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

[BC1836]

Greetings from the founder of this thread!

We departed the Jersey Shore yesterday morning at 5:45 a.m. (it was 53 degrees driving through the pinelands) and made it to Yulee, FL by 9 p.m. Traffic wasn't bad at all on the I-95 route (to be sure, we experienced a few minor slowdowns in northern VA) but we did have to exit I-95 in SC because a torrential thunderstorm's rain made it unsafe to drive on the highway. The storm altered the temperature from 96-degrees to 72-degrees before bouncing up again into the mid-90s.

Gas prices were all over the place: from $2.23 to $2.75.

The former GA welcome center rest stop is now an abandoned work site but temporary bathroom trailers have been placed in the parking lot.

Our plan today is to visit a friend in Port Orange, FL before making a one-night stay on Hotel Plaza Blvd. We can do Disney Springs without driving there from our hotel. Then on Saturday morning, we check into the Contemporary (the first half of a Contemporary-Grand Floridian Resort stay).

More info to follow.

Safe travels to everyone!

All the best!

 

[amcnj]

Greetings from the founder of this thread!

We departed the Jersey Shore yesterday morning at 5:45 a.m. (it was 53 degrees driving through the pinelands) and made it to Yulee, FL by 9 p.m. Traffic wasn't bad at all on the I-95 route (to be sure, we experienced a few minor slowdowns in northern VA) but we did have to exit I-95 in SC because a torrential thunderstorm's rain made it unsafe to drive on the highway. The storm altered the temperature from 96-degrees to 72-degrees before bouncing up again into the mid-90s.

Gas prices were all over the place: from $2.23 to $2.75.

The former GA welcome center rest stop is now an abandoned work site but temporary bathroom trailers have been placed in the parking lot.

Our plan today is to visit a friend in Port Orange, FL before making a one-night stay on Hotel Plaza Blvd. We can do Disney Springs without driving there from our hotel. Then on Saturday morning, we check into the Contemporary (the first half of a Contemporary-Grand Floridian Resort stay).

More info to follow.

Safe travels to everyone!

All the best!

So do you think you then hit the DC area after the worst part of the rush hours or maybe it was lighter than normal due to vacations?

 

[disneysteve]

Hi all. My wife and I will be taking our first drive to WDW in 20 years without our daughter coming up in November. We're really looking forward to being able to do things a little differently, eat at different places on the road, maybe stop at some interesting sights along the way, maybe even venture off of 95 for portions of the trip. We haven't decided yet but we might even extend the drive and do it over 2 nights instead of 1. We've made the drive many times but always as a family and pretty much focused on getting to our destination, eating fast food (which I hate), and never taking in any local attractions, restaurants, etc.

I'd welcome any tips or suggestions for things that we might consider doing along the way. Going down, we will probably follow our typical path as we won't have extra time but coming home is when we might add a night and stretch it out a bit. Any parts of the trip where getting off 95 would be interesting, send us through town somewhere with something to see or do or eat. We like antique and thrift stores if there's an area where that might be a thing. Also any local attractions that can be seen in an hour or two. We don't want it to take forever to get home but we're willing to detour a bit to break up the trip more than usual. I know that's pretty vague but I figured I'd crowd source this and see what you all come back with.

 

[BC1836]

So do you think you then hit the DC area after the worst part of the rush hours or maybe it was lighter than normal due to vacations?

Without looking at our travel folder, which has the exact time we crossed into VA, we believe we reached VA around 9:30 a.m. It seemed that rush "hour" had ended.

All the best!

 

[Shir Kahn]

Hi all. My wife and I will be taking our first drive to WDW in 20 years without our daughter coming up in November. We're really looking forward to being able to do things a little differently, eat at different places on the road, maybe stop at some interesting sights along the way, maybe even venture off of 95 for portions of the trip. We haven't decided yet but we might even extend the drive and do it over 2 nights instead of 1. We've made the drive many times but always as a family and pretty much focused on getting to our destination, eating fast food (which I hate), and never taking in any local attractions, restaurants, etc.

I'd welcome any tips or suggestions for things that we might consider doing along the way. Going down, we will probably follow our typical path as we won't have extra time but coming home is when we might add a night and stretch it out a bit. Any parts of the trip where getting off 95 would be interesting, send us through town somewhere with something to see or do or eat. We like antique and thrift stores if there's an area where that might be a thing. Also any local attractions that can be seen in an hour or two. We don't want it to take forever to get home but we're willing to detour a bit to break up the trip more than usual. I know that's pretty vague but I figured I'd crowd source this and see what you all come back with.

Have you ever stopped at a Cracker Barrel? Great restaurant with a general store built into it! We always try to stop at one on the way down or on the way back!

 

[disneysteve]

Have you ever stopped at a Cracker Barrel?

Yes, we've been to Cracker Barrel. We have those at home (we're in south Jersey). Thanks for the suggestion, though.

I should have been more specific in my request. I'm looking for local places, not national chains. Places that are unique to where we happen to be. For example, last trip we decided to do a sit-down lunch and found a nice little Italian/pizza place not far off 95. I think we saw a billboard for it and decided to check it out. Honestly, I don't even remember where we were. But it was family owned, single location, fresh, made from scratch food. Those are the types of places I'm looking for.

 

[BC1836]

Without looking at our travel folder, which has the exact time we crossed into VA, we believe we reached VA around 9:30 a.m. It seemed that rush "hour" had ended.

All the best!

 

[dvczerfs]

Happy Birthday BC !! Have a nice trip.

 

[BC1836]

Happy Birthday BC !! Have a nice trip.

Thanks so much! Had a birthday dinner at Victoria & Albert's tonight. Awesome as usual.

All the best!

 

[Shir Kahn]

We're not quite decided on it yet, but we may open up a new category for your records on this next trip! "Longest drive without stopping" or "Most consecutive hours on the road". This trip, we're thinking of possibly doing our entire 32 hours of driving in one non-stop run! The longest I've ever driven in one go was 25 hours coming home on one of our trips, but I did that entire drive by myself. This time, I might switch off with my wife every now and then. If we leave at 10pm on August 16th, right when I get off work, we could be in WDW around 7am (counting the hour time change) on August 18th! I know for sure I can handle the drive, not sure if my wife can handle that much time in the car though.

 

[amcnj]

Without looking at our travel folder, which has the exact time we crossed into VA, we believe we reached VA around 9:30 a.m. It seemed that rush "hour" had ended.

All the best!

Thanks for the info. I'll file it away in case we ever deviate from the early AM departures. Though my brain has become somewhat more porous as I age!

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I'd welcome any tips or suggestions for things that we might consider doing along the way. Going down, we will probably follow our typical path as we won't have extra time but coming home is when we might add a night and stretch it out a bit. Any parts of the trip where getting off 95 would be interesting, send us through town somewhere with something to see or do or eat. We like antique and thrift stores if there's an area where that might be a thing. Also any local attractions that can be seen in an hour or two. We don't want it to take forever to get home but we're willing to detour a bit to break up the trip more than usual. I know that's pretty vague but I figured I'd crowd source this and see what you all come back with.

I love Georgia. I was in Brunsick, GA for 3 weeks for work I spent time in the local towns. My FAVORITE seafood place of all time is in Darien, GA, not far off 95, B&J's Steaks and Seafood. It's a local favorite and usually has a bit fo a wait -- but if you liek seafood it's SO worth it (http://bandjssteaksandseafood.com/). If you are looking for stores Savannah is always great for that.

 

[deedisneydream97]

Thanks so much! Had a birthday dinner at Victoria & Albert's tonight. Awesome as usual.

All the best!

Happy birthday BC. No better way to celebrate.

Question for driving back north. I'm going to take I-95 all the way up to NJ since it will be a weekend. I have to say I am a little confused about the different routes around DC on both mapquest and AAA. AAA wants me to get on the Baltimore freeway near the top of DC. I do not want to do that. I am figuring 95 should not be bad on a weekend and can deal with normal stuff. But I'm also confused about 495 and the beltways and all that. So....what is the easiest thing to do when I get to that area?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[patclairesmom]

I love Georgia. I was in Brunsick, GA for 3 weeks for work I spent time in the local towns. My FAVORITE seafood place of all time is in Darien, GA, not far off 95, B&J's Steaks and Seafood. It's a local favorite and usually has a bit fo a wait -- but if you liek seafood it's SO worth it (http://bandjssteaksandseafood.com/). If you are looking for stores Savannah is always great for that.

We're stopping overnight in Darien in just 16 days!! Thanks for the suggestion, we might just try it out for dinner.

 

[LaidBackDad]

Hi all. My wife and I will be taking our first drive to WDW in 20 years without our daughter coming up in November. We're really looking forward to being able to do things a little differently, eat at different places on the road, maybe stop at some interesting sights along the way, maybe even venture off of 95 for portions of the trip. We haven't decided yet but we might even extend the drive and do it over 2 nights instead of 1. We've made the drive many times but always as a family and pretty much focused on getting to our destination, eating fast food (which I hate), and never taking in any local attractions, restaurants, etc.

I'd welcome any tips or suggestions for things that we might consider doing along the way. Going down, we will probably follow our typical path as we won't have extra time but coming home is when we might add a night and stretch it out a bit. Any parts of the trip where getting off 95 would be interesting, send us through town somewhere with something to see or do or eat. We like antique and thrift stores if there's an area where that might be a thing. Also any local attractions that can be seen in an hour or two. We don't want it to take forever to get home but we're willing to detour a bit to break up the trip more than usual. I know that's pretty vague but I figured I'd crowd source this and see what you all come back with.

I would suggest stopping in Savannah, GA for a day if you have the time. On our last trip down to WDW we stayed 2 nights to give ourselves a full day in Savannah and an easy 4 1/2 - 5 hour drive to WDW the next day. Savannah is a very beautiful and historic classic southern town. Antiquing wasn't our thing but I'm sure this area has plenty of choices. Several companies offer guided trolley tours of the historic parts of the town and help you get around without a car. Dining is excellent as there are multiple outstanding restaurants specializing in southern cooking and seafood. Paula Dean's flagship restaurant (Lady & Son's) is in the downtown area and there are multiple good choices along the riverfront. The coolest thing about the town is that it doesn't have open container laws. You are able to purchase a beer or martini or any adult beverage of choice in a local bar then stroll down the historic streets or public parks lined with Live Oak trees and Spanish moss to view the huge 200 year old homes. It is very relaxing and a good way to break up the long drive. We made a whole day out of our stop in Savannah; but, a few hours would be a good choice.

 

[disneysteve]

Savannah sounds like a great option. I'll look into that. Thanks.

 

[patclairesmom]

Just north of Savannah in Pooler, there is a great museum, The National Museum of the Mighty Eight Air Force. Definitely worth a stop.

 

[BC1836]

Disney gas (it's Speedway now; Hess is gone) was $2.25 (regular) today.

All the best!

 

[disny_luvr]

Hi, fellow drivers! This is my first time posting on this thread because we usually fly. We have to decided to drive to Florida in November since plane ticket prices are outrageous. We will be driving from south central PA (Hershey area). We plan on leaving on Thanksgiving Day around 1:00-1:30pm after we eat Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house. We have done the more inland route when traveling to Myrtle Beach (81-77-?) but since we are leaving on Thanksgiving we are contemplating traveling I95. Do you think traffic will be an issue since it is a holiday? Ideally, we'd like to drive about 10 hours the first day. Where do you think that will put us for the evening? Are there any areas along I95 that you'd recommend that have nice lodging, etc.? Likewise, we'll be driving home on Saturday, December 5th. Would I95 be an okay route because of it being a Saturday or would you recommend the inland route? TIA!

 

[BC1836]

Hi, fellow drivers! This is my first time posting on this thread because we usually fly. We have to decided to drive to Florida in November since plane ticket prices are outrageous. We will be driving from south central PA (Hershey area). We plan on leaving on Thanksgiving Day around 1:00-1:30pm after we eat Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house. We have done the more inland route when traveling to Myrtle Beach (81-77-?) but since we are leaving on Thanksgiving we are contemplating traveling I95. Do you think traffic will be an issue since it is a holiday? Ideally, we'd like to drive about 10 hours the first day. Where do you think that will put us for the evening? Are there any areas along I95 that you'd recommend that have nice lodging, etc.? Likewise, we'll be driving home on Saturday, December 5th. Would I95 be an okay route because of it being a Saturday or would you recommend the inland route? TIA!

Any means of transportation on Thanksgiving will present problems. Period. However, weather notwithstanding, Saturday Dec. 5 should not be a problem on I-95, not counting the "normal" I-95 headaches.

All the best!