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

[sharadoc]

We took 295 a few times, when construction was going on. We liked it, it was like a local highway, still went fast but not an interstate feel. We added about 25 minutes to the trip, which was good in a construction zone. Once the construction went down, we returned to 95 and were fine with it. Jacksonville is one of those cool cities to drive through, too. The skyline is pretty cool, very modern, and the water is beautiful,

 

[BC1836]

We took 295 a few times, when construction was going on. We liked it, it was like a local highway, still went fast but not an interstate feel. We added about 25 minutes to the trip, which was good in a construction zone. Once the construction went down, we returned to 95 and were fine with it. Jacksonville is one of those cool cities to drive through, too. The skyline is pretty cool, very modern, and the water is beautiful,

We noticed some additional minor construction work on I-95 south just beyond the Jacksonville bridge last week.

Now then...lots of construction going on on I-95 just north of Richmond, and some big projects going on in MD. It was significantly more busy than our previous drive in December.

All the best.

 

[hebbynan]

Google maps says it 4 1/2 hours from Savannah to Cocoa Beach so I would leave 4 1/2 hours than you usually do which would mean 12:30 a.m.

Thanks!

 

[sharadoc]

We noticed some additional minor construction work on I-95 south just beyond the Jacksonville bridge last week.

Now then...lots of construction going on on I-95 just north of Richmond, and some big projects going on in MD. It was significantly more busy than our previous drive in December.

All the best.

Good to know. What about Georgia? Is that wrapped up yet or is that the new Jacksonville - going on forever??

 

[BC1836]

Good to know. What about Georgia? Is that wrapped up yet or is that the new Jacksonville - going on forever??

We experienced nothing of significance driving through GA, either heading to WDW or returning home.

Of course, driving on I-95 it's not unusual to see a new "Construction Ahead" sign popping up just after passing an "End Roadwork" sign. Hmm. "End Roadwork" sounds more like a protest sign than a road info sign!

All the best.

All the best.

 

[leebee]

We are considering driving to Disney as a Family Adventure! My daughter starts the College Program on 8/12/13, so she, my sister, two nieces (13 and 15) and I are thinking of driving her down for her program. It's a 24 hour/1600 mile trip, one way. I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with 103,500 miles on it. DH and I keep it in good shape, so I don't worry about driving it, but was wondering if the majority of folks drive the family vehicle or rent something newer/more reliable for your trip? Do car rental agencies LET you drive cars so far out of state?

If we decide to make the drive, I am sure I'll be back here with more questions in the not too distant future! (I love the smilies, can you tell?)

 

[NJRRK]

We are considering driving to Disney as a Family Adventure! My daughter starts the College Program on 8/12/13, so she, my sister, two nieces (13 and 15) and I are thinking of driving her down for her program. It's a 24 hour/1600 mile trip, one way. I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with 103,500 miles on it. DH and I keep it in good shape, so I don't worry about driving it, but was wondering if the majority of folks drive the family vehicle or rent something newer/more reliable for your trip? Do car rental agencies LET you drive cars so far out of state?

If we decide to make the drive, I am sure I'll be back here with more questions in the not too distant future! (I love the smilies, can you tell?)

If it's well maintained I see no reason to spend the money on a rental. In October I drove my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix with 120,000+ miles on it from NJ to Minneapolis and back with no issues. Plan on going to Disney in it this fall.

The only reason I would rent a car is if I had an unreliable car, or was leasing a vehicle and was concerned about overage charges for miles.

(BTW this is my 2000th post )

 

[Goofygirl17]

We are considering driving to Disney as a Family Adventure! My daughter starts the College Program on 8/12/13, so she, my sister, two nieces (13 and 15) and I are thinking of driving her down for her program. It's a 24 hour/1600 mile trip, one way. I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with 103,500 miles on it. DH and I keep it in good shape, so I don't worry about driving it, but was wondering if the majority of folks drive the family vehicle or rent something newer/more reliable for your trip? Do car rental agencies LET you drive cars so far out of state?

If we decide to make the drive, I am sure I'll be back here with more questions in the not too distant future! (I love the smilies, can you tell?)

I've driven 3 times and just use my regular car. It doesn't have a lot of miles on it but as long it's well maintained I wouldn't bother with a rental.

If it's well maintained I see no reason to spend the money on a rental. In October I drove my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix with 120,000+ miles on it from NJ to Minneapolis and back with no issues. Plan on going to Disney in it this fall.

The only reason I would rent a car is if I had an unreliable car, or was leasing a vehicle and was concerned about overage charges for miles.

(BTW this is my 2000th post )

Hooray for 2,000 posts

I cannot wait for our trip!!

 

[goofyfigment]

I drove down in December and my car has over 100k on it. Planning on driving it to Louisiana in August. I would never think of renting a car to go unless I didn't trust mine.

 

[AaronInWI]

We drive to Florida a couple times a year from Wisconsin and this is our favorite route, it is beautiful! As for traffic anything that keeps us from having to drive through Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta is a good thing.

Enjoy the drive.

Wow, this sounds like a very interesting option. I mapped it out on Google Maps, and they say it'll add about an hour to our drive vs. the more traditional route via I-65; but we spent at least that amount of time in construction and traffic through Nashville and Atlanta last year. I'd probably spend the night in Columbia, SC since I'm not interested in a straight through drive. I'm not heading back until 2015, so I obviously have some time. But you've given me something to think about.

 

[MamaJessie]

We are considering driving to Disney as a Family Adventure! My daughter starts the College Program on 8/12/13, so she, my sister, two nieces (13 and 15) and I are thinking of driving her down for her program. It's a 24 hour/1600 mile trip, one way. I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with 103,500 miles on it. DH and I keep it in good shape, so I don't worry about driving it, but was wondering if the majority of folks drive the family vehicle or rent something newer/more reliable for your trip? Do car rental agencies LET you drive cars so far out of state?
(I love the smilies, can you tell?)

We drive our own minivan, which is older tan yours and has more miles. I don't drive it around town often but we do use it for a lot of long trips. We looked into renting a minivan once Yowza. Might as well fly at that point. They will let you drive that far though if you are interested.
Big fan of smilies too

 

[sharadoc]

We are considering driving to Disney as a Family Adventure! My daughter starts the College Program on 8/12/13, so she, my sister, two nieces (13 and 15) and I are thinking of driving her down for her program. It's a 24 hour/1600 mile trip, one way. I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with 103,500 miles on it. DH and I keep it in good shape, so I don't worry about driving it, but was wondering if the majority of folks drive the family vehicle or rent something newer/more reliable for your trip? Do car rental agencies LET you drive cars so far out of state?

If we decide to make the drive, I am sure I'll be back here with more questions in the not too distant future! (I love the smilies, can you tell?)

2005 Grand Caravan, 133,000 miles, (new transmission last year), new tires, handles the drive wonderfully. It's been to Disney 7 times without a problem, other than the time we spun out on a snow covered highway and dented the passenger door on a road sign.

We love the room, the multi-disk DVD, the stow and go seats for more cargo room - it's the perfect Disney road trip vehicle!

 

[cruisingkat]

We are considering driving to Disney as a Family Adventure! My daughter starts the College Program on 8/12/13, so she, my sister, two nieces (13 and 15) and I are thinking of driving her down for her program. It's a 24 hour/1600 mile trip, one way. I have a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with 103,500 miles on it. DH and I keep it in good shape, so I don't worry about driving it, but was wondering if the majority of folks drive the family vehicle or rent something newer/more reliable for your trip? Do car rental agencies LET you drive cars so far out of state?

If we decide to make the drive, I am sure I'll be back here with more questions in the not too distant future! (I love the smilies, can you tell?)

We drive our 2006 Chrysler Sebring convertible to FL several times a year (at least 3 times a year, last year we did 5 trips) some of which contained an extra 1200 mile leg as we visited Houston either on the way to Disney or the way home (saved us 1200 miles by combining visiting the TX grand kids with our Disney trips instead of two separate trips).

 

[patclairesmom]

I'm so glad the topic of driving higher mileage cars has come up. I'm shoppin for a used Honda Odyssey and probably getting one with @60-80K miles on it. I can't wait to drive it to Disney this November. The room in the van will be wonderful and I won't have to hear my long legged son whine how he doesn't have enough room.

 

[NJRRK]

I'm so glad the topic of driving higher mileage cars has come up. I'm shoppin for a used Honda Odyssey and probably getting one with @60-80K miles on it. I can't wait to drive it to Disney this November. The room in the van will be wonderful and I won't have to hear my long legged son whine how he doesn't have enough room.

If he's anything like my teenager he'll find something to whine about, don't worry. Lol.

 

[chipper10]

We are leaving in about 13 hours for our drive from St. Louis to Disney World. My head is spinning with all the last minute stuff we need to do, but I'm also very excited!

 

[kjpotter]

Chipper10- please report back when you gets chance. We are doing the same drive in three weeks!!!

Also, between St. Louis and WDW, are there any areas where you go for miles with no available restrooms? I try to stop before if possible

 

[pwdebbie]

I'm so glad the topic of driving higher mileage cars has come up. I'm shoppin for a used Honda Odyssey and probably getting one with @60-80K miles on it. I can't wait to drive it to Disney this November. The room in the van will be wonderful and I won't have to hear my long legged son whine how he doesn't have enough room.

We bought a 2006 Honda Odyssey with 60,000 miles on it last March through our son (he sells used cars). It was supposed to make the trek to WDW a month later but the trip was cancelled. A year later (and I wish I could tell you how many miles I put on it last year), we finally made the trip. I drove and I have to say that this vehicle was a delight to drive for hours. My last vehicle was a Toyota 4Runner and that tired my leg and hip on just short trips. I didn't start to ache with the Honda until toward the end of our trip. I am so thankful for that van! Never thought I'd own a van this nice in my 50s as an empty-nester, but it has turned out to be quite the blessing. I say if you can find one, go for it.

 

[jakenjess]

I'm so glad the topic of driving higher mileage cars has come up. I'm shoppin for a used Honda Odyssey and probably getting one with @60-80K miles on it. I can't wait to drive it to Disney this November. The room in the van will be wonderful and I won't have to hear my long legged son whine how he doesn't have enough room.

We just drove our 2004 Honda Odyssey to WDW a couple weeks ago, from Maine, 24 hours each way. It's our fourth drive in the van, the first time it was brand new, now it has over 120,000 miles on it. It's been a great vehicle, and I'm hoping to get a few more years out of it. Our other vehicle is a CR-V, and I'd buy another Honda in a heartbeat.

 

[BC1836]

Our three-year Honda CRV lease ends in November; however, our frequent WDW drives have caused the odometer to break the 44,000 mile mark (we have a 45,000 mile limt).

We are debating whether to initiate a new lease with a new 2013 model within 30 days or buy the vehicle in November. Decisions....

All the best.