Driving to WDW???

[highland3]

I know there used to be a thread regarding this, but it seems to have fallen over the cliff...

I'm looking for feedback on driving from eastern Ontario (or elsewhere) down the east coast route (I-95). Where do you stop? Any recommendations on good (and cheap ) spots to catch some zzz's?

 

[Ham Ham]

Here's my 2 cents.

I-81 south to I-77 south to I-26 east to I-95 south to I-4 west.

This may not be the shortest route but the only large US cities you go through is Charlotte and Jacksonville. Try to avoid any large US city during rush hours.

or

I-81 south to I-64 east to I-95 south to I-4 west.


A shorter route in distance but not necessarily in time is

I-81 south to I-476 east to I-95 South to I-4 west.

You will hit Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. I-95 is very busy through these 3 cities anytime during the day. Every time I've gone through Washington DC I've regretted it.

Come to think of it I-95 is always very heavy with traffic.

Sometimes the cheapest accommodations aren't the nicest. We usually stay at Hampton Inns and Holiday Inn Express. Figure out how far you want to drive and check out tripadvisor.com.

CAA on line trip planning is great. Also your local office can provide you with a trip-tik with construction updates along your selected route.


Good Luck.

 

[debbiet1]

We drove down in April 2006. Took I81-476-95 -4. We left the Ottawa area around 530 am. Hit a bit of traffic in Syracuse but it wasnt anything major. We drove as far as Fredericksburg I think it was and stayed at a nice hotel there. The only place we hit some traffic besides Syracuse was Washington but that wasnt anything major either. I think we were in traffic 30 - 45 minutes tops.

 

[F4disneyfan]

No real input on this drive but on a driving note we just went through all our gas reciepts from our Dec trip and it totaled 195.01 US to drive to WDW and home from London Ontario. Then we had 39.99 for a hotel room in Valdosta GA so driving is much cheaper than flying for sure.

 

[debbiet1]

when we drove from home.. (Ottawa) area.. we added up the gas too and from Florida and driving around the gulf coast for a week! it was just under 300.00 we'll drive over flying.. I can spend that money at Disney!!!

 

[Ham Ham]

Here's a handy little tool for estimating fuel costs.

http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/

The only draw back is you must use U.S. cities for starting and ending points.

Driving is the most cost effective way of traveling. Also no need for a rental once in Florida.

However unless we have at least two weeks in Florida I prefer to fly.

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

Here's my 2 cents.

I-81 south to I-77 south to I-26 east to I-95 south to I-4 west.

This may not be the shortest route but the only large US cities you go through is Charlotte and Jacksonville. Try to avoid any large US city during rush hours.


You will hit Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. I-95 is very busy through these 3 cities anytime during the day. Every time I've gone through Washington DC I've regretted it.

.

You bet on that one!!

We've drove 3 times in the last 2 years (leaving from Montreal) and that's exactly the route we took (81-77-26-95-4). Nice and easy! No traffic, no stress, no big cities!!

Plenty of hotels and motels to sleep and restaurants to stop.

Its the best way to go at Disney!!

 

[digskat]

Like F4, we are on the wrong side of the province for route tips. However, by using triptik (we use Along the I75), you can determine where you will stop on the way, and can research your hotel options (tripadvisor) and book in advance to get a better discount. We have averaged about $60 per night for nice hotels, with free hot breakfasts included. We prefer hotels with a nice indoor pool, to help unwind from the drive.
We have found $275-300 for the drive there and back, and daily usage in Florida. In 3 years, it has never been more than $450 for meals, hotel, and gas for the drive. There is no other option for us, the extra $750 we save by driving, means 4-5 more days at the world, and getting there is half the fun.

 

[Ham Ham]

You bet on that one!!

We've drove 3 times in the last 2 years (leaving from Montreal) and that's exactly the route we took (81-77-26-95-4). Nice and easy! No traffic, no stress, no big cities!!

Plenty of hotels and motels to sleep and restaurants to stop.

Its the best way to go at Disney!!

I'm originally from Montreal (Greennfield Park)and still have many friends there. When our friends from Montreal drive down south 81-77-26-95-4 is route they often take to avoid NYC, Philly, Baltimore & Washington.

 

[debbiet1]

ok does anyone have the complete directions going 81-77-26-95-4 that they could please email me going this way? I'd like to take a look at it as like i said we go 81-476-95-4

 

[Ham Ham]

ok does anyone have the complete directions going 81-77-26-95-4 that they could please email me going this way? I'd like to take a look at it as like i said we go 81-476-95-4

Stay on I-81 south , pick up I-77 south near Pulaski, VA, in Columbia, SC take I-26 east to I-95 South, near Daytona Beach take I-4 east. Check out Google Maps.
http://maps.google.ca/

 

[debbiet1]

thanks.. when I check out google or msn it always gives me 81-476-95-4

 

[Ham Ham]

thanks.. when I check out google or msn it always gives me 81-476-95-4

Check out google. Put in your start and finish points then click on your route (blue line) and drag it over to I-81 from I-95.

 

[Nagle]

I-81 south to I-77 south to I-26 east to I-95 south to I-4 west.

This may not be the shortest route but the only large US cities you go through is Charlotte and Jacksonville. Try to avoid any large US city during rush hours.

That is the route we have taken the last 2 trips. We much prefer it to spending most of the trip on I95. Too much traffic on 95. Also turned out faster.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Like F4, we are on the wrong side of the province for route tips. However, by using triptik (we use Along the I75), you can determine where you will stop on the way, and can research your hotel options (tripadvisor) and book in advance to get a better discount. We have averaged about $60 per night for nice hotels, with free hot breakfasts included. We prefer hotels with a nice indoor pool, to help unwind from the drive.
We have found $275-300 for the drive there and back, and daily usage in Florida. In 3 years, it has never been more than $450 for meals, hotel, and gas for the drive. There is no other option for us, the extra $750 we save by driving, means 4-5 more days at the world, and getting there is half the fun.

I totally agree Digs the drive is all part of the journey and without it it just wouldn't be the same. I also agree I would rather drive and spend the extra money on an extended stay at Disney than cough up all the extra dough to fly with a family of now 6.

 

[ntsammy5]

Here's my 2 cents.

I-81 south to I-77 south to I-26 east to I-95 south to I-4 west.

If you come across at Buffalo take I-90 to I-79 to US-19 to I-77 then as listed previously. We drive to Charlotte from Buffalo 3 times a year and this is the quickest route. Summerville WV is a good place to stay if it's far enough for you. Good luck

If you come accross at Thousand Islands then the rout listed by Ham is best

 

[Ham Ham]

If you come across at Buffalo take I-90 to I-79 to US-19 to I-77 then as listed previously. We drive to Charlotte from Buffalo 3 times a year and this is the quickest route. Summerville WV is a good place to stay if it's far enough for you. Good luck

If you come accross at Thousand Islands then the rout listed by Ham is best

When we drive to the southern U.S. we do the I-90, I-79, US 19, I-77, I-26, I-95, I-4 boogie. Watch out for the speed traps in Summerville WV.

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/07/786.asp

I've always wanted to stop in Charlotte, NC but other than the NASCAR museum ,north of the city (which I'm not interested in), is there anything worth while seeing?

I originally suggested the I-81 route because they said they were based in eastern Ontario.

 

[ntsammy5]

I've always wanted to stop in Charlotte, NC but other than the NASCAR museum ,north of the city (which I'm not interested in), is there anything worth while seeing?

I originally suggested the I-81 route because they said they were based in eastern Ontario.

Yeah, I saw the Eastern Ontario part, but included Buffalo just in case.

The NASCAR museum is in Mooresville, NC which is where DD lives. The museum is definitely NOT worth stopping for. As for Charlotte, there is a place called the MOST in downtown lots of restaurants but not really anything worth stopping for that is any different than you can see in Toronto.

As for the speed trap in Summerville, you're absolutely right. We travel through so often I slow down to under the limit automatically. There used to be a billboard outside of town warning about the speed trap. Someone who got a ticket put it up.

 

[Ham Ham]

As for the speed trap in Summerville, you're absolutely right. We travel through so often I slow down to under the limit automatically. There used to be a billboard outside of town warning about the speed trap. Someone who got a ticket put it up.

You can see the billboard on US 19 northbound just south of Summerville on the west side. At least it was there in March of '06

We're been through Buffalo a few time this year. Most recently last Friday, lots of changes and development at the Galleria.

How long does it take you to do the drive from Buffalo to Charlotte?

 

[101DalmFan]

Just a couple of points

First, I HIGHLY recommend these two books: Drive I-95 and Along Interstate 75; we wouldn't do our road trips without them. It is SO handy to know what restaurants and hotels are at the various exits! Here are the web sites:

http://www.drivei95.com/
and
http://www.i75online.com/

Both books are easily found at Chapters, I have found.

Also, if you have time or can make time, I highly recommend checking out the historic section of downtown Savannah (Georgia). I've been twice and can't wait to go back. So charming, so beautiful! And you can have dinner at Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady & Sons! (For me, that's a highlight.......... )