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

[BC1836]

I always do an oil change before we go, also just go over everything. I try to keep up with the car all the time so it runs smoothly all the time.

But if you don't I would change oil, check air filter, make sure tires are fully inflated and have life left. Then just the basics, brakes, hoses, and belt(s). Only you know how old your car is and how many miles and if there are any problems.

We agree. An oil change is essential, especially when your at the maximum estimated oil change recommendation via your owner's manual guide. Remember: you've got a 2,000+ mile round trip planned. While manufacturer's oil change recommendations somewhat encourage changes that are a bit early, it's always good to play it safe with a long drive. Our basic service always includes an air filter check/change and a tire pressure check.

And don't forget to clean that windshield inside and out. The love bugs await!

All the best.

 

[rak5701]

We agree. An oil change is essential, especially when your at the maximum estimated oil change recommendation via your owner's manual guide. Remember: you've got a 2,000+ mile round trip planned. While manufacturer's oil change recommendations somewhat encourage changes that are a bit early, it's always good to play it safe with a long drive. Our basic service always includes an air filter check/change and a tire pressure check.

And don't forget to clean that windshield inside and out. The love bugs await!

All the best.

Thanks everyone! We keep up with our routine car maintenance...so I will make sure we get the oil/filter change and have them just check everything else over. The minivan has less than 60k miles on it...so I think we will be okay!!!!

 

[redshoe]

Just chiming in!!

We'll be making the 19-hour drive from Tulsa in January. My 10-year old son and I did it this summer, but my boyfriend and his 12-year old son are both Disney AND long road trip virgins!

We're hoping to take turns driving and make it straight through. Our grand strategy for keeping the boys busy? TECHNOLOGY! They'll have their portable gaming units of various types, plus a DVD player. Both boys are pretty low-key, so I'm not anticipating any issues.

I can't wait! 89 days and counting!!

 

[honeymo78]

Here is some info from our recent drive down on 9/24 and return on 10/8

9/24-9/25
10:30am Left Ridley Park, PA
Didn't record PA/DE border time as it was only about 15 minutes
11:05 DE/MD border
12:55 MD/VA border
2:30ish Ate lunch at Spotsylvania Cracker Barrel (approx 40min)
5:35 VA/NC border
7:30 ate dinner at Fayetteville Shoneys (approx 40min)
8:50 NC/SC border
11:45 SC/GA
1:30am Kingsland GA Comfort Inn
9:10 left Kingsland after Waffle House breakfast
9:14 GA/FL border
11:57 Disneyworld

On this leg we encounter some traffic in DE and MD (not sure what to account it to) and a back up in VA south of Spotsylvania due to a car fire. We would have like to stop sooner, maybe around midnight, only due to having to sit in traffic so much that day, but it would have been impossible to rearrange lodging. At the 6pm cancellation deadline we had no idea where we would have preferred to stop. Also made an additional stop for gas and driver change in SC.

10/8
8:22am left Disneyworld by going behind MK (shouldn't have followed nav as this wanted us to take toll road and we had no change so we ended up backtracking and wasting about a half hour)
12:32 FL/GA border (ate at St Augustine waffle house for breakfast but unsure when, approx 40 min)
2:11 GA/SC border
5:00 SC/NC border
5:20 dinner at Cracker Barrel in Lumberton, approx 50 min
8:30 NC/VA border
10:30 Wawa stop for beverage and snack
11:35 VA/MD border
1:19am MD/DE border
1:43 DE/PA border
just before 2:00am home

The drive home was much easier, most likely due to less/no traffic. We drove almost as long in one shot on the way home as we did in the first day going down. We plan on driving straight through in Dec as we will have 2 other drivers. We easily could have made it in one shot, even with traffic with just 1 more person taking a shift. Also, our gas stops didn't really coincide with when we wanted to eat - outside of the traffic jam we were getting 29.9 mpg - so there were a few extra stops to get gas and switch drivers.

 

[BC1836]

Here is some info from our recent drive down on 9/24 and return on 10/8

9/24-9/25
10:30am Left Ridley Park, PA
Didn't record PA/DE border time as it was only about 15 minutes
11:05 DE/MD border
12:55 MD/VA border
2:30ish Ate lunch at Spotsylvania Cracker Barrel (approx 40min)
5:35 VA/NC border
7:30 ate dinner at Fayetteville Shoneys (approx 40min)
8:50 NC/SC border
11:45 SC/GA
1:30am Kingsland GA Comfort Inn
9:10 left Kingsland after Waffle House breakfast
9:14 GA/FL border
11:57 Disneyworld

On this leg we encounter some traffic in DE and MD (not sure what to account it to) and a back up in VA south of Spotsylvania due to a car fire. We would have like to stop sooner, maybe around midnight, only due to having to sit in traffic so much that day, but it would have been impossible to rearrange lodging. At the 6pm cancellation deadline we had no idea where we would have preferred to stop. Also made an additional stop for gas and driver change in SC.

10/8
8:22am left Disneyworld by going behind MK (shouldn't have followed nav as this wanted us to take toll road and we had no change so we ended up backtracking and wasting about a half hour)
12:32 FL/GA border (ate at St Augustine waffle house for breakfast but unsure when, approx 40 min)
2:11 GA/SC border
5:00 SC/NC border
5:20 dinner at Cracker Barrel in Lumberton, approx 50 min
8:30 NC/VA border
10:30 Wawa stop for beverage and snack
11:35 VA/MD border
1:19am MD/DE border
1:43 DE/PA border
just before 2:00am home

The drive home was much easier, most likely due to less/no traffic. We drove almost as long in one shot on the way home as we did in the first day going down. We plan on driving straight through in Dec as we will have 2 other drivers. We easily could have made it in one shot, even with traffic with just 1 more person taking a shift. Also, our gas stops didn't really coincide with when we wanted to eat - outside of the traffic jam we were getting 29.9 mpg - so there were a few extra stops to get gas and switch drivers.

Thanks for the detailed report! We enjoy comparing and contrasting our travel log with others.

Ah, the DE/MD drive. You did rather well considering your Friday departure. But the toll plazas certainly don't help the traffic flow in those two states.

All the best.

 

[clandrum]

Just chiming in!!

We'll be making the 19-hour drive from Tulsa in January. My 10-year old son and I did it this summer, but my boyfriend and his 12-year old son are both Disney AND long road trip virgins!

We're hoping to take turns driving and make it straight through. Our grand strategy for keeping the boys busy? TECHNOLOGY! They'll have their portable gaming units of various types, plus a DVD player. Both boys are pretty low-key, so I'm not anticipating any issues.

I can't wait! 89 days and counting!!

We are thinking about driving for the first time in Feb. 2011. We are from Wichita, Ks. Of course we will be driving through Tulsa on our way down. Would you mind sharing where you are going to stop and any trip info or even just some tips? We are thinking about stopping for the night in Birmingham, Al. at the Hyatt.

 

[Disney-Chick]

What's a KM?

It means Kilometers. That is what we use to determine speed not miles as you use.

 

[Disney-Chick]

Dec. 25th we will be leaving for our 4th year driving from Halifax, Nova Scotia. This usually takes around 32 or so hours and we do it in 2 days. This is the first year we will be driving by ourselves as we usually have my daughter, but she is flying with the family. I love driving down, we get to see so much. My DF does all the driving as I sleep, or view the scenary. So im not sure of what route we take.

 

[bd2010]

We will be driving to WDW later this month. Our route will consist of I-81, I-77, I-26, and then I-95. Since I-77 takes us through Charlotte, I was wondering what average traffic conditions are like there throughout the day. I'm estimating that we will be passing through during the afternoon. Are there certain times we should avoid due to rush hour, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[bd2010]

Another question... Since we cannot anticipate when we'll stop for the night, what are some general recommendations for the best hotel chains? I realize there may be some bad apples, but are there hotel chains that are consistently better than others? My only requirement is clean.

Thanks again!

 

[nytimez]

It means Kilometers. That is what we use to determine speed not miles as you use.

The winky face means I was joking.

 

[nytimez]

Here is some info from our recent drive down on 9/24 and return on 10/8

9/24-9/25
10:30am Left Ridley Park, PA
Didn't record PA/DE border time as it was only about 15 minutes
11:05 DE/MD border
12:55 MD/VA border
2:30ish Ate lunch at Spotsylvania Cracker Barrel (approx 40min)
5:35 VA/NC border
7:30 ate dinner at Fayetteville Shoneys (approx 40min)
8:50 NC/SC border
11:45 SC/GA
1:30am Kingsland GA Comfort Inn
9:10 left Kingsland after Waffle House breakfast
9:14 GA/FL border
11:57 Disneyworld

I must've skipped a little ahea -- I saw 8:50 NC/SC border and then 11:57 Disneyworld and I'm thinking, "Wow! This guy drives FAST!"

Ha.

Anyway, nice and detailed notes -- thanks. I always have fun comparing.

 

[shafke]

We will be driving to WDW later this month. Our route will consist of I-81, I-77, I-26, and then I-95. Since I-77 takes us through Charlotte, I was wondering what average traffic conditions are like there throughout the day. I'm estimating that we will be passing through during the afternoon. Are there certain times we should avoid due to rush hour, etc.?

Thanks!

We passed through this area going north on the Friday of Labor weekend at around between 5 and 6 pm. Not the best time of day but we really had no choice. North of Charlotte was the worst part. It took approximately 45 minutes to go 10 miles. The traffic was so bad that we got off the interstate for at least 1/2 of that distance and took back road. Also of note, the traffice was just as bad going southbound into Charlotte. If you are there before rush hour though you should be ok.

 

[blondietink]

I know I have posted this before, but will say it again .... I HATE DRIVING THROUGH CHARLOTTE! It is the worst part of the road to Florida and back. That being said, in August on our way home we drove through charlotte northbound from Chapel Hill starte at about 5:45 pm. We made it to our hotel near Lake Norman in record time! The traffic southbound was another story.

We have found anything south of Statesville through Chapel Hill can be problematic with traffic at any time of day. If you are going southbound, I suggest you try and go though Charlotte after 7 pm if possible. Rush hour will be over by then. We have had good luck with this time. Afternoons are often bad with trucks.

 

[BC1836]

Gettin' ready....

All the best. :

 

[KnightFarms]

We are leaving for a our first road trip with the kids in 1 WEEK!!!!!

Talk about last minute: the roof rack for the car will get delivered on Monday. I'll pick up the cargo box from my sister on either Sunday or Tuesday. I have class Tuesday and Wednesday night and an activity on Thursday night... looks like I have stuff to get done this weekend.

The PLAN: We're leaving Cleveland (down 77) between 8-9am Friday, will pick DSIL just south of Charlotte around 5-6pm-ish, stop over at her house for a few hours to decompress and wear out DD6 and DD4, then back on the road between 8-9pm with kiddos in their pj's, stop for breakfast somewhere cheap, and that will hopefully put us to WDW early, 8ish, and off to the parks. I figure that the 3 of us (all late 20's) can manage to break up the overnight ok. Shhhhhh, but what I'm really hoping is that DH and his sister will drive and I can sleep all night in order to get up with the girls in the morning. Thoughts on the plan?

I don't really have a plan for when we're leaving on Friday. We're not in a rush to get home necessarily... I've been planning the trip and the way there so much that I've kind of ignored the way home.

What everyone's favorite snack while they're on the road?

 

[nytimez]

What everyone's favorite snack while they're on the road?

I actually eat breath mints. I go through packs and packs of them -- but only when I'm on a long road trip. Almost never otherwise.

 

[dvczerfs]

I actually eat breath mints. I go through packs and packs of them -- but only when I'm on a long road trip. Almost never otherwise.

SLIM JIMS!!!!! i take the big one pound bag of mints (winter green) to eat while walking around the parks. i never touch either of them at home. dw and i quiet smoking in 2003 and we stopped together, i was a 3 pack a day,yup, not good. she was about 1/2 pack a day. we stopped in sept. and left for wdw 3 weeks later. i think i ate about 3 pounds of slim jims in the car that trip. now i dont smoke anymore but i have slim jim breath at all the rest stops. next time at a rest stop you see a guy eating a slim jim, its probley me!

 

[nono]

Favorite snacks?

Pep-o-mint Lifesavers, Fireball Jawbreakers. Between these two, I simply can't fall asleep. It's more effective that caffeine for me.

I also bring some Baby Bel cheese (in the wax discs) because it's not messy and cut the weird hunger pangs I'll get out of nowhere during the overnight drive.

We usually also try to bring along some cold cheese pizza in the cooler. For some reason, cold pizza slices along the way just keep us all happy! The kids like it for breakfast.

 

[sharadoc]

Fave Snacks List:

Pretzels, possibly flavored ones like Honey Mustard
Nuts - we like to pick up a can of Stuckey's coated pecans on the way
Granola bars
Pop Tarts
Individual bags of chips, Doritos, Sun Chips or Pringles
Water and Capri Sun
Cooler with:
Peeled hard-boiled eggs, go-gurts, cheese sticks

We bring disposable bowls which can hold almost any snacks neatly.

We usually make a burger and fries or KFC stop along the way, then go out for dinner. We enjoyed a Steak n Shake last time, rather than McDonalds.

I try to avoid anything that could give me heartburn.