For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

[PrincessMom4]

So I have a new one name. Her name is Minnie. Our kids hugged the old van and thanked it.http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284045_10150336487956972_509856971_9591428_4754243_s.jpg

 

[dvczerfs]

So I have a new one name. Her name is Minnie. Our kids hugged the old van and thanked it.http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284045_10150336487956972_509856971_9591428_4754243_s.jpg

is that a pic of the new one or the old one?

 

[PrincessMom4]

the new one

 

[dvczerfs]

the new one

the pic is real small but were you able to do any decorating yet?? window stickers, magnets, lic. plates????? if i recall you had a silver grand caravan??

 

[honeymo78]

Slight modification to plans...instead of leaving late afternoon/early evening on Friday 9/23 we are now leaving by 9am since everyone had off that day and we'd get antsy just waiting to leave. We booked a studio at SSR since we had enough points and instead of being super tired on Sat from driving overnight, we'll be able to get a few solid hours of sleep before checking into AKV and BWV on Sat.

Dvczerfs - I'm so jealous of car decorating. I lost my dvc and stitch stickers when I traded in the Mariner and DH won't put any on the MKT since it's his demo for work. Also, I'll PM you when we get a little closer and see if our plans cross paths.

 

[dvczerfs]

Slight modification to plans...instead of leaving late afternoon/early evening on Friday 9/23 we are now leaving by 9am since everyone had off that day and we'd get antsy just waiting to leave. We booked a studio at SSR since we had enough points and instead of being super tired on Sat from driving overnight, we'll be able to get a few solid hours of sleep before checking into AKV and BWV on Sat.

Dvczerfs - I'm so jealous of car decorating. I lost my dvc and stitch stickers when I traded in the Mariner and DH won't put any on the MKT since it's his demo for work. Also, I'll PM you when we get a little closer and see if our plans cross paths.

sounds good!!! we have 2 dvc member window stickers and tammy grab another mm window decal in june. the dvc lic. plate goes with us when we trade our van in or sell it.

 

[RH22]

I read that on I95 there are overnight multiple lane closures in Lorton, VA (exits 163 to 161). If any overnight drivers go through that in the next two weeks, please post any delays you can. Thanks! Leaving in 13 nights!

 

[anuragsarin]

Long time lurker ...first time poster need some critique / suggestions to finalize our road trip.
Apologies in advance, we will not be visiting mouse in this trip (Budget Issue )
We are planning to leave central NJ (I 295 to Delaware Bridge to I 95) around 3AM and drive straight through hoping to be in Orlando by 7-30 PM.

Drive back from Charlotte, NC on I-81 to avoid traffic on I 95 on Labor day.

My Planned Itinerary:
Date Destination
Fri, 8/26 Orlando
Sat, 8/27 Seaworld / Aquatica
Sun, 8/28 Busch Gardens, FL
Mon, 8/29 Seaworld / Aquatica
Tue, 8/30 Universal / IOA
Wed, 8/31 Universal / IOA
Thurs, 9/1 Coke World / Atlanta, GA
Fri, 9/2 Adventure Mountain
Sat, 9/3 Six Flags, Atlanta, GA
Sun, 9/4 Carowinds, Charlotte, NC
Mon, 9/5 Home (Central , NJ)

 

[SarahJN]

Hi, all! Starting to think about our drive and what time we should leave.

We would like to leave southern NH on Friday (in February-let's assume we're traveling 95 in case of snow) with the goal of getting to WDW mid-day Sunday. We plan to stop 2 nights along the way to break up the trip. Ideally, we'd like to drive around 12 hours the first day, a slightly shorter day the second day and only a few hours the third day.

But, I'm concerned that we're going to either run into AM NYC traffic or DC/Richmond evening rush hour on Friday.

Anyone who's driven from this area...what time do you leave? What time/where do you stop?

Hi Kim

We drove last November from Mass - South of Boston. We left around 4:00 AM. I have cut and paste below our driving times from my road journal. Our first day driving was Veteran's Day so I'm not sure if that helped with traffic or not. As you can see below, we entered NY (we took I-95) at 7:00 AM. We did hit stop and go traffic in CT before NY, which continued until we got off of 95. We almost always take the Tappen Zee Bridge to go around NYC - I would highly suggest that.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

4:29 AM - Welcome to Rhode Island!

5:09 AM - Welcome to Connecticut!

7:03 AM - Welcome to New York!

7:28 AM - Welcome to New Jersey!

10:31 AM - Welcome to Delaware!

10:45 AM - Welcome to Maryland!

12:21 PM - Virginia welcomes us!

4:31 PM - Welcome to North Carolina!

7:46 PM - Welcome to Lumberton, NC. Time for bed. We have traveled 789 miles.


Friday, November 12, 2010

8:55 AM - On the road again.

9:16 AM - Welcome to South Carolina!

12:28 PM - Welcome! We're glad Georgia's on your mind.

3:02 PM - Welcome to Florida!

6:00 PM - Hello, Orlando! Your traffic is just like Boston's.

6:40 PM - Welcome to Walt Disney World!

6:44 PM - Welcome to Port Orleans, Riverside! FINALLY. We have traveled 1,307 miles.

 

[sharadoc]

who knows, maybe if i can get a deal, a real deal, not free dinning and a mug maybe we will be down in june. i have enough points for a week in june in a studio and still do our 11 nights at okw in a 1 bedroom in sept/ october. you will be the first to know. tammys still working the same way she has been. hopefully here in the next ew weekends we can get together. brianas down at the shore this week.

That would be great! There's always AAA with 20% on DVC. We're considering a cabin again or even All-Star Music in a suite, since we'll be buying new APs.

We're also thinking of buying a new house, so who knows??? We may have to do Bonnet Creek although I get a little chill thinking about staying offsite. Mike says onsite or don't go, but the kids may think differently.

You could always keep an eye out on David's rentals last minute specials. You get a month or 2 warning and can get points for $8, usually at SSR.

 

[Mamasmurf227]

Thanks, Sarah! Sounds like we're probably about 1-2 hours north of you. We were thinking of leaving between 2-3am, so maybe it will work out ok. (Actually, it sounds like you live very close to where we used to live when we were in MA. )

As long as the kids don't need to make too many stops..... always the wildcard.

 

[blondietink]

Hi, all! Starting to think about our drive and what time we should leave.

We would like to leave southern NH on Friday (in February-let's assume we're traveling 95 in case of snow) with the goal of getting to WDW mid-day Sunday. We plan to stop 2 nights along the way to break up the trip. Ideally, we'd like to drive around 12 hours the first day, a slightly shorter day the second day and only a few hours the third day.

But, I'm concerned that we're going to either run into AM NYC traffic or DC/Richmond evening rush hour on Friday.

Anyone who's driven from this area...what time do you leave? What time/where do you stop?

We don't drive from your area, but we have stayed in DC several times overnight in the ARlington/Alexandria area (7 hour drive for us). Then it is smooth sailing south the next morning. If we arrive in the afternoon, we go down the west side of the loop, take the parkway into our hotel and have minimal traffic. Then we see the sights of DC at night, which can be very pretty. We have had no issues with Richmond either with this scenaio and sail right through there in the am.

Second night we try and stay in either Savannah or Brunswick and then an easy drive to WDW. But, in February I think you need to be flexible due to possible weather issues .... leave early, not drive so much one day, etc.. Good luck with your planning.

 

[Finnishwife]

I am thinking of driving from Central Mass to WDW for February school vacation. It would be myself and DH and DS who both love a car trip.

I plan on leaving Friday February 17th by 1:30 pm (I am a teacher and cannot leave any earlier) driving to Lanham, MD (approx. 6 1/2 hours), sleeping and leaving by 7am Saturday the 18th and driving the rest of the way to the world.

We would come back over two days Saturday and Sunday, Feb 25th and 26th.
What do you think? Doable? Will the traffic be a nightmare?

Finnishwife

 

[dntd]

Is anyone concerned that the gps signals may be disrupted due to solar flares? I'm worried as I leave on friday . I have a trip tik but hate maps I really do love my gps though...

 

[dvczerfs]

I am thinking of driving from Central Mass to WDW for February school vacation. It would be myself and DH and DS who both love a car trip.

I plan on leaving Friday February 17th by 1:30 pm (I am a teacher and cannot leave any earlier) driving to Lanham, MD (approx. 6 1/2 hours), sleeping and leaving by 7am Saturday the 18th and driving the rest of the way to the world.

We would come back over two days Saturday and Sunday, Feb 25th and 26th.
What do you think? Doable? Will the traffic be a nightmare?

Finnishwife

good old spring break!! your drive sounds good to me. without looking at a calander, your not hitting easter in there are you? if not, you should be good. friday you may hit rush hour but all in all you should be ok.

 

[dvczerfs]

Is anyone concerned that the gps signals may be disrupted due to solar flares? I'm worried as I leave on friday . I have a trip tik but hate maps I really do love my gps though...

just head south east!!! not sure where your coming from but im sure youll be fine on the major interstates. everything is well marked. you cant have that many exchanges. dont lose any sleep over it.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

I am slowly working my way through this helpful thread, but I thought I would pop in and say hi!

We are planning a surprise trip for my kids (8, 2) in January to celebrate my graduation from nursing school this December. We are renting a minivan for the trip; we plan to leave as soon as my son gets home from school, so probably hitting the road at 3:30 pm. We are in central PA (near Altoona), so we will definitely be stopping somewhere for the night, but we haven't decided how far to go the first night yet.

We drove in August 2009 for the first time, and the kids did great- we were able to stay in Brunswick the first night, and it was a short trip to Orlando the next morning, but I know we won't get that far this time. We also did the 81/77 route last time, but I am a little worried that it may not be possible this time if the weather is bad. Still trying to work out the details though, so any thoughts or input is absolutely welcomed.

Thanks!

 

[3smithboys]

We are almost packed and ready to go... tomorrow night is the night we are going! We decided to take 95 down and the "alternate" route back to give it a try.... We debated trying it down too, but decided that we felt safer staying on 95 overnight since we drive straight through on the way down but stop on the way back.

I am not a huge lover of long car trips, but the kids and DH don't seem to mind too much - and I will do what it takes to get the 5 of us where we are going!!! I can't wait to get on the Dream, and then we are heading over to POR for a few days...we are going to SeaWorld and Aquatica - should be a fun trip!

 

[ksc37]

We are almost packed and ready to go... tomorrow night is the night we are going! We decided to take 95 down and the "alternate" route back to give it a try.... We debated trying it down too, but decided that we felt safer staying on 95 overnight since we drive straight through on the way down but stop on the way back.

I am not a huge lover of long car trips, but the kids and DH don't seem to mind too much - and I will do what it takes to get the 5 of us where we are going!!! I can't wait to get on the Dream, and then we are heading over to POR for a few days...we are going to SeaWorld and Aquatica - should be a fun trip!

Have a great trip!

 

[3smithboys]

Have a great trip!

Thanks!!!