Driving time from Greensboro, NC

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We are driving from Greensboro, NC.

My husband wants to drive our new van this year. We are leaving at 2 or 3 am. How long will it take us with short breaks and moderate speeding?

Thanks,

Lori

 

[CarolynNC]

According to AAA it is a 10 hour drive from Durham (I checked the online triptik). It gives a slightly different route from Greensboro but the time is about the same. Of course I'm never able to make it in 10 hours. We can never coordinate our potty stops so it takes us 11 or 12 hours depending on what kind of vendor we use for meals or if we get sidetracked. I also live north of Durham so it takes me about 30 minutes to get to the starting point of AAA's trip.

The return trip always seems like it's a lot longer. I don't know what makes me so sleepy when I'm driving home. It got so bad on one trip I had to find someplace to spend the night.

I'd love to take a quick trip down during my son's school break in December but I haven't found a cheap airfare. I'm starting to think about driving but I'm not sure I can face the long trip.

Hope this is some help.

Carolyn

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Lentesta, NCBob, NCPam are you out there? I would really like to hear from someone that has driven from around here.

Thanks,

Lori

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We have made it in 9 hours from Concord, but it usually takes 10. I try to only stop 2 times, but it is sometimes 3 or 4. Gas in SC is cheaper than GA, so we fill up before Hilton Head.

It really isn't that bad of a drive. I have done it with just my daughter and I 5 or 6 times. We used to fly, but we have found we only saved a few hours and then we have to rent a car. We make a mix CD, sing, play word games.. it can be fun!

Leaving in the very early am is the best way to go. You don't want to go thru Charlotte, Jacksonville or Orlando during rush hour. Last time, we hit Orlando right at 5 pm.. I thought we were never going to get to WDW!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

CoolDisneyCat,

My husband felt the same way about flying. By having to check in early at airports for security and driving to Raleigh to fly Southwest we would only gain a couple of hours time. This way we will have a van and not have to rent one. I am still dreading driving to Orlando. We have a vcr for the kids and they are wonderful travelers. So I guess I should plan on around 11 hours.

Thanks,

Lori

 

[SpikeLover]

We've driven from Madison (just north of Greensboro). We left at 6am and got in at about 6pm. We haven't been able to make the trip in less than 12 hours. We'll be on the road again in December. Hope this helps!!

 

[Bob NC]

We've driven from Kernersville a number of times. It takes us from 9 to 9-1/2 hours. I hate to stop, we pack sandwiches and only stop for gas or restroom breaks. It's a breeze.....

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Bob NC,

Wow! You have to best travel time. May I ask how much you speed over the limit? I'm like you I just want to get there as quickly as possible.

I'm looking forward to your next trip report. I grew up in K-ville and my family still lives there. I used to teach those country kids that your daughter likes to imitate. I worked at Piney Grove Elem.

My precious students didn't believe me when I tried to teach them that oil had only one syllable not two.

Thanks,

Lori

 

[Bob NC]

Hey Lori....I DO tend to let my speed creep up until my wife wakes up and glances at the speedometer. No problem though, because when she's in the car she'll be back to sleep in no time.

My daughter went to Piney Grove Elementary, and my son is there now. Kernersville is GREAT, after all it is the Gateway To The Triad!!!....lol

By the way....in this town there ARE no 1 syllable words.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We drive from Raleigh and it has taken us as little as 7.75 hours. The worst travel time we had was a Thanksgiving, returning on the Sunday after and the traffic was horrible, lots of accidents and bad weather. So, also consider when you are going down.

That being said, we sure have enjoyed our flying trips these past few months. We have a son down there and didn't want to be putting the mileage on the leased vehicle, so flying was the way to go. Even with getting to the airport early for security, etc., flying has still given us at least 1/2 day on each end of the trip.

 

[CarolynNC]

Hi RweTHEREyet,

This is off topic but since I've already responded I thought I'd take liberties. I've been taking SW from RDU and I really don't like the flight times. Delta has great flight times but they use the small planes. Have you flown Delta recently and what did you think about the small plane?

Carolyn

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Hey Carolyn, we have flown the Southwest flights, and it works great for me on days I only wish to take 1/2 day of vacation.

We have also flown Delta a couple times in the last few months, and I have no problems with the smaller jets, find it a very, very smooth ride, and I suffer from motion sickness so I am very sensitive to that. And I have been told that they are safer than the larger jets, but I sure couldln't tell you why. What I don't like is having to walk out onto the runway and then climb steps to get into that plane. You do that both at RDU and Orlando. Guess it is because the plane is so small that it doesn't reach up to whatever the thing is called that you normally walk down to board most jets. Each time I have flown the smaller Delta planes, we have arrived early in Orlando, except for the night we were late leaving RDU because high winds kept the flight from leaving its origination point. Being smaller, it takes just a few minutes for all passengers to board and be ready to take off.

All that being said, our trip next month will be on American, going thru Miami and changing planes. Even with this it will still take less time than driving and it was the only thing I could get at a reasonable rate at such a late date.

We have normally driven to Orlando in the past, but those were normally family trips with all 3 of us. Our trips this year have been to see our DS in Orlando and we have had shorter weekday trips necessitating flying. Also, purchasing 2 tickets is easier to swallow than purchasing 3.

 

[CarolynNC]

Thanks for taking time for a detailed reply. I guess I'll have to try out the Delta flight. I noticed them loading when I flew SW in September.

I haven't been able to find a reasonable (cheap) flight for xmas since we just started talking about going down. I really, really don't want to drive.

Thanks again,
Carolyn

 

[NCRedding]

CarolynNC: We almost always fly Delta out of RDU on the CRJs. I am not fond of flying, but I really like the little jets. They seem like jets on the inside--but quieter than the big jets. The seat room is ample. Overhead storage is smaller, and I always hit my head getting out of the seat. There is only one flight attendant, but we always get served very quickly. I don't care for the bathroom, but it's such a short flight, I rarely have to use it. The great thing about the CRJs are that the luggage gets taken off and to claim area very quickly. On our last trip, we were on 417 heading towards WDW 30 minutes after landing.

Delta is also now using Embraer jets which seat 2 on one side, 1 on the other. I haven't flown them, but my parents have, and say they like them better than big jets.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I forgot about the really quick luggage claim, but, yes, I agree, it all happened very, very quickly.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I want to fly. I want to fly. I want to fly not drive.

Lori

 

[RweTHEREyet]

well, talk him into driving to Raleigh and catching one of the little jets to Orlando.

 

[CarolynNC]

Thanks for the further info. Unfortunately Delta is coming up more expensive than SW for December.

I really lucked out with SW in July and September. I was able to get one of the specials, $59 each way in July and $39 each way in September. Needless to say I haven't been as lucky trying to plan a Christmas visit. It's difficult to plan around school holidays. I think I'll have to drive if I decide to make this trip. I hate driving 10 - 11 hours when I can fly in 1.5 hours.

Carolyn

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey folks, another NCer here. We have always flown but considered driving. Friends of ours drive from Burlington 3 times a year. They leave 3am and arrive 10 1/2-11hrs almost everytime. They obey the speed limit at that.
We are flying SW next trip but have flown Deltas CRJ before and it was very comfortable and smooth. Have fun whatever you decide and be safe.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

JimmyTammy,

I think it will probably take us around 10-11 hours. Our plan is to still leave around 2 am and let the kids sleep so it won't seem too long of a ride for them.

Lori