Driving to/from New York

[stevechase]

Hi all

We are all in the very early stages of booking our Disney hols for 2006. We want to spend as much time in the States as possible, and to see a couple of different places would be great. It has always been a desire of mine to see New York for a few days. This may sound a mad question but has anyone ever driven from Orlando to NY (or the other way). It sounds mad I know, but it is just over 1000 miles. I drive to Aberdeen a lot from the Midlands, which is almost 500 each way, so a couple of days, sharing the driving with my wife may not seem so mad, stopping off at various points may make for a great adventure. Has anyone ever driven long distances in the US? what was it like and what did you drive?

Thanks in advance

Steve

 

[Queenie]

I haven't myself but my best friend's family drive regularly from Washington DC (not too far south of NYC) to Orlando so if they do it a lot it can't be that bad!

 

[MARTINIUS]

I met a lot of Americans last year who drove from New York/New Jersey/Washington DC non-stop sharing the driving. They reckoned 20-28 hours which is pretty good going really. You're not going to see much though - you'll be asleep or it'll be dark. The most relaxing way is to take the train - I've done this from Kissimmee to New York and it was superb - quite expensive though - check out The Man in Seat Sixty-One for links to all the train times.

http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Atlantic.htm

 

[stevechase]

thanks everyone. I was trying to think of that www.seat61.com for ages and couldnt remember. Thanks I will look into it

Cheers

Steve

 

[Lewisc]

Airlines like Jetblue and Song have very reasonable airfare from NYC to Orlando. Drive if you're going to take 5-7 days and make stops at places like Washington DC and Willimasburg VA otherwise fly.

You're spending too much on your vacation to waste that much time driving.

 

[cheryl.UK]

I know it's not the same, but it took us one and a half days to drive to New Orleans (740 miles) with stops at Seaside (there) and Gainsborough (back). Loved every moment.

 

[Cyndiu]

We have driven from New Haven, CT (about 55 miles north of NYC) to Orlando several times. It is a grueling trip. Unless you have a significant amount of time to add to your vacation (as driving will take you 18 hours minimum, and that's without stopping) you're going to take away from WDW alot.

Having said that, the "straight shot" route is straight down I95. Here's a helpful website of what's just off the highway all the way down. (Until you get to I4 anyway) http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[stevechase]

Thanks everyone.

I guessed we could get a cheap flight, but I hate flying which was another reason for going to NY, it is less time in the air! Mad I know but I dont like it. I am desperately trying to find if I can have a month off work, fly to NY for a few days, then spend about 4/5 days driving which still leaves a great time in Florida.

I wonder if it is as special for you guys that live in the US, dont get me wrong, it is the best place on earth. I think part of the appeal for us lot over here, is that it is a little bit less accessable.

The train seems an easy way, but we are not going to see much

I will ponder on it, thanks again everyone

Steve

 

[sters]

Yes, Disneyworld is very special for those that live in the US.

By the way, it is much easier to access the Statue of Liberty from the New Jersey side and I'd recommend Ellis Island, too. You could do both in a day if you're looking for an excursion.

Atlantic City and all the coastal new jersey towns... each very unique, with Cape May being an historic landmark, a lot of bed and breakfasts and very Victorian... although that's probably no big thrill for you guys!

Washington DC... all the attractions are basically centralized and the museums are FREE (unlike NY). We love the Air and Space Museum and the American History Museum, although there are dozens and dozens. The US Capial and the White House are a bit of a hassle anymore.

I grew up around Washington and live in South Jersey so if you need any help in those areas I can help. AS for the south, well we basically just zip right through. From where we live, it's about 17 1/2 hours nonstop. It's a haul.

 

[stevechase]

thats great, thanks for that information. I think it is best that we look for the places we could visit down the atlantic coast, and then decide. I desperately want to go to NY and would love to tie it in with a trip to WDW.

Thanks again

Steve

 

[vernon]

Hi Steve, I've regularly driven from Pittsburgh to WDW (almost exactly 1000 miles each way). I usually try to not drive more than 8 hours in a single day and not to drive at night (in darkness). Ideally start relatively early, say 8.00, find somewhere for lunch for an hour then go through to about 5.00-6.00, find a hotel, take a shower get something to eat and get to bed by 9.00 at the latest. IMHO driving at night when you're tired is not a great idea. There are some interesting places to visit on the route. Washington DC, Williamsburg Va, Myrtle Beach SC, Hilton Head SC, Charleston SC, Savannah Ga, St Augustine Fl would all be places I'd consider spending a couple of days. You could for example stop at DC and Hilton Head on the way down and Charleston and Williamsburg on the way back up.

Take care to avoid the rush hours around DC and Jacksonville as they can be SHOCKERS.

 

[Auggiedaugie]

Driving from NY to Florida can be grueling but if you are planning on taking it easy and stopping along the way (as well as sharing the driving) it isn't that bad. Just make sure you rent a comfortable car. I love stopping at various beaches on the drive down. WDW is great (planning 2 more trips as I write) but so is NY and I think it is definitely worth the extra effort if you have the time and resources. We live and work in NY, so if you need any advice/help in that arena, I'd be more than happy to help. What ever your decision have a great holiday!

 

[basas]

I've driven from Manitoba (just above North Dakota) several times which is over 2,000 miles. Its a long drive but we like road trips and always make several stops along the way to visit area attractions, to shop, etc. You'll also get to see a little bit of the country-side.

We've also taken many different routes (central routes through Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana, etc. and then used I-10 to get over, routes through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and taken 75 to get down, and also the eastern coast through Georiga (Savannah is very nice) the Carolinas, Virginia, and into the DC area. All of the drives were interesting and you might even find a few outlet malls to shop at along the way. As posters said though, try and avoid the rush hours in cities you are not familiar with (especially DC along your route). Also, take your time and don't try to rush down- it won't be as bad that way.

 

[stevechase]

Thanks everyone,

Where we live in the UK, Birmingham ,in the centre, the furthest I can drive withour dropping off the end is about 700 miles, so 2000 is a hell of a drive. But to see NY, Washington etc and WDW in one trip would be fantastic

I will start to look into routes and things along the way

Thanks

Steve

 

[patdavies]

Don't forget, that if you fly to NY and then drive to Florida and fly back from there, you are undertaking an Interstate one-way rental and the extra cost of this is likely to be high. Approx. 20% uplift and some groups of vehicle may not be available for one-way rentals.

 

[Olaf]

Something else to consider. They're doing a lot of construction up and down I-95 at the moment, so you have to factor that in as well. And you really want to avoid that highway during a holiday weekend or spring break.

 

[stevechase]

Thanks again to all of you, As far as the road works are concerned it would not be until July 2006, so hopefully all sorted. Althhough, if the british roadworks are anything to go by, they might still be on going.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Holly]

Steve,
We have driven several times from Connecticut (we are about 2 hours NE of NYC) to Orlando. We love driving, and if you do also it isn't a bad trip. Like some others mentioned, there is alot to do along the way. When we go straight though it takes us about 21 hours. We are considering driving for our trip this December and spreading the drive over a few days each way. Driving from NYC to Orlando is very doable.

I hope you have a great trip and enjoy your time here

 

[stevechase]

Thanks Holly

It does not sound too bad, I have driven from The centre of the UK, Birmingham to Aberdeen in Scotland about 480 miles each way, that took about 7 hours each way so its not too bad, we would only drive from NY to Orlando, not back, then fly home from Orlando.
We both hate flying (kids love it thankfully) and would love to see NY and the East Coast while we were there, plus the added bonus is the flying time is less to NY.

We are off to Cuba this year, but all looking forward to booking for the US next July.

Thanks to Holly and everyone

Steve

 

[ColUK]

A friend and me did Virginia to Cleveland a couple of years back (partof a theme park tour) before flying from Cleveland to Orlando. Its about 400 miles and we thought it would be nice to see some of the scenery. If you like trees then its great! It was tedious to the extreme and you also have to remember that the road speed is lower than the UK which can make you feel like you are just crawling along on the long open stretches. I would also point out the one way rental charge that someone else said. We rented from Hertz in the end as they were the cheapest for an interstate drop off at the time. I think it was about an extra £100 for the one way rental.
Certainly given the choice again I would fly unless there are specific locations between that you want to see.