Driving from Raleigh NC

[robinbutterfly]

I have a 5 year old and a 4 year old. We flew last time to disney but are going to drive this time.
About how long is the drive. Any tips? What time do you think is the best time to leave?
Thanks!

 

[mickeystoontown]

To get the best driving route, I'd go to www.mapquest.com. You just put in your address and the address of your resort and it'll not only give you driving directions but it will also give you an estimated driving time.

 

[goofy5]

must have dvd player and lots of movies. coloring books , little toys that are fun and easy to play with that can sit in child's lap Best time to leave is night time so maybe kids will sleep most of the way home

 

[robinbutterfly]

must have dvd player and lots of movies. coloring books , little toys that are fun and easy to play with that can sit in child's lap Best time to leave is night time so maybe kids will sleep most of the way home

But when do mom and dad sleep??

 

[hmgray95]

Hi, we're in Greensboro and have made the drive lots of times, both with and without kids. From Raleigh, I would estimate it will be between a 10-11 hour drive (we do it in 9-10 hours from here).

We try to leave no later than 7:00 a.m. on a weekend. If you are traveling during the week however, I would recommend you leave at a time that will have you arriving in Charlotte either before or after rush hour....if you get caught up in that it will cost you at least an hour to an hour and a half. Leaving early in the morning also means that you get to Orlando quicker and can have a restful night at your hotel so that you are fresh in the morning.

We find that the quickest route is to take 85 S to Charlotte, then pick up 77S to Columbia. In Columbia pick up 20 towards Savannah, then pick up 95S and stay on that all the way to 4 and take that into Orlando.

We find that if we keep a steady stream of DVD's on, then the kids are very content.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

I have a 5 year old and a 4 year old. We flew last time to disney but are going to drive this time.
About how long is the drive. Any tips? What time do you think is the best time to leave?
Thanks!

Hi robinbutterfly!

When our kids were that young back in the early 80's it took us about 10-11 hours from Cary due to potty breaks.
Now we have a 16 month old GD and just returned from WDW in April..It was her second trip. When its just the DH and myself it takes about 9.5 hrs. We pack a lunch and eat as were driving We hopped on I-40 east to I-95 south, stopped at South of the Border for a 15 minute break, then continued the ride...From Cary to I-95 is 45 minutes, from I-95 to the SC line is about an hour. Your longest state is SC, 3.5 hours...Once your are on the bridge crossing Lake Marion that is your half way point in SC....GA is 2 hours and a tip for you is keep your windows up! GA is a smelly state along I-95. I think there is a sewer treatment plant close by and for about 20 miles it stinks. We have stopped in Brunswick GA too for a break, that is about an hr north of the FL state line. Here's another tip for Jacksonville FL, there is so much construction on I-95 at the St Johns River that I would highly recommend going around Jacksonville, take the I-295 instead, it adds a little time to your drive but if you hate narrow roads and construction over a river then I-295 is for you. Once you get into FL we stop at the St. Augustine Outlet. (northbound I-95 has a huge Disney Outlet, great place to get your souvies and t-shirts, straight from the parks..they also carry DCL merchandise, and most items are 50-75% off.) Depending on the time of day and the day of the week I-4 into Orlando can be a nightmare with traffic...if you want a straight shot to Oceola Parkway then take the toll road. Its about $8 from what I remember in April but worth it...less traffic headaches. Take the exits for DTD and your there!

Have a great time!