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

[loveysbydesign]

Our fartherest trip was from Cincinnati to Mt. Rushmore, down to Colorado and back home. We took four days to get to Mt. Rushmore (stayed a week, exploring Western South Dakota), a day to drive to Colorado and another three days home. With the exception of the very last day (from Springfield, MO home), we didn't have any day longer than about 7-8 hours). And that was perfect

I Mapquested your hometown to DL..over 40 hours. That's over ten hours a day in the car, if you only took four days. Ten hours for one day isn't bad. Maybe, for a second day. But beyond that, no thank you.

Would I make the trip? Perhaps. But I would allow at least three weeks total...eight days to get there, five to six days in CA, and a week to get home. That way, you aren't rushed getting there, and you can enjoy the sites along the way.

HMmmmmmmmmmm....you're right. Too many hours for too many days. Perhaps we will go during the summer and add o a few days, Or we'll fly and go near Thanksgiving. We have to limit our trip length if it;s during the school year as my oldest ds will be in high school next year, too hard to have him miss too many days

 

[lsg1]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Now that 2013 has arrived, who will be the first WDW 2,000+ mile round-trip driver of the year?

All the best.

Not sure if we will be the first off the year to drive but we are leaving Jan 20 for our trip from NYC....18 days to go

 

[LadyBeBop]

HMmmmmmmmmmm....you're right. Too many hours for too many days. Perhaps we will go during the summer and add o a few days, Or we'll fly and go near Thanksgiving. We have to limit our trip length if it;s during the school year as my oldest ds will be in high school next year, too hard to have him miss too many days

Honestly, if you could swing a month over the summer, I'd go for it. Take the southern route down, and hit up such places as: Graceland (a little out of the way, but not terribly out), Grand Canyon and Painted Forest. Hit up Disneyland for a few days, then head up the Pacific Coast Highway (beautiful drive, but a little scary...the road is several hundred feet up overlooking the Pacific Ocean) and travel to San Francisco. Spend a couple of days there, then head home over the northen route (Yosemite, Colorado Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rushmore, possibly the Mall of America (a little out of your way), Chicago.

Disneyland is nowhere near as hot/humid as WDW. And, San Francisco is actually chilly during summer. One of Mark Twain's famous quotes is: "The coldest winter I've ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."

 

[pwdebbie]

So just curious, have any of you driven from PA to CA to go to DL?

We'd like to go to DL but also see the Grand Canyon. My DH is not happy with my idea of driving that far! We've never been east of the Mississippi! only been to places on the East coast.
I'm thinking we could take our time and do 4 days each way, plus 6 days in CA.
Thoughts?

My nephew took his family on a month-long road trip throughout the west to see all the sites. I can't imagine doing a trip like that without taking at least three weeks, if not four. There's so much to see and do between here and there, and if this is only going to happen once in your life, then see and do it all.

 

[gotdbltrbl]

Well, we have finally made a decision, we are going to DRIVE to Disney in April 2013! It doesn't look like airfares are going to go down, so we are going to go for it, and I admit, I'm a little nervous but more so excited! We will leave Maine on a Thursday night. DH works nights so he will be sleeping Thursday, while I pack up everything and do the last minute shopping. When the kids get out of school, we will pile in and hit the road. DH will drive through the night and I will pick up in the morning. We are going to try to make it to Georgia and stop somewhere close to the border of Florida. Hopefully by midafternoon Friday. So we can be rested up on Saturday when we arrive at AKL. Any suggestions on where to stay in southern Georgia? We want to be within 4 hours of Disney. I have reserved a van for $411, which I thought was a great deal since we won't be returning it for 13 days. We have our room at AKL from April 13-18, then we go on the Disney Dream from April 18-21. Head home from Port Canaveral, and if we have to stop, I have family in Maryland and can stay there for an overnight. But my DH probably will want to push through. The kids know they will get at least two extra days off from school, so they are even more excited. Having the extra space for items that I wasn't going to bring (or the condensed version of items) is very appealing too. Along with the snacks/water for the room. I feel much better now that we have made the decision and the family is on board. Now I can finish planning Thank you all for the helpful hits and recommendations. This DIS board is something I look forward to reading every day. Even before we had a trip planned!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We just did the drive from northeast ohio and wanted a shirt drive the second day too... We stopped at Kingsland Georgia at a Hampton Inn, it's the second time we've stopped at that hotel.... Decent place, close to highway, food places close, clean, small pool, AAA discount and decent free breakfast served at 6 am.... Just a few hours more to WDW... Hope this helps!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Well, we have finally made a decision, we are going to DRIVE to Disney in April 2013! It doesn't look like airfares are going to go down, so we are going to go for it, and I admit, I'm a little nervous but more so excited! We will leave Maine on a Thursday night. DH works nights so he will be sleeping Thursday, while I pack up everything and do the last minute shopping. When the kids get out of school, we will pile in and hit the road. DH will drive through the night and I will pick up in the morning. We are going to try to make it to Georgia and stop somewhere close to the border of Florida. Hopefully by midafternoon Friday. So we can be rested up on Saturday when we arrive at AKL. Any suggestions on where to stay in southern Georgia? We want to be within 4 hours of Disney. I have reserved a van for $411, which I thought was a great deal since we won't be returning it for 13 days. We have our room at AKL from April 13-18, then we go on the Disney Dream from April 18-21. Head home from Port Canaveral, and if we have to stop, I have family in Maryland and can stay there for an overnight. But my DH probably will want to push through. The kids know they will get at least two extra days off from school, so they are even more excited. Having the extra space for items that I wasn't going to bring (or the condensed version of items) is very appealing too. Along with the snacks/water for the room. I feel much better now that we have made the decision and the family is on board. Now I can finish planning Thank you all for the helpful hits and recommendations. This DIS board is something I look forward to reading every day. Even before we had a trip planned!

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express right off of I95 in Savannah. We were about 4 hours from WDW. Rooms were very nice, free breakfast, and affordable rooms ($100 for the night including taxes). I would stay there again.

 

[patclairesmom]

Well, we have finally made a decision, we are going to DRIVE to Disney in April 2013! It doesn't look like airfares are going to go down, so we are going to go for it, and I admit, I'm a little nervous but more so excited! We will leave Maine on a Thursday night. DH works nights so he will be sleeping Thursday, while I pack up everything and do the last minute shopping. When the kids get out of school, we will pile in and hit the road. DH will drive through the night and I will pick up in the morning. We are going to try to make it to Georgia and stop somewhere close to the border of Florida. Hopefully by midafternoon Friday. So we can be rested up on Saturday when we arrive at AKL. Any suggestions on where to stay in southern Georgia? We want to be within 4 hours of Disney. I have reserved a van for $411, which I thought was a great deal since we won't be returning it for 13 days. We have our room at AKL from April 13-18, then we go on the Disney Dream from April 18-21. Head home from Port Canaveral, and if we have to stop, I have family in Maryland and can stay there for an overnight. But my DH probably will want to push through. The kids know they will get at least two extra days off from school, so they are even more excited. Having the extra space for items that I wasn't going to bring (or the condensed version of items) is very appealing too. Along with the snacks/water for the room. I feel much better now that we have made the decision and the family is on board. Now I can finish planning Thank you all for the helpful hits and recommendations. This DIS board is something I look forward to reading every day. Even before we had a trip planned!

We stayed at a Comfort Suites in Kingsland Ga. It's just north of the Florida border.

 

[Disneyholic]

Well, we have finally made a decision, we are going to DRIVE to Disney in April 2013! It doesn't look like airfares are going to go down, so we are going to go for it, and I admit, I'm a little nervous but more so excited! We will leave Maine on a Thursday night. DH works nights so he will be sleeping Thursday, while I pack up everything and do the last minute shopping. When the kids get out of school, we will pile in and hit the road. DH will drive through the night and I will pick up in the morning. We are going to try to make it to Georgia and stop somewhere close to the border of Florida. Hopefully by midafternoon Friday. So we be rested up on Saturday when we arrive at AKL. Any suggestions on where to stay in southern Georgia? We want to be within 4 hours of Disney. I have reserved a van for $411, which I thought was a great deal since we won't be returning it for 13 days. We have our room at AKL from April 13-18, then we go on the Disney Dream from April 18-21. Head home from Port Canaveral, and if we have to stop, I have family in Maryland and can stay there for an overnight. But my DH probably will want to push through. The kids know they will get at least two extra days off from school, so they are even more excited. Having the extra space for items that I wasn't going to bring (or the condensed version of items) is very appealing too. Along with the snacks/water for the room. I feel much better now that we have made the decision and the family is on board. Now I can finish planning Thank you all for the helpful hits and recommendations. This DIS board is something I look forward to reading every day. Even before we had a trip planned!

DH &I will be driving down either the 13th or 14th of April. We have reservations at AKL Jumbo house from the 15th through the 18th and then the 3 night cruise on the Dream the 18th - 21st for DHs birthday. Sunday night after the cruise we go to BLT MK view for one night before the drive home. Maybe we will run into you.

 

[gotdbltrbl]

DH &I will be driving down either the 13th or 14th of April. We have reservations at AKL Jumbo house from the 15th through the 18th and then the 3 night cruise on the Dream the 18th - 21st for DHs birthday. Sunday night after the cruise we go to BLT MK view for one night before the drive home. Maybe we will run into you.

We probably will run into each other, we are at Jambo too! What a wonderful birthday for your DH.

 

[Disneyholic]

We probably will run into each other, we are at Jambo too! What a wonderful birthday for your DH.

We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on the Fantasy in August 2012 which is the cruise we bought into DVC. Thanksgiving 2013 Fantasy cruise will be my 60th birthday right on Thanksgiving. If I could fit in another cruise or 2, I would.

 

[Colleen27]

Popping in mainly for a little reassurance that I'm not totally nuts... We're looking at rescheduling our August trip for February thanks to the whims of work scheduling, but last minute airfares being what they are we'd be driving rather than flying. And I'm trying very hard to convince myself that there's nothing insane at all about 18 hours from Michigan to Florida in the dead of winter. After all it is I-75 straight down, so even if we do run into winter weather the roads should be cleared ASAP, right?

 

[robin09]

Im not from where you are, Im upstate NY, but drive down every february (Presidents week). Honestly, the hardest part for us, is getting out of our little town... We are in a valley and roads here can be a little treacherous. Once we get out to the main roads, depending how we drive (either I95 which I hate, or 81-77 route,) the drive is fine. roads are clear... as long as you are not in the middle of a blizzard... but you wouldnt fly in that either. Youll be fine... I love driving and dont think I will fly again. DD loves to pack just too much, and the drive has become part of our vacation...

Popping in mainly for a little reassurance that I'm not totally nuts... We're looking at rescheduling our August trip for February thanks to the whims of work scheduling, but last minute airfares being what they are we'd be driving rather than flying. And I'm trying very hard to convince myself that there's nothing insane at all about 18 hours from Michigan to Florida in the dead of winter. After all it is I-75 straight down, so even if we do run into winter weather the roads should be cleared ASAP, right?

 

[loganjared]

I posted this on transportation but didn't get much of a response. I am hoping someone can help me with this. We are driving from Nixa, MO so it is about a 20 hour drive for us.
I am trying to find a cheap but clean hotel off of I75 in tifton, ga or valdosta, ga. The problem I am running into is that anything I find that is under $100 allows pets which isn't an option for us due to allergies.
I just hate to spend $100 each way when we are only going to sleep there. We will get in late, sleep and leave early the next morning.
Suggestions?

 

[angwill]

I posted this on transportation but didn't get much of a response. I am hoping someone can help me with this. We are driving from Nixa, MO so it is about a 20 hour drive for us.
I am trying to find a cheap but clean hotel off of I75 in tifton, ga or valdosta, ga. The problem I am running into is that anything I find that is under $100 allows pets which isn't an option for us due to allergies.
I just hate to spend $100 each way when we are only going to sleep there. We will get in late, sleep and leave early the next morning.
Suggestions?

http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/ho...valdosta-conference-center-VLDCCHX/index.html

We stayed at the Hampton Inn Valdosta above for around $70 or so and it was very nice and I just checked that pets are not allowed. HTH

 

[Colleen27]

Im not from where you are, Im upstate NY, but drive down every february (Presidents week). Honestly, the hardest part for us, is getting out of our little town... We are in a valley and roads here can be a little treacherous. Once we get out to the main roads, depending how we drive (either I95 which I hate, or 81-77 route,) the drive is fine. roads are clear... as long as you are not in the middle of a blizzard... but you wouldnt fly in that either. Youll be fine... I love driving and dont think I will fly again. DD loves to pack just too much, and the drive has become part of our vacation...

That's the same week we're looking at - Feb 16 to 24. I just keep telling myself the same thing I remind myself of every time we travel during hurricane season - the odds are against a bad storm going precisely where we're going on the exact day we're passing through. At least I hope so...

 

[BC1836]

That's the same week we're looking at - Feb 16 to 24. I just keep telling myself the same thing I remind myself of every time we travel during hurricane season - the odds are against a bad storm going precisely where we're going on the exact day we're passing through. At least I hope so...

Your identification trip pins denote four planned WDW journeys in 2013! Are all of them going to be drives?

All the best.

 

[Colleen27]

Your identification trip pins denote four planned WDW journeys in 2013! Are all of them going to be drives?

All the best.

Oh Lord no! With the exception of DD's BFF trip they're all just weekends, not worth 36 hours on the road for 3-4 days at WDW, particularly since I'll only have a second driver for DD's trip. The others are solo or one-on-one with my other kids and we'll fly, but airfare for 2 purchased well in advance is a lot easier to swallow than airfare for 4 at the last minute. We likely won't know until around Feb 1 if DH is going to have a seasonal layoff coming; if he does we'll travel in Feb, if not the original Aug dates will stand.

 

[Shir Kahn]

Well, we just got back home from our trip and it was a great one! The drive went very well, but I noticed that my actual trip distance isn't what Google Maps had recorded it as being! When leaving Pop Century on January 4th, I hit the Go Home destination on my GPS and it recorded it as being 2074 miles, rather than the 2020 miles that Google Maps had it as! It was the exact same route we took going down and that we've always taken, so I guess I never noticed until this trip!

As for the drive itself, on the way down, we saw the snow get less and less until we got to Marion, Illinois. They had more snow than we did in Winnipeg! We didn't hit any bad weather at all on the way down, but on the way back we did run into a fair amount of rain leaving Florida as well as some light rain in Illinois and Wisconsin. It was strange seeing rain falling onto snow! We've now got just shy of 40k kilometers on our RVRs odometer, half of which is from Disney trips! The final Trip A total, which I started just as I left our house in Winnipeg was 6673.5 kilometers, which is 4146mi 1268.3yds when converted to miles. We did use the car a bit in WDW, so that indicates to me that some miles are off. Maybe our route down wasn't "exactly" the same way as the route back? Bah, confusing!

 

[BC1836]

Well, we just got back home from our trip and it was a great one! The drive went very well, but I noticed that my actual trip distance isn't what Google Maps had recorded it as being! When leaving Pop Century on January 4th, I hit the Go Home destination on my GPS and it recorded it as being 2074 miles, rather than the 2020 miles that Google Maps had it as! It was the exact same route we took going down and that we've always taken, so I guess I never noticed until this trip!

Do you want the All-Time Records (see page 1) updated/corrected to note the 2,074 miles or do you want it to remain at 2,020?

Please advise.

All the best.