Driving to Disney from PA -- Routes and Room Suggestions?

[disney_dreamingmom]

My DH (35), DD (5) and DS (7 mo) are driving from Boiling Springs to the World in November!

This is our first time driving to the world and wanted to get suggestions on the best route to take and a good half way point to stop over night on the way.

 

[POOHsie]

I come from West Virginia, and I like to stop at Walterboro, SC. Others on these boards also like Walterboro. I get there before dark, and it is only 6 hours' drive the next day to WDW. You could choose to drive another hour down the road to Savannah, GA, but prices are higher and you may lose your daylight. I have stayed at the HI Express, Ramada and Hampton. I was going to try Microtel next. I like that it is across the street from Cracker Barrel (if you like their food). Look for specials before making your decision. I think all of the motels have free breakfast of some sort.

Here is a photo layout I made of I-95 Exit 53, Walterboro, SC:

These directions are from Google Maps:
Starting at Boiling Springs, PA to Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Walterboro, SC (618 mi – about 10 hours 17 mins)
1. Head east on PA-174 E/E 1st St toward Hilltop Rd. Continue to follow PA-174 E. 2.1 mi
2. Turn right at PA-74 S/York Rd. 4.5 mi
3. Turn right at PA-74 S/US-15 S. Continue to follow US-15 S. Entering Maryland. 58.4 mi
4. Continue onto I-270 S. 30.8 mi
5. Continue onto I-270 Spur S. 2.0 mi
6. Merge onto I-495 S. Entering Virginia. 17.3 mi
7. Take exit 57A toward VA-644. 0.8 mi
8. Follow signs for I-95 S/Richmond and merge onto Interstate 395 Connector S/Interstate 95 Connector S. 0.6 mi
9. Merge onto I-95 S. 84.2 mi
10. Take exit 84A on the left to merge onto I-295 S toward Rocky Mt NC/Richmond International. 43.8 mi
11. Merge onto I-95 S. Passing through North Carolina. Entering South Carolina. 373 mi
12. Take exit 53 for S Carolina 63 toward Vermvilla/Hampton. 0.2 mi
13. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Carolina 63 W/Varnville/Hampton and merge onto S Carolina 63 W/Sniders Hwy. 0.1 mi
14. Destination will be on the left. 341 ft

Starting at Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Walterboro, SC to Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL (360 mi – about 6 hours 7 mins)
1. Merge onto I-95 S. Passing through Georgia. Entering Florida. 196 mi
2. Take the exit on the left onto I-95 S toward Jax Beaches/Daytona Beach. 90.9 mi
3. Take exit 260B to merge onto I-4 W toward Orlando. 65.1 mi
4. Take exit 67 toward Epcot/Downtown Disney. 1.1 mi
5. Right on Epcot Center Drive to Buena Vista Drive. On to your resort.

 

[tami82]

Loved Savannah, GA off I-95 which will leave you with another 5 hours to drive the next morning. We usually leave a 3:00 a.m. and made it to the hotel at about 4:30 in the afternoon. We stayed in a nice Springhill suites and there are plenty of restaurants, especially love Logan's Roadhouse which was about 2 miles from the hotel.

 

[disney_dreamingmom]

Thanks for the great info! The map was great. It's always nice to anticipate where you'll end up and know what you're headed for... especially with little ones! We've contemplated driving straight through. My husband wants to drive straight through, but I think we should stop for the kids. Thanks again!

 

[POOHsie]

Personally, I wouldn't try to push the driving, with the young ones aboard. The farther south you go, the sun gets brighter and makes your eyes tired. Have a great trip, no matter where you stop.

 

[sharadoc]

Another vote for Walterboro. We like the Microtel, it's cheap but decent. We hated the Quality Inn and Suites but it looks like the PPs map calls it a Motel 6 now.

Driving from Walterboro at 9 am the second day puts you at Disney World at check-in times.

Also, I MUST recommend two things to do while driving in Florida:

1. Take 295 around Jacksonville
2. Take 417 off of I-4 to Disney, totally avoiding the city of Orlando. You'll need $6.00 in tolls, in quarters would be best. There are express exact change lanes to go through and manned toll booths too.

There is a thread here called "For 2000+ Mile Drivers Only II". Come on over and ask away - friendliest and most informative thread on the DIS!

 

[POOHsie]

Another vote for Walterboro. We like the Microtel, it's cheap but decent. We hated the Quality Inn and Suites but it looks like the PPs map calls it a Motel 6 now.

Thanks. I have edited my map, changing Motel 6 to Quality Inn & Suites. I thought it was QI&S, but couldn't confirm that info yesterday when I made the map. I also plan to stay at Microtel next visit.

 

[PrincessMom4]

Microtel is a really nice place to stay.