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

[dvczerfs]

My goodness, what all do you take? Did I miss the kitchen sink?

just about!! i should have pulled the dvc blanket off. the "back seat area" is mostly a cooler and the snack box. which we haul all kinds of food evey year and dont eat it. if we take this care in may, we wont be taking a cooler or the snack box. we now have an ownerlocker so i can get rid of two bags. we are heavy packers. thats why we could never fly

 

[Gowahoowa]

So- this report is almost a week late, but we are still unpacking from our 2 week disney cruise and land adventure!

Spur of the moment, we decided to add an extra night to our vacation and leave on Monday morning 8/27 instead of Sunday 8/26. We were able to spend another day in the Magic Kingdom and had a wonderful dinner at Boma.

We left Disney at 6:05 am Monday morning in the pouring rain! We caught some rush hour traffic outside Jacksonville and then cruised the rest of the way North on 95! Rain was on and off throughout the morning, more off as we traveled north.

We only stopped for gas and bathroom until 4:45pm when we got Chick Fil A and Starbucks for dinner in North Carolina!

We arrived at home in New Jersey at 11:10pm. Total travel time: 17h,5m!!

This was our 4th straight through drive and our smoothest and fastest yet.

Safe travels to everyone this holiday weekend and happy driving!!

Hi Everyone!

We left yesterday at 5:15am for our 6th drive to Florida! The drive was uneventful and smooth except for some traffic outside Baltimore! Our 3 car caravan made it to Savannah at 5:50pm for the night.

Today, we left Savannah around 830 and arrived in Port Canaveral around 1245! Our cruise on the Dream embarks tomorrow!! Life is good!

On Sunday, we head to the World for a week at our Beloved Lodge.

For anyone making drive South on 95, we have never seen so many speed traps and state troopers from Virginia south. Beware and drive safe!!

Take care!!

 

[BC1836]

So- this report is almost a week late, but we are still unpacking from our 2 week disney cruise and land adventure!

Spur of the moment, we decided to add an extra night to our vacation and leave on Monday morning 8/27 instead of Sunday 8/26. We were able to spend another day in the Magic Kingdom and had a wonderful dinner at Boma.

We left Disney at 6:05 am Monday morning in the pouring rain! We caught some rush hour traffic outside Jacksonville and then cruised the rest of the way North on 95! Rain was on and off throughout the morning, more off as we traveled north.

We only stopped for gas and bathroom until 4:45pm when we got Chick Fil A and Starbucks for dinner in North Carolina!

We arrived at home in New Jersey at 11:10pm. Total travel time: 17h,5m!!

This was our 4th straight through drive and our smoothest and fastest yet.

Safe travels to everyone this holiday weekend and happy driving!!

Thanks for the report, and welcome home. You made very good time, despite the weather.

[Although we can wake up at almost any hour to depart from home we can't leave from WDW earlier than 9 a.m.]

Now get started on planning your next drive to WDW!

All the best.

 

[happily single]

That's my problem, I can't drive when I am tired so DH will probably do most of the driving but I can't really sleep in the car either. I always afraid to close my eyes incase something happens.



Thanks for the tip on "Drive 95" and how scary no DDs I can't live without my DD coffee so we always bring some to brew in our room when down at Disney.

We live in Warwick so we are not too far from you. Our plan is to hit the road at 2-3am on Friday April 12th. I just can't believe how expensive the airfare will be for April. We have gone in 2009 & 2010 and never paid that much.

What time did you arrive in Lumberton,NC?

Is that the beginning of April vacation? I was toying around with the idea of driving again Leaving at 4:00 a.m. and numerous stops for gas, food, bathroom, etc. we arrived in Lumberton about 3:30 p.m. I could have driven at least another 2 hours but the kids had had enough. I would say it is about the half-way point from RI to Orlando.


PS I had originally booked a room at the Red Roof Inn. We checked in and were informed the pool wasn't open yet (seasonal) so they graciously let me check right back out. We went maybe 500 feet down the road and stayed at a Motel 6 (I think). Clean indoor pool. The rooom was clean but I felt it was a little ehhhh. Pick up a Roomsaver book along the way at any rest area. They have room discounts in them.

 

[sharadoc]

just about!! i should have pulled the dvc blanket off. the "back seat area" is mostly a cooler and the snack box. which we haul all kinds of food evey year and dont eat it. if we take this care in may, we wont be taking a cooler or the snack box. we now have an ownerlocker so i can get rid of two bags. we are heavy packers. thats why we could never fly

LOVE the new Avatar!

This past trip we tried WEGOSHOP and it was great! Didn't bring that extra giant box of cereal, granola bars, etc. and had much more room plus avoided the grocery store for milk, eggs, stuff to grill.

 

[Gowahoowa]

Thanks for the report, and welcome home. You made very good time, despite the weather.

[Although we can wake up at almost any hour to depart from home we can't leave from WDW earlier than 9 a.m.]

Now get started on planning your next drive to WDW!

All the best.

Thanks! The planning has begun on our next drive, a surprise santa trip over the holidays. This one will provide us a quandary of sorts. We are planning on leaving on Friday 12/21 after school. We check into BLT on Saturday 12/22. We are both teachers and can't take off. We are debating when to actually push off.

Plan A- Leave no later than 5:00pm. Drive as far as we can. Sleep. Drive the rest of the way in the morning.
Plan B- Rest during dinner time. Leave around 9-10pm and drive straight through over night taking turns. Arrive at Disney around 3-4pm.
Plan C- ??

We've always stopped in Savannah on the way down. We know we can't make it on this trip so any ideas would be appreciated. Enjoy the rest of the holiday everyone. Safe driving!

 

[miprender]

Is that the beginning of April vacation? I was toying around with the idea of driving again Leaving at 4:00 a.m. and numerous stops for gas, food, bathroom, etc. we arrived in Lumberton about 3:30 p.m. I could have driven at least another 2 hours but the kids had had enough. I would say it is about the half-way point from RI to Orlando.

.

Yes that is the beginning of April vacation. DH is a teacher and we have APs that will be expiring in June-2013 so that is the reason we really want to go back in April but don't want to pay the huge airfare Plus I just talked to my mom who will also be going with us and she is on board with the plan So she can help entertain the kids while DH drives and I co pilot.

PS I had originally booked a room at the Red Roof Inn. We checked in and were informed the pool wasn't open yet (seasonal) so they graciously let me check right back out. We went maybe 500 feet down the road and stayed at a Motel 6 (I think). Clean indoor pool. The rooom was clean but I felt it was a little ehhhh. Pick up a Roomsaver book along the way at any rest area. They have room discounts in them.

That is good to know. I think I might start keeping a journal with everyone's knowledge.

 

[miprender]

QUESTION for everyone
When you do stop for the night do you take all your luggage in with you or do you leave it in the car? I would probably have 1 bag for our overnight things but I would hate to lug everything in and then repack the car. Obviously I would take in my electronics but how safe is it to leave the clothes in the car? We do not have an alarm on our car either

 

[thumbalyna]

I just take the electronics and an overnight bag whenever i do stop. Just moved my daughter to college and did the same.

 

[dvczerfs]

QUESTION for everyone
When you do stop for the night do you take all your luggage in with you or do you leave it in the car? I would probably have 1 bag for our overnight things but I would hate to lug everything in and then repack the car. Obviously I would take in my electronics but how safe is it to leave the clothes in the car? We do not have an alarm on our car either

when we stop, we have a small over night bag. we take in the electronics and i cover eveything with a blanket anyway.i guess im thinking if they dont see what there looking for, they may go to the next guy. why break into a car that may not have what there looking for. if they need my underware that bad, they can have it.

 

[angwill]

We have a seperate small suitcase with all the electronics, bathroom stuff, and two changes of clothes for each of us when we stop on the way there or back. We have a trunk where the other suitcases etc stay overnight.

 

[BC1836]

Thanks! The planning has begun on our next drive, a surprise santa trip over the holidays. This one will provide us a quandary of sorts. We are planning on leaving on Friday 12/21 after school. We check into BLT on Saturday 12/22. We are both teachers and can't take off. We are debating when to actually push off.

Plan A- Leave no later than 5:00pm. Drive as far as we can. Sleep. Drive the rest of the way in the morning.
Plan B- Rest during dinner time. Leave around 9-10pm and drive straight through over night taking turns. Arrive at Disney around 3-4pm.
Plan C- ??

We've always stopped in Savannah on the way down. We know we can't make it on this trip so any ideas would be appreciated. Enjoy the rest of the holiday everyone. Safe driving!

Keep both plans and make a final decision based upon the weather.

We are considering a couple of nights in Savannah in October (on our drive from WDW). Any suggestions? Recommendations? Helpful hints?

All the best.

 

[Valley Twin]

Thanks for the tip on "Drive 95" and how scary no DDs I can't live without my DD coffee so we always bring some to brew in our room when down at Disney.

No Dunkin? Yikes! Good thing we're driving during the day I guess then.

Coming down Friday 10/19/12 from Philly. Picking up the spouse at the office in Malvern, PA at noon and leaving from there. It's a little over 3 hours from Malvern to DC, so I figure we'll get through there before rush hour. Will probably hit Richmond's evening traffic though. Looking at staying overnight in Fayetteville NC then leaving at o-dark-thirty Saturday morning for the second half of the trip, getting to WDW late afternoon.

 

[miprender]

I just take the electronics and an overnight bag whenever i do stop. Just moved my daughter to college and did the same.

when we stop, we have a small over night bag. we take in the electronics and i cover eveything with a blanket anyway.i guess im thinking if they dont see what there looking for, they may go to the next guy. why break into a car that may not have what there looking for. if they need my underware that bad, they can have it.

We have a seperate small suitcase with all the electronics, bathroom stuff, and two changes of clothes for each of us when we stop on the way there or back. We have a trunk where the other suitcases etc stay overnight.

Thanks everyone. That is what we probably will do to.

No Dunkin? Yikes! Good thing we're driving during the day I guess then.

I know....

 

[Gowahoowa]

That sounds like a great idea! We always stay at the SpringHill Suites Exit 94 I 95 South. Rooms are big and around $100. However, if you want to see and visit Savannah, this isn't the hotel for you. As I understand it, downtown Savannah is 20-30 minutes off the highway. I'm sure others here will be able to give their advice on visiting Savannah!

Good luck- I hear Savannah is a great place to visit.

Keep both plans and make a final decision based upon the weather.

We are considering a couple of nights in Savannah in October (on our drive from WDW). Any suggestions? Recommendations? Helpful hints?

All the best.

 

[pwdebbie]

Thanks for the tip on "Drive 95" and how scary no DDs I can't live without my DD coffee so we always bring some to brew in our room when down at Disney.

We live in Warwick so we are not too far from you. Our plan is to hit the road at 2-3am on Friday April 12th. I just can't believe how expensive the airfare will be for April. We have gone in 2009 & 2010 and never paid that much.

What time did you arrive in Lumberton,NC?

Have you looked at the April 2013 thread? Some folks have posted some great airfares they've gotten.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

So- this report is almost a week late, but we are still unpacking from our 2 week disney cruise and land adventure!

Spur of the moment, we decided to add an extra night to our vacation and leave on Monday morning 8/27 instead of Sunday 8/26. We were able to spend another day in the Magic Kingdom and had a wonderful dinner at Boma.

We left Disney at 6:05 am Monday morning in the pouring rain! We caught some rush hour traffic outside Jacksonville and then cruised the rest of the way North on 95! Rain was on and off throughout the morning, more off as we traveled north.

We only stopped for gas and bathroom until 4:45pm when we got Chick Fil A and Starbucks for dinner in North Carolina!

We arrived at home in New Jersey at 11:10pm. Total travel time: 17h,5m!!

This was our 4th straight through drive and our smoothest and fastest yet.

Safe travels to everyone this holiday weekend and happy driving!!

Wow! You made great time!

A little less than 2 months until we make our first drive to WDW from Southern NJ. I keep asking my husband to start getting into planning at least the drive (he will do the majority of driving), but he's not much of a planner. He also is holding my suitcases hostage and not letting me pack until 30 days prior to departure I guess he doesn't share my same excitement, lol!

So this is the plan I have come up with:

• Leave SNJ at around 6-6:30pm on Friday Nov. 2nd after an early dinner.
• DH will have slept during the day Friday (9am-3pm). Kids and I will go to work/school that day.
• We will drive until we pass DC. Then stop to stretch, use the restroom, get a late night snack, and change the little one into his PJ's hopefully signifying time to sleep.
• DH drives through the night stopping when he needs to.
• Hopefully, the rest of us sleep for a bit. I know DD will have no problem sleeping. I'm pretty sure my son will sleep fine in his car seat. I'm not sure I will be able to sleep though.
• We will stop for a very early morning sit down breakfast.
• I will take over the driving.
• Kids will have movies, games, and snacks.
• Hopefully DH sleeps a little.
• Arrive at WL early afternoon.
• Rest
• Meet the mouse at Mickey's Backyard BBQ
• Early to bed.

ETA: On the return we will stay overnight in a hotel because DH will not have had the opportunity to sleep during the day prior to driving. Not sure what time we will leave WDW though so not sure exactly where we will stop.

 

[Amirah95]

No DD? I lose my mind when there are no SB around.

 

[BC1836]

Wow! You made great time!

A little less than 2 months until we make our first drive to WDW from Southern NJ. I keep asking my husband to start getting into planning at least the drive (he will do the majority of driving), but he's not much of a planner. He also is holding my suitcases hostage and not letting me pack until 30 days prior to departure I guess he doesn't share my same excitement, lol!

So this is the plan I have come up with:

• Leave SNJ at around 6-6:30pm on Friday Nov. 2nd after an early dinner.
• DH will have slept during the day Friday (9am-3pm). Kids and I will go to work/school that day.
• We will drive until we pass DC. Then stop to stretch, use the restroom, get a late night snack, and change the little one into his PJ's hopefully signifying time to sleep.
• DH drives through the night stopping when he needs to.
• Hopefully, the rest of us sleep for a bit. I know DD will have no problem sleeping. I'm pretty sure my son will sleep fine in his car seat. I'm not sure I will be able to sleep though.
• We will stop for a very early morning sit down breakfast.
• I will take over the driving.
• Kids will have movies, games, and snacks.
• Hopefully DH sleeps a little.
• Arrive at WL early afternoon.
• Rest
• Meet the mouse at Mickey's Backyard BBQ
• Early to bed.

ETA: On the return we will stay overnight in a hotel because DH will not have had the opportunity to sleep during the day prior to driving. Not sure what time we will leave WDW though so not sure exactly where we will stop.

A well thought out plan. Your departure time may result in some residual rush hour traffic if you're taking I-295 to the DE Memorial Bridge. It's Friday night, after all. It's probably a good idea to fill up at one of the I-95 gas station rest stops in MD so that you'll be getting gas next when dawn is approaching.

If you depart WDW at around 9 a.m. for the return ride home you could make it to Emporia, VA on a weekend. A weekday departure has a bit more traffic and northern NC is within your reach.

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

TICKER CHECK!!!!