Driving from Philadelphia to Disney, Where to stop for night and questions in driving

[Danny K]

So on a friday we will start driving from philadelphia down to disney world. We will wake up really early, and hope to be in the car by 5:30am on Friday. We are a family of 2 adults and 2 children just incase you need this info.

So yeah if all goes well, we will be hitting harrisburg around 7:15am, is there any traffic around there? We plan to stop for a brunch between 11am and 12pm and then dinner between 6pm and 8pm.

We hope to be in virginia before we look for places to stop for an early lunch. I was thinking maybe somewhere around Roanoke, VA.

Also I want to finish with Charlotte, NC before we stop for the night. So where do you recommend we stop for the night on the way? On Saturday I really don't want to have more then a 5 hour drive to Disney World from where we stop at. Where do you usually stop on the way? I was thinking maybe early georgia?

By the way as you can probably tell from above, I will be taking I-76 W < I-81 S < I-77 S < i-26 S < I-95 S. NOT I-95 all the way. Just too much traffic for me to bear in Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington D.C, and then from Alexandria down to Richmond. It will be close to rush hour so there will be a lot of traffic.

So basically I am just looking for a good place to stop on the way for the night, that is under 5 hours away from disney world.

 

[kate2961]

We like stopping around the Savannah area. There are several good places there off I-95.

Hope you have a great trip!

Kate

 

[msmayor]

Of course, if that is the route you are most comfortable with then by all means...but I have made the trip from Philly area to Savannah GA 2-3 times in the past four years getting my daughter back and forth to college and we never varied from the full I-95 route, and if we were out the door by 6am could actually MAKE it to Savannah by 6-7pm easily.

Its true that traffic can be tough in the areas you describe, but it honestly has never cost us much more than 20 minutes over the course of the trip. I personally think its gotten much better.

Getting to Charlotte NC is still going to leave you a good 7.5 hours from Orlando, Savannah about 4-5.

 

[sharadoc]

We like stopping around the Savannah area. There are several good places there off I-95.

Hope you have a great trip!

Kate

Yes this perfect. We grabbed a Country Inn & Suites in Pooler GA. But, that should take you 12 to 13 hours. Then you'll be sitting in a hotel room for hours. We prefer leaving around 9 am and stopping at 10 pm. Well rested then not bored staring at each other in a hotel on the road.

This way you can use 95 the whole way.

 

[Danny K]

Of course, if that is the route you are most comfortable with then by all means...but I have made the trip from Philly area to Savannah GA 2-3 times in the past four years getting my daughter back and forth to college and we never varied from the full I-95 route, and if we were out the door by 6am could actually MAKE it to Savannah by 6-7pm easily.

Its true that traffic can be tough in the areas you describe, but it honestly has never cost us much more than 20 minutes over the course of the trip. I personally think its gotten much better.

Getting to Charlotte NC is still going to leave you a good 7.5 hours from Orlando, Savannah about 4-5.

Thanks. Savannah GA looks like a good place to stop at. I actually just remembered that a couple of years ago I used to take a route to avoid I-95 in washington D.C and I thought it was I-81 but it wasn't so yeah I will be taking 95 all the way down, but I will just switch to MD-295 S from baltimore to washington. Its called Baltimore Washington Pkwy, never faced traffic going that way actually. I wasn't thinking of stopping in charlotte I just wanted to pass it before I stop for the night.

 

[Robert P]

From Savannah (at the SC/GA line), you've got @ 300 miles to the WDW exits. That sounds just about where you want to stop.
Just for reference, the GA/FL line is 190 miles out from WDW, and if you are taking the 77 route through Charlotte, NC you are 530 miles from the NC/SC line (it's just South of there), which I agree is going to leave you 7-8 hours away for the next day's drive.
We used to stop in Savannah often. Lately, when we've been wanting to do a bigger part of the drive the night before, we've pushed into Jacksonville, FL. If you stay on 95 going through the city, it's 160 miles to WDW once you cross the downtown bridge over the river. Then it's a quick 2+ hours the next morning to WDW.

Whatever you decide, travel safe!

 

[sharadoc]

Thanks. Savannah GA looks like a good place to stop at. I actually just remembered that a couple of years ago I used to take a route to avoid I-95 in washington D.C and I thought it was I-81 but it wasn't so yeah I will be taking 95 all the way down, but I will just switch to MD-295 S from baltimore to washington. Its called Baltimore Washington Pkwy, never faced traffic going that way actually. I wasn't thinking of stopping in charlotte I just wanted to pass it before I stop for the night.

Check Google maps on that route. We got really stuck in rush hour traffic on there one trip, it felt like a lot of locals.

Honestly, because it's a work day, I'd recommend getting out earlier. If you can be on the road by 4, then you'll hit DC right after 6 am and at the first part of rush hour. Just don't take 495 west around DC, that's a nightmare any time of day.

That's why we tried leaving later at 9 am and loved it. We don't hit a single rush hour the whole way. Baltimore around 10:30, DC around 11:30. So what if we hit our stopover hotel at 11 pm. What else would we be doing anyway.

Sorry, I know I'm on a soapbox, but we've been driving for a long time, over 15 years and have done multiple trips per year since 2009. We've tried every way - leave early, weekday vs. weekend, straight through, leave late and we've found the late departure to be the least stressful and most rested way to go. Driving only 4 hours on day two, check in and hit the ground running!! No need to rest and hang at the resort because you're too exhausted from the drive.

We're leaving Saturday. Let's hope for good weather.

 

[msmayor]

Thanks. Savannah GA looks like a good place to stop at. I actually just remembered that a couple of years ago I used to take a route to avoid I-95 in washington D.C and I thought it was I-81 but it wasn't so yeah I will be taking 95 all the way down, but I will just switch to MD-295 S from baltimore to washington. Its called Baltimore Washington Pkwy, never faced traffic going that way actually. I wasn't thinking of stopping in charlotte I just wanted to pass it before I stop for the night.

My sister lives down in that area...funny, but we avoid the Balt/Wash Pkwy like the plague. Two lanes in either direction, horrible traffic backups every single time we have considered taking it.

I guess you just never know!

Good luck with your trip...safe travels.

 

[Danny K]

Check Google maps on that route. We got really stuck in rush hour traffic on there one trip, it felt like a lot of locals.

Honestly, because it's a work day, I'd recommend getting out earlier. If you can be on the road by 4, then you'll hit DC right after 6 am and at the first part of rush hour. Just don't take 495 west around DC, that's a nightmare any time of day.

That's why we tried leaving later at 9 am and loved it. We don't hit a single rush hour the whole way. Baltimore around 10:30, DC around 11:30. So what if we hit our stopover hotel at 11 pm. What else would we be doing anyway.

Sorry, I know I'm on a soapbox, but we've been driving for a long time, over 15 years and have done multiple trips per year since 2009. We've tried every way - leave early, weekday vs. weekend, straight through, leave late and we've found the late departure to be the least stressful and most rested way to go. Driving only 4 hours on day two, check in and hit the ground running!! No need to rest and hang at the resort because you're too exhausted from the drive.

We're leaving Saturday. Let's hope for good weather.

What route do you usually take then? I refuse to take the beltway its a nightmare. But also there is I-395 actually through D.C is that very bad in traffic?

Well then probably I will just go with my original route then I-81.

 

[double r]

We take Rt. 301 and get back on 95 at exit 104 in Va. just one exit above Kings Dominion.

 

[rwdavis2]

If you can get to I-295 near the Washington Beltway by 6:30-7am you will miss virtually all the traffic. I used to drive it on occasion. Then if you are on I-95 by 7 or so then you are in great shape.

I would stay off of I-395. If you go through DC take 295, to the Beltway, over the Wilson Bridge then south on I-95.

Even taking the Beltway and avoiding 295 if you are early enough is a good option just a bit longer.

 

[Danny K]

We take Rt. 301 and get back on 95 at exit 104 in Va. just one exit above Kings Dominion.

Ahhhh Thanks but I know about 301, and to tell you the truth, Route 301 would kill me. First of all the bridge from MD to VA can be blocked a lot. Also I really hate county roads that I am not familiar with. Many detours. I really need to stay on highways, I don't do well on county roads.

 

[Danny K]

If you can get to I-295 near the Washington Beltway by 6:30-7am you will miss virtually all the traffic. I used to drive it on occasion. Then if you are on I-95 by 7 or so then you are in great shape.

I would stay off of I-395. If you go through DC take 295, to the Beltway, over the Wilson Bridge then south on I-95.

Even taking the Beltway and avoiding 295 if you are early enough is a good option just a bit longer.

Your 295 route was my actual plan, I was just wondering if I-395 is a good option, why avoid it? Does it have a lot of traffic?

I really prefer to stay off the beltway at all times, I used to drive on there and I always faced traffic. Especially the western part, that is definatly a nightmare. The eastern beltway is better but still has a lot of traffic.

 

[Danny K]

I also really think I-81 through VA is a better option not just because of Washington D.C, but also from Alexandria down to Richmond can also be ruff to, sometimes even worse then washington D.C. So thats why I think 81 is a good route.

 

[Danny K]

who else was also stuck from Alexandria down to Richmond?

 

[rwdavis2]

Your 295 route was my actual plan, I was just wondering if I-395 is a good option, why avoid it? Does it have a lot of traffic?

I really prefer to stay off the beltway at all times, I used to drive on there and I always faced traffic. Especially the western part, that is definatly a nightmare. The eastern beltway is better but still has a lot of traffic.

Mainly because it is tricky if you are not familiar with it. It branches off 295, crosses the Anacostia River then winds it's way south. The 395 branch off 295 is relatively new. 395 used to drop you in DC off NY Avenue.

I used to drive to the Naval Research Lab (off 295 southern end in DC) coming down I-95 and if you go to the Beltway by 7:15 or so you were OK to take 295. Ten minutes later and you added almost 20-30 minutes to the drive.

But then, this assumes you want to leave Philadelphia much earlier than 5:30.

I-295 in Maryland can get really backed up heading south around Rt 32 and farther. At 32 you deal with NSA traffic and around Greenbelt you hit NASA Goddard traffic. Heading south on I-95 I think should be OK. All the traffic is going the other way.

 

[Danny K]

Mainly because it is tricky if you are not familiar with it. It branches off 295, crosses the Anacostia River then winds it's way south. The 395 branch off 295 is relatively new. 395 used to drop you in DC off NY Avenue.

I used to drive to the Naval Research Lab (off 295 southern end in DC) coming down I-95 and if you go to the Beltway by 7:15 or so you were OK to take 295. Ten minutes later and you added almost 20-30 minutes to the drive.

But then, this assumes you want to leave Philadelphia much earlier than 5:30.

I-295 in Maryland can get really backed up heading south around Rt 32 and farther. At 32 you deal with NSA traffic and around Greenbelt you hit NASA Goddard traffic. Heading south on I-95 I think should be OK. All the traffic is going the other way.

Yeah I see, I can probably manage I-395 though. So whats the best route probably then to avoid washington D.C? Also you say the beltway but do you mean the eastern or western side of the beltway?

 

[rwdavis2]

Yeah I see, I can probably manage I-395 though. So whats the best route probably then to avoid washington D.C? Also you say the beltway but do you mean the eastern or western side of the beltway?

If I wanted to avoid going through DC (295) I would take the Eastern side. If things get really bad after you go on the beltway you can bail out at Rt 50 or Rt 5 and make your way down 301, which you know is not optimal.

The western side can get terribly backed up on the Maryland side around I-270. Then there is construction heading around that side as well.

 

[Danny K]

If I wanted to avoid going through DC (295) I would take the Eastern side. If things get really bad after you go on the beltway you can bail out at Rt 50 or Rt 5 and make your way down 301, which you know is not optimal.

The western side can get terribly backed up on the Maryland side around I-270. Then there is construction heading around that side as well.

Yeah thanks, but you know what I said about 301 right? I guess also if I take 295, then if things get bad, I could use 66 west to 81 south.

 

[rwdavis2]

Yeah thanks, but you know what I said about 301 right? I guess also if I take 295, then if things get bad, I could use 66 west to 81 south.

I kept in mind what you said about 301. I hate it as well mainly because it is slow. Correct on 66 to 81. Google maps says bailing at 66 and going that route adds about 90 minutes. Given that I would still fight DC traffic.