Driving from Virginia

[jennyraye]

We check-in on Monday, September 21st, but plan on leaving on Sunday. I'd like to leave as early as possible on Sunday and make it as far as we can that day--at least to the Florida line (on I95), and at best, into Orlando itself. Would like to have as short a trip as possible on Monday morning to our resort, so we can enjoy most of Monday in the park after getting a good night's sleep the evening before. Any suggestions for good stopping places? Inexpensive hotels? We'll likely leave in the early am on Sunday for what I expect should be around a 12 hour drive. It's been far too long since we made this trip, so I have no clue how things have changed along the way.

 

[Missytara]

You are lucky that you are out of the tourist season, and will find better luck getting a hotel along the coastline.

My parents go down every year and stop in Columbia, SC.

 

[soulmates]

We're driving from the Raleigh area, and our drive is right around 10. We'll each drive 5 so it's a 1 day drive for us. I'd suggest stopping in Columbia as well. Avoid cities like Charleston and Atlanta, VERY expensive. The drive is a nice one, enjoy it.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[thecapells]

We check-in on Monday, September 21st, but plan on leaving on Sunday. I'd like to leave as early as possible on Sunday and make it as far as we can that day--at least to the Florida line (on I95), and at best, into Orlando itself. Would like to have as short a trip as possible on Monday morning to our resort, so we can enjoy most of Monday in the park after getting a good night's sleep the evening before. Any suggestions for good stopping places? Inexpensive hotels? We'll likely leave in the early am on Sunday for what I expect should be around a 12 hour drive. It's been far too long since we made this trip, so I have no clue how things have changed along the way.

We just did the trip from Northern VA to Orlando during Spring Break.
It wasn't bad but we elected to stay over a night in South Carolina near Georgia.

 

[jennyraye]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

Thanks! I didn't know there was a Transportation board.

Thanks for the replies so far.

We're willing to drive approx 12 hours on Sunday--leaving early morning--3-4am, with the hopes of getting as far as we can. Savannah or points south. Any suggestions?

 

[kt_mom]

Where in VA are you starting from? We're in central va and when we drive we do it all in one day. Usually on the way down we leave as soon as my husband gets off work on Saturday evening usually by 5pm and we make it into the orlando area by around 4 am then we just find somewhere cheap to sleep for awhile before we head over to our resort to check in.

If you are leaving around 3-4 am I would think you could make it into the orlando area by dinnertime.

 

[jennyraye]

Where in VA are you starting from? We're in central va and when we drive we do it all in one day. Usually on the way down we leave as soon as my husband gets off work on Saturday evening usually by 5pm and we make it into the orlando area by around 4 am then we just find somewhere cheap to sleep for awhile before we head over to our resort to check in.

If you are leaving around 3-4 am I would think you could make it into the orlando area by dinnertime.

We're in central/southeastern VA--right between the two. Sounds like what we had planned--the more I've looked, I'm inclined to stay in the Daytona area--get the kids some pool time, eat, hit the hay, up for the continental bfast and then the drive to WDW.

looks like we'll be there the same time as your family!

 

[jandbmom]

We usually stay in Brunswick GA. It is on the Fl/GA line.

 

[jennyraye]

We usually stay in Brunswick GA. It is on the Fl/GA line.

How far to WDW from there? Thanks!

 

[JanB]

According to Google Maps ---
Approx. 2.5 hrs Brunswick, GA to Daytona Beach, FL
Aprox. 1.25 hrs Daytona Beach to Lake Buena Vista, FL

 

[Suzyq9241]

We drove from my sisters who also lives in Virginia... the Bedford area... and we drove to daytona ... we stayed at a la quinta... 1 1/2 miles from daytona beach... its was a nice hotel... mall right across the street and a waffle house right down the road...i dont remember what exit but it was a good exit...

 

[jandbmom]

How far to WDW from there? Thanks!

It was about 3 1/2 hours. We liked it there because there were many hotels in the area right off of 95. We usually stay in the fairfield Inn. They also include breakfast.

 

[jennyraye]

Great options guys, thanks! So appreciate that you all included time on road, as mileage, especially once one hits Florida, seems to be so deceiving.

 

[Gary Cory]

i think you also can stay at wood ruff inns at luray virginia. its a good hotel to stay.

 

[islandsnoopy]

We're driving from NoVA and it's about a 13 1/2 hrs drive. We're planning to dirve to Savannah (about 9 hrs) then have drive into Orlando the next day. We like to get the bulk of the driving done on day one.

Safe travels to all!