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

[Kinziepoohsmom]

We will be driving home to MA on Friday and plan on stopping somewhere between Florence, SC and the NC border. We have never stayed in this area before and would appreciate some suggestions on a good hotel. Any help would be great!!

 

[Hasil72]

We will be driving home to MA on Friday and plan on stopping somewhere between Florence, SC and the NC border. We have never stayed in this area before and would appreciate some suggestions on a good hotel. Any help would be great!!

We stopped on our way down last Easter at the Holiday Inn Express by the Civic Center in Florence and it was fine. It wasn't a planned stay but they were very accommodating and offer a free breakfast. It was quiet and clean, no issues at all. However, friends stayed there a few months later and had their car broken into. Fall trip we stayed in Santee, SC. This Easter, we're planning on Florence again and have the Courtyard booked.

 

[DIS kid at heart]

We're making our first drive down to WDW in April from Burlington County, NJ.

I'm hoping to stop somewhere near the Georgia/Florida border for breakfast. Does anyone have any suggestions??

TIA!!

 

[BC1836]

We're making our first drive down to WDW in April from Burlington County, NJ.

I'm hoping to stop somewhere near the Georgia/Florida border for breakfast. Does anyone have any suggestions??

TIA!!

There are numerous fast food places that are identified on I-95 exit signs as you travel. Once you get further south a few new places will be seen, like Waffle House. They're all okay for a quick stop, especially Cracker Barrel.

All the best.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

We will be driving home to MA on Friday and plan on stopping somewhere between Florence, SC and the NC border. We have never stayed in this area before and would appreciate some suggestions on a good hotel. Any help would be great!!

From MA too!!
On the way home we usually stop further up, but on the way down we've stopped twice in Fayetteville NC (on 95)

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jwboucher]

We will be driving home to MA on Friday and plan on stopping somewhere between Florence, SC and the NC border. We have never stayed in this area before and would appreciate some suggestions on a good hotel. Any help would be great!!

We have stopped in Florence quite a few times on the way down. The main exit it full of motel and food chains. We like Sleep Inn or Hampton Inn. We try to make it to VA on the way back. Doesn't always happen though. We
Drive from eastern CT.

 

[chepic]

We will be driving home to MA on Friday and plan on stopping somewhere between Florence, SC and the NC border. We have never stayed in this area before and would appreciate some suggestions on a good hotel. Any help would be great!!

We have stayed in holiday inns and courtyards on the way down in Florence, Santee, Fayetteville, I believe, and have never had an issue. On the way back up, we try to get further north since we are from Rhode Island. Most of the time my husband just drives straight through because he just wants to get home.

Have a safe drive home.

 

[BC1836]

Ugh! Flying to Texas soon. The journey will make our next drive to WDW even more enjoyable, especially when comparing and contrasting the two different traveling experiences.

[We actually drove to Texas twice. A long haul, to be sure.]

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

Ugh! Flying to Texas soon. The journey will make our next drive to WDW even more enjoyable, especially when comparing and contrasting the two different traveling experiences.

[We actually drove to Texas twice. A long haul, to be sure.]

All the best.

I have never been to texas and one day would love to go to your destination.
its sad but that part of history was never taught in the school district I attended. one day.

have a nice flight!!!

 

[sharadoc]

Ugh! Flying to Texas soon. The journey will make our next drive to WDW even more enjoyable, especially when comparing and contrasting the two different traveling experiences.

[We actually drove to Texas twice. A long haul, to be sure.]

All the best.

Remember the Alamo!!!!

 

[BC1836]

Remember the Alamo!!!!

Exactly!

Your truly will be speaking at ceremonies at the Alamo on March 6, and at the Alamo Society 2014 Symposium on March 8, and will be signing books at the Alamo Gift Museum on March 9.

All the best!

 

[dvczerfs]

Remember the Alamo!!!!

dropped it in the mail this morning!

 

[dvczerfs]

Exactly!

Your truly will be speaking at ceremonies at the Alamo on March 6, and at the Alamo Society 2014 Symposium on March 8, and will be signing books at the Alamo Gift Museum on March 9.

All the best!

 

[artesian]

So now that southwest has posted I know I am driving this year. I am not used to leaving on a weekday so I am trying to plot my plan of attack. My goal is to make Savannah on my first day so I have a short drive the next morning.
Here is my 3 options. Take into considerations I am leaving NJ at 1pm and would hit DC 4ish if taking 95

1. Take 95 all the way down. This scares me big time. I will hit DC 4 ish then Richmond during a potential rush hour. Am I over thinking this on a Weds afternoon? Goolge Time 11hr 37min
2. Take 95 to 13 in Delaware then 58 out of Norfolk. I am very familiar here up to Norfolk being I drive this was to OBX. I know 13 is a pita with the speed limits jumping up and down for quite a while. What I don't know is what is 58 out of Norfolk like. Two laner no lights or basic one lane each way? 12hr:42min
3. 78-81-77-26-95. Never gone this way. From what I have read the potential for traffic this way is probably the least. If that is the case could I potential shave more time off this was? Goolge time 12hr 57 min

Looking for opinions on someone who may have drove all 3. I will have a dry run of #2 in July out of VA being we are going to Bush Gardens and will be driving home on a Friday night. Any and all comments will be appreciated.

 

[patclairesmom]

So now that southwest has posted I know I am driving this year. I am not used to leaving on a weekday so I am trying to plot my plan of attack. My goal is to make Savannah on my first day so I have a short drive the next morning.
Here is my 3 options. Take into considerations I am leaving NJ at 1pm and would hit DC 4ish if taking 95

1. Take 95 all the way down. This scares me big time. I will hit DC 4 ish then Richmond during a potential rush hour. Am I over thinking this on a Weds afternoon? Goolge Time 11hr 37min
2. Take 95 to 13 in Delaware then 58 out of Norfolk. I am very familiar here up to Norfolk being I drive this was to OBX. I know 13 is a pita with the speed limits jumping up and down for quite a while. What I don't know is what is 58 out of Norfolk like. Two laner no lights or basic one lane each way? 12hr:42min
3. 78-81-77-26-95. Never gone this way. From what I have read the potential for traffic this way is probably the least. If that is the case could I potential shave more time off this was? Goolge time 12hr 57 min

Looking for opinions on someone who may have drove all 3. I will have a dry run of #2 in July out of VA being we are going to Bush Gardens and will be driving home on a Friday night. Any and all comments will be appreciated.

What time are you planning on leaving? Is it possible to leave so you avoid rush hour in DC? I wouldn't worry about Richmond traffic as you can take the beltway(is it called this) around it. As for 78-81-77-26-95, this is totally doable. We did it once, just be careful when you hit Charlotte, NC as there can be alot of traffic there.

 

[Hasil72]

So now that southwest has posted I know I am driving this year. I am not used to leaving on a weekday so I am trying to plot my plan of attack. My goal is to make Savannah on my first day so I have a short drive the next morning.
Here is my 3 options. Take into considerations I am leaving NJ at 1pm and would hit DC 4ish if taking 95

1. Take 95 all the way down. This scares me big time. I will hit DC 4 ish then Richmond during a potential rush hour. Am I over thinking this on a Weds afternoon? Goolge Time 11hr 37min
2. Take 95 to 13 in Delaware then 58 out of Norfolk. I am very familiar here up to Norfolk being I drive this was to OBX. I know 13 is a pita with the speed limits jumping up and down for quite a while. What I don't know is what is 58 out of Norfolk like. Two laner no lights or basic one lane each way? 12hr:42min
3. 78-81-77-26-95. Never gone this way. From what I have read the potential for traffic this way is probably the least. If that is the case could I potential shave more time off this was? Goolge time 12hr 57 min

Looking for opinions on someone who may have drove all 3. I will have a dry run of #2 in July out of VA being we are going to Bush Gardens and will be driving home on a Friday night. Any and all comments will be appreciated.

We've only traveled 95 leaving at a variety of times, typically on a Thursday, and always get hung up in VA. Not just slow down annoying traffic, we're talking not even using the gas pedal, just barely taking my foot off the brake slow. Then we take the 295 loop around Richmond. Love it! The past few trips we've left around 1PM since we can't pull the kids from school until 12:30 so they get credit for the day. It's no too bad. The longer you can drive once it gets dark, the better. Traffic really clears out.

I've always wanted to take the inland route but we haven't tried it yet. People here in the Dis swear by it though. If we decide to take a different route this Easter, I'll report back and let you know how it compares.

Have a great trip!

 

[jebpompano]

We are planning to do our first drive in August with a 5 and a 3 year old. We are driving from CT. We've been twice with them but flew, however, flights are so expensive. I'm not going to lie...I am so nervous! So glad I found this thread to discover good tips and strategies!

 

[artesian]

We've only traveled 95 leaving at a variety of times, typically on a Thursday, and always get hung up in VA. Not just slow down annoying traffic, we're talking not even using the gas pedal, just barely taking my foot off the brake slow. Then we take the 295 loop around Richmond. Love it! The past few trips we've left around 1PM since we can't pull the kids from school until 12:30 so they get credit for the day. It's no too bad. The longer you can drive once it gets dark, the better. Traffic really clears out.

I've always wanted to take the inland route but we haven't tried it yet. People here in the Dis swear by it though. If we decide to take a different route this Easter, I'll report back and let you know how it compares.

Have a great trip!

Same boat with a 1pm start time i don't think 95 is an option. I'm really curious about the coastal route coming out of Norfolk. 13 in Delaware is annoying but manageable. I think I can get a better idea about coastal when I test run in a few months

 

[dvczerfs]

What time are you planning on leaving? Is it possible to leave so you avoid rush hour in DC? I wouldn't worry about Richmond traffic as you can take the beltway(is it called this) around it. As for 78-81-77-26-95, this is totally doable. We did it once, just be careful when you hit Charlotte, NC as there can be alot of traffic there.

if your interested, I have the time and mileage from point to point going 78/81/77/26/95/4.
the quickest I have done it is a little over 15 hours. straight thru just stopping for gas and pee breaks. ( that's also doing it with what I like to call "driving with a purpose"! )

 

[dvczerfs]

where I have home to i81. that would be your starting point when you cross the nj/pa state line on i78.

home to i81................... 1 hour 1 min. 71 miles
i81 to ma....................... 1 hour 19 min. 87 miles
ma to wv ..................... 10min. 12 miles
wv to va ...................... 22 min. 25 miles
va to i77 ...................... 3 hours 23 min. 241 miles
i77 to nc ...................... 26 min. 32 miles
nc to charl. nc .............. 1 hour 44 min. 97 miles
char to sc..................... 11 min. 12 miles
sc to i26....................... 1 hour 13 min. 88 miles
i26 to i95...................... 49 min. 53 miles
i95 to ga...................... 1 hour 07 min. 53 miles
ga to fl........................ 1 hour 44min. 111 miles
fl to i4 ......................... 1 hour 42min. 119 miles
i4 to exit 68.................. 54min. 62 miles

now keep in mind, these times include gas stops and rest stops. this is the 16 hour drive. a bit slower pace. time and mile includes exits. entrances etc....
this is a good idea with stops, no sit down meals, how long from point to point.
just remember, there is no perfect way. there could be a crash, traffic any way you go that can hold you up. I also don't use the "belt ways or bypass" I stay on 95 and 4.
the trip I did these times and miles I hit little traffic. I also think I read you were going during the week, being from nj I don't have to tell you what a Friday or Saturday during the summer months can do to traffic on the shore point interstates and 95 in the summer on Friday and Saturday can be fun.

and there again, if you live near i95, leave at the right time and drive straight thru, it can be a quick way of getting there.

I also use 78/81/66/17/95/4 but that's is during the winter months. if your not use to 66/17 and can be a little confusing.

good luck and have a nice trip!