Driving NJ to WDW?

[kandb]

We have a bounceback for 10 nights at WDW starting 8/26 to 9/5. We are thinking of leaving the week before and driving down and stopping along the way, perhaps to Charleston, NC or a beach, maybe spend a day at Cape Canavaral. We are planning on buying a new vehicle, probably a Tahoe, so the car will be comfortable. What are some favorite spots to stop? Coming back, the 2nd day of our trip, we will be driving on Rt. 95 on Labor day, probably Virginia to NJ. Will the roads be super busy? We would get an early start. Our children will be 13, 13 and 7.

 

[nono]

We go almost every year at that time, and yes, we drive from NJ. Though, we're from the southern tip of NJ, so we take the ferry to Lewes, DE, cross over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, and don't get on I-95 until the last 10-12 miles in Virginia. Friday night and Saturday of Labor Day weekend is usually the trickiest...and that's with us driving near the beach towns of Delaware and right through Virginia Beach.

On the way down, we usually don't stop. We leave on the 2:30 ferry and arrive in Orlando around 8 a.m. On the way back, we have two favorite ways to go...either we leave super-early and go to Roanoke Rapids, NC on the way back, or we plan things for the morning and then only drive to Florence, SC, which leaves a longer day 2 on the way home. We LOVE the ride though, so, it's not a hassle to look at a long day 2 for us. The For 2000+ Mile Round Trip thread is full of folks who like to drive, with no "Why would you do that?" vibe. Stop by there if you think of more questions.

 

[RaginforDisneyRoy]

NJ Turnpike traffic on weekends can be very hairy. 9/5 is Labor Day if I'm not mistaken. Be wary of that.

 

[jpalasky]

We drive from Philly. We have stopped in charleston for two nights. Then proceeded to St. Augustine then drove through Cape Canaveral then stopped and saw Disney Cruise ships. They were neat to see. Spent day in Cocoa Beach and went tonRon Jon Surf Shop. Then headed to Disney. We loved St. Augustine can't wait to go back. Such a great town with lots to do.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We always drive from NJ to WDW and our favorite spot to stop is Florence, SC...Its just an overnight stop but its a cute little town and right off the 95 corridor is like hotel central where there is 3 or 4 hotel chains and a crossed the street is a bunch of restaurants and stuff. Like I said we just stop there overnight but its anything touristy