Driving from Toronto to FL question

[myasmum]

We were orginally going to leave apx 3am on Fri, July 27 but since we are getting our rental on the 26th in the morning and our kids are out of camp at about 4pm my husband wanted to leave around 5-6pm on the Thursday I know he doesnt like to drive at night so I thought we would drive about 5hrs get into Pittsburgh, PA and get a hotel/motel (well somewhere to sleep)

ANYWAYS LoL anyone recomend a place as dont want to spend alot of money and then frpm Pittsburgh, PA is there any good places for the kids to see on the way down to FL? I wanted to take the kids to places on the way down as who knows if and whenever we will ever drive that way again.

We will then stop in Jacksonville, FL where inlaws live stay there til Saturday as we cannot get into the house we are renting til Sat at 4pm so again any suggestions I would TRULY appreciated
Thanks Robyn

 

[cranbiz]

I guess a lot depends on how much time you are allocating for the trip. There are a lot of things that are not far off of the Interstate . Wash DC has a lot of interesting sites but can be a vacation all by itself.

You might be best served by reading all of the "for those driving" sticky at the top of the board. I know it's a lot but there is so much info there and many tips, just like what you are asking.

 

[dancin Disney style]

There is a book called "Along I-75" the authors last name is Hunter. This book is written by a Canadian for Canadians. The book will give you very detailed info about what you can see and do along the way. It will also tell you what is at every exit ie:restaurants and hotels. Try to get the book from the library before you buy a copy.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There is a book called "Along I-75" the authors last name is Hunter. This book is written by a Canadian for Canadians. The book will give you very detailed info about what you can see and do along the way. It will also tell you what is at every exit ie:restaurants and hotels. Try to get the book from the library before you buy a copy.

I agree the Along I-75 book is amaizing because my family and I purchase every year since that is the route we take to WDW, however the OP is not going on I-75 after reading where they plan to stop.

 

[Kies99]

Not sure why the other posters are mentioning I-75. Coming from Toronto you'd go nowhere near I-75. You'd be coming down I-79. Also, you wouldn't be heading near Washington DC.

I live in Pittsburgh.

For a place to stay around Pittsburgh, coming down I-79 your best bet is to probably get off just before Pittsburgh in Cranberry. The Pittsburgh Marriott North is maybe your best bet as it's right off the interstate and it's pretty new.

Pittsburgh Marriott North
100 Cranberry Woods Dr
Cranberry Twp, PA
(724) 772-3700

After that, there are quite a few others as the Pennsylvania Turnpike intersects with I-79 in Cranberry:

Ameri Suites Cranberry
136 Emeryville Dr, Cranberry Twp, PA
(724) 779-7900

Residence Inn
1308 Freedom Rd, Cranberry Twp, PA
(724) 779-1000

Hampton Inn Hotel
210 Executive Drive, Cranberry Township, PA
(724) 776-1000 -

Holiday Inn Express
20003 Route 19, Cranberry Twp, PA
(724) 772-1000 -

Fairfield Inn Warrendale
30 Saint Francis Way, Cranberry Twp, PA
(724) 772-0600 -

Red Roof Inn Pitts N Cranberry
20009 Route 19, Cranberry Twp, PA
(724) 776-5670 -

Hyatt Place Pittsburgh-Cranberry
136 Emeryville Dr, Cranberry Twp, PA
(724) 779-7900

Another suggestion, as you mention you want to save money, would be to go a little further than Pittsburgh and stop off in Washington PA which is maybe another 20-30 miles.

For sites to see, it depends on how long you're going to take. From Toronto down to Pittsburgh, there's really not much. The Lake, Wineries, etc... When you get to Route 19 in West Virginia, watch for the signs for the New River Gorge Bridge. There's an overlook of the Bridge and it's the world's highes arch bridge. It's pretty neat to stop and look at how high it actually is (ever since I stopped 10 years ago, it gives me the creeps driving over it!). Through West Virginia, there's not much either other than scenery. Once you into North/South Carolina, you might start seeing Civil War battlefields and such and those are always interesting. You should definitely try for some time in Savanah, Georgia. A beautiful old town with horsedrawn tours and such.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Not sure why the other posters are mentioning I-75. Coming from Toronto you'd go nowhere near I-75. You'd be coming down I-79. Also, you wouldn't be heading near Washington DC.

A lot of people from here prefer that route. Personally, I prefer any route that gets me there the fastest.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Not sure why the other posters are mentioning I-75. Coming from Toronto you'd go nowhere near I-75. You'd be coming down I-79. Also, you wouldn't be heading near Washington DC.

No one from Toronto is forced to take I-79. As I said earlier my family and I take I-75 because we love that route and it's the most direct route when going to WDW.

 

[cslittle999]

No one from Toronto is forced to take I-79. As I said earlier my family and I take I-75 because we love that route and it's the most direct route when going to WDW.

I79/77 is shorter by about three hours from Toronto.

 

[OntFamily]

No one from Toronto is forced to take I-79. As I said earlier my family and I take I-75 because we love that route and it's the most direct route when going to WDW.

It's not the fastest route from TO. It's about 3 hours longer, each way.

 

[Kies99]

No one from Toronto is forced to take I-79. As I said earlier my family and I take I-75 because we love that route and it's the most direct route when going to WDW.

The OP stated they were looking to stop around Pittsburgh. I-75 comes nowhere near Pittsburgh. It's over by Detroit. I-79 comes down by Pittsburgh.

 

[Mortlives]

Did I understand that you are also looking for things to do around Jacksonville? St. Augustine. Can't say enough good things about it. And if you happen to stop in at the Taberno Del Gallo, give them our best regards (the weirdos from Toronto).