Driving from NYC

[Mattsmommy]

Has anyone driven from NYC. We are planning to do this in December for the first time. Does anyone think its possible to drive straight (of course we would stop for gas, food, and bathroom breaks) with 2 drivers and a 5year old. I was thinking about leaving at 2am.

 

[jonesmatNY]

I did the trip from Long Island in early September. I left at about 5am, and was able to do the trip in under 18 hours. I packed my meals with me and only stopped for gas(combined with a bathroom break.)

I did the trip on a Tuesday, so with two drivers you can make it through, but its long drive, my one finger is still numb on the tip from holding the steering wheel so tight!

I did the trip by myself, so no one else needed to stop for bathroom breaks.

Dont forget to get ezpass if you dont already have it. Its good all the way through Maryland. (No tolls after that.)

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Has anyone driven from NYC. We are planning to do this in December for the first time. Does anyone think its possible to drive straight (of course we would stop for gas, food, and bathroom breaks) with 2 drivers and a 5year old. I was thinking about leaving at 2am.

we are 2 hours further and yes it can be done

for a drive straight through 2 keys

departure time and stops

plan well enough to get through problem areas(Balt & DC) by avioding rush hour, plan stops to get both gas and food and restroom break done all in one stop.

Its amazing how long each stop will add to the trip, no matter how quick you try to be its always at least 15 minutes per stop, unless you are going 90 down the side roads and dont hit lights and run to and from the car

over 18-20 hours 15 minutes per stop can literally add hours to your trip if you are stopping separately for each

 

[leahjade]

How is this safe for your family or others on the road to drive straight through without sleep? It's illegal for truck drivers to drive that long without an overnight rest.

 

[msmayor]

If it were just adults...I'd say its definitely doable. But with a 5-year old? I wouldn't chance it.

Leaving at 2am means waking up the child to get him/her into a car seat...a seat that will not be easy for them to get meaningful sleep in.

You'll arrive late the next day, exhausted. Time clock for the 5 year old might be a little off, and require a limited schedule the first day to recover from the drive.

I'd leave later (say by 6am) and drive until just after supper. Stop for the night. Give the 5-year old a chance to stretch and run, and most importantly get a good night's sleep in a proper bed. The next day should be a shorter drive, perhaps arriving early afternoon. Time to check in, enjoy the pool, maybe visit DTD for a bit...then get to sleep early and be ready to go for a full park day the next day.