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

[Cowboysfan]

My DD13 and I will be heading to The World this Saturday - first time driving. I cannot leave until noon, from North Haven CT (taking Merrit Pkwy). Hoping to drive straight through.

How much traffic will there be in the major areas (NYC, Phil, DC...) on a Saturday afternoon/evening? The Yankees are playing a 1pm game at home - which I figure to just miss some of that traffic.

Should I avoid the GWB and take the Tappan Zee?

How's Saturday evening traffic in DC?

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[crzy4dsny]

My DD13 and I will be heading to The World this Saturday - first time driving. I cannot leave until noon, from North Haven CT (taking Merrit Pkwy). Hoping to drive straight through.

How much traffic will there be in the major areas (NYC, Phil, DC...) on a Saturday afternoon/evening? The Yankees are playing a 1pm game at home - which I figure to just miss some of that traffic.

Should I avoid the GWB and take the Tappan Zee?

How's Saturday evening traffic in DC?

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks

I avoid the GWB at all costs. I don't think I've ever been thru there with out hitting traffic no matter what day or time. DC traffic shoulnt be too bad on a Sat evening I don't think. My sister lives in northern VA and we have left there on Sat around 7:00 pm numerous times heading north. I don't recall seeing any traffic heading south. The traffic north is heavier.


Have a safe trip, were driving down Sunday night leaving at mid-night

 

[dvczerfs]

My DD13 and I will be heading to The World this Saturday - first time driving. I cannot leave until noon, from North Haven CT (taking Merrit Pkwy). Hoping to drive straight through.

How much traffic will there be in the major areas (NYC, Phil, DC...) on a Saturday afternoon/evening? The Yankees are playing a 1pm game at home - which I figure to just miss some of that traffic.

Should I avoid the GWB and take the Tappan Zee?

How's Saturday evening traffic in DC?

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks

ahhhhh a voice of reason!!!! how bout them cowboys!!!!! i live surrounded by eagle fans. you know, the team that has 0 s.b. wins have a good trip!!!

 

[nytimez]

My DD13 and I will be heading to The World this Saturday - first time driving. I cannot leave until noon, from North Haven CT (taking Merrit Pkwy). Hoping to drive straight through.

How much traffic will there be in the major areas (NYC, Phil, DC...) on a Saturday afternoon/evening? The Yankees are playing a 1pm game at home - which I figure to just miss some of that traffic.

Should I avoid the GWB and take the Tappan Zee?

How's Saturday evening traffic in DC?

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks

I'd have two routes in mind for getting through NY -- maybe one with the GWB and one with the Tappan Zee... then tuning into a NY news radio station like WCBS 880 as you approach and go with the route that has less traffic.

 

[sharadoc]

ahhhhh a voice of reason!!!! how bout them cowboys!!!!! i live surrounded by eagle fans. you know, the team that has 0 s.b. wins have a good trip!!!

Oh and I considered you a friend!

 

[Irishgrl6975]

My DD13 and I will be heading to The World this Saturday - first time driving. I cannot leave until noon, from North Haven CT (taking Merrit Pkwy). Hoping to drive straight through.

How much traffic will there be in the major areas (NYC, Phil, DC...) on a Saturday afternoon/evening? The Yankees are playing a 1pm game at home - which I figure to just miss some of that traffic.

Should I avoid the GWB and take the Tappan Zee?

How's Saturday evening traffic in DC?

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks

Keep us posted as to the route you take! I am heading down from Western Ma in November for the first time..it should be an adventure to say the least and any advice would be great!! Have a safe trip!!!

 

[bdoyledimou]

Just got back from my Disney World-Maine-Toronto trip.

it should have taken 40 hours end to end (including breaks) but took almost 50, with a majorly reduced break schedule (eating in car instead of in restaurant) and reducing the rest all quite time, from 5 hours to 2.

Between torrential downpours, multiple accidents in a 5 mile stretch, (which added 4 hours to our trip alone) an impromptu tour of Washington D.C due to flaky instructions by the GPS (get off freeway, drive around block, get back on freeway)..

We have decided that we are now too old for these drives, and will be flying

 

[mamapajama]

I've heard a lot about trouble thru/around DC. My friend just came back from the auto train and got lost in D.C. (went left when she should have gone right or vice versa). Now I'm worried and I think I'm going to try to get everyone out earlier than 5am. I had a dream last night that we were driving somewhere and my husband was dawdling and we left MUCH later than we were supposed to and it ruined everything and I said to him "at least when we fly we HAVE to leave by a certain time or we miss the plane" I'm worried because my husband said he was looking forward to the drive because among other things-no security and no rushing! Ugh. He worls nights & gets off at 2 am. I'm thinking of driving him to work and then just getting everyone up and picking him up.

 

[michael's mom]

I've heard a lot about trouble thru/around DC. My friend just came back from the auto train and got lost in D.C. (went left when she should have gone right or vice versa). Now I'm worried and I think I'm going to try to get everyone out earlier than 5am. I had a dream last night that we were driving somewhere and my husband was dawdling and we left MUCH later than we were supposed to and it ruined everything and I said to him "at least when we fly we HAVE to leave by a certain time or we miss the plane" I'm worried because my husband said he was looking forward to the drive because among other things-no security and no rushing! Ugh. He worls nights & gets off at 2 am. I'm thinking of driving him to work and then just getting everyone up and picking him up.

I think you have a great plan Mama! We are a dawdling family (unfortunately) and never leave when we plan on it. DH also works nights, but he wakes up at 2 so our plan is to leave after I get out of work (about 3). I work about 5 mins from home so I think as soon as I get home, I'll pack up our coolers and hopefully we'll leave by 4. With that rate, we shouldn't get to NYC until 8ish and DC until about midnight. It should put us in SC/GA for breakfast. I hope DH can handle the drive during his normal work shift so we can go straight through

 

[rotlex]

As this is my favorite thread on these boards, , I just had to post....Only 4 more days until our departure!

I am getting seriously stoked now, LOL. It's also our first stay at AKL, and I'm probably more excited about that than anything. We have visited AKL many times for dining, and just wondering around, but it's going to be very cool to head back there every evening for 10 nights.

Here we come!!!!!!!!

 

[amtag]

Oh and I considered you a friend!

GIANTS fan here, so I can't talk to either of you

We are leaving Sat from Northern NJ between 2 and 3 am - can't wait to just get the show on the road!!!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Oh and I considered you a friend!

 

[BC1836]

As this is my favorite thread on these boards, , I just had to post....Only 4 more days until our departure!

I am getting seriously stoked now, LOL. It's also our first stay at AKL, and I'm probably more excited about that than anything. We have visited AKL many times for dining, and just wondering around, but it's going to be very cool to head back there every evening for 10 nights.

Here we come!!!!!!!!

Let the countdown continue!

The AKL is a first-rate hotel and its restaurants are great (especially Jiko). And the critters who reside nearby make it a unique place to visit and stay.
Bathrooms are not as illuminated as one would expect, however.
With your car, you'll never wait for a bus to the MK or EPCOT or HS or DTD.

[BTW: This thread topped the 10,000 views mark...and phase II of this thread only began on July 12!]

All the best.

 

[Marshay]

If you're used to driving in Northern VA, Richmond "rush hour" is nothing. I've driven through at all different times and seasons with no problems.

Good to hear! I don't mind traffic but hate the stand-still. We went straight through on 95 in July on a Friday night and it was nothing ...but I'm more worried about hitting it around 5pm.

I take 295 around Richmond, but not because traffic is bad -- I've never had a problem with Richmond when I've driven through it. But there is a BBQ place I just love that's off 295, Prince George's BBQ.

I'll remember that if/when we get to that area and want to stop.

i always go thru richmond on 95.

Thanks ... think we will do so too, unless our GPS-phone shows it all red and 295 is green!

We should probably have a sticky about that stretch of 95. It's discussed in our thread on a regular basis - Saturdays and 95 from DC to Richmond stink! Sorry you missed those posts!

Take care and know that you'll soon be at Disney World and you'll forget all about that lousy drive.

So sorry to hear about your horrible experience.

 

[Riverhill]

Getting stressed for the drive to come.. Mom,DD and I take off friday morning. We will be driving to TN the first day. DH,DS and Dad will be leaving Friday Night because DH has to work Friday. I will be worried because they are driving through the night to catch up to us. Then on to Lake city FL the second night. Am I the only one who is stressed about the drive. I know I have done this many, many times in the past years but I still worry until we are in WDW. On top of that I think I am getting sick

 

[BC1836]

Getting stressed for the drive to come.. Mom,DD and I take off friday morning. We will be driving to TN the first day. DH,DS and Dad will be leaving Friday Night because DH has to work Friday. I will be worried because they are driving through the night to catch up to us. Then on to Lake city FL the second night. Am I the only one who is stressed about the drive. I know I have done this many, many times in the past years but I still worry until we are in WDW. On top of that I think I am getting sick

Don't confuse stress with excitement; it's part of the 2,000+ mile round-trip drive experience. You're a veteran long-haul driver, so don't fret. Enjoy the anticipation. [However, we hope you are not getting ill for your WDW stay.]

All the best.

 

[michael's mom]

I'm so excited. I am now OFFICIALLY driving down to Disney for the first time this April!!!!!!

My sister's getting married and it's school vacation week so airfare is THROUGH THE ROOF (We're talking $600+ rt pp, no freaking way!). But, since I'm a teacher (hence the wedding during school vacation week), I'm not allowed to take my personal days to "extend" a vacation or long weekend so I had to speak to our superintendent. I'm terrified of the woman because of an experience I had with her several years ago, so I was nervous about asking. And, I also know why the rule is in place and I believe in it. But this was my sister! Superintendent agreed that this was an extenuating circumstance and asked if two days was enough I wanted to cry when I got off of the phone.

I'm so excited. At first, driving down was a necessity because the rooms will be so much money we needed to save somewhere. But since we decided to do it, I've been getting really excited to do it so I was bummed at the thought of "having to fly"!

So, I'll be on the lookout for tips to drive from Eastern MA soon But, at the rate that this thread is growing, it could be thread #3 by the time my trip comes up

Happy travels!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Looks like we'll be driving for the 2nd time in Oct. of 2011 when we cruise on the Dream! I am so excited to be driving down 81 in mid and late October so we can see the beautiful foliage of the Smoky Mtn.'s!

 

[thumbalyna]

we leave in 51 days - i have booked the red roof inn in Kingsland GA for our stay over on the way down - coming back i am just going to play it by ear and drive as far as a i can - i havent made this drive since 98 i am so excited

 

[amtag]

ONE more day!!! We leave tomorrow night (well, early Saturday am - about 2am) - sooooo excited - 1st stop Ocala, then Disney!!! We are all so excited, I don't know how I'll go to sleep early enough to get some rest before the drive down!!