Driving to Orlando from MA

Figee17

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Apr 20, 2012
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We are considering driving to Disney (actually about 30 minutes SW of there to my parents house in Polk City) this summer from central Massachusetts. Though I have done this in an RV, this will be my first time in a car and definitely my first time with a 4 year old! I am still debating the "worth" of this option (plane tickets + rental car vs. gas, mileage, and hotels) but since there will be 4 of us, in a hybrid, going for 3 weeks, it seems driving is the more affordable option.
 
It probably is going to be cheaper for you. You can do it in two days if there are two of you driving. But you know that since you've done it in an RV.
Do you have a specific question?
 
I'm just worried about time in the car for/with the 4 year old. he is a generally easy going little guy, but if we push it and do it in two days, like we do in the RV without kids, I'm afraid that's asking for trouble.
Just wondering if anyone has any personal experience with this type of trip and what's best. Part of me wants to drive at night, since there will be three available drivers and the little guy is sleeping then anyways.
I probably just worry too much, hahaha.
 
Make sure to pack an IPad/tablet loaded with games and movies and/or a portable DVD player w his fav movies. It will help your 4yo to pass the time. To avoid the batteries running out makes sure to bring the chargers and you can also buy an inverter to plug into the cigarette lighter/power port to keep them powered. I have one that has both a regular plug and a USB connection.
 

I've been doing the central MA to central FL drive since fall 2004, but my companions were college student (daughters) not 4 year olds, so my experiences may not all be helpful for you.

The first debate is I-95 versus the inland route. I've done both and will always choose I-95 over the inland route now given experiences on both.

How to break up the distance is the second debate. I will not drive 20-22 hours straight anymore, even with 2 or 3 drivers as there is a point where everyone in the car is tired as it can be hard to sleep on the road. It can be done by one person in two days if that one person is OK with driving 12 hours in a day.

My current favorite way to do it is to leave central MA after work between 5 and 6 pm and take I-90 to I-84 to I-91 to the Merritt Parkway to Westchester, NY. At this point I listen to 1010 WINS AM for traffic on the 1's to hear how NYC traffic is doing. If the traffic is good, I'll take the Cross Country Parkway to the Sawmill River parkway to the Henry Hudson bridge and down the west side highway to the GW bridge to the NJ Turnpike. If the traffic is slow, I'll take I-287 west over the Tappan Zee bridge and take the Garden State parkway until it hits the NJ Turnpike. THe only possible wrinkle on the NJT is construction (road widening) from exit 8 to exit 4 can slow the road down and cause backups. You can get off at exit 7 and take I-295 to avoid this if it's really bad, but you still have to endure the first bad stretch if it's backed up. Both roads take you over the Delaware River Bridge and back onto I-95 south through Delaware, Maryland, DC and Virginia (stay left at the I-495 beltway). I then stop in Fredericksburg, VA as there are plenty of hotels in the area (Fairfield Inn has good prices and free breakfast). This is about 475 miles and 7.5 to 8 hours of driving into the trip. It should be about 1 am when you arrive at your hotel. If you want to shorten day 1 a bit, you can find hotels just south of DC near Quantico and be off the road by midnight.

Day 2 I get up about 8 am and hit the road after a short breakfast period. From here you take I-95 to I-295 around Richmond to I-95 again. Figure on 1.5 hours to get to the NC border and then 3 hours each to get across NC and SC. Lots of places to stop here to stretch your legs and get gas and food. If you want to make this a 3 day trip, you can stop in the last few exits in SC and around Savannah, GA. If not, you continue across GA and and into FL. If you hit Jacksonville around rush hour, take I-295 around the city and save yourself anxiety and delays. Once back on I-95, continue on to the I-4 exit and then on to Disney. using my last itinerary as a guide, day 2 was 810 miles and 11.5 hours of driving. Ending point was Orleans Drive at Disney World.

You will definitely need an EZ Pass to get through tolls on this trip in a quick and efficient manner. Hope this helps. Driving is very much an option if you have time. You can reverse this trip and leave the Richmond, VA area after breakfast and get through DC after morning rush hour and NYC before evening rush hour. You may hit some traffic in CT though as it will be late afternoon when you hit the Stamford area.
 
Thank you got the advice!! We have the time so it should be doable. My parents do it at least 2x per year in an RV so they know the different routes, which is good. Just need to figure out the "best" places to stop. Considering Williamsburg for great wolf lodge to let the little guy really tire himself out! Lol
 














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