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

[talb714]

We drive from Massachusetts every year. 23 days and counting. My kids are 12 and 9 and we have been driving since my oldest was 1. We leave at 6pm and drive straight. The kids are usually asleep by 11 and don't wake up till 7ish. They have DVD players,kindle fire, and DS's. That keeps them busy. We went through the fighting stage. Didn't last long once I said "no more Disney trips". We only stop for gas and food. On the way home we stop over night. Not the same as going down. Vacation is over :'(

 

[asmit4]

I know we are not driving tractor trailers. but here is a simplified article on what the tt drivers by law have to follow. state to state the laws vary just a bit but this will give you an idea what the states feel are safe, alert driving times for people who drive for a living. we run into this at work a lot with or drivers. again, drive all that weight and size is a little more stressful then driving the minivan but just to give you an idea:

http://freight.about.com/od/Glossary/tp/Hours-of-Service.htm

I'm driving alone on the way down for a girls weekend before our family trip and I have never driven alone for more than 6 hours. This info is helpful. My plan was to try and drive no more than 9 hours total per day- about 10 including stops for gas/food and from the sound of this article- I'm probably at the threshold since I will be alone and it's not something I commonly do.

My family used to do trips that were 20 hours and my mom and dad would trade off driving. On the way home I'll be with my mom so we will switch off....with a toddler though we have to stop for the night. He would never make it for 20 hours....I don't think I could make it that long either!

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I'm driving alone on the way down for a girls weekend before our family trip and I have never driven alone for more than 6 hours. This info is helpful. My plan was to try and drive no more than 9 hours total per day- about 10 including stops for gas/food and from the sound of this article- I'm probably at the threshold since I will be alone and it's not something I commonly do.

My family used to do trips that were 20 hours and my mom and dad would trade off driving. On the way home I'll be with my mom so we will switch off....with a toddler though we have to stop for the night. He would never make it for 20 hours....I don't think I could make it that long either!

The most important thing when driving a long time while alone, is to pay attention to yourself. That sounds funny but you need to be aware of fatigue. When you begin to get tired do something about it, not after you catch yourself zoning out. Then it might be too late. Call someone on the phone (Hands free please) eat some spicy food (I keep a small bag of very hot crunchy Cheetos just for emergency awareness.) And don't push too far. If you are getting too tired, go ahead and stop early.

All that having been said, looks like you have a wise plan to limit your time driving and if you do things to keep attentive you can make the miles go by.

There are all kinds of things you can do alone that you can't do with someone else in the car! Go ahead, belt out Let It Go! for the 12th time at the top of your lungs. THAT will keep you awake.

 

[asmit4]

Driving about 4.5 hours after work (which I do often for other trips- no problem)- arriving at hotel around 11pm.

Then driving about 9-10 hours the next day- from around 8-5:30. Staying overnight again and driving 4 more hours the next day.

I was going to do like 9.5 and 9.5 but I was able to find hotels that were decent rated and decent priced (under 75/nt) so I think it will help to break it up as 10 hours - 2 days in a row might be tough for me. If this trip goes well I might try and do it next year in 2 days with only 1 night hotel but I don't want to push it as I'm a little nervous about it. (I get lost on my own street!)

 

[MulanMom]

A lot of it is just luck. I sat a few times over the years and they all seem to be the upper mm of 81 into Virginia and home. There was a huge construction project on 81 in wv the bridge in Harrisburg on 81 has been under construction since William penn. Here's how I try to handle the northeast. I get past i66 on 81 before the morning rush. Or I get last Richmond before the morning rush. I also avoid Charlotte nc. At rush hours.
Don't drive yourself nuts over it, anyway you go anymore is ripped up. Lol

Not driving myself crazy over it....too much! ;-) No matter how infrequently we travel 81, something always seems to happen on our northbound approach to Harrisburg. One time did the 81/77/26 route at night...only to be caught in construction traffic as they paved in Charlotte and whittled 4 lanes down to one! But, I've also been stuck countless times on I95...especially during the summer. For some reason, that seems a bit worse.

Thank you for all of your help!

 

[BC1836]

BC, it's cool that you can do it that way -- I become useless after 11 pm on the way home, so can't do it! I also choose to think of it this way: If I'm out of the room by 5 a.m., the villa can be prepped that much sooner for the next guest. (I call housekeeping the afternoon before and tell them I'm going to be out by 5 a.m.. Have NO idea if this actually helps or not...)

Thanks for the kind acknowledgement; however, I must confess that the straight drives home can be brutal. I get a zombie kind of feeling! But I just don't want to stay in a non-Disney hotel on the way home...it's such a downer! However, sometimes traffic gets in the way and we have to book a room. And, as dvczerfs correctly pointed out, luck plays a role in the drive.

All the best.

 

[MulanMom]

I think 81/77/26 is your best bet. Even near rush hour Charlotte is better than spots on 95. Any more, I plan on slowed traffic at least once on the trip, anyway.

Oh, and I agree with Dvczerfs. Don't worry to much and plan to be flexible.

I'm leaning that way. If traffic is too much around rush hour, there are some nice stops up around Lake Norman that are good to gas up and eat.

Not really worrying...I guess I hate being caught in traffic when I could've taken an alternate route that was still moving. First (and last) time I used a tom tom, I was traveling down to Williamsburg VA. I planned to take 78/81/15/270/495/95 route. the navigation was telling me to take 95 from Philly straight down. It was the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. I followed the tomtom. Total nightmare. I kept selecting alternate route or whatever would save me time, and the darn thing would take me off 95, find a side road, only to put me back on I95 further south. 6 hour ride turned into a 9 hour! And I could've avoided a lot of it had I taken the route I originally wanted to take!

If the drive ever turns out to be uneventful, I certainly would appreciate how lucky I am!!!

Thanks for your help!

 

[dvczerfs]

Not driving myself crazy over it....too much! ;-) No matter how infrequently we travel 81, something always seems to happen on our northbound approach to Harrisburg. One time did the 81/77/26 route at night...only to be caught in construction traffic as they paved in Charlotte and whittled 4 lanes down to one! But, I've also been stuck countless times on I95...especially during the summer. For some reason, that seems a bit worse. Thank you for all of your help!

Don't mention it. That's what we are here for.
I95 in the summer? I didn't do a traffic study so I am just guessing but the few times in the summer I have ventured that way, is full of vacationers!!!! I95 runs the entire east coast, shore traffic, campers.
A few years ago there was a person who posted to this thread on a Saturday. She was sitting in traffic just north of Richmond on i95 early on a Saturday morning. She ask what was going on? She said there is no rush hour?
She was from nj. I said i95 on a Saturday morning in the summer is like the garden state parkway in the summer.
Now head down after thanksgiving, snow birds!!!! Lol yes a lot of drivers sitting low and driving slow!!! Lol after 4pm, you will not find a hotel, they are packed.
Easter time frame heading north is the same way.
A lot of people live on the eastern part of the us and i95 is it.

 

[isabellea]

Leaving for FL in less than a month! First to St. Pete Beach then to Disney from Montreal, QC. A 24h drive that I am looking forward to and dreading at the same time. I’m just afraid my 2 yo will be bored and cranky as she has no interest in movies and in most of the activities I have planned for my oldest. Hopefully the ton of books and games I will bring for her will be enough to keep her entertained.

On the way to FL our route choice is 87/95 or 81/77/95. We plan on leaving after soccer practice at 8pm so the kids can sleep most of the way. DH is used to work nights so he will do the driving at night and I will take over at 6am. We would like to drive for 16h (to Charlotte, NC if we choose the 81/77/95 route) before stopping for the night. That way it leaves us only 8h the next day.

On our way back from WDW, we have plans to meet with friends that live 1h away from Harrisburg so I reserve a hotel room close to Hershey. Since we have to go back to work shortly after our return (vs staying at the beach for 2 weeks) we’re not planning any night driving and will stop twice at Charlotte and Hershey.

I need suggestions from you guys.
1. What route would you choose for night driving between 87/95 and 81/77/95 on our way down to FL?
2. Any nice hotel/area to stay close to Charlotte? Ideally with a pool and maybe a kid playground close so I can exhaust the girls before a good night sleep? Would you stay north or south of Charlotte?
3. Any fun activities for a toddler in the car who doesn’t like watching movies?

 

[dvcville]

48 days to go before we make our annual trip down I-95 to WDW. We made all our dinning and fast pass plus choices and it’s time for me to start inspecting the minivan before our trip. We have driven the last few years and we drive straight through. We plan to do so this year too. How has I-95 been? I know about PA & DE but what about MD, DC & VA? I know there is always construction in these states anyone run into any problem s while traveling I-95 through these states.

 

[asmit4]

How old exactly in months will your 2yo be on the trip? My son got suddenly interested in tv right around his 2nd birthday. Before that he'd never watch tv at all...then he started watching 30 minute episodes of tv programming like Barney and Bubble guppies almost immediately.

 

[BC1836]

48 days to go before we make our annual trip down I-95 to WDW. We made all our dinning and fast pass plus choices and it’s time for me to start inspecting the minivan before our trip. We have driven the last few years and we drive straight through. We plan to do so this year too. How has I-95 been? I know about PA & DE but what about MD, DC & VA? I know there is always construction in these states anyone run into any problem s while traveling I-95 through these states.

We saw but did not experience construction delays in southern MD and around Richmond (we were heading north) last April.

But always avoid the greater DC area at rush hour. Always!

All the best.

 

[isabellea]

How old exactly in months will your 2yo be on the trip? My son got suddenly interested in tv right around his 2nd birthday. Before that he'd never watch tv at all...then he started watching 30 minute episodes of tv programming like Barney and Bubble guppies almost immediately.

She's actually turning two during our trip, July 22nd.

 

[dvcville]

We saw but did not experience construction delays in southern MD and around Richmond (we were heading north) last April.

But always avoid the greater DC area at rush hour. Always!

All the best.

Thanks BC, we have driven straight through during the night but are thinking of a 10 am departure this year. We are renting a house for the first four days before our stay at OKW. We can get in the house as soon as we arrive because the key will be in a lock box. What are your thoughts on a 10 am departure?

 

[dvczerfs]

good morning all!!!!!

DD!!! are you still here or did you leave yet???

looong week of work for me this past week. it was the first "heat" we had around here that people turned there a/c on and remembered it made a funny noise when we shut it off last fall.

hope everyone has a good weekend and safe travels to everyone heading south!

(hi bc..... hi Sharon!)

 

[mjmyers10]

Thanks BC, we have driven straight through during the night but are thinking of a 10 am departure this year. We are renting a house for the first four days before our stay at OKW. We can get in the house as soon as we arrive because the key will be in a lock box. What are your thoughts on a 10 am departure?

If you have to go through DE, you will hit traffic on 95.

 

[dvcville]

If you have to go through DE, you will hit traffic on 95.

Is that because of the I-495 closure? I have never really had any problems in the past driving through Wilmington on I-95. We will be hitting the road on a Wednesday.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

good morning all!!!!! DD!!! are you still here or did you leave yet??? looong week of work for me this past week. it was the first "heat" we had around here that people turned there a/c on and remembered it made a funny noise when we shut it off last fall. hope everyone has a good weekend and safe travels to everyone heading south! (hi bc..... hi Sharon!)

I am still here. We leave next Sat. 1 full day and 2 half days of school left. Woohoo!!!!
I got the job that I interviewed for!! I'm so psyched! Now I can really relax on my vacation.
I just finished vacuuming the truck. I need to call and schedule a oil change for this week. I did some laundry but with the kids wearing the clothes I'm bringing, it's hard to pack. It's much easier to pack in Feb. and April. Lol

I'm thinking were gonna leave between 4 and 5 am. We'll pack lunch and stop for supper. I'm getting so excited. My DH said he was going through Disney withdrawals the other day. I laughed bc this is coming from the guy that said a year or so ago that he was getting sick of Disney. Since last July we've been 6x. We just got back in April lol. I don't think he's too sick of it.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[dvczerfs]

I am still here. We leave next Sat. 1 full day and 2 half days of school left. Woohoo!!!!
I got the job that I interviewed for!! I'm so psyched! Now I can really relax on my vacation.
I just finished vacuuming the truck. I need to call and schedule a oil change for this week. I did some laundry but with the kids wearing the clothes I'm bringing, it's hard to pack. It's much easier to pack in Feb. and April. Lol

I'm thinking were gonna leave between 4 and 5 am. We'll pack lunch and stop for supper. I'm getting so excited. My DH said he was going through Disney withdrawals the other day. I laughed bc this is coming from the guy that said a year or so ago that he was getting sick of Disney. Since last July we've been 6x. We just got back in April lol. I don't think he's too sick of it.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

the place kinda grows on you after a while. In 80 days ill be heading down for my 60th trip and for some reason im just as excited as the first trip 40 plus years ago. it is kinda of cool seeing the place as it grows and changes along with you and your family. I have seen the place as a nine year old, as a young married person, as a young father and an old father and now an empty nester. all a different experience. so many memories.
from thinking mission to mars was the greatest ride at nine years old, to our honeymoon to a 4 year old dd sitting in the hub and telling me she is going to work here one day to only it happening 16 years later.
people always tell me there is so much more to see and do other then Disney. which may be true but I wouldn't trade the last 40 plus years for anything.
congrats on the new job!!!!!! I have to take the car in for its annual in a few weeks then am going to fill it up, wash it and stick it in the garage. ill have to rinse off the dust before we leave but that don't take long.
keep in touch!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

the place kinda grows on you after a while. In 80 days ill be heading down for my 60th trip and for some reason im just as excited as the first trip 40 plus years ago. it is kinda of cool seeing the place as it grows and changes along with you and your family. I have seen the place as a nine year old, as a young married person, as a young father and an old father and now an empty nester. all a different experience. so many memories. from thinking mission to mars was the greatest ride at nine years old, to our honeymoon to a 4 year old dd sitting in the hub and telling me she is going to work here one day to only it happening 16 years later. people always tell me there is so much more to see and do other then Disney. which may be true but I wouldn't trade the last 40 plus years for anything. congrats on the new job!!!!!! I have to take the car in for its annual in a few weeks then am going to fill it up, wash it and stick it in the garage. ill have to rinse off the dust before we leave but that don't take long. keep in touch!!!

Yes it does grow on you. Lol. I have FP for 7DMT for next Monday. I can't wait!! I needed to make them late enough so DH could meet us there after work.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards