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

[dvczerfs]

FYI - wildfire smoke. Just a little warning of possible visibility problems from Brunswick Ga to south of St. Augustine if you are traveling on I95. We were in St. augustine for 2 days and cama in to Orlando yesterday. The wildfire smoke is pretty bad in places, especially around Jacksonville. Also if you are taking I10 in northern Fl it can be bad. the map on the local weather showed the smoke all the way from the east coast of Fl. all the way west to Gainesville and I75. There are hundreds of wildfires burning in northern Fl and GA so be careful out there!

thanks for the update. those things have been burning for a long time. its like here in the north east, we just dont get any rain. last year, it didnt stop raining, this year we cant get a drop.

 

[dort]

Going to be driving to WDW in a couple weeks and was wondering if anyone has encountered any delays/construction on I81 around Roanoke area? Heard there were delays with blasting. We will be traveling on a Saturday.

Thanks!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Going to be driving to WDW in a couple weeks and was wondering if anyone has encountered any delays/construction on I81 around Roanoke area? Heard there were delays with blasting. We will be traveling on a Saturday.

Thanks!!!

well, the last i went through was in october. they do close the south bound lanes when they blast. i never got stuck in a blast. we have hit it early (5am) and didnt have a problem. i dont think they blast everyday. good luck.

 

[disneymarie]

thanks for the update. those things have been burning for a long time. its like here in the north east, we just dont get any rain. last year, it didnt stop raining, this year we cant get a drop.

I can't remember it being this dry in the mountains for years, no snow melt, heck no snow this winter. I had three pizza boxes I soo wanted to just light in the fire ring.....

Still debating adding a June trip with a drive down, to puting up a new pool?
The kids say use the Intex 15 x 4' again....even after it was up all winter. I really would like to get one with the salt filter....I think I get more use from the pool then the kids do. Though the Intex EZ set are so cheap, the trip to Disney ummm.

 

[dvczerfs]

I can't remember it being this dry in the mountains for years, no snow melt, heck no snow this winter. I had three pizza boxes I soo wanted to just light in the fire ring.....

Still debating adding a June trip with a drive down, to puting up a new pool?
The kids say use the Intex 15 x 4' again....even after it was up all winter. I really would like to get one with the salt filter....I think I get more use from the pool then the kids do. Though the Intex EZ set are so cheap, the trip to Disney ummm.

we had a 24x12 oval for years. nobody used it. i got tired of cleaning it so i ripped it dowm and planted grass. now when its to hot, we sit in the a/c.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Hello Drivers! This is my first time visiting this thread. I am posting here seeking advice and support. I am just starting reading through all the pages but in the meantime I thought I would post.

We live in southern NJ (Gloucester County) and we are booked to stay in WDW from November 3-11, 2012. Our initial plan was to fly, but the fares just seem crazy to me (still waiting for SW to extend their schedule though). In light of the high fares, DH and I have been tossing around the idea of driving. The more we discuss it the more we like the idea. DS wasn't a great flyer last time we flew and I could pack way more stuff without worrying about baggage fees and airport security, etc.

We don't have much time to get down there so we would be looking at going straight through on the ride down and then we could stop on the return. DD will be done school at 3pm on Friday Nov. 2nd. So we would leave sometime that evening and drive straight through the night. Is that crazy or totally doable??? I'm new to this! Only other time I have been on a driving trip to WDW is when I was younger and we rented an RV. This trip would be in a mini-van. DH (36 y.o. police officer that works from 6pm-6am driving on patrol) and myself (don't like driving much but will drive a bit to give him a break). DD16 and DS3 will be our passengers.

 

[pwdebbie]

Going to be driving to WDW in a couple weeks and was wondering if anyone has encountered any delays/construction on I81 around Roanoke area? Heard there were delays with blasting. We will be traveling on a Saturday.

Thanks!!!

Well, there's this from our local TV station (but this isn't around Roanoke):

BERKELEY CO., WV - If you travel on Interstate 81 in Berkeley County, you've probably noticed some major work going on.

Crews are working to widen the highway to six lanes. The project stretches for about five miles between the 21 and 29 mile markers just north of Martinsburg. They're widening the road because it sees so much traffic. Work is expected to be complete by the end of October.

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Hi all... for anyone that takes 81, where/how do you eventually pick up 95? We're coming from the Albany, NY leaving at 11am on a Friday... we'd like to avoid traffic around NYC, Philly & DC (which I think we'd hit at rush hour if we took 95.) I'd love suggestions on where to get on 95 once we're south of DC. Thanks!!!

 

[disneymarie]

we had a 24x12 oval for years. nobody used it. i got tired of cleaning it so i ripped it dowm and planted grass. now when its to hot, we sit in the a/c.

I am getting more votes for Disney drive in June over the pool. I am really worried about the heat though, my asthma was really bad our first trip in early May 1993. but, dgs has school until June 8th,

Had my finger on the reservation button, if I had the credit card with me I would have made ressie.
Priced 2 rooms @ 3 nights Coronado Springs was $855,
Value was $20 less for two rooms,
The resort I stayed at before, 2 bedroom delux 1000 sq ft for 5 of us is $880for 8 nights 1 mile from Disney. They are just going to have to rough it w/o magical hrs and buses if they want this pre fall trip.

Otherwise, I will be sitting in my AC

 

[nono]

Is that crazy or totally doable???

Doable. Esp. since your dh is used to being up overnight.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Doable. Esp. since your dh is used to being up overnight.

Thanks for your reponse! He seems to think he will be fine since he is used to it. I guess there is only one way to find out how are family handles the drive!

 

[dort]

Hi all... for anyone that takes 81, where/how do you eventually pick up 95? We're coming from the Albany, NY leaving at 11am on a Friday... we'd like to avoid traffic around NYC, Philly & DC (which I think we'd hit at rush hour if we took 95.) I'd love suggestions on where to get on 95 once we're south of DC. Thanks!!!

Hey neighbor!
We are leaving on the 28th and our route is as follows:
87 to 287 to 78 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 (bingo ). We usually to our overnight stay in Dobson, NC which is just half way for us. Hope that makes sense to you.

 

[BC1836]

Hello Drivers! This is my first time visiting this thread. I am posting here seeking advice and support. I am just starting reading through all the pages but in the meantime I thought I would post.

We live in southern NJ (Gloucester County) and we are booked to stay in WDW from November 3-11, 2012. Our initial plan was to fly, but the fares just seem crazy to me (still waiting for SW to extend their schedule though). In light of the high fares, DH and I have been tossing around the idea of driving. The more we discuss it the more we like the idea. DS wasn't a great flyer last time we flew and I could pack way more stuff without worrying about baggage fees and airport security, etc.

We don't have much time to get down there so we would be looking at going straight through on the ride down and then we could stop on the return. DD will be done school at 3pm on Friday Nov. 2nd. So we would leave sometime that evening and drive straight through the night. Is that crazy or totally doable??? I'm new to this! Only other time I have been on a driving trip to WDW is when I was younger and we rented an RV. This trip would be in a mini-van. DH (36 y.o. police officer that works from 6pm-6am driving on patrol) and myself (don't like driving much but will drive a bit to give him a break). DD16 and DS3 will be our passengers.

As southern Ocean County residents, we have done the drive 26 times since 2002. Our most recent drive started at 9:31 p.m. and we did another straight-through drive. [As the only driver it is necessary for me to get as much sleep as possible prior to the drive, and still it requires a half-hour nap in southern VA/northern NC.]

By departing at this time, the traffic diminishes with every passing hour. And there are no metro rush hours to deal with. Assuming an I-95 drive, once you clear northern VA there are no trickly highway traffic flows/multi-lane complications. Of course, driving through Richmond in the overnight darkness can be challenging for the first-time driver.

Construction projects pop up periodically on I-95 but they tend to interfere once daylight and heavier traffic is upon you.

So, good luck on your drive.

All the best.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

As southern Ocean County residents, we have done the drive 26 times since 2002. Our most recent drive started at 9:31 p.m. and we did another straight-through drive. [As the only driver it is necessary for me to get as much sleep as possible prior to the drive, and still it requires a half-hour nap in southern VA/northern NC.]

By departing at this time, the traffic diminishes with every passing hour. And there are no metro rush hours to deal with. Assuming an I-95 drive, once you clear northern VA there are no trickly highway traffic flows/multi-lane complications. Of course, driving through Richmond in the overnight darkness can be challenging for the first-time driver.

Construction projects pop up periodically on I-95 but they tend to interfere once daylight and heavier traffic is upon you.

So, good luck on your drive.

All the best.

26 times, wow! Thanks for the info. That's very helpful and just what I was looking for. I am taking notes so I have info to share with DH when we sit down next month and make our final drive vs. fly decision.

 

[artesian]

As southern Ocean County residents, we have done the drive 26 times since 2002. Our most recent drive started at 9:31 p.m. and we did another straight-through drive. [As the only driver it is necessary for me to get as much sleep as possible prior to the drive, and still it requires a half-hour nap in southern VA/northern NC.]

By departing at this time, the traffic diminishes with every passing hour. And there are no metro rush hours to deal with. Assuming an I-95 drive, once you clear northern VA there are no trickly highway traffic flows/multi-lane complications. Of course, driving through Richmond in the overnight darkness can be challenging for the first-time driver.

Construction projects pop up periodically on I-95 but they tend to interfere once daylight and heavier traffic is upon you.

So, good luck on your drive.

All the best.

Spot on with this. I usually leave around 8 myself.

 

[dvczerfs]

I am getting more votes for Disney drive in June over the pool. I am really worried about the heat though, my asthma was really bad our first trip in early May 1993. but, dgs has school until June 8th,

Had my finger on the reservation button, if I had the credit card with me I would have made ressie.
Priced 2 rooms @ 3 nights Coronado Springs was $855,
Value was $20 less for two rooms,
The resort I stayed at before, 2 bedroom delux 1000 sq ft for 5 of us is $880for 8 nights 1 mile from Disney. They are just going to have to rough it w/o magical hrs and buses if they want this pre fall trip.

Otherwise, I will be sitting in my AC

ive been down the last few years in june. i have to tell you, i love the heat but it is hot in june. go to the parks at rope drop, go back to the resort around noon, not much later and go back to the parks around 6 or so. we seem to ride cop and hop alot in june.

 

[happily single]

As southern Ocean County residents, we have done the drive 26 times since 2002. Our most recent drive started at 9:31 p.m. and we did another straight-through drive. [As the only driver it is necessary for me to get as much sleep as possible prior to the drive, and still it requires a half-hour nap in southern VA/northern NC.]

By departing at this time, the traffic diminishes with every passing hour. And there are no metro rush hours to deal with. Assuming an I-95 drive, once you clear northern VA there are no trickly highway traffic flows/multi-lane complications. Of course, driving through Richmond in the overnight darkness can be challenging for the first-time driver.

Construction projects pop up periodically on I-95 but they tend to interfere once daylight and heavier traffic is upon you.

So, good luck on your drive.

All the best.

Do you find there is significantly less traffic?
More tractor trailers?
What about speed traps?

Thanks

 

[lovemygrowingfamily]

Hi!

I have a couple questions that maybe some of the east coasters could help us with.

We are from Northwestern Minnesota ( a hour from the canadian border). In August we are driving to Sanibel Island,FL for 2 night and then to disney for 10 nights. No problem there its about 32 hours with no stops so with the stops it should be around 36 hours. We drive straight through stops for gas and bathroom stops. I work nights 7 days a week driving for a living and dh works days. It worked on our last trip great and the kids did great. I think they were afraid that I would pull over and drop them off if they weren't

On our way home this trip we are planning on going from Disney to Myrtle beach, SC for 2 nights then on to Pittsburgh for a quick stop at a friends, then to Mansfield,Ohio to my brothers and back home to Minnesota (20 hour drive from Ohio). This is going to be our first time up the east coast. In 2010 it was our first trip outside of our tristate mn/nd/sd area. So we are travel virgins. Is there anything that we need to know like good places to stop with our kids who range from 2 during our trip to 12. Any places that we need to avoid? Best places to fill up since we are driving a suburban?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thank You

 

[BC1836]

Do you find there is significantly less traffic?
More tractor trailers?
What about speed traps?

Thanks

Indeed, there is significantly less traffic late at night. The post-midnight/early morning hours have the least amount of traffic.

Tractor trailer traffic generally reflects the normal traffic flow at any given time, whether it's noon or midnight. But the big rigs sem to operate to a greater degree in the NJ-DE-MD-notrhern VA corridor on I-95.

Speed traps? They are randomly placed all along the 1,000+mile one-way journey. Maryland has always beeen the most active during our 26 2,000+mile round-trip drives.

All the best.

 

[MACUSER]

We are from Highlands Ranch , CO and have driven to WDW 15 times in the last 16 years . Total miles one 1854 one way . Total miles round trip drive for 15 trips 55,620 miles. All 15 trips have been the same route C-470 to I-70 to I-64 to I-57 to I-24 to I-75 and finally the Florida turn pike .

We have followed the same route over all 15 trips . The only thing that has change is the cities we stay over night . On the way there we have stayed in Independence, Mo , Saint Louis, Mo , Mt Vernon, IL , Dalton, Ga , Atlanta, Ga , and Valdosta, Ga . We found the best places to stop for us on the way to WDW is Mt Vernon, Il and Valdosta, Ga that puts us in WDW by noon on our 3 day driving.

We take 2 and 1/2 days to get to WDW and on the way home we do it in 2 days . On the way back we either stay in St Louis , Mo or Mt Vernon, Il

We are about to embark on our 16th trip in 11 days and this will be the first time in 16 years we will not be taking that route. There has been a rock slide on I75 and there have been reports of 3 hour delays so we are looking into taking an alternate route .