Driving to Disney From NY

[hrhejc]

We drove from NOVA. We left on a Fri and stopped over night in Florence, SC. On the way back we drove straight through, left MIL at 9:30ish at OKW and got home around 11:30. Getting out and into NOVA was our biggest hassle. We had to reroute to RT 1 since 95 was a mess. If you have a good gps it can help you work around.

 

[BUTTERHEAD1]

I drive from NYC. To Florida twice a year for the last 12 years. the trip is a good 17-19 hour drive. I always leave between 1am-3am and I try to leave on a Friday or Saturday night as to avoid DC traffic. When we first started driving to Florida we would stop in savannah but now we drive straight to Orlando. I start the drive and we stop in Va for breakfast after breakfast my wife will take the wheel for 2-3 hours and then I continue on until to Florida only stopping for gas/bathroom and a late lunch. We get to Florida around 8-9pm. Round trip is about 7 tanks of gas. The last toll is in Maryland. I once drove to Florida by myself and I wanted to go straight thru but I couldn't keep my eyes open so I got a room. It's not an easy thing to do by yourself..... Good luck

 

[huggiebear23]

Ha ha!!! We did Virginia beach and it was doable.

 

[jmccarv]

We have driven many times from NY. It's a good 19 hrs. Once u leave DC, there are no lights on 95, which always made me tired. Good luck'

 

[karatemom2]

Try the auto train. I'm from upstate NY and we are taking it for the third time this summer. It's just me and a 7 year old and a 13 year old. You have to drive to Virginia to get on the train. You ride over night and arrive in the morning. Once you get there it is a short drive to Disney.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We are doing the drive the end of March from nj. I have 2 kids a 7yr old and a 7 month old. We are driving down on a Friday, stopping in Florence, sc...I think that's about half way and then driving the rest of the way the next day. My 7 yr old has an iPad, 3ds, leapster, and a portable DVD player...I think all that plus some books maybe a word find activity book and he will be fine. We are planning on leaving at 4AM on both days. I think the first half of our trip will be the worse with DC, but once we get through that I think it will be ok. Plus I really like road trips, my mom and dad both think I'm nuts, but with all the baby gear I would rather just throw it in the back of the car than worry about it on the plane

 

[SweetMissy]

Every other year we've driven from NY. We drive until GA and stop for the night. I personally hate it! I would rather fly and be there in a few hours. But the cost of flying is insane. It's our turn to fly this year but we'll see if we can get a good deal on flights. If not, driving it is. The 1st year we drove (kids were 7 and 4), we left at like midnight and stopped around dinner for the night. Last year (kids were 9, 6, 18 months) we left around like 5am. Not sure which is better. The year we left at midnight, I had assumed the kids would fall asleep shortly after, but no, they were awake until like 4-5am, lol. To me, comparing costs is important. It definitely saves us to drive despite hotel there and back and gas. We pack a cooler, so we don't stop for food...that definitely saves. Anyway, good luck deciding!

 

[marybrat]

I drive from NY to GA with my two kids this past summer. I was really worried about it, but it went very well. Of course, our kids are very used to long drives because we camp everywhere and drive on all of our vacations. I would say take your time. Stop overnight, and you will be ok.

 

[monorailsilver]

We drove from CT to Ft. Myers last April & while my dh & I drove pre kids to middle America a few times..this was worse!! I think because we are older, haha!!

I have 3 kids, my dh drove the entire way. The kids were great thanks to electronics. They also had some work books that I made them do & some homework since we went during April vacation & due to all the storms & no school they took a few days away from there...don't know why they did that vs FEB vacation..but whatever...

We did the drive down in 2 long days.

The first day we left my moms (1/2 hr from the NY line) at about 6. We were over the GW in NY by 7 with out traffic. I knew the traffic patterns & there was no way I was going to leave at 1am just to avoid traffic. I value my sleep & sanity more.

Anyways, we had to take a pit stop due to the fact my 9 yo ds decided he needed to do #2 AFTER we passed the vince Lombardi rest stop on the NJT (isn't that the first one??). My dh asked if anyone needed to go a few miles prior & we got NO's. Yeah so we stopped at the next one & he decided he didn't have to go anymore but we weren't playing that game with last minute louie!!! My dh took his turn in the 'library' and had my son with him while my mom, myself & my 12 & 7 yo dd's waited & waited & waited. We finally sat because it took that long. My ds decided he had to go after my dh was done 'reading'.

Then we were on our way. I want to say we hit DC around 11 & we had no traffic at all until we hit the Richmond area. I can't remember if it was before or after but it was construction traffic. But I never saw a construction truck..

We ended up getting off somewhere south of DC because there was traffic & we took route 1 for a bit.

So between the pooping & the traffic I think that delayed us at least 2-3 hours.

We did use the google app on the phone that shows traffic. I really think that is very accurate. We use it at home too.

We also had another app. I can't remember what it is now, something like exit 95, I just can't remember but it showed us what was off each exit-food, gas, lodging & how far which was great!

I also printed off a scavenger hunt for my kids from this site.

http://faculty.deanza.edu/donahuemary/stories/storyReader$1473

I did delete a few things like a drunk driver but it was better then any I found or any I could come up with.

We only made it to Santee, SC that first day. I think we got there around 9-10pm. We were hoping to make it farther-me the FL line but realistically at least to Savannah.

The next day we had a 9 hour drive in front of us.

The worst parts of the drive were the Carolinas & Georgia. 95 is so boring there! There is nothing to see but trees. Once we hit FL, it was heaven. The drive went by fairly quick. It seemed like it only took an hour to Daytona-I am sure I am off on that one but after seeing those southern pines of for 500+ miles that was a quick drive. Then the I-4 drive was super quick as well.

We obviously went farther but we were in Orlando at about noon after leaving Santee at about 6:30.

On the way home we did 2 nights. The first night we left Friday afternoon & tried a different way back just because we weren't in a rush..um..we will stick to I-75 this year! But we stopped in DtD for dinner & left there way too soon but we arrived in Jacksonville at 10 or 11. Really I can't remember the times it was just so sad to leave Disney...

Then the next day we drove until around DC but still in VA & then the last day we drove home, well to my moms first then home.

So while the drive is doable, just plan to stop for an overnight. My dh was so tired that first day. When we got to my sisters house & just sat where as my kids were like "where are our bathing suits" but we ended up going to the beach for sunset. He sat with my mom while I went for a walk with my kids, sister & BIL.

This April we are taking the Autotrain. Our April vacation ends on Easter which means pricey flights. So considering we have our car & we got rooms the RT was just under $1900. I am happy with that. Now if I could find flights for around $200-$250 I would fly but not Easter week.

 

[huggiebear23]

Thanks!!