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

[pamkev]

leave him there!! im just kidding. the only reason i asked if he was on disdads is theres a guy named kevin and his wife is pam. they live out towards reading pa. area. if hes doing the driving, maybe he needs the time off the road? just guessing. everyone handles long drive dif. reminds me of after my mom passed away and i grad. from high school,my dad took me to wdw for my grad. present. when i was a kid, we would leave around midnight, he would drive straight through. remember,back than i95 wasnt completed than,you had to take back roads every so often. anyway, he wanted to stop at evey rest stop, (known as a plaza back then) and 76 truck stop. i couldnt fiqure it out. here, we just go into florida and he tells me he was to the dr before we left and he has a kidney stone! i could of killed him!! why didnt you say something!! he drove all the way,spent two weeks in florida and drove all the way home with a kidney stone.never grumbled, complained or let on the entire way.

LOL we are kevin and pam from near Harrisburg. I usually take over driving after awhile as I have issues as dh likes to say about his driving so its get in the car lets go this will be the furthest we have every driven in our married life hope he comes back married

 

[dvczerfs]

LOL we are kevin and pam from near Harrisburg. I usually take over driving after awhile as I have issues as dh likes to say about his driving so its get in the car lets go this will be the furthest we have every driven in our married life hope he comes back married

good luck!

 

[blondietink]

Jacksonville is done? Seriously? I can't believe it!

 

[Colleen27]

I'm new to driving to WDW and I could really use some help from experienced long-distance DISers.

We'll be driving from Michigan, about an hour north of Detroit, down to Fort Wilderness, and I can't even figure out how long to expect the drive to take. Google says 21 hours, AAA says 18, Mapquest is somewhere in between. We're planning on taking 75 all the way down, then 75 > 24 > 65 > 69 > 94 back with a few nights in Nashville visiting friends.

I can't decide whether I want to drive straight through going down or break it up with a stop somewhere along the line. It has been a long time since we've done a straight-through road trip, but nighttime driving would be best for the kids (and minimizing the "are we there yet" factor). And I don't even know where to start figuring out the best time to leave to avoid as many traffic snarls as possible!

My first idea is this: Leave home around 5-6am with the kids still asleep. DH will want to drive the bulk of it; he used to drive a truck and is a terrible passenger. So he'll take the first leg while the kids and I sleep, and rather than having him try to sleep while I drive (because he can never seem to sleep as a passenger) we'll plan somewhere interesting to stop - a museum or park or battlefield or random roadside curiousity - where I can take the kids to burn off a little energy for 3-4 hours while DH naps. Then I'll take the wheel at least until it gets dark so he can rest even though he probably won't get any more sleep. Between the extended stop and bathroom/food/stretching/fuel stops I'm guessing at about 26 hours on the road, which would get us to Disney around 8ish. And if our cabin isn't ready with the early check-in, I'll just take the kids to play in the pool or explore the resort while DH catches another nap in the van.

So for those who have done this before how does that sound? Feasible or way off? Any recommendations for a fun attraction to stop at somewhere around 7-8 hours down I75 from Detroit? Also, where should I be worried about traffic on a Saturday drive down?

 

[sharadoc]

Jacksonville is done? Seriously? I can't believe it!

I think it was some sort of hallucination based on 14 straight hours of driving, with stops only for potty and OJ! I won't believe it until I see it

 

[sharadoc]

I'm new to driving to WDW and I could really use some help from experienced long-distance DISers.

We'll be driving from Michigan, about an hour north of Detroit, down to Fort Wilderness, and I can't even figure out how long to expect the drive to take. Google says 21 hours, AAA says 18, Mapquest is somewhere in between. We're planning on taking 75 all the way down, then 75 > 24 > 65 > 69 > 94 back with a few nights in Nashville visiting friends.

I can't decide whether I want to drive straight through going down or break it up with a stop somewhere along the line. It has been a long time since we've done a straight-through road trip, but nighttime driving would be best for the kids (and minimizing the "are we there yet" factor). And I don't even know where to start figuring out the best time to leave to avoid as many traffic snarls as possible!

My first idea is this: Leave home around 5-6am with the kids still asleep. DH will want to drive the bulk of it; he used to drive a truck and is a terrible passenger. So he'll take the first leg while the kids and I sleep, and rather than having him try to sleep while I drive (because he can never seem to sleep as a passenger) we'll plan somewhere interesting to stop - a museum or park or battlefield or random roadside curiousity - where I can take the kids to burn off a little energy for 3-4 hours while DH naps. Then I'll take the wheel at least until it gets dark so he can rest even though he probably won't get any more sleep. Between the extended stop and bathroom/food/stretching/fuel stops I'm guessing at about 26 hours on the road, which would get us to Disney around 8ish. And if our cabin isn't ready with the early check-in, I'll just take the kids to play in the pool or explore the resort while DH catches another nap in the van.

So for those who have done this before how does that sound? Feasible or way off? Any recommendations for a fun attraction to stop at somewhere around 7-8 hours down I75 from Detroit? Also, where should I be worried about traffic on a Saturday drive down?

I wouldn't recommend a straight through drive, especially since you haven't done it before and don't really know how long it would take. Our kids have driven 5 times in two years to Disney World, and we are trying a straight-through for the first time in June. We finally feel comfortable with their tolerance, need to stop, food, etc. and we feel ready for it.

Especially since you have to stop for a few hours for your DH to nap, If you're going to stop for 3-4 hours, just make it 7-8. Why not split the drive into two days, stop at a motel for a few hours and arrive at Disney refreshed and ready to hit the world with your kids. Cause you KNOW they won't be tired!!! Excitement will hit as soon as you drive through that beautiful sign!

 

[dvczerfs]

I think it was some sort of hallucination based on 14 straight hours of driving, with stops only for potty and OJ! I won't believe it until I see it

i would tend to believe that but, i also seen this on the way home. jacksonville on i95 has been under construction for 40 years. the small lanes, ess turns and barriers are gone!!! (unless they put more up since december.) if you recall the narrow lanes and ess curves north of the childrens hosp., all gone!!!!all new highway and bridges!!

 

[pit303]

thats a good plan. if you dont stop to much, that will get you on the other side of richmond by rush hour. the richmond area can be a real treat at rush hour.

We won't stop until we get on the other side of Richmond (unless the gas tank says we have too) I can't believe we are doing this haven't driven down since 1996!! I am hoping to leave some time late tomorrow night going to be a quick trip will be heading back home on Saturday Looking at this as more of a test for our big trip end of September a whole week at Vero Beach: and than a couple days at WDW

 

[pamkev]

We won't stop until we get on the other side of Richmond (unless the gas tank says we have too) I can't believe we are doing this haven't driven down since 1996!! I am hoping to leave some time late tomorrow night going to be a quick trip will be heading back home on Saturday Looking at this as more of a test for our big trip end of September a whole week at Vero Beach: and than a couple days at WDW

Have a safe and fun trip

 

[kidd_freeper]

ill be back by the time you leave, ill be going 81/77/26/95, ill post if there was any construction problems.

Fantastic! When will you be back so that I know when to look for construction info?

Have a good trip and thanks!

 

[marius97]

I like the straight through drive personally. For us from southwestern MI, the 19 hour drive is done with the kids asleep for almost half of it. I'll take a sore butt over kids yapping are we there yet for 19 hours. Number one thing for you to figure out when to leave is figure out how long it is going to take to get to Atlanta. That is the one place where you really need to avoid rush hour. Though they have car pool lanes that make it tolerable at rush hour.

I'm new to driving to WDW and I could really use some help from experienced long-distance DISers.

We'll be driving from Michigan, about an hour north of Detroit, down to Fort Wilderness, and I can't even figure out how long to expect the drive to take. Google says 21 hours, AAA says 18, Mapquest is somewhere in between. We're planning on taking 75 all the way down, then 75 > 24 > 65 > 69 > 94 back with a few nights in Nashville visiting friends.

I can't decide whether I want to drive straight through going down or break it up with a stop somewhere along the line. It has been a long time since we've done a straight-through road trip, but nighttime driving would be best for the kids (and minimizing the "are we there yet" factor). And I don't even know where to start figuring out the best time to leave to avoid as many traffic snarls as possible!

My first idea is this: Leave home around 5-6am with the kids still asleep. DH will want to drive the bulk of it; he used to drive a truck and is a terrible passenger. So he'll take the first leg while the kids and I sleep, and rather than having him try to sleep while I drive (because he can never seem to sleep as a passenger) we'll plan somewhere interesting to stop - a museum or park or battlefield or random roadside curiousity - where I can take the kids to burn off a little energy for 3-4 hours while DH naps. Then I'll take the wheel at least until it gets dark so he can rest even though he probably won't get any more sleep. Between the extended stop and bathroom/food/stretching/fuel stops I'm guessing at about 26 hours on the road, which would get us to Disney around 8ish. And if our cabin isn't ready with the early check-in, I'll just take the kids to play in the pool or explore the resort while DH catches another nap in the van.

So for those who have done this before how does that sound? Feasible or way off? Any recommendations for a fun attraction to stop at somewhere around 7-8 hours down I75 from Detroit? Also, where should I be worried about traffic on a Saturday drive down?

 

[BC1836]

Any 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers on the road to WDW this week?

All the best.

 

[myheartlivesatwdw]

I drive from Boston to WDW, I have done it at least 25 times. Also, have friend who works for the Red Sox and have driven to Fort Myers a dozen times. I used to live in FL, I miss it so I keep going back.

 

[dvczerfs]

Fantastic! When will you be back so that I know when to look for construction info?

Have a good trip and thanks!

we will be leaving june 17th and coming home june 26th. i wont have my lap top with me on this trip, were staying at the contemp. and im to cheap to pay for internet. now our september trip ill have my lap top, ill be staying at okw on points so we get free internet.

 

[dvczerfs]

We won't stop until we get on the other side of Richmond (unless the gas tank says we have too) I can't believe we are doing this haven't driven down since 1996!! I am hoping to leave some time late tomorrow night going to be a quick trip will be heading back home on Saturday Looking at this as more of a test for our big trip end of September a whole week at Vero Beach: and than a couple days at WDW

you'll be fine, have a safe trip.

 

[pit303]

Any 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers on the road to WDW this week?

All the best.

Me me me!! o and DH too!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Me me me!! o and DH too!!

go ahead rub it in!!! i would!!

 

[BC1836]

Me me me!! o and DH too!!

 

[LadyBeBop]

So for those who have done this before how does that sound? Feasible or way off? Any recommendations for a fun attraction to stop at somewhere around 7-8 hours down I75 from Detroit? Also, where should I be worried about traffic on a Saturday drive down?

I'm with Sharadoc...I'd break it up into two days. Since your reservations aren't until the second day, there's no reason to do it all in one fell swoop. I'd still start at 5 AM...however, I'd only go as far as someplace in Georgia. That would make it an easy second day. The one thing you don't want...you and your husband arrive at Disney groggy, and your kids wide-eyed and ready to meet Mickey.

That said, if you're still looking for an attraction to stop about 6-7 hours south of you..

Kentucky Horse Park is about 5 1/2 hours south of Detroit, or about 6 1/2 hours south of you. It's a combination working horse farm/horse museum. Many great thoroughbreds call the KY Horse Park their home after retirement.

 

[mekia2001]

We are planning on making the drive from Ohio to WDW in one day. According to Google Maps the best way is 77S to 95S and it gives us a drive time of 17H35M. We plan to leave at 2am so DD's(5 and will be 10) can sleep for most of the first half of the journey. We are leaving on Saturday 6/11 so we should be clear of any congestion on the road since its the weekend right?

DH will drive until noon and then I will take over for a few hours and if we are still driving when it gets dark he will take over again. But if we are going to run into traffic I would prefer if he is doing the driving because he is a terrible passenger. I need to know what to expect so we can plan accordingly because I can't drive when he's trying to tell me what I should or shouldn't be doing.