Family of 5 driving to WDW

[BANNISTER]

Any suggestions on the long trip from Maryland to Florida? Any points of interest along I-95 or a good place to stay the night? We know that Florence, SC is the half way point, but don't want to book a room ahead as not to limit ourselves if we want to keep driving once we reach SC. Not sure what time we will be leaving...what time does everyone else start their drive.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We drove from MD and stayed in Manning, SC. We could have went further, though we wanted to break up the ride at that point. We didn't leave home until late morning, as we had to drop off the dog at the kennel.

The next day, we stopped in Jacksonville for lunch and then we went to Orlando.

On our return trip, we woke up early at WDW and went to bed LATE at home in MD. That was a *long* day, but we were making good time and we just kept on driving until we were home.

 

[Cinderella94]

We always drive (Maryland to Fla.) for our trips.

The last 3 trips it was me, DD11, DS7, & my mother.
She has never wanted to drive straight thru (although the rest of us did), so we always stayed over somewhere (Hardeeville, SC was our stop one time)

For our May trip,,,my mother isn't coming.
DH is!!!!
We're going to try driving straight thru to Caribbean Beach.
We're also thinking of extending our stay from 8 days to 10.


***THIS IS DAISYDUCK123 ACCIDENTALLY LOGGED ON AS HER DD11.

 

[DVC Sadie]

When we use to drive a long time a go from Maryland we'd leave at 3:00 am so we could let our ds sleep until around 8:00 am then stop for a quick drive thru breakfast. We'd drive and stop at rest areas to let him run and burn up some energy. We usually drove until 4:00 pm then stop at a nice hotel with pool and just go swimming eat dinner and sleep until 4:00 am. We'd pull up at WDW before noon.

 

[java]

There are 6 of us(4 kids 11,8,3,1) and we did the trip last summer as well from NJ(so about an extra 4 hours from you) We usually stop around Florence although this year we are leaving early AM on a Friday and hope to get a little further- the shorter the drive on day 2 the better- the kids are not into another long drive after day one. We are going to try to get to southern SC. Make a reservation and then you can always cancel it by 6 to avoid paying for the room if you are getting further than you thought. Good luck and keep your sense of humor and you should be fine!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Although I haven't done it yet...we are planning to stay somewhere around St. George or Santee, NC, which will be more than halfway for us.

How long does it generally take..driving time? I'm planning for around 14 hours. Does that sound about right?

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

We drove from MD and stayed in Manning, SC. We could have went further, though we wanted to break up the ride at that point. We didn't leave home until late morning, as we had to drop off the dog at the kennel.

The next day, we stopped in Jacksonville for lunch and then we went to Orlando.

On our return trip, we woke up early at WDW and went to bed LATE at home in MD. That was a *long* day, but we were making good time and we just kept on driving until we were home.

Do you remember how far Orlando was from Manning, SC? We may be driving for the first time from Ohio this year. TIA!

 

[mjmcca]

We are driving over Easter leaving as soon as school is over for the day. Dont have a plan on where to stop. IF it was up to hubby we would drive straight through. The kids will fall asleep so it wont mater to them. I am the one that begs to stop. We drive sometimes late into the night. I like to stop at the rest areas to get the exit guide coupon books.

 

[katyjeka]

Hi. Dh, myself, and 3 DD's(11,5,3) have drove to Disney many times, leaving from Latrobe, Pa. This past December(05)we took a cruise from New York and were looking forward to a shorter drive. We found we actually missed our long drive to Florida, and can't wait to go back this December. We have always stopped in Georgia. We leave around 4:00 am, the kids usually fall back asleep for a few hours and drive until late that night. I love the uninterrupted time my husband and I get to spend,(no cell phones!) and we love to watch the kids as we get closer. They get so excited!! We also make a game of where to stop for lunch, etc.. Our friends think we're crazy, but maybe we're just lucky. Our daughters have always been great travelers! We did fly one year and found the day was verrrry stressful! We also take our bikes, and flying them is hard! Have a safe and enjoyable trip. Janice