Driving to WDW from NC

[MulanUSAF]

According to Google maps, its 10 hours and 10 minutes to get from where I live to Disney World. I've never been the driver on a long road trip, so I'm a little nervous. I'm debating whether to leave in the early evening and drive on straight through the night and arrive in time for park opening. Is that too unrealistic? I'm wondering if I will be able to enjoy myself for a full day of theme park after driving 10+ hours to get there. Also, is Google map driving time somewhat accurate? I assume it's just based on the distance, but doesn't take into account for road traffic and stuff. What has your experience with Google maps been like?

Also, I'll be going down there with my brother. He is 16 and just got his license in July. He has gone on the interstate around here, but he has never driven a stretch longer than an hour. So I'm wondering if it's a good idea to let him switch on and off with me.

Has anyone done this and have advice to share? Thanks!

 

[plutolovr]

Where in NC are you coming from? I live in Rock Hill, SC, just south of Charlotte and it takes me 7 1/2 hours.

 

[downsouth]

I'm in western, nc so let me give you my advice from experience. I've driven straight thru several times and I was basically wasted the day I arrived and half the next day from the ride. We now pick the kid up at school around 11:30 am so she'll be counted present and hit the road. We drive around 6 hours to Kingsland, GA (get there around 6:30 - 7:00 pm) and spend the night. We try to stay somewhere with an indoor pool so we can all blow off some steam and relax before bed.

It's only 3 easy hours the next morning and we're ready to go for the day without the exhaustion of the 9 hour drive.

 

[MulanUSAF]

I'm in Chapel Hill

 

[NC State]

I'm in Johnston County and it's a nine-hour drive for us (that's with three short stops). This year we left at 12:30 AM and arrived at ASMu at 9:30 AM. We drove the night and had no problems, no one was on the road! Next year if we drive we will do that again.

 

[Robert P]

We've driven from Chapel Hill to WDW, back in the day. It was closer to 9.25 hours, if I recall correctly. That was limited stops, and staying within 10 of the speed limit the whole way.

We drive from just outside Clemmons now, and mapquest says the time is 9.5, but it is usually closer to 8.5 for us. Again, I usually keep it within 10 mph of the speed limit.

I would not put any new driver in an overnight situation. And yes, you may well be wiped out when you get there. Worse yet, your room may not be ready until late afternoon, when you are really really needing a nap upon arrival. I'd say stop somewhere in GA. From Savannah, it's 292 miles to WDW. From Jacksonville, FL, it is 160 miles.

 

[NC State]

I would not put any new driver in an overnight situation.

I agree with you on that!

 

[sweetp0618]

The earlier post is correct, it is a little over 9 hours to WDW from CH with minimal stops. Driving on I-95 may be a little overwhelming to a fairly new driver--it is mostly 2 lanes until you get beyond SC and the typical speed of traffic is close to 80 MPH. The drive can be done in one day, particularly if there are two drivers, but as an earlier poster mentioned, I tend to be wiped out the first day from driving if I drive straight through without help. I prefer to split the drive up by driving into N. Georgia, which is about 1/2 way or to Jacksonville, FL, which is about 7 hours and then it is a short second leg--you'll still ahve most of the day down there--we usually go to DTD or a water park or something. Of course, an overnight will add expense, but if you stop at a welcome center on the way you should be able to find coupon books with discounts for lodging along I-95. Hope you have a great trip!