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

[sharadoc]

How is Duke's for lunch?

I think it would be the same food.

It's only open Thursday - Sunday.

 

[pamkev]

I think it would be the same food.

It's only open Thursday - Sunday.

Good to know this as we will be headed down on a Wed will visit it on the way back

 

[dvczerfs]

that is so funny, claire did the same thing slow down slow down, you don't know where the cops hide...on the way home she drove through the carolina's and I swear to you she had to be doing 90 all the way. I looked over and keep saying look at your speed .

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Well in looking at things, I think I am going with the driving option unless there is a MAJOR fall in airfare. I am happy that my son's 6th graduation got moved up a day, and is in the afternoon. So now he can go and we will even have an open house for him, yea! My game plan, is that after everything to come back home for a few hours and probably be in the car to leave in the early morning, so kids will sleep. Please, experts.....The only place I am nervous about is Atlanta, if we leave our home then we are about 10 hours from atl, will this be a disaster? I really want to try and make just south of atl that first night, then sat am get up and head to the port. Is this gonna work?

 

[budafam]

I feel the exact same way about Atlanta! I was there about 10 years ago for a car show and I just remember the traffic being horrific. I am a scaredy cat when it comes to traffic (but even more so when it comes to flying)... we're planning on going through Atlanta around 4-6ish in the afternoon (probably the worst possible time ever) but at least it'll be a Saturday so maybe that will help??? I guess there is no real tips I have, just to say, we're in the same boat

 

[angwill]

Well in looking at things, I think I am going with the driving option unless there is a MAJOR fall in airfare. I am happy that my son's 6th graduation got moved up a day, and is in the afternoon. So now he can go and we will even have an open house for him, yea! My game plan, is that after everything to come back home for a few hours and probably be in the car to leave in the early morning, so kids will sleep. Please, experts.....The only place I am nervous about is Atlanta, if we leave our home then we are about 10 hours from atl, will this be a disaster? I really want to try and make just south of atl that first night, then sat am get up and head to the port. Is this gonna work?

What time do you think you will drive through Atlanta? Macon is the closest bigger city about an 1 1/2 hours south of Atlanta then it always takes us about 6 hours straight through to Disney from there. We have driven straight through Atlanta on 75 many, many times and never go the bypass. We have driven through mid morning, afternoon, and late night always avoiding rush hour and have always flew through there with no delays. If you have ever driven in Chicago then Atlanta will be a breeze during non rush hour.

 

[Becky2005]

I've never found Atlanta to be bad. We hop in the HOV lane and just go straight through it. I do think we usually hit it on a weekend though but can't remember. I do know one time we stopped at the Puppet Museum, so we were right in the middle of it and I still didn't think it was bad.

I think it's because I'm used to Chicago traffic and coming to a standstill here on the tollway is a usual occurance and it's always fun when it's a mysterious reason to why. Then traffic opens back up like nothing ever was there. That always boggles my mind. At least if there was construction that would make more sense.

I know for us we did the drive home from the Atlanta Motor Speedway way before we even went to Disney and we were literally falling asleep at the wheel, so I know for a fact that we can not travel that far in one day as DH's words out of his mouth after we pulled in was "Never let me do that again"....and we haven't. Last time we stopped before Atlanta (near the Air Force Base) because of the previous experience I knew it was too long for us and I think that was even pushing it because it took us forever that night...just lots of stops, etc... so this time we are stopping around Chattanooga. That is where we stopped on the way home last time.

I do make reservations but that's mostly because we are a family of 6 and it's not so easy to find a basic hotel that will hold six, so you would have to find 2 rooms, etc... Just makes me feel better to have a definite room waiting for me.

 

[A&CsMom]

We are driving to a rental villa in the Kissimmee area, leaving on March 18, arriving on March 19, and have a 2,058 km or 1,278 mile drive, one way. It usually takes us between 19 and 21 hours total driving time.

In the past we have gotten up very early and hit the road by about 4 or 4:30 am. My husband isn't much of a morning person so this time we are thinking of leaving at 9 am after the commuter traffic has died down (we are leaving on a Friday).

I am interested in hearing other people's strategies on this length of drive. We always spend one night on the road on the way down (drove straight through once and never again). Because we aren't getting an early start, I'm not sure how to split the drive for our overnight. By the way, unless there is a problem weather-wise, we are taking the I90/I79/US19/I77/I26/I95/I4 route. TIA

 

[PrincessEmma630]

Wow, I can't believe there's a whole thread dedicated to us road warriors

We are heading to WDW July 8th - 16th, 2024 miles roundtrip to be exact, so we actually barely make the cutoff I have made the trip several dozen times before, as a kid and very young adult, but it will be a first for us as a family. Me, DH, DS(13) and DD(7). We plan to leave right after we get home from work, pack up the SUV & eat a little dinner, then we're gonna drive straight through (mainly so the kids will sleep the whole time and won't fight, argue, whine, etc...at least til they wake up in the morning)

I read a few questions people had about Atlanta. I've driven through there many times, Chicago also. I have learned never to take the bypass! It's just as busy, and only adds to the time. Best thing to do is go through during non-rush hour times, and just be patient. I do try to time it so I get through Atlanta either really late at night/extremely early morning. Never had a problem though...except when I took the bypass

 

[cruisingkat]

We drive down from Chicago several times a year - and for us the worst part is Nashville on 24. Several different interstates merge and de-merge in a short distance and you have to keep switching from left and right lanes. In fact, I even took notes about the lane order in each direction that we keep in the car to help guide us. The GPS sometimes announces the next one too late to get over - especially if there is heavier traffic.
After that, Atlanta even with traffic is nothing!

 

[Jessica527]

Google Map - Reading, PA to Orlando, FL - EXACTLY 2000 miles round trip. Ok so I know Im not taking into account detours, construction, anything like that. And the fact that WDW isn't in Orlando exactly....BUT HOW COOL IS THAT IT IS EXACTLY 2000 MILES!

Yes we will be making the driving May, 6 2012 and May 20, 2012.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

From what I figure if we are on the rd by one then the earliest we would hit atl would be around 1100, realistically we are prolly going to be going through about noonish or early after. I do have a question, when I do mapquest it takes us on the bypass but people say to avoid the bypass....what should i do?

 

[sharadoc]

We are driving to a rental villa in the Kissimmee area, leaving on March 18, arriving on March 19, and have a 2,058 km or 1,278 mile drive, one way. It usually takes us between 19 and 21 hours total driving time.

In the past we have gotten up very early and hit the road by about 4 or 4:30 am. My husband isn't much of a morning person so this time we are thinking of leaving at 9 am after the commuter traffic has died down (we are leaving on a Friday).

I am interested in hearing other people's strategies on this length of drive. We always spend one night on the road on the way down (drove straight through once and never again). Because we aren't getting an early start, I'm not sure how to split the drive for our overnight. By the way, unless there is a problem weather-wise, we are taking the I90/I79/US19/I77/I26/I95/I4 route. TIA

Hi. When we stop overnight, we like to drive around 12 hours the first day, then its only 5 or 6 hours the next day, depending on whether or not we stop for lunch. By having a short day the second day, we can sleep in and not stress about hitting the road early. Then we are rested and ready to start the vacation when we hit Disney World.

We tried to split the drive in half and had to "entertain" ourselves in the dumb hotel room on the road after dinner. We figure if we're going to suffer, just suffer longer on day one! Then day two is a breeze!

 

[angwill]

We drive down from Chicago several times a year - and for us the worst part is Nashville on 24. Several different interstates merge and de-merge in a short distance and you have to keep switching from left and right lanes. In fact, I even took notes about the lane order in each direction that we keep in the car to help guide us. The GPS sometimes announces the next one too late to get over - especially if there is heavier traffic.
After that, Atlanta even with traffic is nothing!

You know what now that you mentioned that every year coming and going I complain how Nashville is always busy for us even at off rush hour times. Last year at 8pm we got stuck coming home in a traffic jam in Nashville. I would say Nashville is worse than Atlanta too.

 

[tinkerbell60]

We are driving to a rental villa in the Kissimmee area, leaving on March 18, arriving on March 19, and have a 2,058 km or 1,278 mile drive, one way. It usually takes us between 19 and 21 hours total driving time.

In the past we have gotten up very early and hit the road by about 4 or 4:30 am. My husband isn't much of a morning person so this time we are thinking of leaving at 9 am after the commuter traffic has died down (we are leaving on a Friday).

I am interested in hearing other people's strategies on this length of drive. We always spend one night on the road on the way down (drove straight through once and never again). Because we aren't getting an early start, I'm not sure how to split the drive for our overnight. By the way, unless there is a problem weather-wise, we are taking the I90/I79/US19/I77/I26/I95/I4 route. TIA

We drive from Pittsburgh - it takes us about 16 hours. We take the same route but starting with the I79 in PGH. Charlotte, NC is about 8 hours drive from here - so that would make it about 11-14 hours for you. There are tons of hotels and the next day you would be exactly 8 hours from Disney World. If you go too far into South Carolina the hotels become a little sparse until you reach Orangeburg. If you are willing to go a little further on day 1 the second day is not as bad.

 

[pwdebbie]

WJZ (channel 13 in Baltimore) carried a story yesterday about some women that were robbing women in the I-95 rest area restrooms. They would cause a bit of a disturbance and then when the woman was distracted, they would steal her purse. Evidently this was fairly lucrative as they were buying fur coats and diamond jewelry! Any way, just a heads up to all travelers to be alert and aware when you make those bathroom rest stops.

 

[BC1836]

Howdy!

We've been away in San Antonio for the last week and we flew.
Ah, that experience of scientific packing, coordinating the ride to the airport, the airport "experience," the battle for overhead bin space, the flight, the wait for luggage, etc. We are so ready for our next drive to WDW!

All the best.

 

[job09]

You know what now that you mentioned that every year coming and going I complain how Nashville is always busy for us even at off rush hour times. Last year at 8pm we got stuck coming home in a traffic jam in Nashville. I would say Nashville is worse than Atlanta too.

We leave Chicago around 4am and stop for the night past Atlanta. Leaving at this time we had very little problems in Nashville. Maybe that was just luck but we'll see when we drive down this spring break. Last time we stopped in Atlanta, got there at 5pm (avoiding rush hour) and spent the night--boring too early and not a great area! I think we will try to make it to Macon this time. The way back is a challenge for us. This time we are adding a stay at Vero Beach after WDW not sure how this will affect the trip home. We are only staying 2 nights there so leaving in the middle of the night won't happen. Good luck to all road warriors!

 

[A&CsMom]

Hi. When we stop overnight, we like to drive around 12 hours the first day, then its only 5 or 6 hours the next day, depending on whether or not we stop for lunch. By having a short day the second day, we can sleep in and not stress about hitting the road early. Then we are rested and ready to start the vacation when we hit Disney World.

We tried to split the drive in half and had to "entertain" ourselves in the dumb hotel room on the road after dinner. We figure if we're going to suffer, just suffer longer on day one! Then day two is a breeze!

Good point, we don't want to be bored in the evening. I will look for somewhere with an indoor pool just in case.

 

[dvczerfs]

Google Map - Reading, PA to Orlando, FL - EXACTLY 2000 miles round trip. Ok so I know Im not taking into account detours, construction, anything like that. And the fact that WDW isn't in Orlando exactly....BUT HOW COOL IS THAT IT IS EXACTLY 2000 MILES!

Yes we will be making the driving May, 6 2012 and May 20, 2012.

that probleys real close!! im in nazareth and im 1086 miles from door to door.