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

[dvczerfs]

i95/495 before the draw bridge is closed. the interstate is flooded.

 

[disneymarie]

parts of the turn pike are closed also. are you near wapwallopen by any chance?????

I-80 in Columbia NOW OPEN, also the I-81 exit areas NOW OPEN.
Few miles north of the I-81 and I-80 intersection. At Rt 309 area.
Not far from Wapwallopen, few miles east. The little Wap creek overflowed flooding our roadways the night before last. It runs along side our land, the mountain is behind me. It runs to the West towards the big Wap, down into the Susquehanna River.
Looks like the river may be going to crest soon. The flood gates had gasgets leaking and they needed to bring in trucks of dirt, sand and put a payloader up against the flood gate.
There is so much damage along the River, streams and creeks in towns along the entire route.

 

[honeymo78]

It was crazy today - parts of 76 (non-turnpike portion) were completely closed this morning and this evening there were lane closures on 76 due to mudslide clean up. Praying for good weather in 2 weeks.

In other driving related news, on the cruise board I saw a post about i95N bridge construction around Santee, SC. They are repairing a bridge there will be lane closures 24/7 from mid Sept through early Nov. http://www.wrdw.com/traffic/headlin...stion_this_month_on_I-95_in_SC_129149768.html

Sorry if this is old news but it was definitely new to me and will affect us on our drive home on Sat 10/1.

 

[dvczerfs]

I-80 in Columbia NOW OPEN, also the I-81 exit areas NOW OPEN.
Few miles north of the I-81 and I-80 intersection. At Rt 309 area.
Not far from Wapwallopen, few miles east. The little Wap creek overflowed flooding our roadways the night before last. It runs along side our land, the mountain is behind me. It runs to the West towards the big Wap, down into the Susquehanna River.
Looks like the river may be going to crest soon. The flood gates had gasgets leaking and they needed to bring in trucks of dirt, sand and put a payloader up against the flood gate.
There is so much damage along the River, streams and creeks in towns along the entire route.

we use to have a camper at moyers grove campground. we camped every weekend summer winter spring fall from 1995 till 2006. do you know were moyers is?

It was crazy today - parts of 76 (non-turnpike portion) were completely closed this morning and this evening there were lane closures on 76 due to mudslide clean up. Praying for good weather in 2 weeks.

In other driving related news, on the cruise board I saw a post about i95N bridge construction around Santee, SC. They are repairing a bridge there will be lane closures 24/7 from mid Sept through early Nov. http://www.wrdw.com/traffic/headlin...stion_this_month_on_I-95_in_SC_129149768.html

Sorry if this is old news but it was definitely new to me and will affect us on our drive home on Sat 10/1.

thanks for the info. we leave okw at 3am so i hit that area in the morning yet so hopefully its not to bad and if it is, the old garmin will kick in.

 

[disneymarie]

we use to have a camper at moyers grove campground. we camped every weekend summer winter spring fall from 1995 till 2006. do you know were moyers is?

Grew up summers there in the early 70's, as a local law enforcement we assisted with any needs at the campground. Not law wise, but medical mostly. I worked nearby borough. During that time a coworker had his camper there seasonal. He was the Chief of the next township. My RV needs work, but I wanted to get down this summer to take the grandson.

 

[MamaJessie]

It was crazy today - parts of 76 (non-turnpike portion) were completely closed this morning and this evening there were lane closures on 76 due to mudslide clean up. Praying for good weather in 2 weeks.

In other driving related news, on the cruise board I saw a post about i95N bridge construction around Santee, SC. They are repairing a bridge there will be lane closures 24/7 from mid Sept through early Nov. http://www.wrdw.com/traffic/headlin...stion_this_month_on_I-95_in_SC_129149768.html

Sorry if this is old news but it was definitely new to me and will affect us on our drive home on Sat 10/1.

We usually hit South Carolina in the middle of the night on the way down but this article only mentions northbound so I guess it will only affect us on the way home, on a Saturday afternoon. Yuck. I'll bring my atlas (yeeah I kick it old school) in case it is bad. I'll talk to DH about this too in case he has any ideas, cause on the ride home it will be his shift. Thanks for the heads up!!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Grew up summers there in the early 70's, as a local law enforcement we assisted with any needs at the campground. Not law wise, but medical mostly. I worked nearby borough. During that time a coworker had his camper there seasonal. He was the Chief of the next township. My RV needs work, but I wanted to get down this summer to take the grandson.

wow, small world. do you know any police officers from rice twsp? when we meet up in a few weeks ill have to mention some names of people that we camped with up there, maybe you know them.

 

[MapleGirl]

DH and I were talking about our upcoming trip in April 2013 and have decided we want to drive. We have a diesel VW Jetta that gets 45 mpg and is perfect for long rides.

Let the planning begin!!!

I'll need all the help I can get. I guess I better start by reading this massive thread.

Here's what we are thinking so far:

Day 1 Drive Time: 9 hours

• Leave from Boston - No idea what time. Ideas?
• Drive from Boston to Washington, D.C. - Maybe stop in Red Bank, NJ along the way to visit a comic book store.... Kevin Smith FTW!
• Stay the night in D.C.

Day 2

• Spend day touring D.C. and pop over to nearby Herdon, VA to see the new Volkswagen of America Headquarters.
• Stay the night in D.C.

Day 3 Drive Time: 10 Hours

• Drive from D.C. to Helen, GA - Anyone been here?

Day 4

• Tour Helen, GA - Bavarian Village

Day 5 drive Time: 9 Hours

• Drive from Helen, GA to Orlando, FL

Days 6 - 13

• Stay 7 nights at Wyndham Bonnet Creek

Day 14

• Take Autotrain from FL to D.C.

Day 15 Drive Time: 9 Hours

• Drive home from D.C.

So, um, what do you think?

 

[dvczerfs]

DH and I were talking about our upcoming trip in April 2013 and have decided we want to drive. We have a diesel VW Jetta that gets 45 mpg and is perfect for long rides.

Let the planning begin!!!

I'll need all the help I can get. I guess I better start by reading this massive thread.

Here's what we are thinking so far:

Day 1 Drive Time: 9 hours

• Leave from Boston - No idea what time. Ideas?
• Drive from Boston to Washington, D.C. - Maybe stop in Red Bank, NJ along the way to visit a comic book store.... Kevin Smith FTW!
• Stay the night in D.C.

Day 2

• Spend day touring D.C. and pop over to nearby Herdon, VA to see the new Volkswagen of America Headquarters.
• Stay the night in D.C.

Day 3 Drive Time: 10 Hours

• Drive from D.C. to Helen, GA - Anyone been here?

Day 4

• Tour Helen, GA - Bavarian Village

Day 5 drive Time: 9 Hours

• Drive from Helen, GA to Orlando, FL

Days 6 - 13

• Stay 7 nights at Wyndham Bonnet Creek

Day 14

• Take Autotrain from FL to D.C.

Day 15 Drive Time: 9 Hours

• Drive home from D.C.

So, um, what do you think?

that sounds like a nice trip. sounds like you got time so theres no rushing around or time lines. sounds fun!

 

[kstgelais4]

Joining you from the "How long to you drive" thread.
We are leaving Black Friday for our 6th journey from MA to Orlando!
I hope I can gather some grear ionfo for our road trip!

 

[dvczerfs]

It was crazy today - parts of 76 (non-turnpike portion) were completely closed this morning and this evening there were lane closures on 76 due to mudslide clean up. Praying for good weather in 2 weeks.

In other driving related news, on the cruise board I saw a post about i95N bridge construction around Santee, SC. They are repairing a bridge there will be lane closures 24/7 from mid Sept through early Nov. http://www.wrdw.com/traffic/headlin...stion_this_month_on_I-95_in_SC_129149768.html

Sorry if this is old news but it was definitely new to me and will affect us on our drive home on Sat 10/1.

thanks for the info again steph!! anyone heading north on i95 and takes i26, i26 is about 16 miles south of the construction. so hopefully if the traffic backs up, it wont be more than 16 miles.

 

[nono]

Left Tuesday night on the 6 pm Cape May-Lewes Ferry (left our house at 5:30 pm and waited 20 min until the ferry left). Including the 16 miles on the ferry, it's 983 miles to WDW v. 1061 if we drive "up and around" to I 95. We grabbed dinner at the Wawa on the DE side, and proceeded on our way.

8:27 pm -- MD border . 9:14 pm VA border . 10:40 pm on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel . 3:47 am SC border (missed NC border time) . 7:01 am GA border . 9:10 am FL border .

We basically did speed limit, stopped a bunch and generally poked along, which is a rarity for us. Our T & C 2011 averaged 28.4 mpg for the trip. We went out to the coast to a fish shack to get an early lunch. Then we pulled into the Best Friends Pet Kennel on property right around 2 pm.

Couldn't have asked for an easier ride. We did hit 10 min of rain in NC. Listening to the Weather Channel guys, you would have thought we'd have drowned attempting the drive that night. Instead, we had the company of a beautiful moon all night long, and nobody on the road, probably because they believed the Weather Channel maps. I have to give props to Accu-weather on this one (and I'm no fan), because their maps showed the coast being clear, as it was, and the storms being out of the I 95 corridor by the time we'd hook into that area, which was also true.

 

[BC1836]

Left Tuesday night on the 6 pm Cape May-Lewes Ferry (left our house at 5:30 pm and waited 20 min until the ferry left). Including the 16 miles on the ferry, it's 983 miles to WDW v. 1061 if we drive "up and around" to I 95. We grabbed dinner at the Wawa on the DE side, and proceeded on our way.

What was the total time investment on the ferry ride (your initial arrival and wait time, the boarding time, the time of the ferry ride, the departure from the ferry and the time to get back on I-95)?

We are wondering if it would be worth it for us to take it?

All the best.

 

[nono]

What was the total time investment on the ferry ride (your initial arrival and wait time, the boarding time, the time of the ferry ride, the departure from the ferry and the time to get back on I-95)?

We are wondering if it would be worth it for us to take it?

All the best.

I think the ferry works best for folks who are way up north (New England) and can use a break in the drive, or for folks in southern Cape May County who can plan it practically to the minute.

For us, we left our home at 5:30 pm and the ferry shoved off at 6 pm. (In high season, where reservations are dropped if one isn't there 30 min before check-in, this would not have been possible). We were off the ferry on the DE side around 7:30 pm. Our Streets and Trips planner was dead on by the end of VA, so I think it is safe to say that we got on the Emporia exit of I-95 at 12:40 am. There were 3 breaks in there of approx. 10 min each in that stretch from DE to I-95.

The ferry isn't for everyone. But we're so darn far south and east that it becomes worthwhile. I also like driving the 2 & 4 lane non-interstate highways, so it's very low stress driving for me in the early hours on the "other side."

 

[BC1836]

I think the ferry works best for folks who are way up north (New England) and can use a break in the drive, or for folks in southern Cape May County who can plan it practically to the minute.

For us, we left our home at 5:30 pm and the ferry shoved off at 6 pm. (In high season, where reservations are dropped if one isn't there 30 min before check-in, this would not have been possible). We were off the ferry on the DE side around 7:30 pm. Our Streets and Trips planner was dead on by the end of VA, so I think it is safe to say that we got on the Emporia exit of I-95 at 12:40 am. There were 3 breaks in there of approx. 10 min each in that stretch from DE to I-95.

The ferry isn't for everyone. But we're so darn far south and east that it becomes worthwhile. I also like driving the 2 & 4 lane non-interstate highways, so it's very low stress driving for me in the early hours on the "other side."

Thanks so very much for your detailed reply!

Based upon your info, you confirmed our earlier observation that the ferry is not ideally suited for our southern Ocean County departure.

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

just checkin my ticker, making sure its still working.

 

[pilferk]

Just a bit over 3 weeks until we leave (Oct 4th).

Here's the plan (from NW CT):
Route 8 to 84 to 684 to Sawmill Parkway to 287W (over the Tappanzee) to the Garden State Parkway to I95 pretty much ALL the way to 4 into Orlando.

Leaving CT around 2 PM. Playing the trip down by ear. Might stop somewhere in Roanoake Rapids, NC...might try to make the push all the way into Orlando in one straight shot. We'll see how everyone does (and if my wife can switch off to do some of the driving).

Then we reverse it all on Oct 15th...though we're DEFINITELY stopping in Wilson, NC on the way home.

We've done the drive a number of times in the past.

 

[BC1836]

Just a bit over 3 weeks until we leave (Oct 4th).

Here's the plan (from NW CT):
Route 8 to 84 to 684 to Sawmill Parkway to 287W (over the Tappanzee) to the Garden State Parkway to I95 pretty much ALL the way to 4 into Orlando.

Leaving CT around 2 PM. Playing the trip down by ear. Might stop somewhere in Roanoake Rapids, NC...might try to make the push all the way into Orlando in one straight shot. We'll see how everyone does (and if my wife can switch off to do some of the driving).

Then we reverse it all on Oct 15th...though we're DEFINITELY stopping in Wilson, NC on the way home.

We've done the drive a number of times in the past.

Although you've got weeks to go, good luck on your drive.
We'll be following close behind.

All the best.

 

[honeymo78]

Looks like we are going to have yet another equipment change for our drive next week. DH is likely swapping his MKT demo for a different MKT that has more of the features he originally wanted. If all goes well, not only will he have the eco-boost, adaptive cruise control (awesome feature) and collision warning, but we get adjustable bucket seats in the back with a console that includes a small fridge/freezer and DVD players in the headrest. I already picked out some movies to watch while I'm not driving.

 

[disneymarie]

Just a bit over 3 weeks until we leave (Oct 4th).

We've done the drive a number of times in the past.

My second road trip on Oct. 3, I am convinced you will see the Odyseey van disabled on the side of the road. Three years ago was lower mileage and no issues. Really concerned.
Oh, what a mom will doi for the kids big and small to ride Autotrain back.