants to be as close to straight through as possible, but doesn't quite want to try to make Orlando in one day (only 1 driver). I actually like it even better than Savannah, and find that you can do a little better on motel prices.

 

[myfairygodmother]

I have stayed in St. Augustine several times. I usually stay at the Comfort Suites at the International Golf Parkway (I believe it is exit 318 or 319 off I-95). The hotel is nice and has both an indoor and outdoor pool with a free breakfast in the morning. The next exit down has two outlet malls with several resturants(including Cracker Barrel)--there are quite a few chain hotels at this exit as well. If I leave the hotel about 8:30am, I can make it to WDW in just under two hours. You do want to time your departure so that you miss rush hour traffic in Orlando.

Liz

 

[bangzoom6877]

I have stayed in St. Augustine several times. I usually stay at the Comfort Suites at the International Golf Parkway (I believe it is exit 318 or 319 off I-95). The hotel is nice and has both an indoor and outdoor pool with a free breakfast in the morning. The next exit down has two outlet malls with several resturants(including Cracker Barrel)--there are quite a few chain hotels at this exit as well. If I leave the hotel about 8:30am, I can make it to WDW in just under two hours. You do want to time your departure so that you miss rush hour traffic in Orlando.

Liz

Thanks so much for the info! I booked the Hampton Inn off of I-95 in St. Augustine. We have until the day of check-in to cancel without penalty if we change our minds. We will be staying over on a Friday night, so no worries about hitting rush hour Saturday morning. We are actually driving all the way down to Boca Raton after that, to visit relatives. After Boca Raton we will head to WDW. According to mapquest, it will be a little over 4 hours to get from the hotel in St. Augustine to the hotel in Boca.

Thank you everyone for the info! I hope DH wants to do the trip this way, so we have less driving to Boca the next morning and we can enjoy more time there!