We now always take the Amtrak Autotrain from Va to Fla. We purchase everything we need and pack it into our car. Then we board the train (along with our car), have a real nice dinner, watch a movie, drink some of the wine we brought with us, go to bed, wake up, and magically we are in Florida. We have met many people from NJ on the train. It is the way to go. After our first trip we learned it is well worth it to get a sleeper cabin.