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

[SFD998]

If you take more than one 2,000+ mile round-trip drive to WDW, consider keeping a travel log of departure-from-home times, crossing-state-border times, gas and tolls, etc. Then you can compare and contrast with future trips. You can find out if certain days and times are better to travel, how efficient you are going from state border to state border, etc. And it's something to do.

Our travel log for our 22nd drive since 2002 is ready to be filled in.

All the best.

I have driven non stop 4 times. I found myself keeping track of the mileage for each hour and comparing 4 hour blocks. Just to give my mind something to focus on. This is why we stop overnight now. 24 days to go!

I like the idea of keeping a log, but when you realize you are making bad time I think it drains your motivation.

 

[dvczerfs]

If you take more than one 2,000+ mile round-trip drive to WDW, consider keeping a travel log of departure-from-home times, crossing-state-border times, gas and tolls, etc. Then you can compare and contrast with future trips. You can find out if certain days and times are better to travel, how efficient you are going from state border to state border, etc. And it's something to do.

Our travel log for our 22nd drive since 2002 is ready to be filled in.

All the best.

home to masion dixon = 2 1/2 hours
home to warrenton va = 3 1/2 hours
home to s. of the boarder = 9 1/2 hours
home to fl. stste line = 14 1/2 hours
exit 67 = priceless!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mehbMnHWac

 

[minnie mum]

So I talked DH into visiting WDW the end of Sept. since our plans to go to Japan have to be put on hold. The only caveat is that we have to drive (he loves that, me not so much). We live east of Toronto, so are looking at going thru Syracuse, then down the 77/81 etc. The last time we drove was last January, so took 3 days (neither of us like driving strange highways in the dark). This time we think we'll try to do it in 2, arriving near Orlando on the 2nd evening and staying off site that night, head to CSR early the next morning.
Looks like that would put us near Roanoke on the evening of the first day. Anyone have tips on decent,safe hotels near the interstate in that area? Nothing elaborate-along the lines of a Holiday Inn Express would be fine.
I appreciate any advice.

 

[sharadoc]

So, we think we have our act pretty down pat. We know where we're going, any side roads, etc. and are really comfortable with our 16-17 hour drive. We have preferred exits for hotels, restaurants, and distances between that we prefer. We know all the state rest areas and which ones are comfortable for picnics, or just bathrooms, etc. (and free OJ).

But we realized we have no idea what truck stops, roadside gas stations or fast food joints we stop at. We just randomly decide to stop.

Is that typical or do you folks stop at the same places every time?

 

[BC1836]

So, we think we have our act pretty down pat. We know where we're going, any side roads, etc. and are really comfortable with our 16-17 hour drive. We have preferred exits for hotels, restaurants, and distances between that we prefer. We know all the state rest areas and which ones are comfortable for picnics, or just bathrooms, etc. (and free OJ).

But we realized we have no idea what truck stops, roadside gas stations or fast food joints we stop at. We just randomly decide to stop.

Is that typical or do you folks stop at the same places every time?

We are quite similar in our approach to the long drive to and from WDW.

All the best.

 

[C&G'sMama]

So, we think we have our act pretty down pat. We know where we're going, any side roads, etc. and are really comfortable with our 16-17 hour drive. We have preferred exits for hotels, restaurants, and distances between that we prefer. We know all the state rest areas and which ones are comfortable for picnics, or just bathrooms, etc. (and free OJ).

But we realized we have no idea what truck stops, roadside gas stations or fast food joints we stop at. We just randomly decide to stop.

Is that typical or do you folks stop at the same places every time?

No we're pretty much the same. Our only must do every trip is Dairy Queen. We don't have them up here so that's one of distractions/treats every trip. So stops just depend on where everyone's at.

We have made a list of favorite hotels over the years but it just depends on the trip. Did we get stopped on 81 for over an hour because a tractor trailer jack-knived (thank goodness we had just stopped for food and a bathroom break. We were stopped on 81. I got out of the car and got new toys out of the surprise bag for the kids. So that time we didn't get nearly as far as we would've liked. I think that was the same trip where a young college student spun out in front of us on 15. He was fine and we were fine. I believe we averaged something like 45 miles per hour on the day, maybe.

Is it spring or winter? We don't like driving in the dark so in the spring we get farther in a day.

Do I really want to make it to Hagerstown for my favorite eggplant parm?


Have we made plans to stop and see anyone on the way? Did we decide to stay at the parks on our last day?


Another reason I love driving. We have so much flexibility.

 

[pit303]

So, we think we have our act pretty down pat. We know where we're going, any side roads, etc. and are really comfortable with our 16-17 hour drive. We have preferred exits for hotels, restaurants, and distances between that we prefer. We know all the state rest areas and which ones are comfortable for picnics, or just bathrooms, etc. (and free OJ).

But we realized we have no idea what truck stops, roadside gas stations or fast food joints we stop at. We just randomly decide to stop.

Is that typical or do you folks stop at the same places every time?

Please share we are leaving Sunday late PM from Upper Chichester, PA 5 minutes from DE state line we are driving straight thru but would love to know where the safe state rest areas are located. Last time we did this trip was 96. Any advice would be great! And thank you in advance.

 

[cruisingkat]

Now that I355 is open to I80 is that the fastest way? For the longest time we always took Rt. 47 to I74 and over to I57 but that was before I355 went all the way down to 80. EVERYONE seems convinced that 47 is the fastest way even though it's a 2-lane highway most of the time but there is hardly any traffic once you get out of the big towns -- lots of corn & beans though. Can you tell I don't particularly like the Rt. 47 way but we do stop at the Gibson City McDonald's every trip, I wonder if the kids would miss it if we don't do that?

That is the way we used to go to Champaign-Urban -southwest on I55 to Dwight and Rt 47 - even though it was out of our way - it was actually faster than going 55 to 294 to 57 (the way we had to go prior to I355 and the extension). We live off of I355 and just north of I55. So for us it is much faster going 355 to 80 to 57.

 

[bookwormde]

great idea for keeping and sharing trip logs. 100 days out and have added it to my list of "to do" items.

bookwormde

 

[pwdebbie]

Do I really want to make it to Hagerstown for my favorite eggplant parm?

Ok, this is my neck of the woods and I have to ask, where do they serve eggplant parmesan that is good enough to warrant a stop on the way to WDW?

 

[C&G'sMama]

Ok, this is my neck of the woods and I have to ask, where do they serve eggplant parmesan that is good enough to warrant a stop on the way to WDW?

I can't remember the name of the place. But I'll look for it later. It's sliced long ways and its thin. It's not real mushy like some parms. It reminds me a lot of a joint we used to have here that made it. Sadly the place here closed a few years ago.

 

[irish dancer]

That is the way we used to go to Champaign-Urban -southwest on I55 to Dwight and Rt 47 - even though it was out of our way - it was actually faster than going 55 to 294 to 57 (the way we had to go prior to I355 and the extension). We live off of I355 and just north of I55. So for us it is much faster going 355 to 80 to 57.

I think we're going to go the 294-80-57 route, we are only 1mi from 294 so that would be easier for us than going west to 355.

 

[Becky2005]

That is the way we used to go to Champaign-Urban -southwest on I55 to Dwight and Rt 47 - even though it was out of our way - it was actually faster than going 55 to 294 to 57 (the way we had to go prior to I355 and the extension). We live off of I355 and just north of I55. So for us it is much faster going 355 to 80 to 57.

I was looking on Mapquest this morning and it looks like the Rt. 47 way is still the best for us. Seems if I did the I355 way it would actually take us OUT of our way more than just hopping on Rt. 47 and doing the traditional drive. I guess I'm stuck with it. At least this year I won't get lost in a cornfield at midnight on the way home! I have a GPS! Plus we actually found a bit shorter way to get to Rt. 47 than previously with some roads that have been expanded (probably been that way for eons now but still seem "new" to me!).

 

[dvczerfs]

So, we think we have our act pretty down pat. We know where we're going, any side roads, etc. and are really comfortable with our 16-17 hour drive. We have preferred exits for hotels, restaurants, and distances between that we prefer. We know all the state rest areas and which ones are comfortable for picnics, or just bathrooms, etc. (and free OJ).

But we realized we have no idea what truck stops, roadside gas stations or fast food joints we stop at. We just randomly decide to stop.

Is that typical or do you folks stop at the same places every time?

we hit the same welcoming centers and thats about it. the first gas stop is always the same but after that, we play it by ear. we dont realy stop to eat so we eat what we have in the van and we hold it till the welcoming centers. we may hit a drive thru if we feel like it but were hard core drivers, we stop as little as pos.

 

[BC1836]

we hit the same welcoming centers and thats about it. the first gas stop is always the same but after that, we play it by ear. we dont realy stop to eat so we eat what we have in the van and we hold it till the welcoming centers. we may hit a drive thru if we feel like it but were hard core drivers, we stop as little as pos.

Same basic approach for us.
We depart with a full tank and fill up again in VA. After that, the same as you: bathroom and gas stops only. A cooler with drinks and bags of pre-made sandwiches and snacks do the job.

And we expect to activate that plan shortly.

All the best.

 

[Becky2005]

So, we think we have our act pretty down pat. We know where we're going, any side roads, etc. and are really comfortable with our 16-17 hour drive. We have preferred exits for hotels, restaurants, and distances between that we prefer. We know all the state rest areas and which ones are comfortable for picnics, or just bathrooms, etc. (and free OJ).

But we realized we have no idea what truck stops, roadside gas stations or fast food joints we stop at. We just randomly decide to stop.

Is that typical or do you folks stop at the same places every time?

We do pretty much randomly stop...we have a couple stops that we usually make mostly in the beginning but other than that it's totally random. Usually when the gas tank is to about 1/2 way we know it's time to fill up, stretch, etc... and if it's lunch time we try to find a nice rest stop with picnic area type thing. We don't usually eat dinner until we get to the hotel. We do snack in the van though.

 

[dvczerfs]

we hit the road in just 85 days. this trip, we are staying at the contemp. w/the magic kingdom view. between now and than,our dd will be graduating from high school and finishing up her 15 years of dance. she does jazz,tap,ballet and lyrical. 5 days before we leave, at the last dance recital,she does her senior solo. its gona take eveything i have not to be a blubbering baby infront of 1100 people. i found this song today through the disdads, im glad shes not doing this song, i wouldnt make it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrWMBC6yoME

 

[mousebymarriage]

Same basic approach for us.
We depart with a full tank and fill up again in VA. After that, the same as you: bathroom and gas stops only. A cooler with drinks and bags of pre-made sandwiches and snacks do the job.

And we expect to activate that plan shortly.

All the best.

sounds like us!
With the kids getting older the long car trips are easier and we no longer have to stop for extended periods of time because the kids are restless and cranky. We will sometimes stop for a sit down meal at Cracker Barrell and sometimes it's just eating what we've brought and hitting a drive thru for a hot "meal". My one rule for driving down is when we stop for gas or a bathroom stop, everybody goes. We are heading down again in June for DS's 10th birthday and we have already told the kids that we are probably stictly doing the drive thru thing and not wasting time at a sit down restaurant.

 

[Suzanne033]

Hello all!!! We are making the trek from Northern Indiana (2,200 mile RT) this June. The trip down will be broken up by an overnight stop in Louisville to pick up DH who will already be down there for a conference. We hadn't schedule any breaks for the way back but I am thinking we are going to need one. Any suggestion?? Possibly Northern Georgia or Southern Tennesee??

 

[sharadoc]

Please share we are leaving Sunday late PM from Upper Chichester, PA 5 minutes from DE state line we are driving straight thru but would love to know where the safe state rest areas are located. Last time we did this trip was 96. Any advice would be great! And thank you in advance.

Hi. Basically from VA on down, there are nice state rest stops. I don't think we've ever hit a bad one. Once you hit SC, they start to thin out and Georgia only has 1 or 2.

We always try to hit a rest stop instead of truck stop/McDonald's because we don't want to buy junk food, which the kids will invariably want.

If you don't have one already, try to find a I-95 Exit Guide. Ours has the list of everything at every exit, and lists rest stops so you can plan ahead. Plus it's a nice way to follow along on the trip. Ours never leaves the van. We write notes in it if we find something good or bad at that exit, or when we switch drivers or get gas.

Are you going down 202 to 95, or cutting across to the Blue Route? From where we are, 202 is the best way for us to go. On our next trip, we may head out west first through Lancaster and do the 81-77 route, but we prefer the familiarity of 95.