Driving to Disney??

[riatees]

Hi all! We are considering driving to Disney for the first time in June. We have always flown, but airfare is starting to get way out of hand lately, especially when you add on all the baggage and other fees. So we would be leaving from Bucks County, Pa. Anyone else make this drive in the past and if so, any tips on making it as fast and painless as possible? We plan on driving straight thru and there will be 5 drivers. Thanks!

Maria

 

[OZMom]

DH and I drive straight through from CT with 2 kiddos. Having 5 drivers will make it much easier on you. My recommendation is bring lots of snacks in the car so you don't have to stop for food. We always leave at night, the traffic is lighter, although in June there will be lots of night construction probably, and the kids sleep the first half of the trip. Make sure whoever is driving that first night shift gets a good nap that day though! Good Luck! It is a fun trip to make

 

[theotherlostprincess]

I know this wont make it fast but stopping at one or two tourist attractions can break up the day especially if you have kids

 

[jm106]

We did our first drive from western nj 2 weeks ago. Surprisingly went much better then expected. Went straight through down, stopped on way back. If I had to I could do it again but I still rather fly.
5 drives I would not stop, just rotate

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

We used to drive from York County, PA to Alabama.

The one thing we learned was to plan when to stop and switch drivers.

We ended up changing every 2 or 3 hours. Don't allow someone to drive "until they get tired." They end up driving past when they should. And they take longer to recover.

Oh, and I second the idea to bring snacks. We always packed sodas and snacks. We ended up not eating real meals, just snacks whenever someone was hungry. Peanut butter crackers, string cheese and apples always made it into our cooler.

 

[xlxo]

When I go on long road trips...

• get a good GPS with updated maps. I like the Garmin LMT models. Less stress for rest stops and quick identification of gas stations.
• Plan driver switches near urban centers at Walmart or Costco. Walmart for multiple washroom stalls (instore McDonald's) and Costco for gas.

Does the vehicle have a DVD/Blu-Ray system? If not, perhaps a rental or buying a used minivan and selling it after the trip. The in car entertainment makes it easier for the back row and is appreciated by the kids. You can pick up a movie along the way. Otherwise downloaded movies on phones and tablets.

 

[ice cube]

We have done it many times especially when airfare gets expensive. We have even driven during Christmas so we know about driving during the busy times. Like another poster stated start at night we usually leave about 7:30pm and do drive straight thru. We only stop for refueling/bathroom and when refueling at around 7:00am as we also refuel at the same places there is a Mickey D's right next to the gas station. My wife runs in with the kids gets something to eat and then we are on our way. We usually arrive at our resort around 12:00-1:00pm so its not bad. The reason for leaving the time we do is the kids will sleep most of the ride and we miss the traffic over the GWB...through NJ, the DC area..as well as Jacksonville the next morning...its all about timing...I do most of the driving with my wife driving from about 2:30am to 5:30am I really only need a couple of hours of shut eye and when the sun starts to come up I'm good....

 

[jen19806]

We've driven from Delaware a few times & the advice about timing departure to avoid traffic around DC is the most important component of a good drive to Orlando. There's an app called I95 (I think) and it's got listings of everything that's at each exit going down 95- it's nice for planning stops.

 

[tobikaye]

Hi all! We are considering driving to Disney for the first time in June. We have always flown, but airfare is starting to get way out of hand lately, especially when you add on all the baggage and other fees. So we would be leaving from Bucks County, Pa. Anyone else make this drive in the past and if so, any tips on making it as fast and painless as possible? We plan on driving straight thru and there will be 5 drivers. Thanks!

Maria

With 5 drivers, I would plan to switch out about every 2.5 - 3 hours. That is about the point that I find most people start to get bored with driving. When looking at maps, find exits/rest areas on your route that match with those stops. If timed right, I look for rest areas that are the state welcome areas since those are usually nicer and at least have brochures to read. If a stop for gas, I look for exits with lots of options that might be close together.

 

[riatees]

Thanks for all the advice so far! We will definitely be leaving at night so to avoid the DC traffic. Any estimates on time if we do drive straight through with only one or two stops. Someone told me aprox. 16 hours, but that seems way too short.

Maria

 

[richmo]

..Someone told me aprox. 16 hours, but that seems way too short.

Maria

If you make your stops quick, that's about right.

 

[rwdavis2]

Thanks for all the advice so far! We will definitely be leaving at night so to avoid the DC traffic. Any estimates on time if we do drive straight through with only one or two stops. Someone told me aprox. 16 hours, but that seems way too short.

Maria

You already made the most important decision of the trip. DC rush hour is not pretty.

If you have a smart phone I recommend the app Waze. It's a GPS app where other Waze users can input various hazards/problems as well as police locations. The app then warns you when you get close and you can see their icons on the screen. The most effective way to use it is have the other front seat passenger be responsible for watching it. Just practice a few times around home.

Given that, the google maps app is a little better for directions but if you are taking I-95 the entire what then it doesn't matter.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I take most estimates from AAA, Google and GPS with a grain of salt....

They always quote our trip at 15.5-16 hours....1049 miles from northeast Ohio...

We do 2 stops for gas...restroom breaks there and additional 2 more at rest stops ....no other sightseeing or stops and we make 17-18 hours... We drive sensibility, 2-4 miles over posted speed limits....

 

[sharadoc]

Check out the For 2000+ mile drivers only Thread here. It's all about driving, and a whole lot of us drive from PA and New Jersey so you can find any info you need. And it's absolutely the friendliest and most helpful thread on the DIS.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We drive from nj. I personally love the drive. My husband insists on driving the whole way himself lol and we have 2 young kids so we stop overnight in Florence, sc. The drive down wasn't bad the drive up was awful lol. My baby decided around the North Carolina mark that he wanted no more part of mommys road trip lol. So I ended up sitting inbetween my 2 kids smushed all the way from North Carolina to nj lol. I am hoping when we go back in April and he will be a little older that it will be a better drive lol. Also my only bit of wisdom for u is to avoid Washington, D.C. Area Like the plague lol. We got stuck in that mess when we hit that area around rush hour. That was awful lol

 

[double r]

We start from De. and we live right near Rt 301 so we use that route and pick up 95 well below D.C. some folks do not like that way because of the areas with traffic lights but I do not really think it's that bad, sometimes we are pulling a camper also so we have to go around the tunnels in Baltimore.

 

[ken2]

Im not sure how how you would be coming down.If you come I-95 through s.c. be carefull of potholes.They dont take much care in their roads.When you get to Ga. it will open up to 3 lanes headed south!Awesome.do the speed limit in Ga.State Patrol everwhere.Be sure to stop by the Florida visitor center for free orange juice.Pay very good attention in Jacksonville.I-95 will be very busy with road work and can be confussing for first timers driving through.Be safe and have a great road trip!Honk when yall come through Savannah.Maybe ill hear ya!

 

[jm106]

If you stop at visitor center, they have code for free shutter fly photo book! The OJ was a shot glass of the kind from the grocery store lol. I read about it and expected fresh squeezed lol. Total let down.

 

[missbrooke06]

We typically drive because my family hates me. But seriously, we leave at 3 am and stop around Macon, GA around 6pm or so (the 12 hour driving mark but we usually make a few resting stops). Then we leave around 8 the next day and it takes another 7 or 8 hours to get to Orlando.

We've never driven straight through, mainly because I can't be in a car that long without going crazy.

 

[riatees]

Thanks, more great advice!