Driving from South Jersey to WDW

[ordille]

Hey there everybody! So, before anything, I want to say that I know this sounds insane as many people have reassured me of that. Anyways, next sunday, me and my girlfriend are driving to WDW from South Jersey. We’re only driving because I didnt get my Real ID in time and I’m also not the biggest fan of planes especially in the climate of planes and helicopters crashing. I digress. I just got my license in december and have only driven on the turnpike for a maximum of 15 minutes. Mind you were both 25, I just put off getting my license for a while because i had bad driving anxiety, it’s gotten much better after actually driving everyday, its like exposure therapy. Anyways, the plan was to do 5 shifts, she’d do the first 5 or so hours and then I would do three hours (or however long i feel comfortable for) so on and so forth. To my understanding, as long as im reading the signs, and I merge when needed, oh and for the most part, staying in the right lane, I’m going to be perfectly fine.


To get back on track, Google and Waze (we’d be using waze the entire way down) both tell me its going to take maximum of 17 hours to get there, down I95. I thought of maybe getting onto I81 to go around DC and Baltimore traffic but that adds some time. And many people i’ve talked to in person about this trip, have told me that it’s going to be an easy 24+ hour drive which stresses me out a little extra but thats alright. We plan on driving straight through, no overnight stays, just stops for gas and to switch. I have no issue with staying somewhere overnight but she insists that we go until we reach the resort so I respect that decision, plus we’re taking her car anyways and she tells me were only doing the drive because I don’t have my Real ID and that if it were up to her, she would definitely not be driving there. Whoever is riding passenger will be napping most of the time we expect so we shall see!


What’s the best time to leave? Check-in is on Monday and we plan on leaving on Sunday, i’m just not too sure of the best time to potentially avoid heavy traffic.

 

[sticker231]

We have driven several times from South Jersey. Depending on how you drive 17 hours should be pretty close. We have done it in 15 1/2 hours.. We used to leave around 7:30-8 pm to avoid the DC traffic. We got the routine down pretty well to maximize the trip. Most of the group would use the bathroom as we were gassing up, to avoid extra stops.

Make sure you get experience on major roadways before you leave. There are a lot of trucks on the road both ways, you'll want to make sure you are comfortable driving.

Best of luck!

 

[Lewisc]

Google or Waze will tell you, based on traffic if you should use I81.

You have no experience and your GF doesn't want to drive.

Fly. Allow an extra hour to get through screening.

See if you can at least apply for a Real ID drivers license.

I assume you don't have a passport.

Driving through a thunderstorm is "fun" not in good way.

https://www.nj.gov/mvc/license/realidemergency.htm

I'd just bring a wallet full of ID and go through extended verification at the airport.

I suspect profiling may be used. If your name or physical appearance suggests you may be Latino, Muslim, middle eastern etc get Real ID or drive.

 

[kimmar067]

We've driven from NJ to WDW twice - both times, it took around 19 hours. It sounds like you'll be overly cautious (not that that's a BAD THING!) but it definitely should not take more than 24 hours, even with traffic and roadwork. Make sure to include several stops along the way - you need to stretch and refocus. Good luck with the drive......I hear ya, we are unable to get our Real ID and it's so frustrating since we plan on visiting our DS late June/early July, who is a CM at DHS.

 

[kimmar067]

We have driven several times from South Jersey.....There are a lot of trucks on the road both ways, you'll want to make sure you are comfortable driving.

....especially at NIGHT

 

[jimmymc]

DC traffic is awful. I would time the trip to avoid the area from 1 pm to 7 pm. I'd really suggest leaving Sunday evening and stopping somewhere in North or South Carolina. going straight through is rough, even with 2 drivers.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

If you're not leaving at a time that avoids the Baltimore / Washington / VA parts of I-95 during the day, take the express lanes. Much less traffic & trucks in those lanes will help you as a new driver. There are also express lanes around Orlando. Be safe.

 

[MikeF;NJ]

Back YEARS ago, when I was little, our family would drive from Elizabeth, NJ to Naples, FL, straight through in about 23.5 hours This was before I95 was complete in North Carolina. Whoever is telling you 24+ hours from South Jersey to Disney either had really bad luck with traffic or is overestimating.

It's been 8 years since I drove from NJ to FL, (and I took the AutoTrain from VA to Orlando area), The last trip, I took the Western part of the DC beltway (which is what I see Google routinely recommend). To me, it FELT much longer than the eastern part of the loop (which is what AAA used to put in their TripTiks when I was little), and the traffic was mostly moving along fairly well on the beltway that day.

 

[_19disnA]

If you are a new/relatively inexperienced driver for long freeway trips, I would certainly suggest flying instead. If you both are set on driving, definitely plan to stop somewhere overnight to rest. Driving at night is a LOT more challenging particularly if you are a new driver. In my years of freeway driving, I can often tell who is a new driver by how they handle various situations. Typically, they are unsure of how to deal with traffic, don't know how to merge and often misjudge the speed of approaching cars, so I give them more room.

Even without a Real ID, you can still fly if you have a passport (or some other documents they show on their website).

 

[Genie+]

Weather can make a big difference for long drives.

 

[JimmyBean42]

Have done the drive from your area about 8 times. @sticker231 made the best point - leave at night. You avoid DC traffic and then can stay on cruise control through the Carolina's. By the time you hit the end Georgia, sun is coming up and you get a boost of energy from that. It's not a bad drive but I highly recommend taking a nap during the day before you leave. Will help a bit. Good snacks, solid playlists, few road trip games and by all means, if you are both tired, pull to a rest stop and take a rest.

 

[hrhdhd]

If you're not leaving at a time that avoids the Baltimore / Washington / VA parts of I-95 during the day, take the express lanes. Much less traffic & trucks in those lanes will help you as a new driver. There are also express lanes around Orlando. Be safe.

Note that the I-4 Express Lanes require a toll transponder:

Since tolls are collected electronically, drivers must have a SunPass or other Florida-accepted transponder including: Peach Pass, LeeWay, NC Quick Pass, E-ZPass, E-PASS, PIKEPASS, KTAG, and TollTag. Others may be added in the future. There is no cash or TOLL-BY-PLATE option. [bold added]

 

[DeeBee3]

I would seriously consider another option, like some have added above. That is going to be a long drive and if you are already inexperienced and have anxiety with driving, it makes for a bad situation. If your girlfriend already said she wouldn't be driving except for you, all this stress can cause undue arguments. I'm just putting it out there for those reasons. Start the trip off in a positive manner.

 

[Ngwira]

Have you looked into the auto train?

 

[LoveDaisy]

Have you considered taking the train? The auto train?

If you are going to drive I would do a trial run at both day and night to see how comfortable you are. Drive on the highway near you for 3-4 hours with no break. I recommend you do it over rush hour and also around midnight to make sure you are comfortable in both situations. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to drive in heavy rain because you don’t know what weather you will encounter.

If you decide to go ahead with the plan to drive I would leave Saturday and stay the night at a hotel to break up the drive. If you are unfamiliar driving for 17 hours I don’t think you understand how tired you will be and how easy it is to be distracted or to fall asleep while driving.

 

[eandt]

If you're not leaving at a time that avoids the Baltimore / Washington / VA parts of I-95 during the day, take the express lanes. Much less traffic & trucks in those lanes will help you as a new driver. There are also express lanes around Orlando. Be safe.

If I were an inexperienced driver I would steer clear of the express lanes … stay to the right and take your time … suggest an overnight stop in Brunswick GA on way down .. finish the drive the next day

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

If I were an inexperienced driver I would steer clear of the express lanes … stay to the right and take your time … suggest an overnight stop in Brunswick GA on way down .. finish the drive the next day

I don't know why an inexperienced driver wouldn't want less cars & trucks around them. You don't need to go fast in the express lanes and can surely stay in the right lane.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I’d recommend another form of transportation. Even Greyhound can be an exciting adventure!

 

[Murron]

DC traffic is awful. I would time the trip to avoid the area from 1 pm to 7 pm. I'd really suggest leaving Sunday evening and stopping somewhere in North or South Carolina. going straight through is rough, even with 2 drivers.

Do this!! Stop halfway and stay overnight somewhere! Totally worth the money spent for your rest and sanity.

 

[Genie+]

It could help to plan some ‘just in case’ alternatives. Over the years people here have shared popular places to stop in SC, NC and GA. Traffic or weather can add hours, or maybe you both get too tired. Depending how things are going 10 hours in, then decide whether to keep going or not. Less stressful when you already having a few candidates/locations to choose from.