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

[sharadoc]

That is too funny, but that is one of our favourite routes. See google tells us its faster to go via 15. We are driving through the nite next time so I don't know which one would be better. Plus how are they for snow plowing?? We were in Virginia last year at this time and roads were not done and everyone is in a panic.

The worst driving experience ever! Do you remember driving on 95 and suddenly the lane ended because they decided NOT to plow every lane? We couldn't even turn into a rest stop, unless we were willing to stop dead in the right lane and make a hard right into the rest area. Virginia CAN'T handle the snow!!!

We are going to try November this year. We are done with the snow threat for our trips, and we usually LOVE January/February. But now that we've experienced Christmas, we want to see it again. November will hopefully be snow free!!!

 

[PrincessMom4]

I find PA (no offence) and SC or NC (can't remember which one of the 2) that always has slowed us down. Our first trip we came from New York state and once we hit PA it was stopped and go for 2hrs. I think turtles were crawling by us and laughing. What takes us less than 4 hrs (tops- we try to make NO stops in PA) and get out of there fast...lol. took us 6.5 hrs going the same (and only as far as we are concerned) route. Maryland is a quick blink for us. I will be packing our van in a few weeks.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks! I was thinking about 6 - 7 hours and trying to decide if I should plan to add a day to our tickets for Saturday night or if we would get in too late. I think I may go ahead and add the day. The difference between the 7 day and the 8 day ticket in pretty small and it might be nice to go into one of the parks for just a couple hours that first night. I like the idea of a hot dog from Casey's and the parade. It sounds like a nice way to unwind after 2 days in the car!

 

[dvczerfs]

I find PA (no offence) and SC or NC (can't remember which one of the 2) that always has slowed us down. Our first trip we came from New York state and once we hit PA it was stopped and go for 2hrs. I think turtles were crawling by us and laughing. What takes us less than 4 hrs (tops- we try to make NO stops in PA) and get out of there fast...lol. took us 6.5 hrs going the same (and only as far as we are concerned) route. Maryland is a quick blink for us. I will be packing our van in a few weeks.

we drive 16 1/2 hours and if we are going to get stuck in traffic, its going to be on i78 in the lehigh valley in pa. as far as plowing goes, 17 is a four lane rt as you know and as long as you dont hit it in a blizzard, you'll be ok. they are use to alot of snow in that area. now, it starts snowing in s.carolina, than you may have a problem. we always watch the weather forcast, we wont leave in the middle of a storm. we leave the day before or after to miss the storms in both directions. heck, ill leave early to go down to beat out a rain storm.

 

[ThreeKMom]

Still not sure if we will drive or fly in August. Airfare for 5 people gets expensive - does anyone think the price of gas will increase dramatically by August?

If gas hits $4.00 a gallon it may be cheaper to fly!
What do you think?

 

[kteesmumma]

I hope not...that would make me rethink driving as well.

 

[PrincessMom4]

For our family of 6 it could cost us (the cheapest) $1800 for just the flight versus $600 for gas (and that is padding the amount just incase). We drive a van that is almost 10yrs old and is NOT fuel efficient at all.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I still think for a family of 5 it will be less to drive. (I was hopeful it would be close) I used the AAA fuel calculator filling in our suburban. 1000 miles each way total gallons = 152.46)
http://fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com/

At $3.04 per gallon it tells me it is $457.98 For $4.00 per gallon it goes up to $609.84. Only another 151.86. I can't get air for 5 from StL to MCO even for the $609.

 

[chepic]

Southwest now has May flights at $89 each way from RI to Orlando....no driving for us this time!!!!! Totally lucked out!

cheryl

 

[kteesmumma]

I know..I am sitting here debating on just flying now that we can get roundtrip tickets for 4 of us for just 707.00

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I do not like to drive! At $707 I would be booking that flight!

Chepic You did luck out! Congrats!

Even booking non direct and not great times this year the best right now for us is $1765 (for 5). No way even I can justify that!

 

[chepic]

I do not like to drive! At $707 I would be booking that flight!

Chepic You did luck out! Congrats!

Even booking non direct and not great times this year the best right now for us is $1765 (for 5). No way even I can justify that!

Well, that's me. Since our 2nd son came along, we have driven each time to save the money...but with the price I got, it will be much better.

che

 

[blondietink]

Just for the heck of it, I checked flights for our upcoming april trip (not around Easter). OMG! I can't believe how much airfare has gone up. Cheapest is Southwest, again, at $1717.00 for the 4 of us. I could do 3 round trips @ 2800 miles each for that price. Even if gas goes to $5.00 a gallon, I could still do 3 round trips. Driving is the only way fo us to go, unless we win the lottery or otherwise become wealthy.

 

[dvczerfs]

Still not sure if we will drive or fly in August. Airfare for 5 people gets expensive - does anyone think the price of gas will increase dramatically by August?

If gas hits $4.00 a gallon it may be cheaper to fly!
What do you think?

those 757 dont fly on love. if the price of gas is high, jp5 isnt any cheeper. the airlines are reupping there fuel contracts and there are higher. the days of 2 dollar gas is gone and so is the 55 dollar airfares.

 

[ThreeKMom]

Just checked Jet blue out of Newark NJ, 5 people end of August - $1587!

Thats not too bad. We will need to figure gas, hotel for one night each way and food for the travel days. Still unsure, partly because we are uncertain if our oldest DD can actually go, if we fly and need to book air fare soon we may lose the cost of her ticket if she can't travel with us! (another reason to drive!)

 

[nytimez]

Just checked Jet blue out of Newark NJ, 5 people end of August - $1587!

Thats not too bad.

Crazy talk! Or maybe we just have different definitions of "not too bad!"

 

[sharadoc]

We fell to the second page again!

We're trying to decide when to go home on our June trip. We'll probably drive 2 days home if we don't get out of Disney really early (some people on here leave at 3 AM!!) What kind of traffic do you hit on 95 Northbound on Saturdays? We'll be driving on July 4th weekend, most likely hitting VA around noon.

Or should we go the 77-81 way (Dave - of course I know you'll say yes!)

We're scheduled to come home on 6/30, but we're thinking - why not stay another day or two if we can, rather than hang out at home for 4 days over the July 4th weekend. We could leave Friday or Saturday and still have some recovery time at home.

Opinions???

 

[disneyfan55]

We fell to the second page again!

We're trying to decide when to go home on our June trip. We'll probably drive 2 days home if we don't get out of Disney really early (some people on here leave at 3 AM!!) What kind of traffic do you hit on 95 Northbound on Saturdays? We'll be driving on July 4th weekend, most likely hitting VA around noon.

Or should we go the 77-81 way (Dave - of course I know you'll say yes!)

We're scheduled to come home on 6/30, but we're thinking - why not stay another day or two if we can, rather than hang out at home for 4 days over the July 4th weekend. We could leave Friday or Saturday and still have some recovery time at home.

Opinions???

If you come home the middle of the 4th of July weekend my guess is not that bad. We don't drive straight through anymore but drive to the Savannah area and the next day drive home to NJ. I, too like the 81 route better but a little longer for me. I only drive that when we are going to visit relatives near Atlanta on the way. I would just stay and drive the weekend. Just what I would do.

 

[BC1836]

We fell to the second page again!

We're trying to decide when to go home on our June trip. We'll probably drive 2 days home if we don't get out of Disney really early (some people on here leave at 3 AM!!) What kind of traffic do you hit on 95 Northbound on Saturdays? We'll be driving on July 4th weekend, most likely hitting VA around noon.

Yikes! So busy with the book (strong Disney association)...haven't had time to make contact with this thread.

However, we depart around 9 a.m. when leaving WDW. Our goal is to make it to Petersburg, Va (Emporia, VA, just over the border, is another objective). However, throw out all variables when driving on the 4th of July weekend. Driving on I-95 in VA at that time doesn't seem to be pleasant.

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

We fell to the second page again!

We're trying to decide when to go home on our June trip. We'll probably drive 2 days home if we don't get out of Disney really early (some people on here leave at 3 AM!!) What kind of traffic do you hit on 95 Northbound on Saturdays? We'll be driving on July 4th weekend, most likely hitting VA around noon.

Or should we go the 77-81 way (Dave - of course I know you'll say yes!)

We're scheduled to come home on 6/30, but we're thinking - why not stay another day or two if we can, rather than hang out at home for 4 days over the July 4th weekend. We could leave Friday or Saturday and still have some recovery time at home.

Opinions???

uhmmm, i leave at 3:30am to come home so i know your not talking about me.leaving at 3am is just way to early. i think for you, going 77-81 is a bit out of your way. my guess sharon, the 2nd or the 3rd you should be ok. friday night,sat. morning and monday would be the heaviest travel times. most people are at were they are going friday night,sat. morning. im looking forward to going 81-77, i havnt been that way in since 1996.