Driving from Philadelphia Suburbs

[walkdmc]

I am very jealous of all you drivers. I am the only one in my entire family who enjoys the drive, and I do it! I don't ask anyone else to take a shift or anything! I love getting in the car around 3am and taking off while the family sleeps. I grew up taking trips like that with my parents. My DH NEVER took those kind of trips with his family and as a result, he hates long drives. He has tainted the kids' opinion of driving as well


Even my parents criticize my desire to drive. "That's such a hassle, driving all night then being tired the next day." I don't see it as a hassle, it's exhilirating to me! Is that weird?


We fly to Disney from Philly but I would much rather drive.

 

[jasko5990]

We were considering leaving around noon one day so the kids could do their afternoon nap in the car, stopping to eat dinner, driving more, stopping at a hotel and then doing the rest in the morning.
Does anyone else actually stop on their trip? If so, where do you stop?

Based on my visual opinion of the towns we've driven through over the years, if I were to stop it would be in Florence (SC) at I-95 exit 160, or Savannah (GA) at exit 104. Both appear to be nice areas with top name hotels. Florence has a Courtyard by Marriott and a Hilton Garden Inn, while Savannah has a Spring Hill Suites by Marriott and a Hilton Garden Inn. There are other hotels at each exit, but I personally prefer Marriott & Hilton brands.

 

[LiloH]

Based on my visual opinion of the towns we've driven through over the years, if I were to stop it would be in Florence (SC) at I-95 exit 160, or Savannah (GA) at exit 104. Both appear to be nice areas with top name hotels. Florence has a Courtyard by Marriott and a Hilton Garden Inn, while Savannah has a Spring Hill Suites by Marriott and a Hilton Garden Inn. There are other hotels at each exit, but I personally prefer Marriott & Hilton brands.

Thanks so much! I'm not totally sure we're going to do it yet but we're comparing our options. My husband put together a spreadsheet to compare the costs between driving, flying and the autotrain. He's now trying to quantify what the "cost" is of an additional vacation day for us at work. He'll do all that work and I will probably just end up telling him later what I want to do and h'll have to say yes!

We're thinking of doing a test drive this summer maybe to see friends in Indiana. That will give us an idea of our kids can handle the trip or we'll be ready to turn around and go home by mile 250.

 

[sharadoc]

Thanks for this! We are down in Delaware county and are considering driving for a trip in December. Our kiddos are little (1 and 3) so we are trying to find a way to drive that will be low-impact for them. Airfare isn't too bad for our dates but having to lug all the stuff we need (double stroller, two car seats, etc) through the airport is just so much work.

We were considering leaving around noon one day so the kids could do their afternoon nap in the car, stopping to eat dinner, driving more, stopping at a hotel and then doing the rest in the morning.
Does anyone else actually stop on their trip? If so, where do you stop?

Hi. We like to stop at the Georgia/South Carolina border area, Walterboro, SC. But that would be too far for you. You're most likely going to need to stop at the NC/SC border area. You could try around Florence, SC. There's a few really nice hotels there, some are pretty new. You should get to Disney World right around check-in time.

We're trying straight through our next trip, but this is the first time and our kids are 10 and 16. There's nothing wrong with stopping along the way - plenty of people do it. We'll be stopping on the way home, too.

 

[ntz4disney]

We drive to WDW from Delaware County atleast once per year and its not a bad ride if you time it right. We have left at different times over the years and driven straight through, but what seems to be the best for us lately is leaving our house aroun 6pm and with the exception of stopping for bathroom breaks and gas we make it to WDW by 10am at the latest! Kids shower and get in their jammies before we leave home and we usually stop in Virginia before the kids fall asleep. My husband drives the first leg of the trip and I usually take over around 2am or so ...my kids don't mind the drive at all, they have plenty to occupy themselves with in the car.

Coming home we have also left at different times, last was around midnight to get home, drove right through and made it home before dinner! My husband sleeps for several hours before we leave and coming home usually he drives the entire trip!

It works for us, and we keep driving so it can't be that bad!!!!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Hi. We like to stop at the Georgia/South Carolina border area, Walterboro, SC. But that would be too far for you. You're most likely going to need to stop at the NC/SC border area. You could try around Florence, SC. There's a few really nice hotels there, some are pretty new. You should get to Disney World right around check-in time.

We're trying straight through our next trip, but this is the first time and our kids are 10 and 16. There's nothing wrong with stopping along the way - plenty of people do it. We'll be stopping on the way home, too.

GMTA. I picked Walterboro out as a stopping point from a map!

 

[lynz421]

I am very jealous of all you drivers. I am the only one in my entire family who enjoys the drive, and I do it! I don't ask anyone else to take a shift or anything! I love getting in the car around 3am and taking off while the family sleeps. I grew up taking trips like that with my parents. My DH NEVER took those kind of trips with his family and as a result, he hates long drives. He has tainted the kids' opinion of driving as well


Even my parents criticize my desire to drive. "That's such a hassle, driving all night then being tired the next day." I don't see it as a hassle, it's exhilirating to me! Is that weird?


We fly to Disney from Philly but I would much rather drive.

Not weird....I love it as well I tell my DW ..there are 24 hrs in a day I drive....you fly wait for plane and cab. We have always gotten to WDW ahead of her. 17 hours driving from Scranton.pa while she flew 3hrs

 

[sharadoc]

GMTA. I picked Walterboro out as a stopping point from a map!

Yep, it's really kind of perfect if you want to do a nice long day on the first day, then a shorter day on the second. We would leave around 9am and get to Disney by 3, only stopping on the way for gas, free OJ at the Florida Visitor Center and the potty.