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

[disneymarie]

We are almost to I-4! We made it to Ga. At 11:00pm last night, so happy to lay my pregnant body down! It took us 23 hrs and we did the 95,81,77,26 route...lots and lots of big trucks but very little congestion. All six kiddos were amazing! We stopped in kingsland, Ga at the Confort Suites which were adequate, the staff were very nice. We were able to be ready and out the door by 7:45. I'm sure we'll hit traffic on I-4 but should be in Disney by noon at latest!!!

Wow, I envy you the drive when pregnant. I drove the family nuts with my tinkle breaks. Then the body aches trying to sleep.

But by now you are probly on the ride into the parks planning the day. Have a wonderful trip and thanks for the updates. How was the weather? I keep watching and see lots of green over FL.

We leave in 9 days to drive down.

dvczerfs will be giving you a text about the 5th, when we both have plans for Epcot! Have a safe trip down. Hoping for wonderous weather. I need a break from the flooding, rains, mud, sadness for all the families I am handling claims.

 

[canadianmom2three]

We are driving from SW Ontario in December, which is new for us. We have driven many times, as our in-laws are in South Florida, but we have only ever driven in August, and around March Break. Anyone who can comment on how far South we will still be driving through snow in December? I know it really depends on the winter, but any general ideas would be great. We always take I75 all the way down to FLA, but were considering another route for our winter drive. Despite living in Canada, I am a nervous winter driver (too many bad experiences with ice and snow!). Any advice on an alternate/safer route down if it is snowy?? We cross at Port Huron Michigan. Thanks!!

 

[LadyBeBop]

We are driving from SW Ontario in December, which is new for us. We have driven many times, as our in-laws are in South Florida, but we have only ever driven in August, and around March Break. Anyone who can comment on how far South we will still be driving through snow in December? I know it really depends on the winter, but any general ideas would be great. We always take I75 all the way down to FLA, but were considering another route for our winter drive. Despite living in Canada, I am a nervous winter driver (too many bad experiences with ice and snow!). Any advice on an alternate/safer route down if it is snowy?? We cross at Port Huron Michigan. Thanks!!

Actually, the I-75 route may be the safest in snowy weather. There is only one stretch that could be a little iffy, the 50-60 mile stretch of mountains between the Kentucky/Tennessee border and just north of Knoxville.

My suggestion...check back here just before you leave. If it's bad here in the Cincinnati area, but nice throughout the 77/81 route, that might be better for you.

 

[marius97]

We are driving from SW Ontario in December, which is new for us. We have driven many times, as our in-laws are in South Florida, but we have only ever driven in August, and around March Break. Anyone who can comment on how far South we will still be driving through snow in December? I know it really depends on the winter, but any general ideas would be great. We always take I75 all the way down to FLA, but were considering another route for our winter drive. Despite living in Canada, I am a nervous winter driver (too many bad experiences with ice and snow!). Any advice on an alternate/safer route down if it is snowy?? We cross at Port Huron Michigan. Thanks!!

I'm not sure what "other routes" you were thinking of, but here are my thoughts. Still crossing in MI is probably your best bet. The east side of MI does not get the lake effect snow so the chances of it being horrible in Dec are not that high (lived in Detroit suburbs for 20 years). If there is an option to cross further east, I would avoid it because that will put you into the lake effect zones. My thought is that your best est is to get as far south as fast as you possibly can. That will minimize the snow issues. To me that would mean taking 75 all the way. Plus, there is way less mountain issues on 75 than if you take one of the more easterly routes.

 

[canadianmom2three]

We live right across the border from Port Huron, so will definately cross there, and as far as "other routes" google maps shows us taking 75 to Findlay Ohio, then having the option to either continue on 75, or go over to 77, which is apparently almost an equal alternate as far as drive time (half hour driving difference, and only 5 miles longer), so I wasn't sure if that was a better winter route. WE have only ever taken 75, but like I said, we've never driven in the winter, and didn't know if I77 was better.

 

[loveysbydesign]

This is only our 2nd time driving and when we got to FL last time we took I-95 to I-4, but I thought i remembered reading about a nicer drive by using a highway that is not I-4....was it ??? Also is it a toll road and how much are the tolls?
My dh was not fond of driving on I-4 in the dark!

 

[LadyBeBop]

WE have only ever taken 75, but like I said, we've never driven in the winter, and didn't know if I77 was better.

I-77 would only be better IF...it's presently snowing (and snowing bad) along the I-75 route, and it's not along the I-77 route. I-77 (albeit a beautiful drive) is much more hilly.

I agree with the previous posters...get as far south as possible the first day. Knoxville would be nice. Chattanooga would even be better. And coming home, I'd get as far as (at least) Jellico, TN. Corbin KY may even be nice.

If you stop in Chattanooga going down, and Corbin coming home, both ways it would be about 700-750 miles the first day and 500-550 miles the second day. And you'll be completely done with the mountains after the first day.

 

[goofyandmickey]

Anyone hvea great route plan for driving from PA (Punxsutawney - about 2 hours outside of Pittsburgh) to Disney World. I will be traveling with 2 17 year olds and a 10 year old. We are planning an April 27 or 28 arrival becasue we can not leave until bout noon on the 26th becasue of State mandated School testing for my 11th grader.

 

[dvczerfs]

I-77 would only be better IF...it's presently snowing (and snowing bad) along the I-75 route, and it's not along the I-77 route. I-77 (albeit a beautiful drive) is much more hilly.

I agree with the previous posters...get as far south as possible the first day. Knoxville would be nice. Chattanooga would even be better. And coming home, I'd get as far as (at least) Jellico, TN. Corbin KY may even be nice.

If you stop in Chattanooga going down, and Corbin coming home, both ways it would be about 700-750 miles the first day and 500-550 miles the second day. And you'll be completely done with the mountains after the first day.

also, ive slept in a parking lot of a truck stop on i81 because of a snow storm. its not worth your life. watch the weather forcast. the states have plows and after the snow is done, the states clear off the major interstates very well. even if you lose a day at wdw. we departed wdw a day early in 2007 so to miss an ice storm in the north east. unless there is a major blizzard, they get the interstates very passable in a short time after a storm. keep your eye on the weather forcast and use your head!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Anyone hvea great route plan for driving from PA (Punxsutawney - about 2 hours outside of Pittsburgh) to Disney World. I will be traveling with 2 17 year olds and a 10 year old. We are planning an April 27 or 28 arrival becasue we can not leave until bout noon on the 26th becasue of State mandated School testing for my 11th grader.

isnt that where that ground hog lives that keeps telling me another 6 weeks of winter every year?? with out looking at a map, are you close to i81? alot of us that are more in land take i81/i77/i26/i95.

 

[sharadoc]

This is only our 2nd time driving and when we got to FL last time we took I-95 to I-4, but I thought i remembered reading about a nicer drive by using a highway that is not I-4....was it ??? Also is it a toll road and how much are the tolls?
My dh was not fond of driving on I-4 in the dark!

I THINK you're talking about Route 417. It is connected to I-4, you would take 95 to 4, then take the Sanford exit to 417. That will take you around Orlando, so you won't have to drive in the city traffic.

417 is a toll road, and will cost around 7.50 in tolls to Disney World. There are exact change lanes, regular cash lanes and Florida Sun-Pass lanes. Usually the cash and exact change lanes are on the right and the Sun Pass are on the left - the road splits for the tolls.

It's a really nice and easy way to get to Disney World. Although I would suggest taking the second Disney exit, not Route 536. I have gotten caught in a LOT Of traffic there, since it's the Downtown Disney exit. You have to go under I-4 so there's the merge of folks getting off 4, plus all the people on 535 coming off 192. It can really back up there, especially with the red lights. If you take the second exit, it takes you into the main gate with the big sign, which is a good bonus.

Let me know if I can help. We always take 417, makes for a calmer drive that last hour after being on the road for 16 hours. We'll never take any other way.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I THINK you're talking about Route 417. It is connected to I-4, you would take 95 to 4, then take the Sanford exit to 417. That will take you around Orlando, so you won't have to drive in the city traffic.

417 is a toll road, and will cost around 7.50 in tolls to Disney World. There are exact change lanes, regular cash lanes and Florida Sun-Pass lanes. Usually the cash and exact change lanes are on the right and the Sun Pass are on the left - the road splits for the tolls.

It's a really nice and easy way to get to Disney World. Although I would suggest taking the second Disney exit, not Route 536. I have gotten caught in a LOT Of traffic there, since it's the Downtown Disney exit. You have to go under I-4 so there's the merge of folks getting off 4, plus all the people on 535 coming off 192. It can really back up there, especially with the red lights. If you take the second exit, it takes you into the main gate with the big sign, which is a good bonus.

Let me know if I can help. We always take 417, makes for a calmer drive that last hour after being on the road for 16 hours. We'll never take any other way.

Thanks!
we are actually staying at Indian Creek which is off Rte. 192 W and Formaosa Gardens Blvd. Guess i will look it up on Google maps to make sure we get off at the correct exit!

 

[blondietink]

I would agree with PP's who said stay on 75 if possible and weather permits rather than 77. we have driven both and would take 75 in a heartbeat compared to 77 if it wasn't so much farther for us. 77 is very hilly, sometimes foggy, and generally can get not so good very fast. We have the option of taking 77 or 95 and weather will determine which way we go in early December.

 

[canadianmom2three]

Thanks, I think that seems to be the best plan. We know I-75 well, and have driven it many times, so it makes sense. Just wanted to check out our other options!

 

[sharadoc]

Thanks!
we are actually staying at Indian Creek which is off Rte. 192 W and Formaosa Gardens Blvd. Guess i will look it up on Google maps to make sure we get off at the correct exit!

NO problem! I think the "second" exit takes you onto 192 for a mile or two, then onto the Main entrance of Disney World so that would probably work, although I'm no Google LOL.

 

[Greenepona]

I THINK you're talking about Route 417. It is connected to I-4, you would take 95 to 4, then take the Sanford exit to 417. That will take you around Orlando, so you won't have to drive in the city traffic.

417 is a toll road, and will cost around 7.50 in tolls to Disney World. There are exact change lanes, regular cash lanes and Florida Sun-Pass lanes. Usually the cash and exact change lanes are on the right and the Sun Pass are on the left - the road splits for the tolls.

It's a really nice and easy way to get to Disney World. Although I would suggest taking the second Disney exit, not Route 536. I have gotten caught in a LOT Of traffic there, since it's the Downtown Disney exit. You have to go under I-4 so there's the merge of folks getting off 4, plus all the people on 535 coming off 192. It can really back up there, especially with the red lights. If you take the second exit, it takes you into the main gate with the big sign, which is a good bonus.

Let me know if I can help. We always take 417, makes for a calmer drive that last hour after being on the road for 16 hours. We'll never take any other way.

We leave PA tonight around 5pm and should be getting off I-95 at I-4 around 8am tomorrow... Will I-4 still be hell that early to get to WDW? My Dad suggested the 417 route. Is it worth the tolls at that time of day?

 

[BC1836]

We leave PA tonight around 5pm and should be getting off I-95 at I-4 around 8am tomorrow... Will I-4 still be hell that early to get to WDW? My Dad suggested the 417 route. Is it worth the tolls at that time of day?

"Hell?" Probably not. Hellish? Probably...(a few spots near Deltona and Lake Mary) and especially approaching Orlando and subsequent mileage as you approach the WDW exits.

But after driving so long and being so close, don't worry about it. The magic will be soon at hand.

All the best.

 

[pwdebbie]

Anyone hvea great route plan for driving from PA (Punxsutawney - about 2 hours outside of Pittsburgh) to Disney World. I will be traveling with 2 17 year olds and a 10 year old. We are planning an April 27 or 28 arrival becasue we can not leave until bout noon on the 26th becasue of State mandated School testing for my 11th grader.

from an IUP grad. I'd say to make your way east to I-81 and travel south that way. We always leave after church on Sunday (dh is the preacher so there's not a lot of choice in the matter for us!) and have done both one-night and two-night trips. I think I prefer only staying one night on the road, the second night feels like a waste of time.

 

[sharadoc]

We leave PA tonight around 5pm and should be getting off I-95 at I-4 around 8am tomorrow... Will I-4 still be hell that early to get to WDW? My Dad suggested the 417 route. Is it worth the tolls at that time of day?

Yes, I would say hell! It's rush hour!!!!! I would definitely do 417 at that time of day. Locals and tourists who don't know which lane to be in equals I've seen people zip across 4 lanes right in front of us and my heart was racing for at least 15 minutes after. Never had that feeling on 417.

 

[dvczerfs]

we have arrived!!!! hello everyone. we departed home at 2:45am tuesday and i hit the florida welcoming center at 4:30pm. (no i wasnt speeding,honest!) i met up with a guy from the disdads club here on the boards that like some of you here, i have been talking to for a few years and because of him in iraq and his other duties, we just never got the chance. i drive by him a few times a year and our paths just never cross.well, our paths crossed! lets just say he drives a very fast. unmarked (untill he turns the red and blue lights )) car!!!! no he didnt give me a ticket but let me tell you, i was standing next to the car and i thought it was his personal car. (he showed me how to tell an unmarked but you have to be behind him.) he posted some pics of us and him driving behind me over on the disdads which is in the family section and its aa sub form at the top. anyway, i went 78/81/77/26/95/4. we hit no traffic or even a slow down. the best part about this trip, a very first for me, i drove the entire way, in one day myself!!! i also have to tell you there was another first, while on i26, i missed the i95 south exit!!!! yes me!!!! so after our 6 mile detour, which if you ask tammy, we had to drive 300 miles out of our way, i was back on track! the first words were." wait till i tell sharon and all your buddies on the dis.!!) anyway, we are here, trip 51 for me, and hopefully will be meeting up with a few of you this trip!!!