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

[matosfam]

As we gear up for our first WDW driving trip I am starting to rethink my original packing plans (due to gas prices) and I was hoping to get some more fabulous advice from you kind folks to help make my decision:

We are a family of 6 staying in an offsite townhouse for two weeks and my budgeting plans for the past few months have included the slow purchase of special snacks, non-perishables, etc to take with us since at home I've had time to coupon and Costco shop. With gas prices at $4 this week I have started wondering if the additional weight in the van is worth the savings. Should I scrap my plan, travel light as possible and just suck it up and go shopping down there? What do you think?


(FYI: We are driving from western PA in a 09 Odyssey, if that effects anyone's opinion...)

TIA!

 

[angwill]

We always just shop when we get there to save on gas. I would not think the light things would add much weight though.

 

[MamaJessie]

As we gear up for our first WDW driving trip I am starting to rethink my original packing plans (due to gas prices) and I was hoping to get some more fabulous advice from you kind folks to help make my decision:

We are a family of 6 staying in an offsite townhouse for two weeks and my budgeting plans for the past few months have included the slow purchase of special snacks, non-perishables, etc to take with us since at home I've had time to coupon and Costco shop. With gas prices at $4 this week I have started wondering if the additional weight in the van is worth the savings. Should I scrap my plan, travel light as possible and just suck it up and go shopping down there? What do you think?


(FYI: We are driving from western PA in a 09 Odyssey, if that effects anyone's opinion...)

TIA!

As a family of six driving down to stay off site, driving a Honda Odyssey, and ALREADY buying perishables a little here and a little there for our September trip, I am very curious to read the answers!

 

[budafam]

We just drove from northeastern Wisconsin last week in a 2000 Dodge Caravan loaded FULL with a double stroller, 4 suitcases, tote full of food, presents & a bigger size mini fridge full of food and ice plus 2 adults & 2 children. It costed us around $470 round trip for gas. Still waaaay cheaper than flying and we had more than enough food for almost all of our meals while there. We paid $4 for gas at one stop. Even at WDW, the gas was $3.89 so it's not that bad.

 

[cruisingkat]

Anyone that just drove down/came back on 24 through TN was there lots of construction? AAA shows construction all the way through TN on 24? We are leaving tomorrow morning.

Thanks

You can check the TN DOT for construction details. We drove home the second week of May and didn't find much. Some of it is done at night. Looking at TDOT map, there is a lot of construction marked along the route but when you hover over the construction icon, a lot of them are for the roads that intersect with the toll road.

 

[IndyDisney]

Hey all -

Just found this thread. DW, DD4 and myself will be driving down in mid July. This will be my first trip driving straight to WDW and back (stayed in Hilton Head for 5 days last year, then headed to WDW for a long weekend). We're located in western PA. We have reservations for 7 nights from Saturday to Saturday. I'm planning on leaving after work (3PMish) on Thursday night and hope to reach Rock Hill, SC 9 or so hours later, leaving about the same for Friday.

Any western PA locals who have a route of choice? I usually go down I-81 to I-77, but might attempt to go I-79, SR-19, I-77 through WV. Google Maps is telling me I hae about an 8 minute difference between the two.

Also, anyone have any suggestions as to where to stop, or is Rock Hill a fair estimate? We've stayed about an hour south of RH on the way back last year, but I'm a bit concerned about going much farther as there is really a "no hotel zone" from Columbia until about Savannah.

Any other input appreciated.

Cheers,
Indy

 

[ekraxa]

IndyDisney - we'll be driving from Pittsburgh in less than 2 weeks.

We're planning on taking the 79-19-77 trip through WV.

I searched this thread and wasn't able to find much about that route but I'll be sure to post here either during or after our trip to let you know how it worked for us.

 

[angelat]

As we gear up for our first WDW driving trip I am starting to rethink my original packing plans (due to gas prices) and I was hoping to get some more fabulous advice from you kind folks to help make my decision:

We are a family of 6 staying in an offsite townhouse for two weeks and my budgeting plans for the past few months have included the slow purchase of special snacks, non-perishables, etc to take with us since at home I've had time to coupon and Costco shop. With gas prices at $4 this week I have started wondering if the additional weight in the van is worth the savings. Should I scrap my plan, travel light as possible and just suck it up and go shopping down there? What do you think?


(FYI: We are driving from western PA in a 09 Odyssey, if that effects anyone's opinion...)

TIA!

I used Gasbuddy.com and used your point of origin as Altoona, PA (figured that was a decent western point to use) and Orlando as the destination. The highest gas price for that trip was 3.77 for regular (it showed that as the preferred gas for an '09 Odyssey.) For 2018 mile trip, the approximate cost of gas was 308.47 R/T.

Gas prices seem to be dropping daily by me and must be the trend elsewhere too from the looks of these prices.

AAA also has a trip gas calculator that you can use.

IMO if you are just planning on packing some light snacks, that shouldn't really matter. Now, if you're planning on taking cases of water and soda and juice, that might be something to reconsider.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Guzzi]

We will be driving 81 (from NY) to 77 to 95 and making a stop for the nite in souther GA. Its gonna be a long first day driving but a short second day drive to the World

 

[loveysbydesign]

I am actually a DVC member as well. So that DEFINATELY works in our favor. We have a couple of duffle bags, so I will have to pull them out in lieu of our "flying luggage"

They have some really cute various sized duffle bags on sale at disneyshopping.com right now! they have different characters too!

 

[dvczerfs]

As we gear up for our first WDW driving trip I am starting to rethink my original packing plans (due to gas prices) and I was hoping to get some more fabulous advice from you kind folks to help make my decision:

We are a family of 6 staying in an offsite townhouse for two weeks and my budgeting plans for the past few months have included the slow purchase of special snacks, non-perishables, etc to take with us since at home I've had time to coupon and Costco shop. With gas prices at $4 this week I have started wondering if the additional weight in the van is worth the savings. Should I scrap my plan, travel light as possible and just suck it up and go shopping down there? What do you think?


(FYI: We are driving from western PA in a 09 Odyssey, if that effects anyone's opinion...)

TIA!

we take the non parishable foods with us from home,coffee,snacks,etc... as far as gas mileage goes with food in the car?unless your taking 500lbs of food with you, i dont think you really will see a big drop in gas mileage. theres alot of things that go into gas miles on a long trip, how you drive,tire press,wind,road conditions,outside temp. on and on. the gas buddies.com things are great to give you an idea but it is just that, an idea. we drive a town and country, with dd along and her bags, i use the same 100 gallons of gas if it was just dw and i. we started taking more food down with us as of late. you get use to a certain product that is sold in your area and you can have a hard time finding it in florida. ie. bread and tasteycakes! so, i wouldnt lose any sleep over how much food you take down if its going to blow your gas budget.

 

[angwill]

You can check the TN DOT for construction details. We drove home the second week of May and didn't find much. Some of it is done at night. Looking at TDOT map, there is a lot of construction marked along the route but when you hover over the construction icon, a lot of them are for the roads that intersect with the toll road.

Thank you. I will check out that website. I am glad to hear it is mostly the intersections rather that what it looks like and that is the whole entire road all the way through. I got this just in time since we are leaving in a half hour.

 

[dvczerfs]

Thank you. I will check out that website. I am glad to hear it is mostly the intersections rather that what it looks like and that is the whole entire road all the way through. I got this just in time since we are leaving in a half hour.

have a good trip!!!!

 

[GoofyTraci]

thanks for the info on gas buddies. we have downloaded the app for free on our phone. thanks!!!

Oh doing the single digit dance today

 

[IndyDisney]

As we gear up for our first WDW driving trip I am starting to rethink my original packing plans (due to gas prices) and I was hoping to get some more fabulous advice from you kind folks to help make my decision:

We are a family of 6 staying in an offsite townhouse for two weeks and my budgeting plans for the past few months have included the slow purchase of special snacks, non-perishables, etc to take with us since at home I've had time to coupon and Costco shop. With gas prices at $4 this week I have started wondering if the additional weight in the van is worth the savings. Should I scrap my plan, travel light as possible and just suck it up and go shopping down there? What do you think?


(FYI: We are driving from western PA in a 09 Odyssey, if that effects anyone's opinion...)

TIA!

If you're driving from western PA (as I am) you're looking at around 2500 miles or so round trip. I'm guessing your Odyssey gets somewhere around 21 mpg. Even if you account for a 2 mpg efficiency drop (which is pretty generous), you're still only using 132 gal of gas. At $4.00/gal you'd be spending around $530 on gas. You'd use 120 gal if you got 21 mpg at a total cost of $488. It'd be a saving of $42 dollars if the above math is correct. Frankly, if you're only adding another 40 lbs. of groceries, your fuel efficiency shouldn't drop by what was calculated above. You'd be better off driving at 60 mph, which is where most cars get their optimum fuel efficiency. Plus you have to look at the fact that you'd be taking a couple hours out of your schedule to go to the grocer, to which you'd have to drive.

Moral of the story is - don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll save more buying at home.

Cheers,
Indy

Edit: After realizing you'd only be taking the food half way, you're looking at a savings of, for argument's sake, $20 in fuel costs. Pack away.

-ID

 

[IndyDisney]

IndyDisney - we'll be driving from Pittsburgh in less than 2 weeks.

We're planning on taking the 79-19-77 trip through WV.

I searched this thread and wasn't able to find much about that route but I'll be sure to post here either during or after our trip to let you know how it worked for us.

I have a feeling that, for us, it's 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another. We're about an hourish northeast of Pittsburgh. I don't get onto 79 until Morgantown, which is like 2 1/2 hours away. I've come home this way and for some reason it just seems as if the last 3 hours take longer. I can be on 81 in 3-ish hours. But the Google Maps don't lie, right?

Cheers,
Indy

 

[ospopo5]

Travelers on I-80 around Chicago... If you are driving down and getting on 57 or heading over to 65 keep in mind there is constuction going on. I live right off I-80 and 355 and it is terrible during the rush periods and through the afternoon around the 355 and 80 interchange. Keep this in mind for any driving to Disney or anyone using I-80 in their driving route. I have a link below to information from IDOT.

http://www.dot.state.il.us/I80/index.html

 

[DSLRuser]

Even 500 pounds wouldn't change gas mileage to anything noticeable. Now putting a cargo carrier on the roof. That kills 3-5 mpg.

To save on gas....make sure your tires are 5 psi higher than normal on all 4 corners. Change the oil before you go. Is the air filter clean? Wash and wax the car. yes, a clean car gets better gas mileage than a dirty one.

Just be smooth when driving.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Okay less than 72 hours and we leave

Of course due to a couple of unforseen trips to Doctors and ERs (everyone is fine, I'm being overly cautious because of the trip, one twisted ankle (DP) and one nasty cut on a toe (DS)) so I am behind schedule on packing and getting the car cleaned out.

We are probably going to leave a little later than originally planned. Our new estimated time of departure is about noon from a place aoubt 10 miles north and west of our house (having to do with want to support family in a new business venture before hitting the road), but close to 390 which feeds to 15.
So we may set down in Hargerstown Friday, it'll all depend on traffic and weather.

I'll post when we finailly get out of town on Friday. Safe travels to all setting out in the next few days.

 

[dvczerfs]

Okay less than 72 hours and we leave

Of course due to a couple of unforseen trips to Doctors and ERs (everyone is fine, I'm being overly cautious because of the trip, one twisted ankle (DP) and one nasty cut on a toe (DS)) so I am behind schedule on packing and getting the car cleaned out.

We are probably going to leave a little later than originally planned. Our new estimated time of departure is about noon from a place aoubt 10 miles north and west of our house (having to do with want to support family in a new business venture before hitting the road), but close to 390 which feeds to 15.
So we may set down in Hargerstown Friday, it'll all depend on traffic and weather.

I'll post when we finailly get out of town on Friday. Safe travels to all setting out in the next few days.

have a safe trip.