Eastern Ont. drivers, what route do you

[wdw-ocd]

take and what cities are safe places to stop?

I've been playing around with MapQuest and RandMcNally trying to find the best route but nothing compares with last year's quick 3 hour flight!

It looks like a 23 hour drive so we figure we'll do it over 2 days.

Any experienced drivers out there? TIA

 

[mickey65]

I am interested to know too, since we are probably going to drive.
Where are you going from ocd?

 

[Ham Ham]

401 West,I-81 South, I-77 South, I-26 East, I-95 South, I-4 West is the route that will provide you with the least amount of traffic and avoids large US cites.

Once on I-81 you can always take I-83 south to I-95 bu that takes you through Baltimore & DC. This route is the shortest in terms of km's but lots of traffic and confusing signage.
Something I would recommend avoiding unless it is the middle of the night.

There are other options to cut over to I-95 in DC and Richmond ,VA.

Lot of motels along the way.

Here's a link to the route. You can click and hold the blue line to modify your route.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=...66,-77.519531&spn=14.381713,28.78418&z=5&om=1

 

[iluvflorida]

Driven many times from Bancroft area. Area 100% with Ham-Ham (prior poster) Do not go thru Washington-Baltimore. 23 hours is right on from Bancroft area. Ranoke is about half way. Lots of motels.

 

[wdw-ocd]

401 West,I-81 South, I-77 South, I-26 East, I-95 South, I-4 West is the route that will provide you with the least amount of traffic and avoids large US cites.

Once on I-81 you can always take I-83 south to I-95 bu that takes you through Baltimore & DC. This route is the shortest in terms of km's but lots of traffic and confusing signage.
Something I would recommend avoiding unless it is the middle of the night.

There are other options to cut over to I-95 in DC and Richmond ,VA.

Lot of motels along the way.

Here's a link to the route. You can click and hold the blue line to modify your route.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=...66,-77.519531&spn=14.381713,28.78418&z=5&om=1

Thanks for the info.! Moving the blue line to change the route is so much easier than going back and forth with a specific destination like you have to do with RandMcNally's maps.

Are there certain cities that are more safe than others? My DH is sticking to the "don't worry, there are will be lots of motels on the road to choose from" mindset. Meanwhile, all I can think of is how we'll end up on the side of a dirt road in the middle of the night (cue banjo)

 

[wdw-ocd]

I am interested to know too, since we are probably going to drive.
Where are you going from ocd?

We're thinking of visiting friends near Syracuse for 4th of July and taking off from there. Hopefully the border won't be too crazy! (Hey , if you're gonna dream, dream in technicolour! )

Where are you driving from?

 

[wdw-ocd]

Driven many times from Bancroft area. Area 100% with Ham-Ham (prior poster) Do not go thru Washington-Baltimore. 23 hours is right on from Bancroft area. Ranoke is about half way. Lots of motels.

23 hours from Bancroft? You've given me a shred of hope since we'll be a few hours south-east of Bancroft!

How long do you usually drive before stopping? Is a 2 day drive realistic or have I over-estimated it? TIA

 

[mickey65]

We will be driving from the Brockville area.

 

[iluvflorida]

23 hours from Bancroft? You've given me a shred of hope since we'll be a few hours south-east of Bancroft!

How long do you usually drive before stopping? Is a 2 day drive realistic or have I over-estimated it? TIA

Yes 2 day is very doable. Have done it many times. Where are you leaving from. We were in Combermere so went down #41 to Napanee and over on 401 to Ivy lee bridge (#81). In doing in two days stay around Ranoke or just past but before you get on #77 as when you turn onto #77 it is mountainous at first so would have to go into town for motel a few miles off the interstate. I do not like to do that. We stay at Christianville or Ranoke. The 23 hours is steady driving (lunch in car) and only very quick gas stops and pee stops at rest areas. Usually drive from 6.30 or 7 till same at night first day. You do not go into any cities basically skirt around them except Jacksonville. Can roll along at 75 to 80 mph easily and are never bothered as speed limit is 70 most times.

 

[Nagle]

Just back today and Ham Ham posted the route we like and have used the last 3 times. 401 West,I-81 South, I-77 South, I-26 East, I-95 South, I-4 West is the route that will provide you with the least amount of traffic and avoids large US cites.

Left Brockville around 9:00 AM and with stops for food and gas we reached Rock Hill S.C. around 10:00 pm. This city is abour 40 miles past Charlotte N.C. Stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn. (nice, $80 USD) Left the next morning by 7 AM and arrived in Orlando around 3 PM with a stop at the Daytona flea market for grapefruit and pecans. Coming home, we left Orlando yesterday at 6:00 AM and arrived in Chambersburg Pa. at just shy of 9:00 PM (Hampton Inn, $85 USD) Left there just before 7 this morning and after duty free, customs (20 minutes) we were home before 2 PM. All in all a good trip.


John