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

[wmcyip]

Has anyone used the I95 Express Lanes in Maryland and VA?

Apparently the VA express lanes are free for EZPASS FLEX holders (HOV/Carpool).

 

[minnie mum]

We're getting ready for our drive down from eastern Ont to WDW next month. We usually take the 81/77/26/95 route and stay overnight in Harrisburg and Orangeburg. But recently a friend suggested that we cut over to the 95 sooner, taking the 64 into Richmond. Any pluses in going this way as far as saving time or traffic? I kind of really hate the section of 77 where you have to drive down that steep escarpment. Last time it was in 0/0 fog and rain. I'm assuming if we go that way, Florence or Fayetteville would be good places to stop for the night??

 

[disneysteve]

Has anyone used the I95 Express Lanes in Maryland and VA?

Apparently the VA express lanes are free for EZPASS FLEX holders (HOV/Carpool).

We went to Richmond a couple of weeks ago. At one point on the way down, I hopped into the express lanes figuring I'd avoid some traffic. As it turned out, traffic was so light that it didn't make any difference. There was nothing wrong with it - it just wasn't necessary. I would imagine when traffic is more significant, it could be very helpful. Also, the express lanes have a 65mph speed limit where the regular lanes are 55mph so that's a benefit too.

 

[nono]

Is anyone trying to make it south before the storm coming in?

 

[disneysteve]

Is anyone trying to make it south before the storm coming in?

I wish!

 

[sharadoc]

Thanks, nono!

[SIZE="1[COLOR="Red"]"][Greetings from Naples, FL. The winter of 2013-14 got to us[/COLOR].][/SIZE]

All the best.

Wait, what????? - permanent, snowbird, or trip???

 

[BC1836]

Wait, what????? - permanent, snowbird, or trip???

First "snowbird" experience: 2 nights at WDW (Dolphin) headin' south (12/30 & 12/31), all of January in Naples, three nights (GFR) before headin' north on 2/3.

All the best.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

First "snowbird" experience: 2 nights at WDW (Dolphin) headin' south (12/30 & 12/31), all of January in Naples, three nights (GFR) before headin' north on 2/3. All the best.

That sounds so great!! Good for you. My parents are doing that for the first time this year also. They are staying for 6 weeks.
I am so happy they missed the blizzard today! That makes it all worth it!!
Have great trip.

 

[Cando86]

We returned home a couple weeks ago. We drove from Michigan. Left at 7am and stopped at 8pm (with two stops to eat) in Macon, GA where we had booked a room at the Super 8 there. I wouldn't stay there again. Just felt kind of unsafe. But it worked for the night I suppose. The next day we left a little after 8am and arrived in Orlando around 1pm. Coming back we ending up stopping in Richmond, KY which was a bit south of Lexington. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn there and it was MUCH better than the Super 8 on the way down . I actually loved driving!

 

[LadyBeBop]

We returned home a couple weeks ago. We drove from Michigan. Left at 7am and stopped at 8pm (with two stops to eat) in Macon, GA where we had booked a room at the Super 8 there.

You made good time. Did you have to battle rush hour traffic in Atlanta? Or did you travel on the weekend?

I wouldn't stay there again. Just felt kind of unsafe. But it worked for the night I suppose.

Was this off of the Macon Bypass (I think I-475)? Or did you actually go into Macon?

Coming back we ending up stopping in Richmond, KY which was a bit south of Lexington. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn there and it was MUCH better than the Super 8 on the way down .

I know Richmond well. I had a uncle who lived in Richmond for a while. About ten years ago, when my daughters were looking at colleges, we spent a day at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. It's a nice college town. Glad you liked it there.

I actually loved driving!

Yea!!! Always love to hear that from the I-75 drivers.

 

[Cando86]

You made good time. Did you have to battle rush hour traffic in Atlanta? Or did you travel on the weekend?

We actually hit traffic in Atlanta going down and coming home. The way down was on a Sunday and we thought we'd be in the clear but nope. We hit traffic. The way back was a Friday and we hit Atlanta before "rush hour" (though I don't know if rush hour in Atlanta is the same as it is here in MI - 4pm-6pm) and it was still pretty heavy. It seemed like there was no way of skipping the ATL traffic!

Was this off of the Macon Bypass (I think I-475)? Or did you actually go into Macon?

It was an exit off I-475 but I know we were in Macon?

I know Richmond well. I had a uncle who lived in Richmond for a while. About ten years ago, when my daughters were looking at colleges, we spent a day at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. It's a nice college town. Glad you liked it there.

Oh that's good to hear! We were going to stay in Lexington but it was a little too expensive for what we were looking for and found Richmond on a map and hoped for the best! It worked out really well!

Yea!!! Always love to hear that from the I-75 drivers.

I was pleasantly surprised, that's for sure!!!

 

[BC1836]

Disney Hess at $1.97 (regular).

All the best!

 

[FirstTimeWithMickey]

New here...just found your board. We are driving from the north and more than a little bummed about gas prices going up already...we have until summer before our trip. This is a first time for us, and we are planning to stop along the way to see some sites. My plan on this trip is to avoid any brand restaurants and seek some local delights. Is there any information I am not finding on good restaurants? We are planning two different routes there and back to see as much as we can of the south.

 

[AaronInWI]

New here...just found your board. We are driving from the north and more than a little bummed about gas prices going up already...we have until summer before our trip. This is a first time for us, and we are planning to stop along the way to see some sites. My plan on this trip is to avoid any brand restaurants and seek some local delights. Is there any information I am not finding on good restaurants? We are planning two different routes there and back to see as much as we can of the south.

I can't give you much help with restaurants since we usually drive through a McDonalds or make a quick stop at Subway when we drive down. However, as far as gas prices go, I wouldn't stress too much about it. From our home in Wisconsin to Orlando, it is ~1300 miles one way. At $2.00/gallon, it would cost us around $220 in gas for the round trip. In comparison, if the gas goes up $1.00 a gallon to $3.00, it would cost us about $110 more for the round trip. I understand that it is $110 that could be spent on souvenirs or food when you get there. But personally, I barely flinch at $110 when looking at the total cost of the trip. And it is still far cheaper than flying...

 

[nono]

New here...just found your board. We are driving from the north and more than a little bummed about gas prices going up already...we have until summer before our trip. This is a first time for us, and we are planning to stop along the way to see some sites. My plan on this trip is to avoid any brand restaurants and seek some local delights. Is there any information I am not finding on good restaurants? We are planning two different routes there and back to see as much as we can of the south.

Eh, it's a long climb back to where it was...so chin up!

Also, what route will you be taking? It'll help us come up with restaurant/attraction suggestions.

One thing I will say is we meander more on the way back than the way down. We love where we live, but love savoring the Disney trip for an extra day or two before hitting our regular life again.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

New here...just found your board. We are driving from the north and more than a little bummed about gas prices going up already...we have until summer before our trip. This is a first time for us, and we are planning to stop along the way to see some sites. My plan on this trip is to avoid any brand restaurants and seek some local delights. Is there any information I am not finding on good restaurants? We are planning two different routes there and back to see as much as we can of the south.

Gas prices aren't going up here. Where are they going up??

 

[BC1836]

Time for another drive to WDW tomorrow. But this time (or 35th drive) we're heading north to get there.

All the best.

 

[Madame]

Gas prices aren't going up here. Where are they going up??

The price of oil jumped like $3 / barrel today - so I'm going to say everywhere soon. US shale rigs being taken off line due to the price drops.

 

[pwdebbie]

New here...just found your board. We are driving from the north and more than a little bummed about gas prices going up already...we have until summer before our trip. This is a first time for us, and we are planning to stop along the way to see some sites. My plan on this trip is to avoid any brand restaurants and seek some local delights. Is there any information I am not finding on good restaurants? We are planning two different routes there and back to see as much as we can of the south.

You should check Trip Advisor for the specific towns you know you will be passing through. They have plenty of restaurant listings to look through to help you pick out places you might want to visit.

 

[disneysteve]

Gas prices aren't going up here. Where are they going up??

Prices are up in NJ. They bottomed out at about $1.69 last week but are back to $1.77 or $1.79 today.