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

[deedeew80]

Good Morning everyone! Sorry I never updated since our arrival to Florida. We drove straight through from NJ, left around 5:30 am and arrived to our hotel around 8:45 pm. We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Apopka, FL our first night. E then checked into Pop Century for two nights, before checking into CBR for the remainder of the week. Our trip was great! Awesome weather, crowds weren’t all that bad, but they definitely need to bring back Fastpass! Anyway. Back to driving. We checked out of CBR yesterday 12/7 We didn’t rush, took our time, but I wish we left earlier than we did. We didn’t get on I-4 until about noon and hit a 12 minute traffic delay right near the city of Orlando. It wasn’t too bad. I timed it to see how accurate the gps was, and it was exactly 12 minutes! We hit some rain through SC, which slowed us down a little. We stopped for the night at a Hampton Inn in Fayetteville, NC. We arrived about 8:45 pm. I was a little disappointed with the hotel. When we got to our room there were lady bugs all over the ceiling, wall, and window. My husband called the front desk and the girl said she would send someone up to get rid of them, but if we were to change rooms the same thing would probably happen because they are in ladybug season and keep getting them. I wasn’t too happy with their response. They sent someone in with a vacuum and he sucked them up with the hose. We continued to get a couple more after he left though. 24 total. I just don’t think how they handled it was great. When we checked out this morning, the front desk person asked how our stay was and we told her. She was surprised we weren’t given a different room but also agreed with having a ladybug issue. Also, when hubby got a shower this morning he said the water wasn’t warm at all. So I skipped the shower and will wait till we are home. Anyway. We checked out and got on the road at 7:00 am. According to the gps, we should be home by 2:30, but that isn’t factoring in stops. Hopefully the rest of the drive is smooth, safe, and free of problems. Will check in again later.

Edit for update: 12:00 pm going through Fredericksburg, VA and hit about a 10 minute delay due to construction. Left lane closed. Started around exit 131 and ended around exit 134.

Edit for update #2: Around 12:40 pm near Lorton, VA exits 161-166 stopped in traffic for about 20 minutes. Crash on the right, two right lanes closed, only left lane getting by. Hopefully that’s the last of it. We just want to get home.

 

[Moliphino]

Have done the drive 3 times from Deerfield Ma... have another trip planned for Jan 10. Trying to decide between our preferred route of 84>81>77>26>95 or just taking 95 the whole way down. I will prolly need a hotel hopefully around Charlotte or Fayetteville. My concern is which route is better in the time of covid. Will be of course trying to limit our interactions (bringing a big cooler with food etc), Will it matter for either in terms of big rest areas with touchless facilities and pay at pump gas?

I'm from western MA, too. We used to do the 84 route to avoid traffic on 95, but my sister and I drove this Sept/Oct and took 95 with very few issues (a bit of traffic around DC on the way down). The worst is coming back - 84E in CT is hell on earth at all times, it seems, and the Merritt Parkway isn't any better. We figured there would be fewer cars on the road due to the pandemic and that did seem to be true at that time, at least.

 

[Suger Mag]

I'm from western MA, too. We used to do the 84 route to avoid traffic on 95, but my sister and I drove this Sept/Oct and took 95 with very few issues (a bit of traffic around DC on the way down). The worst is coming back - 84E in CT is hell on earth at all times, it seems, and the Merritt Parkway isn't any better. We figured there would be fewer cars on the road due to the pandemic and that did seem to be true at that time, at least.

Sometimes CT is the worst... I hate coming back from NYC... the stretch from Greenwich to sometimes even Hartford can be a nightmare

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Hi all! I will update soon, but wanted to come on to see if anyone can recommend a hotel in Fayetteville, NC off I-95? We are stopping there for the night. I’ve been reading reviews on a few and of course they are all over the place, good or bad! Lol! Thanks!

Fayetteville is our halfway point. We haven’t stayed over night in a long time but there’s quite a few chain ones off one exit. Sorry can’t remember the exit#.
I’m prett y sure there’s a Hampton Inn. I’m with dvcderfs we also like Hampton inns.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Fayetteville is our halfway point. We haven’t stayed over night in a long time but there’s quite a few chain ones off one exit. Sorry can’t remember the exit#.
I’m prett y sure there’s a Hampton Inn. I’m with dvcderfs we also like Hampton inns.

Sorry I posted this too late. Hope you had a great trip !

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Well we don’t drive every trip. I am going thru withdrawals since I haven’t been to Disney since February.
We are flying in February for my first trip back. We are doing our usual DRIVE in April. We always drive in April because flights are ridiculous from the northeast. Can’t wait to be back at Disney!!!

 

[LBHouse]

Last night we made reservations at VWL for January 7th. Planning to depart on January 5th. Sometimes last minute trips are the best! Actually last minute changes are one of the main reasons we drive and not fly. Of course 6 kids makes driving so much easier anyway.

 

[BC1836]

The founder of this thread, BC1836, who moved to Florida in 2017, will be joined later this year by DVCzerfs, the all-time champ of drives (see page 1, post 1), who will be moving to the Sunshine State.

Happy New Year!

All the best!

 

[dvczerfs]

The founder of this thread, BC1836, who moved to Florida in 2017, will be joined later this year by DVCzerfs, the all-time champ of drives (see page 1, post 1), who will be moving to the Sunshine State.

Happy New Year!

All the best!

Happy New Year everyone! We have one more vacation planned. 54 more days.
Eight nights in a one bedroom at Boardwalk. This trip is the last harah trip.
The three of us are driving straight through both directions. Park and dining reservations are all made.
We are well on our way to hitting our time frame. For the most part just patching and painting in our house. We are all cleaned out, have about just a little more than half packed. Contacted a mover, family friend and next month we will be getting our price. We have our storage facility picked out (got that done today)
and in the next few weeks will be looking into temporary living arrangements till we find and close on a house.
Have to admit, DW and I were both born and raised in the town we live in and have been here for 55 years. We are gonna miss the area I’m sure but, we are ready and excited!!! With full support of family and friends and even work, DW work won’t change. She works from home and her employer is cheering us on and makes this entire process a lot easier. Gives us a little stability while in the process. DD and I for the most part have a job waiting for us.
Our friends and family here and in Florida are all supportive which is making this a lot easier. ( thanks BC ) I’m in the process of training my replacement at work and kind of hoping, just maybe I can sneak out a few weeks early. I work for a small family owned business. I’ve been there for 30 years and every time the owner daughter, who is my age looks at me she just smiles and tears up. I got my annual bonus a few weeks ago times ten and a thank you card that brought tears to my eyes.
But, like everyone who knows us, even my employer, it is all we ever talked about for years!!! l keep you posted!!!
“Dreams do come true”!

 

[BC1836]

Happy New Year everyone! We have one more vacation planned. 54 more days.
Eight nights in a one bedroom at Boardwalk. This trip is the last harah trip.
The three of us are driving straight through both directions. Park and dining reservations are all made.
We are well on our way to hitting our time frame. For the most part just patching and painting in our house. We are all cleaned out, have about just a little more than half packed. Contacted a mover, family friend and next month we will be getting our price. We have our storage facility picked out (got that done today)
and in the next few weeks will be looking into temporary living arrangements till we find and close on a house.
Have to admit, DW and I were both born and raised in the town we live in and have been here for 55 years. We are gonna miss the area I’m sure but, we are ready and excited!!! With full support of family and friends and even work, DW work won’t change. She works from home and her employer is cheering us on and makes this entire process a lot easier. Gives us a little stability while in the process. DD and I for the most part have a job waiting for us.
Our friends and family here and in Florida are all supportive which is making this a lot easier. ( thanks BC ) I’m in the process of training my replacement at work and kind of hoping, just maybe I can sneak out a few weeks early. I work for a small family owned business. I’ve been there for 30 years and every time the owner daughter, who is my age looks at me she just smiles and tears up. I got my annual bonus a few weeks ago times ten and a thank you card that brought tears to my eyes.
But, like everyone who knows us, even my employer, it is all we ever talked about for years!!! l keep you posted!!!
“Dreams do come true”!

Let your countdown continue!

All the best!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Happy New Year everyone! We have one more vacation planned. 54 more days.
Eight nights in a one bedroom at Boardwalk. This trip is the last harah trip.
The three of us are driving straight through both directions. Park and dining reservations are all made.
We are well on our way to hitting our time frame. For the most part just patching and painting in our house. We are all cleaned out, have about just a little more than half packed. Contacted a mover, family friend and next month we will be getting our price. We have our storage facility picked out (got that done today)
and in the next few weeks will be looking into temporary living arrangements till we find and close on a house.
Have to admit, DW and I were both born and raised in the town we live in and have been here for 55 years. We are gonna miss the area I’m sure but, we are ready and excited!!! With full support of family and friends and even work, DW work won’t change. She works from home and her employer is cheering us on and makes this entire process a lot easier. Gives us a little stability while in the process. DD and I for the most part have a job waiting for us.
Our friends and family here and in Florida are all supportive which is making this a lot easier. ( thanks BC ) I’m in the process of training my replacement at work and kind of hoping, just maybe I can sneak out a few weeks early. I work for a small family owned business. I’ve been there for 30 years and every time the owner daughter, who is my age looks at me she just smiles and tears up. I got my annual bonus a few weeks ago times ten and a thank you card that brought tears to my eyes.
But, like everyone who knows us, even my employer, it is all we ever talked about for years!!! l keep you posted!!!
“Dreams do come true”!

That is so great Dave!!! What a very happy new year!!! Good luck to all of you. I’ll have to look you up when we make the move too.

 

[dvczerfs]

That is so great Dave!!! What a very happy new year!!! Good luck to all of you. I’ll have to look you up when we make the move too.

Thank you !!!! Sounds good. Even if you come down for vacation, send me a message, we can meet up in a park or the Springs. I’ll have to keep hanging around here even after I don’t qualify anymore. Lol

 

[patclairesmom]

Haven't been on here lately. Our last drive down was Christmastime 2019. We stopped overnight in Santee SC and had an awesome dinner at Clark's Inn. In May we are going to the World again, but this time I will by flying but my kids will be driving(at their insistence) My son is adamant about staying in Santee again just so he can have dinner at Clark's Inn.

 

[dvczerfs]

44 Days !!!!
We are leaving 3am on February 25th. Going to drive to exit 3 in Georgia, Kingsland Georgia. We have stayed here a few times and always find it convenient. We rented a family suit. We are going to bring food down with us, I know, your going to WDW and your worried about eating at the local Cracker Barrel. Lol I just can’t wait to hit the road again. I can’t wait to use the express lanes in Charlotte, I can’t wait to see the sites along the road, I can’t wait just to sit behind the wheel with the 70s on Sirius and head south again, I can’t wait to watch the grass and weeds get greener and greener as you drive south, I can’t wait to see the mountains fade away ( we live next to the Pocono mts.) I can’t wait to watch the mile markers click down to zero, I can’t wait to see other licenses plates other than Pa. Ny and Nj. I can’t wait for the first person to say ya’al. I can’t wait to see the states welcome signs. I can’t wait to see the sign in South Carolina on I26 that says 3 miles to I4. I can’t wait to see the Florida Welcome Center, I can’t wait to pull into Boardwalk and the sun didn’t come up yet, unload the van and sit on the Boardwalk with a coffee and watch the sun come up before our room is ready. I can’t wait to check out a few neighborhoods ( maybe we won’t go back ) I can’t wait to take a nap in the back of the van with my pillow and blankets while dd takes her shift driving. Listening to the tires rolling over the road. I can’t wait to see other human beings even if they have a mask on. (I’ll have mine on. The disposable gloves are in the glove compartment for when we get gas) I can’t wait to load the van.
sorry, I JUST CANT TAKE IT ANY LONGER !!!!
I JUST CAINT WAIT !!!!

 

[EpcotNerd]

So much great info on this thread! Covid-wise, any recommendations for pit stops off 95 in NC, SC, GA? And I posted this before a month or so ago, but on a different thread.. any hotel recommendations in SC and GA that felt as safe as the Disney bubble?

 

[LadyBeBop]

Regarding pit stops, I wouldn't use a gas station as a pit stop/bathroom break. Mask enforcement is very spotty inside gas stations. I'd just fill up, pay at the pump and leave.

For your bathroom breaks, I'd rely on rest areas. Mask-wearing isn't 100%. But it's still better than your convenience stores/gas stations. Many inside are from Northern states with higher mask-wearing.

The iExit app on your smart phone is your friend. They'll pinpoint the closest rest areas.

Can't give a specific lodging recommendation. Only that motels without lobbies would be your safer bet, Covid-wise. However, they tend to be more sketchier for other reasons. Just go with your chain lodging (Holiday Inn, Marriott, etc). You'll probably have to go through lobbies, but you'll be fine. And try to get a room on the first floor, so you don't have to deal with elevators. No higher than the second or third floor, so it would be a somewhat easy walk. And for luggage, make sure you have your entire party with you to make sure the elevator is too crowded for others to pile on.

Good luck.

 

[deedeew80]

So much great info on this thread! Covid-wise, any recommendations for pit stops off 95 in NC, SC, GA? And I posted this before a month or so ago, but on a different thread.. any hotel recommendations in SC and GA that felt as safe as the Disney bubble?

Hi! We just had the trip down & back 95 from NJ the week after Thanksgiving. As for pit stops...we stuck to the chain gas stations. Tried to hit Wawa’s as much as possible, until they didn’t exist any longer. Lol! Bathrooms were very clean whenever we stopped. If it looked sketchy, we would just move on. We used the iExit app a ton! Really does come in handy. The only place we stopped for the night (on the way back home) was in Fayetteville, NC. Tons of hotels there. We stayed at a Hampton Inn and Suites. It was very clean. Definitely look at reviews for hotels when making your decision. Have a safe trip!

 

[patclairesmom]

So much great info on this thread! Covid-wise, any recommendations for pit stops off 95 in NC, SC, GA? And I posted this before a month or so ago, but on a different thread.. any hotel recommendations in SC and GA that felt as safe as the Disney bubble?

We usually stop in Santee or Pooler Ga. As for bathroom breaks I would try to stay away from the small gas stations and stick with the Wawa's or truck stops or visitor centers.

 

[BC1836]

We usually stop in Santee or Pooler Ga. As for bathroom breaks I would try to stay away from the small gas stations and stick with the Wawa's or truck stops or visitor centers.

After 46 1/2 round trips (we moved to FL on drive #47 from NJ), we agree with the posted comment about where not to stop for a bathroom break.

All the best!

 

[dvczerfs]

28 Days and counting till our final trip as Pa. residents!!!!
This will be Trip 71!!!!
We had a eight night reservation in a one bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.
Our DVC waitlist came through! We will be in a one bedroom villa at the Grand Floridian for eight Nights.
Figured may as well go all in on our last trip that is going to be more than 20 miles round trip from home. Lol
We will still be making a trip or two a year up north ( no winter trips) for family and DW eye specialist in Philadelphia.
It’s coming down to go time! House is almost done, painting. Packing has started. There is nothing hanging on our walls anymore. Still have a lot of work to do but each day we get closer for the For Sale sign. My resignation letter has been written and will be handed in very shortly. I don’t know what to think, I have been very blessed and lucky to always have a job. This will be the first time since I was 16 that I don’t have a job. After a few months of working at home, painting, selling, moving, buying, painting, moving and being at home with DW as my boss, I will be ready to find a job and go back to work.lol
Stay tuned, I dont know what to expect but it should be interesting. Lol
( I’m getting to old for this. Lol)