driving to wdw from upstate ny!!!

[rngrblu9]

hi everyone...my husband wants to drive to florida for our upcoming trip in january...can anyone with experience driving from around this area give me any trip advice...like what route to take? what to pack? when to leave? i'd really really appreciate it!!! thanks!!!

 

[OKW Lover]

According to Google Maps that's about 1300 miles or a 22 hour trip. Looks like the biggest issue you'll have to face is traffic through NYC and the Washington DC area. I'd try to time it so that you go through those cities during off hours.

 

[Missytara]

Check the weather carefully; you could encounter all kinds of weather.

Steer clear of any rush hour traffic through NY, NJ, and DC.

Be aware of any road closures through those areas that could detour traffic and through off your trip even more.

Find a good stopping point; do not try to do the trip in one fell swoop in January. The stress of worrying about inclement weather is enough to wear you out.

Make sure you are not stopping in a town where there may be another event. My best friend tried to drive straight through from DE to mid-Florida and finally gave up the ghost in Daytona, the same weekend as the NASCAR race. Ugh.

 

[silmarg]

hi everyone...my husband wants to drive to florida for our upcoming trip in january...can anyone with experience driving from around this area give me any trip advice...like what route to take? what to pack? when to leave? i'd really really appreciate it!!! thanks!!!

We have driven a few times from Downstate NY. My advice is as follows:

Leave at a time so that you can make it thru NY to DC outside of rush hour
If you are doing it in one shot (not stopping for a nights sleep) end the trip in daylight (as you will be very tired at the end)
Try and have the kids sleep for as much of the trip as possible (minimizes potty stops).

We have left at 7PM (which was fine as there was no NYC traffic and all the other cities were quiet at the later hours). Once kids went to sleep we were really in business. Made it to Savannah, GA for breakfast and WDW in the early afternoon.

We have left at 2AM and made it thru DC before rush hour. Kids were awake for much more of this trip, but we did make it into WDW in the late evening.

If I were leaving from Lake George and doing it in one shot, I would leave between 6PM and 11PM.

As for the route. I would do I87 to the Garden State Parkway in Rockland County. Flip over to the NJ Turnpike in Woodbridge NJ. Stay on it thru Del and MD. Once I get to Baltimore, I abandon I-95 for State Route 295 (Baltimmore Washington Expwy)... take it thru Washington to Woodrow Wilson Br and then back to I95... And do I95 the rest of the way.

Good luck!

 

[schriverl]

If you take 88 out of Albany to Binghamton to 81 you won't have to worry about NYC traffic.

 

[MandM-Mom]

Hi neighbor
We make the trip from upstate with our 3 kids...but we go in august so stormy winter weather is not a concern for us..it may be something to consider in terms of safety. I would suggest getting yourself an Ez pass if you don't have one yet so you don't have to slow too much for tolls in the first half of your drive...Also I think it's important not take things as you go while driving..if the drivers tired take a break..nothing more dangerous than a tired driver..we used to book a hotel on the way down before we left now we just drive till dh is tired and find a spot there...lots of choices on 95, no worries! I pack lots of snacks and easily portable food to keep everybody from wanting to stop and we usually only eat dinner on the ride down at a restaurant, we usually leave around 12:30am drive about 8-10 hours get a hotel with a pool so I can take the kids swimming while dh sleeps then he gets up we get dinner and get to bed..rise early and head for Disney!! Some of the best memories for us are getting silly on our drives down! Have fun, drive safe!

 

[rngrblu9]

thanks to everyone for taking the time to post!!!

 

[Muhlenberg]

Traffic-wise, the 88/81/77/26/95 route is more relaxing. HOWEVER, in January, there would be LOTS of weather concerns because of the mountains/hills, and well, we don't clear the roads as quickly.

Best advice is avoid cities during rush-hour like the plague. And watch the weather very carefully. Notably, it's "warmer" closer to the coast; even a few degrees can make a big difference between a wet road, a snowy road, or the worst...an icy road.