Experienced Drivers Wanted

[genetic jackhammer]

I think this is the right place to post this question. I was wondering how many of you have driven to WDW over 1000 miles each way, and what tips can you give?? Seriously thinking of driving to WDW for our vacation in April 2002 and was wondering if I am budgeting enough time. Leaving on a Wednesday afternoon and plan to arrive early Friday afternoon. Travelling from Boston to Orlando with two DD's ages 6 and 5. Plan on stopping both Wed and Thurs night to sleep. Have others done a similar trip?? Any feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[redbirdgrad]

Did Chicago to WDW in August - over 1000 miles. We left on a Tuesday at 4:30 am C.S.T and made it thru just south of Atlanta stopping at 6:30 ish E.S.T ( 13 hours ). Left Weds. morning at 7:30 and arrived Disney at 2:30. It was great with a 7 and 4 year old - took out the middle bench in the minivan put in a tv/vcr combo - ran headphones back to them and also gave them CD players to switch to. I enjoy the drive - did it every year as a kid and the kids liked the time too.

 

[Chuck S]

I've driven from San Antonio, not the Boston area. If your drive is right around 1000 miles, you may want to consider staying only one night on the road and leaving pretty early Thursday morning (3 or 4 am) There are less folks on the road that time of day, and one of my favorite times to drive. Try to drive about 600 miles the first day and stop for the night, leaving about a 7 - 8 hour drive the next day (that is averaging about 50 mph...and allowing for road construction, heavy traffic, etc). My actual driving times are usually much better than that, it just depends on the road conditions. Be sure to carry a few bottles of water, it is not good to get dehydrated, even if it means stopping a few times to "go." If you really don't like to drive, then I'd stick with your original schedule and allow plenty of breaks.

 

[ncbyrne]

Have made the northern NJ to Florida drive many times. Only once with kids though. The drive down Rt 95 is LOOONG and boring for kids, be sure to bring plenty to keep them occupied. We now prefer to fly. We leave at breakfast time and have lunch at WDW!

 

[YodasMom]

Hi Redbirdgrad...I am heading down to WDW, leaving very early Sunday morning from northern Illinois. I was just curious how you found Atlanta driving during the rush hour time. I'm actually planning to stop over night just west of Chattanooga. Then, I'll leave around 5 AM Monday AM to continue my trip. I will probably be in the Atlanta area around 7:00 or 7:30 AM on Monday AM. Not looking forward to that part of the drive. I'd give anything to be able to take back roads around Atlanta. Any ideas?

 

[Cathy baby RN]

Hi YodasMom,
I live in Northern Illinois also. I've done the drive plenty of times with my husband driving, but November 3 I'm driving down with my 8 year old son...just the 2 of us...to meet up with some friends at WDW. This will be a first for me(to be the only driver). I plan on going down 57 through Illinois instead of going through Indiana. I know I should probably just fly......but really don't want to...I keep going back and forth.
I think the hardest part of the drive will be Atlanta. I plan on using the bypass. I don't think the other cities will be too hard to get through.
I know the hardest part of the drive when my husband drives(we have a motorhome, whick I won't be driving)is beating the rush hour traffic in Chicago!
Have a safe trip and please e-mail me when you get back to let me know how the drive was.
Cathy
CathyJany@aol.com

 

[Planogirl]

Will you have more than one person driving? If so, I would also suggest trying to do it in two days unless you have sightseeing you wish to do somewhere along the way. We like to start out real early, stop for lunch and then stop again at some attraction to let DS let off some steam. Then we stop for dinner and drive again until kind of late because it's quieter in the evening and we can make good time. DS reads with a penlight or drifts off.

We have driven from Houston and Dallas. I drove it from Dallas by myself once and that was another matter. I did it in two days but I wish that I'd done it in three instead because it was very tiring.

 

[YodasMom]

I'm driving alone this time. I'd like to do it in two days (1250 miles), but I'll see how it goes...depends some on the weather and how tired I get.

I do plan on driving down Illinois instead of Indiana. I've heard I-285 around Atlanta can be really busy with truck traffic, etc and that I-75 thru Atlanta is very busy during the day, so I just wondered if there was any other recommended side or backroads around the city.

Cathy baby RN....I'll let you know how it goes!!

 

[caitycaity]

i drove from dc to west palm beach once - straight through by myself. 95 is really boring and it can also get pretty crowded during the day. i would echo someone's recommendation that you try to leave early in the am (like 4-5).

i wouldn't want to do that drive ever again, let alone with children, but if you had another adult who could help you drive, it might be ok.

good luck!

 

[redbirdgrad]

Yodas Mom,

I left the SW suburbs of Chicago at 4:30 a.m. - so I was approching Atlanta around 6:00 p.m ( their time ) - I listened to the radio for traffic reports and used the 285 bypass to the west of the city - I hit heavy traffic for about 25 minutes but nothing crazy ( but I'm used to Chicago ) - once I got thru that I stopped at the Stockbridge, Ga exit and hit a Hampton Inn that was only open 1 week - nice stop, lots to choose from. Atlanta traffic ( and I'm sure there are locals that have better ideas ) is whacky - everyone drives - on the way home I stayed in Dacula - just NE of Atlanta - with a childhood friend and he recommended staying away from Atlanta til after 9:00 a.m. I think that if you use the bypass it won't be bad - listen to the radio for any problems. Good Luck

 

[pwcarlson]

Genetic Jackhammer-
I consider our family season veterans of the highway to WDW. We started driving from MN to Florida when my DD was 2. (she is now 18) We make on an average of 1 trip a year driving. We can drive from Minnepolis to Daytonna Beach in 2 1/2 days. With your kids ages unless they were very, very good car riders, I would allot more time to the drive. You may need to stop earlier for the evenings that you had planned. I remember it took us longer to get there when DD was that age in order for her to get some 'pool time' in. Also some time at the rest areas to toss a ball around to stretch her legs. We kept balls and gloves in the car for the rest areas. They can't sit that long of time in a car without getting crabby. Also teach them how to read the exit signs to find out where they are on a map. That helps with the "Where are we?" questions. I think it is great way to travel with kids. Teaches them patience along with geography and map reading skills. My DD always celebrated each new "welcome to our state" sign that she saw. That meant we were that much closer to WDW. Have fun.

YodasMom-
I find driving through Chicago area ten times worse then driving throught Atlanta. We found a way to skip Chicago and go straight thru Atlanta. If you can time it and drive throught atlanta on Sunday night rather than Monday morning you would be better off. We try to time our drive to hit Atlanta on either Sunday or early afternoon. We usually stay in Dalton Ga and go from there. I would also suggest driving through instead of the by-passes. Most accidents and tie-ups seem to be on the by-passes. Be sure to check the football schedule. If Atlanta is playing at home on Sunday I would take the by-pass that Sunday. You go right past the stadium. Actually not a bad drive from Ill to Fl. Have fun!

 

[rhw]

I also take out the middle seat in the mini van. I also always have a TV for the kids. They pick out about 20 movies (taking turns picking) and write them in order on a paper. This is done a week before we leave. When we are on the trip, as soon as movie #1 is finished, #2 is started. The paper is always followed and there are no arguments. In fact, when I make a bathroom stop, I can't get the kids out of the car until I actually pull the plug out of the lighter. I drive it by myself and planned on driving straight through with no hotel stops, but car problems, snow and slick roads made me stop only 5 hours from home the first night. Had to get a rental car, so no more TV and with suitcases packed between everyone(small rental car), the kids couldn't even see each other, let alone move one inch. I was very grateful that they were so understanding. Drove straight through from Paducah, Kentucky the following day. Arriving at ASMovies at 4:00 AM the next morning. Kids didn't want to stop another night. The drive gets easier the closer you get, because you get more excited. Got in our room at 5:15 thinking the kids and I would rest for 45 minutes before having breakfast and heading to the parks. They couldn't rest, and couldn't even be quiet, so I actually got to go 2 days without any sleep. Needless to say, we barely spent any time at E-night that night. We went to bed before 11:30PM (Too early, feel like we missed something).
I wouldn't worry to much about the drive through Atlanta. We went through, not bypass. It was great seeing the stadium. With the ages of your kids, they might even sleep some of the time if you drove through the night. That would really be a thrill for them to wake up and only have a little while to get to WDW. Good luck and have fun!

 

[JillU-DVC]

Wanted to let you know that my DH and I drove back from WDW the week of the tragedy (we left WDW on Sept. 14 and got home Sat Sept 15). We drove because we weren't sure if our airline would be flying by Sat when we were supposed to leave, either becuase of teh airport problems because of the tragedy or because of the incoming hurricane.

Because of the tragedy, AAA in Kissimmee advised us to AVOID I-95 and sent us on an inland route - it took 13 solid hours of driving each day, but we made it home in two days.

I have always been told that it takes 24 hours of driving to reach WDW from Massachusetts (of course, that will vary slightly depending on where you live). I assume that time estimate is based on taking I-95.

Now, if you split that 24 hours into two days, you get 12 hours a day. That is NOT 12 hours, like get in the car at 8am, you're done at 8pm, that's 12 hours of DRIVING - you need to subtract out all of the food, gas, potty stops, and keep driving until you've reached 12 hours of DRIVING. That can make for a VERY long day depending on your kids and the car you're in.

If you do leave on Wed afternoon, be SURE to leave early enough to get PAST NYC BEFORE 4PM!!! Otherwise, you'll add a couple hours to your trip because of the traffic!

My opinion (take it if you will, and remember that I have no kids) is that I'd MUCH rather fly to WDW than to drive - I understand how some people want or need to drive, but I would rather not drive it again - it was a LONG trip and very boring - I can't imagine doing it with any kids in the car!

You can email me privately if you have any other questions - jillandtim@charter.net

 

[paras4ri]

We live in RI and have made the drive MANY times. Our kids are now 9 & 6 but our first drive with kids was when DD was just 2. We make the trip in 24-26 hours with meal stops only but I realize that isn't practical for everyone. Try to avoid the major slow-down areas during rush hour times. Assuming you'll take the Mass Pike and then go down through Connecticut you could run into tie-ups in New Haven and just into New York. I **strongly** suggest taking the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Garden State Parkway instead of staying on Rt. 95 into New York. It's a much easier ride. Other areas that could slow you down is the Baltimore area and the Beltway around D.C. We try to get through there in the overnight hours.

Let me know if you'd like any other suggestions and happy planning!

 

[paksmom]

We have done this trip twice, the first time I remeber distictly, we left on a Sunday afternoon, about 3ish, we were going to drive straight thru, however, we went in early March. We ended up stoping in Virginia around one am, because we were in the mist of a snow storm, we kept thinking that it was going to stop but it never did, ( the snow start some where in NJ). We stoped just our side of DC in VA, the next morning we got on the road between 10-11am, stoped in northern Florida, and made it to WDW by 2-2:30 on Tuesday. Just to let you know, we did make a lot of stops, for my sister, not the kids, she has a small bladder LOL and of course with all those Pedro signs we had to check out South of the Border in South Carolina! We are going down again in November after Thanksgiving again we will be driving, I will not fly, this is not new, I haven't flowen in years, I had a few bad experinces in the past. Oh by the way as you can see we are from Mass as well

 

[MinnieMe2]

We've driven from Central MA three times, twice with our pop-up in tow. The first two times, we had all four kids (12, 9, 7, and 5 first time), and the last trip we had our two youngest, who were teens. We found if we left around midnight (Who can sleep? You're leaving for WDW!!!) it worked great. The kids fell asleep in the backseat, we flew past NYC with no traffic, and made it to the DC area just about rush hour. So we stopped, had breakfast, did the Nat'l. Zoo, which is free, a nice opportunity to stretch, use the bathroom, etc., and got back on the road. We'd stop around 3:00 or 3:30, let the kids swim, have dinner, and go to bed early. Then up and on the road, one more overnight, and at WDW fairly early the next day.

If you check with AAA a week or so before you leave, they'll put together some maps and Trip Tix for you. This information is very helpful, and you'll be able to avoid heavy construction, find hotel information, tourist information, etc. We actually enjoy driving, finding something different to investigate each time....

 

[aprincessmom]

I have driven many times but it was before kids. Leaving at midnight or in the wee morning hours was great because, as MinnieMe2 said, you can get to DC by dawn's early light or just after.

I would recommend the following:

Leave as early as possible in the day. If your kids will sleep in their car seats take advantage of it and get as many miles ahead as possible. From midnight to 6 a.m. there are few cars and you can drive fast (but you didn't hear that from me!).

Pack a cooler with sandwiches, drinks and snacks. There is nothing worse than a heat-lamp burger after driving for hours! It also gives you an excuse to get out of the car at a rest area for a picnic!

Stow away balls, frisbees, bubbles, etc. to help the kids get some running around time at the rest stops. Take at least 1/2 hour at the stops to stretch your legs and give your mind a break from the highway.

Stop at the hotel earlier than you think you need it. Get one with a pool or playground near by if possible. This will give the kids a chance to play and run around before nighttime. Because kids who have been sitting all day tend to not sleep at night. And you will be tired from driving and need the sleep!

Make sure you build "recovery" time into your schedule when you arrive and when you get home because even though driving is sedentary, your mind will be very, very tired. Expect to feel a little zombie-like after finishing the drive.

Hope this helps.

 

[mom42860]

This is a great thread, very helpful for those of us thinking of taking the driving plunge!

 

[bobcat]

I drive from Ohio to WDW by myself with kids 9 and 6 in tow. It is about 1000 miles even from my front door to Mickey's and takes us 18 hours. I usually drive about 12-14 hours the first day but wish my back would let me go longer!

Pack a picnic lunch and stop at a rest area for a meal. The kids can run a little while but I find mine are eager to get back on the road to Mickey. We make a lot of restroom breaks so we can stretch and that helps us stay on the road longer.

Take books on tape for you and the kids. We listened to the first Harry Potter on CD on this trip and it was really enjoyable.

 

[genetic jackhammer]

Thank you very much to everyone for your wonderful responses. Looks like I'll be checking out Best Buy and Circuit City for those VCR players that fit in cars!!