Driving from Toronto-best places to stop?

[fraser]

We are leaving on Friday for our 1st trip to WDW, 4 adults 3 kids in a minivan from Toronto to Orlando....just wondering if there are places along the way to stop that people would recommend? we are most likely going to stop at a motel/hotel midway through the trip, i wanted some opinions on what's good /bad any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Hmmmmm, it's been awhile since I've driven from the north east to Florida, but I did stop several times, the last time.

Fredricksburg, VA had some very nice (overnight nice, not resort nice!) hotels right off the main route.

I liked the area in Georgia (again right off the main route) nearest Savannah.

There were others, but those two areas stand out as being particularly convenient and nice.

 

[Hockeychic]

Which route are you taking?

Kim

 

[fraser]

We haven't really decided, -we are picking up the map and directions from CAA tomorrow and were going to plan from there,
Which way do you normally take?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

My guess is that they will direct you down the I-95 route through Washington DC and the Carolinas. A critical part of planning your drive is MISSING the DC rush hours (6am-10am and 4pm-7pm) as traffic can be dead stopped for hours. I would definetly plan on hitting DC either mid afternoon or later in the evening. Fredricksburg, VA would be a good stopping point along with the other suggestion of Savannah, GA (Actually you will be staying in Port Wentworth, GA). Both are cities right off I-95 so your drive to your hotel shouldnt be too long. One last suggestion I have is choosing a hotel that has a continetnal breakfast, because this can really cut down on $$$. I always suggest Fairfield Inn by Marriott and Holiday Inn Express as they are allways reasonable and provide a fairly nice property (generally) for the money....

 

[OntFamily]

CAA normally routes Toronto drivers:

I-90 to Erie, PA
I-79
I-77
I-26
I-95
I-4

Beckley, W Va is close to the halfway point

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...a&1s=ON&1z=&2pn=&2a=&2c=Orlando&2s=FL&2z=&r=f

 

[fraser]

Cool! Thanks for the info, I had a feeling it would be the same route as mapquest, and I figured somewhere near West virginia might be our stop, but we'll seehow it goes, I definately want a place with a continental breakfast and hopefully a pool to tire the kids out.

Thanks!

 

[Hockeychic]

CAA will route you around the Summersville area route 19 and take you into Charleston. You don't have to take that detour, it will add lots of miles and time to your trip. There are alot of hotels on 19 in the Summersville area, this is where we stop when we drive. I have heard many warnings about speeding enforcement in this area (picking out Ontario plates) so we always do ONLY the speed limit as it does drop in a few areas but still alot faster then going through Charleston. However, we have never seen a cop in this area we still heed the warnings.

Just stick to the speed limit and you will be fine.

I have driven the I75 route but would only do this in the winter, it is a long boring, straight drive. The 79/77/95 route is very nice in through the mountains.

Kim

 

[Disneyjosh229]

CAA will route you around the Summersville area route 19 and take you into Charleston. You don't have to take that detour, it will add lots of miles and time to your trip. There are alot of hotels on 19 in the Summersville area, this is where we stop when we drive. I have heard many warnings about speeding enforcement in this area (picking out Ontario plates) so we always do ONLY the speed limit as it does drop in a few areas but still alot faster then going through Charleston. However, we have never seen a cop in this area we still heed the warnings.

Just stick to the speed limit and you will be fine.

I have driven the I75 route but would only do this in the winter, it is a long boring, straight drive. The 79/77/95 route is very nice in through the mountains.

Kim

Trust me, they stop everyone in there, not just ontario plates! We were in a rental car and got stopped for 58 in a 55. We handed the officer the registration and it said "Vangaurd Rental Holdings" or something like that and he let us go with just a warning...