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

[Amirah95]

We're all packed up and in the car. We just entered the NJ Turnpike!!! I wis I could say we had an uneventful driveway experience before we left the house. Let's just say my oil and vinegar missed my take off sandwich and hubby had to change his pants. Ha! I'm glad I did that sorta cuz I found out I left our raw snacks in the refrigerator! Yogurt, strawberries and our salsa. Whew!

We're on our way!!!!!!

 

[caitlinsdad]

Have a question, we are driving back to Vermont when the trip is done, we are having a hard time finding a decent place to stop over either right before I95 goes into New Jersey (Maryland maybe) or in New Jersey. Most of the places we have found have bad reviews etc, and don't want to stay in a unsafe area. We are looking for anything under $100 for one night. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!

just look for a hampton inn, most are great places to stay

 

[pwdebbie]

Ok, time for expert advice. Leaving this Sunday around 11:00 a.m. from south central PA. I-81 and I-95 are both viable choices, all the maps say 95 is shorter. Am I good for going around DC around 1:00 p.m. Sunday? That's my preferred route this trip but I want to be sure it is a good choice. Thanks!

 

[BC1836]

Ok, time for expert advice. Leaving this Sunday around 11:00 a.m. from south central PA. I-81 and I-95 are both viable choices, all the maps say 95 is shorter. Am I good for going around DC around 1:00 p.m. Sunday? That's my preferred route this trip but I want to be sure it is a good choice. Thanks!

We have viewed I-95 traffic around DC heading south on a Sunday afternoon as we drove north numerous times. It was not a pleasant experience. We have never failed to see at least one major slowdown.

An early, early morning departure is always advisable.

All the best.

 

[rak5701]

Ok, time for expert advice. Leaving this Sunday around 11:00 a.m. from south central PA. I-81 and I-95 are both viable choices, all the maps say 95 is shorter. Am I good for going around DC around 1:00 p.m. Sunday? That's my preferred route this trip but I want to be sure it is a good choice. Thanks!

You definitely want to check and see if the Washington Redskins have a home game tomoroow...that makes DC traffic a mess around that time! Games usually start at 1pm...so anytimeafter 10am is a mess!!!!

 

[pwdebbie]

You definitely want to check and see if the Washington Redskins have a home game tomoroow...that makes DC traffic a mess around that time! Games usually start at 1pm...so anytimeafter 10am is a mess!!!!

Not a football fan but according to the schedule, the game tomorrow is "@ Detriot Lions" so I assume that means the game is in Detoit.

 

[BC1836]

Not a football fan but according to the schedule, the game tomorrow is "@ Detriot Lions" so I assume that means the game is in Detoit.

We recall driving back from WDW (on our second day part of the drive) and as we approached Baltimore just before noon on a Sunday we were quickly reminded that the Ravens were hosting a game! I-95 was not pretty for a few miles. Now we always check the NFL schedule when driving to WDW in Oct. and Dec., especially Ravens, Redskins and Jaguars home games.

All the best.

 

[michael's mom]

We're on the way home. [Currently in Petersburg, VA Holiday Inn Express]
An uneventful drive from WDW Hess near the BW. Departed at 8:33 a.m. and made it to Petersburg at 8:03 p.m. Twelve and one-half hours total time that included five stops (including one half-hour Cracker Barrel stop).

Final leg of the trip coming up....

All the best.

Hey, good news...only 11 1/2 hours for you from Hess to Petersburg Way to go!!!

 

[BC1836]

Hey, good news...only 11 1/2 hours for you from Hess to Petersburg Way to go!!!

We are planning to reprise that drive next month!

All the best.

 

[Ksquared]

Do you make a reservation at a hotel for the way down or do you just drive until you decide you want to stop and then go to a hotel around that exit? We are pushing our trip from December to April and I had been looking at prices online since we would be spending Christmas night in GA on our way down. Now that we are going in April I'm thinking we could just "wing it" and stop whenever we felt the need.

Just wondering what others do

 

[disneyfan55]

Do you make a reservation at a hotel for the way down or do you just drive until you decide you want to stop and then go to a hotel around that exit? We are pushing our trip from December to April and I had been looking at prices online since we would be spending Christmas night in GA on our way down. Now that we are going in April I'm thinking we could just "wing it" and stop whenever we felt the need.

Just wondering what others do

If you really want to stop in a particular area, make a reservation. You can always cancel (make one at a place with 4 0r 6 pm cancellation policy) Up until a few years ago we always drove straight through, but in May 2003 we made a stop at Kennedy Space Center on the way home. Well around 9 or 10 pm my husband was tired and we were only in SC. We couldn't find a room anywhere! All booked up. We ended up staying in a rest area for a few hrs. I don't know what the deal was just a Sat. night no holiday! Make one and you can always cancel! Another time (not a FL trip) but we were coming home through TN and had a reservation at a Knoxville area motel. Well, we got there to read a sign no vacancy around midnight! We did have our room but all booked up as well!! Just my experience and you may verywell find a room but why not reserve just in case!

 

[BC1836]

Do you make a reservation at a hotel for the way down or do you just drive until you decide you want to stop and then go to a hotel around that exit? We are pushing our trip from December to April and I had been looking at prices online since we would be spending Christmas night in GA on our way down. Now that we are going in April I'm thinking we could just "wing it" and stop whenever we felt the need.

Just wondering what others do

disneyfan55 offers sound advice. However, we have made 40 overnight stops (20 2,000+ mile round-trip drives since 2002) and have always* made a reservation...but while on the road. We have sometimes made two reservations and then, judging our progress, we would cancel one before the 6:00 p.m.

* NOTE: Our first drive to WDW was of the stop-and-ask-for-a-vacancy variety. It was not pretty, especially on a Saturday night. We ended up at some place in the Carolinas that featured a paper bath mat and two oversized wash clothes disguised as bath towels. And the room had a shag rug!

All the best.

 

[pwdebbie]

Posting from Ormond Beach, FL. Left our home Sunday at 11:45 am and drove to Florence, SC. Stayed in a Country Inns and Suites. We had NO trouble around DC or I-95. Smooth sailing all the way, easiest drive we've had (this is #3). Arrived in Ormond Beach this afternoon, had some nice beach time, and we're ready for WDW tomorrow morning.

 

[angwill]

I look through the hotel coupon mags and then look up the hotels before we go and print coupons for ones in the areas I think we will stop. I don't make a reseravation so I can get the coupon price. We have stayed mid week and weekend on 75 and never had a problem finding a room at one of the coupon hotels. I do call and ask before we stop.

 

[sticker231]

We got back Saturday night, just getting back on the computer with Halloween and going back to work. We had a great trip and great weather. We really enjoyed Food & Wine, went to Epcot 3 days. Driving down we hit some morning fog in the that slowed us down a bit, but made it down in 16 hours 20 minutes. Coming home we left at at 5:20 and it took us 15.5 hours.

Best of luck to everyone on their upcoming trips.

 

[katiamastan]

Thanks for the info, Disneyholic! I am thinking of my husband is not likely to do well in the movement of trains. He went to Soar shaking and white as a sheet. He can not stand the Disney line. I do not know that he can get trainlegs. It seems that we stick to driving.

 

[dvczerfs]

Posting from Ormond Beach, FL. Left our home Sunday at 11:45 am and drove to Florence, SC. Stayed in a Country Inns and Suites. We had NO trouble around DC or I-95. Smooth sailing all the way, easiest drive we've had (this is #3). Arrived in Ormond Beach this afternoon, had some nice beach time, and we're ready for WDW tomorrow morning.

 

[BC1836]

We got back Saturday night, just getting back on the computer with Halloween and going back to work. We had a great trip and great weather. We really enjoyed Food & Wine, went to Epcot 3 days. Driving down we hit some morning fog in the that slowed us down a bit, but made it down in 16 hours 20 minutes. Coming home we left at at 5:20 and it took us 15.5 hours.

Best of luck to everyone on their upcoming trips.

Indeed, the weather was great the week we were there (Oct. 17-24) and the one that followed.

[Based upon your location, we must be "neighbors."]

All the best.

 

[sticker231]

Indeed, the weather was great the week we were there (Oct. 17-24) and the one that followed.

[Based upon your location, we must be "neighbors."]

All the best.

We were down from the 21-30, yes great weather. I believe we are "neighbors" from some of your location references and occasional gas price quotes.

 

[nytimez]

So what's the current word on passing through DC -- 95/495 to the east side or to the west side when going south?

I'll be heading down tomorrow -- plan to stop for breakfast before reaching DC, then passing through after the morning rush (it will be impossible for me to beat the morning rush).