Driving from SouthEastern Mass...help?

[Disney1fan2002]

OK, we leave FRIDAY! woohoo! My husband and I pulled out the road atlas last night to map out our trip. I thought we would just shoot down I-95. Well, it looks like I-95 not only gives us the longest toll roads, but it seems to take us through some major cities. NYC being one of them. So, we were looking at this possible route...please tell us if it will add extra time to or trip if you are familiar with it...we though we would take I-84 to I-81 to I-77 to I-20 to I-26...I-26 brings us back to I-95 in SC. From the map, it looks like we are avoiding all tolls. Has anyone gone this route? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[spr0m]

With the extra distance you're driving the price of gas would be more than the tolls. From the boston area I would take 90 to 84 to 91 to the west cross/meritt parkway to 287 at this point listen to 880 or 1010 AM for traffic reports on the hudson river crossings if the GW in less than 10 mins take 87 if it sounds bad than take the Tappan Zee and than the garden state parkway or 287 (if you hate tolls but it's 20 miles further) to the NJ turnpike.
I drive to Acton MA quite often to visit family and it take me 4:30 - 5 hrs with a bathroom break from Exit 8a on the NJ turnpike

 

[JillU-DVC]

We were at Disney for 9/11, and had to drive home (luckily, we had a rental car before everything happened).

This was the route that AAA recommended to us, to avoid I-95, NYC and DC. We think it took maybe an hour or two longer, and it REALLY avoided 95% of traffic and tolls:

Massachusetts to Florida
I-90 to Sturbridge MA
I-84 to Scranton PA
I-81 to Wytheville VA
I-77 to Columbia SC
I-26 to Orangeburg/Charleston SC
I-95 to Daytona Beach FL
I-4 to Orlando, Tampa, Clearwater

It seems complicated, but it's really not - see if it might work for you!

 

[JillU-DVC]

Sorry, just re-read the OP, and saw the route I just posted was what you were asking feedback for.

We did drive this route (from Orlando to PVD) over 9/11 - we saw almost no traffic, I don't remember any tolls (though it's possible there were some), and we calculated it took approx. 2 hours longer than taking I-95.

Of course, if you take I-95, it might be longer than you anticipated due to traffic, which can be quite horrendous (I understand).

I think you'd be happy with the inner route - give it a try! With I-95, you're gambling whether or not you hit traffic (and massive delays).

 

[castlegazer]

Jill - we always used to use the route you posted but I am coming from Central MA and at the time I used to drive it, from the Berkshires. It saves you not only tolls but headaches. there are also convenient locations to stop over and stay for the night in SC, but I haven't done it in a whie so I am fuzzy on what exits and whatnot. Stop in at the AAA office and have them reverify this route but I will bet you they send you this way. They may have some further suggestions on bringing you over to I-84 from your location, but all in all this is a good route and will not take any longer or take you more out of the way than you would be if you went I-95 the whole way.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Thanks for the feedback! Jill! do you know how proud I am of myself? LOL, I came up with that route myself, and now I find that it is the same route AAA is recommending? Man, I am good! LOL

Question....how long did it take you? I am HOPING the entire trip does not take more than 22 hours. I am REALLY hoping for it to be closer to 20 hours. We are leaving at 3PM and will drive until supper time (7-7:30pm) take our time eating and stretching our legs, be back on the road before 8:30pm, the kids will be asleep hopefully before 10pm...then hubby and I can take turns catnapping and driving through the night. The kids will wake up around 5-6am...so we stop for breakfast around 7am,back on the road at 8am.......and I am hoping to be arriving at the BCV's before noon Saturday. Am I dreaming? You probably need to know, my average travel speed on the interstate is between 75-80 mph (I know, I know..I am a leadfoot...but any slower than that, and I feel like I will never get anywhere)

 

[JillU-DVC]

Disney1fan2002

Unfortunately, we didn't keep good track of time on our drive (remember, it was just after 9/11, and our primary concern was first to get back to MA, then to not be over-charged for the rental car convertible we'd rented in Florida, then to get home).

But we estimated it took 20-22 hours of DRIVING time - not including time for stopping for meals, bathroom, gas, or staying overnight (we overnighted in the WORST Best Western I'd ever seen, but were glad to get any room at all at that time).

So I can't really help you with how long it takes because we didn't keep track of the time. We also drive right around 75 MPH, so our driving styles are similar.

Sorry I can't help more!

castlegazer - it sounds like you've driven this more frequenly, do you remember how long it takes from Central Mass?

 

[castlegazer]

I went to college in Atlanta and our summer home is in Cocoa Beach so we broke it up a lot. Atlanta took 19 hours to get to, but you have to go a little out of the way you would be going. I can't specifically remember but I think its well over 20 hours. Check with AAA and they should be able to accurately guage the time. I am sorry I can't be of further help, I haven't done it in a fairly long time. I am now a big believer in flying after so many car trips down south. You just can't beat paying $200/pp or less to take you there. But I have a small family so my beliefs may change as we grow. The family car trip may be making a comeback in my repertoire.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

You might do it in your timeframe but what would be wrong if you arrived at BCV by 3pm Saturday? If you get there earlier, good deal.
BTW, you did pick up on the fact that you continue south on I-77 to I-26, didn't you? Don't take the I-20 to I-95 cut off.

Also, I would drop the speed down about 5mph at certain places in NC and SC. From time to time, I have seen cars pulled over between Charlotte and Columbia on that great stretch of I-77 where you could do 85 easily. Also, from time to time, especially on the section of I-95 in SC below Walterboro and above Hardeeville SC, I have seen state police working both sides of the road where you wouldn't think they would be. Of course, you may not have that problem.

Also, just a personal recommendation is to switch drivers every 2 to 3 hours during that period between midnight and 6 am. A good break is at the last Harrisburg exit(Exit 52) on I-81 near the PA turnpike. A good break is at Harrisonburg VA on I-81 near James Madison U. A good state welcome center (only for potty break) is the one coming into NC just below Fancy Gap VA on I-77. If you need to stop before that, the first exit just south of the I-81 and I-77 intersection at Fort Chiswell is a good one to take a break. It is just a mile below that intersection, the gas prices aren't bad, and there is a good truck stop there. Another good break is the first exit just west of the I-77 and I-26 intersection on I-26. It is easy on and off and the gas prices are good as well as a very active Pilot/Wendy's there.

Also, in GA just north of the Florida border, exits 6,3,and 1 are good (near Kingsland GA) to stop and get GA gas prices.

Have a great trip and be safe.