Driving from Pa to Disney world....

[edk35]

We drove down from MD near Balitmore on March 25th and returned on Sunday the 5th. We stopped overnight in Savannah going down and in NC on the way home. However we used a free room for each stay that my hubby had earned with travel. We spent 220 on gas. We probably spent 150 on food there and back if that. There were 3 of us which included our 16 year old son.

 

[thesugarpixie]

We've made the drive from Pittsburgh to Orlandoish area a few times over the last decade, and it's really quite enjoyable. (Twice to move, and almost same distance for other things...)

Leaving early AM from PIT means spending the night in Charlotte, and leaving FL late afternoon meant we'd book a room in Savannah. This all works out fine and dandy, except during possible winter weather. (On our way back to PIT we hit some crazy late spring snow in the WV mountains - not very fun )

We used this site to solidify our decision to drive down this summer, and seemed pretty good.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/trip/#?

 

[NavyDad]

Hi new to the boards but not to Disney. I am however new to driving there. My question is we're driving from Pa to Disney world and was wonder if anyone drove about the same distance and about how much did you spend on gas? We figured it would be cheaper then flying.

Our trips from Central PA to WDW usually averages around $600 including gas, 1 night hotel and meals.

One thing I HIGHLY suggest is going the "western route" down I-81. It adds about 45 minutes to the trip but the scenery is much nicer and you completely avoid the the DC beltway corridor while greatly decreasing your chance of getting stuck in traffic.

 

[NavyDad]

Our trips from Central PA to WDW usually averages around $600 including gas, 1 night hotel and meals.

One thing I HIGHLY suggest is going the "western route" down I-81. It adds about 45 minutes to the trip but the scenery is much nicer and you completely avoid the the DC beltway corridor while greatly decreasing your chance of getting stuck in traffic.

I should have added there are 5 of us in a loaded down Town & Country with a cargo carrier on top...

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

We drive each trip, from right outside of Philadelphia, and it is definitely worth it for us. We do have 10 people, so that is the biggest reason why. We usually rent a 15 passenger van, just so we don't have to bring our own, and it's still cheaper than flying for us! I love the convenience of being able to have a vehicle while we're there as well. Gas Buddy is estimating my trip now @ about $250 round trip, but in years past it was closer to $400 when gas was higher. That's for a large van, 10 people, and way too much luggage!

 

[edk35]

We drive more now than fly from MD. We were there over Easter week this year. We spent 220 for our Toyota Sienna. We stopped in Savannah on the way down and in N.C. on the way back. We have driven straight thru before too but preferred stopping over each this trip. We were more refreshed and didn't have to leave FL so early on our way home. We didn't pay for our rooms because my husband had free rooms from all the traveling he does.

 

[DarleneW]

I did the gas buddy calculator last night and was shocked that it said I only need to stop for gas twice (central NY) to WDW in a 2010 grand caravan. I did not think a tank would last as long as it said. On my one I did estimate less gas, so we will see.

I live in Central NJ and we drive all the time to Disney...usually straight through. I drive a Honda Odyssy and the first time I stop for gas is when we get into NC and then we stop again around Jacksonville, FL! Not bad. I use the app I-Exit to check exits and what gas stations are there, note the town, and then check my gas buddy app for prices. This helps make a decision where we should stop. When gas was higher, we stopped near the end of VA instead of waiting until we got into NC because the gas was a lot cheaper.

 

[klo1335]

We are actually taking the auto train down and driving home. We used some of my dad's hotel points (he travels a lot for work) and got a free hotel room somewhere in one of the Carolina's. DH is really worried about driving but I am kinda excited.

 

[minniemouse1]

We drove from upstate NY near Lake Placid with 4 kids in a van with a travel carrier on the roof and we stopped to fill up maybe 4 times. We drove pretty much straight, stopped and slept at a rest area from 5am to 7 am. It took us 26 hours to get to Cocoa Beach. We will definitely drive again. Saved us a ton of money even after paying to park at the port.