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

[Lewisc]

DIS has a list of exits and what's available at the exit.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Transportation/G-I95.htm

This list is from 2006 and still lists circuit city. Does anyone know of a similar list, that's more current and is printable? Having the passenger glance at a piece of paper may be faster then checking the GPS for POI.

 

[sharadoc]

We just acquired a new vehicle a few weeks ago and we're wondering where we can go to take it on an initial long drive. Hmm.

We acquired our vehicle last year BECAUSE of the driving to Disney World! Did that cross your mind at all??????

91 hours ... tick tick tick

 

[sharadoc]

DIS has a list of exits and what's available at the exit.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Transportation/G-I95.htm

This list is from 2006 and still lists circuit city. Does anyone know of a similar list, that's more current and is printable? Having the passenger glance at a piece of paper may be faster then checking the GPS for POI.

We bought the Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia book. It's not totally current, but it lists gas stations, even if they changed names and most major restaurants. We use it mainly for timing and location of rest areas for potty breaks!

I haven't found anything that is easily printed. There is a website called i95exitguide.com and that is very comprehensive. I guess you could go through it and create your own lists.

 

[BC1836]

We acquired our vehicle last year BECAUSE of the driving to Disney World! Did that cross your mind at all??????

Absolutely!
See ya soon.

All the best.

 

[vicceja]

Ok, the countdown begins and I am a little nervous. I'm headed out on Dec 20th to reach Orlando on the 22nd. My plans are to leave Norwalk, CT around 7pm and stop at Jacksonville, Fl (Marriott) for dinner and rest. Im travelling alone with 3 boys (14, 12, & 9 ). This is our first road trip to Florida so i'm relying on my GPS to get us there safely. Do you think these plans are realistic? Any thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated

 

[SFD998]

Ok, the countdown begins and I am a little nervous. I'm headed out on Dec 20th to reach Orlando on the 22nd. My plans are to leave Norwalk, CT around 7pm and stop at Jacksonville, Fl (Marriott) for dinner and rest. Im travelling alone with 3 boys (14, 12, & 9 ). This is our first road trip to Florida so i'm relying on my GPS to get us there safely. Do you think these plans are realistic? Any thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated

Unfortunately, I don't think they are realistic. I have made the trip three times from Beacon Falls, CT (# 4 in April) and although Norwalk is 45 minutes closer to WDW than I am it isn't close enough to make it that far alone. We leave around 4 A.M. and stop in Florence, S.C. It generally takes between 12-14 hrs. We have done the trip non stop and have stopped. Non stop is brutal even swapping drivers. I have driven it without the benefit of having my wife to swap with because of a surgery prior to the trip. 12-14 hours is about the max I could take. We have 2 boys so the number of necessary stops is about the same as you. Jacksonville is only about 3 hours to WDW putting you at close to 20 hours of driving. That time includes stopping for gas, food, traffic, etc.

As far as ideas if you don't have an EZ pass get one. The time you will save at the end of the Jersey Turnpike is worth it. Our first trip we lost 40 minutes there alone. We have GPS as well and you should be fine. The route is pretty straight forward. If you have AAA or know some one who does ask them to go into the local office and get directions for the trip. My inlaws are members and they got it for us. It comes with page by page directions with highlighted maps as well as maps of the states you will be passing through. We have used it every time along with the GPS. Pack what you can snack wise and if you don't have a travel style (slips over the head rests) DVD player you may want to think about getting one. We bought one the first trip and it keeps the kids occupied nicely. You may be able to get a good price this week with the cyber Monday specials. If you have any other questions just P.M. me.

Good Luck

 

[honeymo78]

In less than 24 hours we will be heading out for our second drive. It will be my brother's first time actually "driving" down and my mom will be reminded of the family drives from the 80s and 90s. I'm looking forward to sharing the drive with a few more people.

Now if only I didn't have a billion things to do at work tomorrow before I have to leave the office at 12:30....

 

[dvczerfs]

We acquired our vehicle last year BECAUSE of the driving to Disney World! Did that cross your mind at all??????

91 hours ... tick tick tick

bc and sharadoc, were here!!!! no traffic, had some rain in va and s.carolina. its 80 and sunny today!!!

 

[sharadoc]

bc and sharadoc, were here!!!! no traffic, had some rain in va and s.carolina. its 80 and sunny today!!!

Awesome. I was scared you'd hit the bad part of the rainstorm but you got through before it hit!

We should be packing the car tonight (if all goes according to plan)

Looking forward to the first lager at the Big River Grille (DH's NEW tradition )

 

[diseverestfan]

Awesome. I was scared you'd hit the bad part of the rainstorm but you got through before it hit!

We should be packing the car tonight (if all goes according to plan)

Looking forward to the first lager at the Big River Grille (DH's NEW tradition )

And the countdown continues for us as well...just over 45 hours until departure. We should be eating at Beaches and Cream by this time Saturday afternoon.

 

[dvczerfs]

Awesome. I was scared you'd hit the bad part of the rainstorm but you got through before it hit!

We should be packing the car tonight (if all goes according to plan)

Looking forward to the first lager at the Big River Grille (DH's NEW tradition )

its a bit chilli down here. but, its still warmer than pa. sun was out all day today.

 

[BC1836]

its a bit chilli down here. but, its still warmer than pa. sun was out all day today.

Save us some Fast Passes for Buzz Lightyear!

All the best.

 

[sharadoc]

its a bit chilli down here. but, its still warmer than pa. sun was out all day today.

We are packing so many clothes - we're going to fill up the van with sweatshirts. This time we're ready for the chill - gloves, scarves, hats and earmuffs, plus multiple sweats that we can layer!

Heading into the 24 hour panic! Leaving from work tomorrow at 11 and don't feel ready. Bags are packed, food is packed, decorations are packed, but the little things are still scattered around the house.

Gas went up to $2.95-9 today, too.

 

[vicceja]

SHARADOC - Have a safe trip! We'll be making the drive for the first time from Norwalk!
Cheers!
BTW - gas in Connecticut is $3.29

 

[vicceja]

SFD998 - thank you so much for all the wonderful information I will definately post updates on our first drive to Disney

 

[sharadoc]

SHARADOC - Have a safe trip! We'll be making the drive for the first time from Norwalk!
Cheers!
BTW - gas in Connecticut is $3.29

Thanks! Still cheaper than flying, at least!! Have a safe trip!!

 

[dvczerfs]

We are packing so many clothes - we're going to fill up the van with sweatshirts. This time we're ready for the chill - gloves, scarves, hats and earmuffs, plus multiple sweats that we can layer!

Heading into the 24 hour panic! Leaving from work tomorrow at 11 and don't feel ready. Bags are packed, food is packed, decorations are packed, but the little things are still scattered around the house.

Gas went up to $2.95-9 today, too.

watching the weather, its not gonna get any warmer anytime soon. next week is getting colder. i had jeans, shirt, swt. shirt and a wind breaker on today and it was about 40 when we got into mk at 8am.on the news this morning walmart and target sold out of gloves and hats. gas wass anywere from 2.85 to 2.95 on tuesday. leave your shorts at home. the good news is, theres not a drop of rain anywere to be had.

 

[dvczerfs]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2348146&page=44

BC AND SHARADOC i met up with another dis dad on tuesday night at the grand flor. i posted the pic on the dis. its about half way down the page of this link. im the guy on the left.

 

[dvczerfs]

Save us some Fast Passes for Buzz Lightyear!

All the best.

10am this morning,stand by was about 10 min.

 

[dcv2002]

Ok, the countdown begins and I am a little nervous. I'm headed out on Dec 20th to reach Orlando on the 22nd. My plans are to leave Norwalk, CT around 7pm and stop at Jacksonville, Fl (Marriott) for dinner and rest. Im travelling alone with 3 boys (14, 12, & 9 ). This is our first road trip to Florida so i'm relying on my GPS to get us there safely. Do you think these plans are realistic? Any thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated

Norwalk, CT to Jacksonville, FL is 981 miles. In best traffic conditions that will take you 14.5 hours. You wouldn't arrive in Jacksonville until 930am the next day. You might hit some AM commuting traffic on I-95. And that is with optimal traffic conditions. Its only 1142 miles to Disney World from Norwalk. I would agree with others to split up the trip earlier somewhere in southern N.C. or S.C. or try to leave a little earlier, but that will put you smack dab in the middle of New York rush hour....

I left middle Long Island on a Friday pm @ 515pm. It took me 2 hours to get off of Long Island, but I was able to go about 500 miles in 7.5 hours after that.

Do you have a smartphone (like an iPhone) also? That can also help with navigation. And please before you leave become familiar with the route. Look at www_bing_com/maps (I can't post links yet) if you want to get a good idea of the roads you'll travel on. The traffic you might encounter, etc. It helped me alot avoid the nightmare that the NJ Turnpike can become...