Driving to Disney I-95 or I-81?

[yayasue]

Hello,

We're planning the long drive to WDW in March, leaving from Montreal. We're looking at the different routes. Which would you suggest?

I heard the I-95 is quicker but depending on the time we leave, we may hit traffic in the big cities...

Any suggestions are welcomed!

Thank you!

 

[migel]

I did my first drive down in July, from Hamilton Ontario. We did the I79 I77 route, the most direct. Traffic was almost never an issue, other than the I26 on the way back. Most roads were either 65 or 70 mph, however there is a patch through Virginia that is 50, with several stop lights. Keep tothe speed limit, as we saw State Troopers everywhere and lots of struck deer. I understand in some states they will ticket you for even 2 miles over the limit. We did a sleep over in Columbia SC, on the way down, 12 hours travel the first day, only about 7 the second which was perfect. We are planning on driving next March, hoping the weather in the Viriginias will be okay. Good luck!

 

[minnie mum]

We've made the trip several times from our place in Eastern Ontario. We cross at Thousand Islands and follow the 81, 77, 26, 95 route. The 95 might save you a bit of time if you are night driving and can avoid the traffic slowdowns around the major cities. But we hate the higher traffic on this route. The more western route ( at least for us) isn't much slower in the long run and is a much easier drive. Even in the winter, we would rather leave a day earlier to avoid bad weather than mess around with going through or around the big cities on 95.

 

[bankr63]

From Ottawa, Minnie Mum's route is the no-brainer. But starting from Montreal would be different. I'd be interested in what the other Montrealois think.

According to google maps, you are adding about 50 extra km on the I-81/I-95 route but avoid NYC and Philly but still hitting Washington.

Add another 80 km to use the Minnie Mum route, and you miss pretty much every major bottleneck. For an extra 130 km (a bit more than an hour drive) you have to decide if you are missing an hour's worth of traffic headaches and delays. (IMO )

FWIW, we quite enjoyed the parts of the MM route we have driven - we are going all the way to Florida for the first time this year using that route, but have driven as far as South Carolina using the same general route and loved it.

I have worked in both Delaware and New Jersey and have no love for the traffic on I-95 along the East Coast. On the MM route, Syracuse NY is probably the worst traffic you will hit North of the Mason-Dixon line... It's probably about the same as rush hour in Sherbrooke QC.

 

[Nagle]

My parents would always take the I81 route from their home just off the West Island. They really preferred to miss the whole Washington / Baltimore area.

I live in Brockville and agree wholeheartedly with Minnie Mum's directions. I avoid cutting over to I95 as long as possible.

 

[isabellea]

We drove to FL from Montreal (Lachine burrough) and chose the I-81 last July. We didn't want to deal with the NJ turnpike or the Washington beltway. Also, we were leaving the Thursday before the construction weeks so the 1000 island border crossing was a better choice than Lacolle. We did I-81, I-77 to Charlotte then I-95 to FL. The only thing that would make me choose I-87 followed by I-95 would be a forecast of snow because the I-81 is in the mountains.

 

[yayasue]

Thank you everyone!! Seems like everyone agrees that the I-81 is a much better choice.

 

[isabellea]

Thank you everyone!! Seems like everyone agrees that the I-81 is a much better choice.

Unless they announce snow on the forecast. Then I would take the I-95.

 

[yayasue]

Thank you!!