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

[LadyBeBop]

Well, as y'all can see, I have a ticker. Not a Disney ticker. But still a ticker.

The family is going on a Royal Caribbean Cruise this April. Leaving out of Port Canaveral. And yes, we are driving to the port.

Our cruise leave Sunday April 26, and arrives back at the port on Sunday May 3.

We have a couple of options driving down. I think we're going through the Carolinas this time around...I-75 to Knoxville, I-40 to Asheville, I-26 until it hits I-95, then I-95 to the port. I'd like to leave Friday night about 5 PM, get as far as Knoxville, then drive to Cocoa Beach area on Saturday. However, we may leave early Saturday morning, get as far as the GA/FL border (probably Kingsland), then drive down to the port Sunday morning. Coming home, I'd like to make just north of Knoxville, then drive home early Monday morning. That way, my DGD won't miss school that day (she's in the afternoon Kindergarten class).

This time, I might be asking questions about the I-95 drive.

 

[pwdebbie]

Dave, you are my answer man, please keep coming to this thread regularly! Go ahead and ignore the rest of the DIS if you want.

I will miss you by one day -- we come home on May 1. I imagine that we may pass you at some point as we are northbound and you are southbound.

Considering a change this trip -- Instead of 81 SB, I'm considering 15 to 17 to 95. We used to go that way when we went to Williamsburg from here, it was always a pretty drive in the spring. Also, I asked a question a few posts ago about 415 to 417 instead of taking I-4. Thoughts?

 

[amcnj]

hello all !!!!! greetings to the new faces on here and of course, hello to my old friends!!!! We have two trips coming up in 2015. We will be at okw for both of them. We haven't stayed there in over a year and we are missing home. We are going to be arriving May 2nd and departing May 11th. The second we will be arriving September 9th and departing September 19th. If anyone is interested in meeting up for a hello and a hand shake just pm me or let BC know and he can get in contact with me. I spend a lot of time on facebook anymore, yes, the old man is now on fb. Most are disdads lol. I guess I should explain a bit why I don't hang out on here or any of these sites anymore. To be honest, I just couldn't take the 7th grade drama that you find on these places lol. Nobody from this thread, this thread has to be the greatest thread on the boards. I don't care if they delete this post or me for that matter but when you have a mod tell you " I just hate when someone thinks they know more then me", I had enough. People misunderstand, take things wrong and some even have there hench men following them around from thread to thread. Not to mention they could argue over anything and everything. The best part most are faceless, throwing in there gutless comments and just being a smart behind. I just don't live my life that way and don't want to be apart of it. I look at WDW as a place that makes me happy. I have been there and done it and will most likely do it again lol. I have driven it as an adult and sat in back as a kid. Every inch of our house is Disney. (its sad lol)
For some of my old friends, if you are on fb, I would love to hang out. Most of my post are Disney and nothing you wouldn't show a 5 year old. Again pm or BC can pm my info to you and where to find me. I had a blast hanging out here and talked to a lot of real nice people, some I have met personally and some even took time out of there vacations to stop to see my cm daughter when she was there. Anyway...... keep in touch...... see you in the world!!!!

Good to hear from you again, and that you are OK. Unfortunately I won't be in WDW the same times as you this year. And I am still a social media holdout. Maybe someday....

 

[sharadoc]

hello all !!!!! greetings to the new faces on here and of course, hello to my old friends!!!! We have two trips coming up in 2015. We will be at okw for both of them. We haven't stayed there in over a year and we are missing home. We are going to be arriving May 2nd and departing May 11th. The second we will be arriving September 9th and departing September 19th. If anyone is interested in meeting up for a hello and a hand shake just pm me or let BC know and he can get in contact with me. I spend a lot of time on facebook anymore, yes, the old man is now on fb. Most are disdads lol. I guess I should explain a bit why I don't hang out on here or any of these sites anymore. To be honest, I just couldn't take the 7th grade drama that you find on these places lol. Nobody from this thread, this thread has to be the greatest thread on the boards. I don't care if they delete this post or me for that matter but when you have a mod tell you " I just hate when someone thinks they know more then me", I had enough. People misunderstand, take things wrong and some even have there hench men following them around from thread to thread. Not to mention they could argue over anything and everything. The best part most are faceless, throwing in there gutless comments and just being a smart behind. I just don't live my life that way and don't want to be apart of it. I look at WDW as a place that makes me happy. I have been there and done it and will most likely do it again lol. I have driven it as an adult and sat in back as a kid. Every inch of our house is Disney. (its sad lol)
For some of my old friends, if you are on fb, I would love to hang out. Most of my post are Disney and nothing you wouldn't show a 5 year old. Again pm or BC can pm my info to you and where to find me. I had a blast hanging out here and talked to a lot of real nice people, some I have met personally and some even took time out of there vacations to stop to see my cm daughter when she was there. Anyway...... keep in touch...... see you in the world!!!!

Something similar happened a few years ago on the camping board. Old friends there had some fun jokes that new folks took the wrong way and started a lot of drama. Mods sided with new folks and everyone else left. It really changed the tone of the board and took away a lot of folks that had a lot of good information to pass along. Please don't stay away completely, we all love your insights (and you and your family too!)

We're going back at Thanksgiving again so I guess we won't see you at the World, we have to get together at home.

 

[chepic]

planning ahead....going in April. We usually leave at 2-3 am, from RI, and drive like mad and get down there no later than 11 pm that same day. I was just thinking....maybe leaving earlier like say 10 pm to get to Disney earlier in the evening....6-7ish. Of coarse my loving husband will need a power drink to stay awake during the evening hours!

So my question, has anyone here done that and left northern New England at that time? If so, traffic issues you may have encountered?

Thanks

Cheryl

 

[C&G'sMama]

Hi everyone! Can't believe it's been a year already. Now that we are settled in SW Michigan we are back to our yearly trips. We went last year for the first time since 2011. And in 3 weeks (and 2 days) we head south again. Last year we stayed at the Cabins at the Fort. This year we will be staying at a family suite at ASMu. We realized with the kids being 14 and 11 and both of them towering over me, we no longer can stay in a single room. We have family coming with us which is why we are staying in AS where we have stayed for 90% of our trips in the past. However we would like to start branching out. But this will be the first time in a family suite.

Anyway. I had the route from Rochester memorized, I think we did that one at least 12 times. This will our 2nd trip since moving to MI in 2012.

Last year we went 31 and then at Indy through Louisville and Chatanooga down 65 to 24 to 75. It looks like an alternate is to pick up 74 in Inday which hooks up to 75. Any thoughts on which is better for those that have done both.

We plan on leaving about 6pm on Thursday and driving a couple hours. We'll stay over where ever we land and pick it up again on Friday. We'll stay somewhere Friday night and hope to be close on Friday night. Our WDW reservations aren't until Sunday but we're hoping to hook up with some friends on Saturday.

 

[C&G'sMama]

You realize that it's a 21 1/2 hour trip from Toronto to Orlando via I-75. And you're an hour north of there. And this is without stops.

Anyway...14 hours would put you somewhere around Chattanooga. From there, it's about another 8 1/2 hours to Orlando. Doable, but hard.

It's two hours quicker if you take the Virginia mountain route. My suggestion...if you have clear weather through the mountains, go ahead and take the Virginia mountain route. Follow weather.gov, the Weather Channel or Weather Underground.

Remember, I-75 does have mountains. But it's pretty much straight up and down for about 40 miles. With no winding.

My 2 cents. We used to live in Rochester, NY and a couple of times did the route through Buffalo and through the mountains of VA and WV via 77 and 79. Like Ladybebop says look at the weather and maybe have 75 as your alternate? It does look to be out of your way.

Good luck and have fun with whatever you do.

 

[edbo77]

planning ahead....going in April. We usually leave at 2-3 am, from RI, and drive like mad and get down there no later than 11 pm that same day. I was just thinking....maybe leaving earlier like say 10 pm to get to Disney earlier in the evening....6-7ish. Of coarse my loving husband will need a power drink to stay awake during the evening hours! So my question, has anyone here done that and left northern New England at that time? If so, traffic issues you may have encountered? Thanks Cheryl

I've done the drive a bunch of times from S of Boston, but have never left at the times you're suggesting (2-3A or 10P).

The times I'll usually head out are by 7A (so I'm behind NYC traffic but ahead of Baltimore/DC traffic) or by 4P (going 295 around Providence and missing NYC evening rush). Never ran into an issues with either of those options, good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Goofygirl17]

We've driven 5 times I think from shoreline CT. The best has been when we leave between 3-3:30 am. Last Christmas we decided to drive all night bcs we had 2 drivers. We left around 4 in the afternoon. We hit construction traffic in pretty much every state. A drive that usually take 19 1/2-20 hrs took 28! That was partly bcs of an accident in Jacksonville that backed up 95 all the way to the Florida line. But the construction was bad. It's also harder driving through construction in the middle of the night w lane shifts and those big construction spotlights. I much prefer leaving very early in the morning.

 

[chepic]

I've done the drive a bunch of times from S of Boston, but have never left at the times you're suggesting (2-3A or 10P).

The times I'll usually head out are by 7A (so I'm behind NYC traffic but ahead of Baltimore/DC traffic) or by 4P (going 295 around Providence and missing NYC evening rush). Never ran into an issues with either of those options, good luck with whatever you choose!

. Thanks for the info. That is a possibility, although 95 south in CT can be a bear at 5.

We've driven 5 times I think from shoreline CT. The best has been when we leave between 3-3:30 am. Last Christmas we decided to drive all night bcs we had 2 drivers. We left around 4 in the afternoon. We hit construction traffic in pretty much every state. A drive that usually take 19 1/2-20 hrs took 28! That was partly bcs of an accident in Jacksonville that backed up 95 all the way to the Florida line. But the construction was bad. It's also harder driving through construction in the middle of the night w lane shifts and those big construction spotlights. I much prefer leaving very early in the morning.

This past august we left at our usual 2 am and we ended up hitting closed highway in Virginia because of an accident. Set us back 4 hours. You never know when that will happen.

 

[pwdebbie]

Going to ask my question again.

Has anyone taken 95 - 415 - 417 (instead of 95 - I-4)?

 

[sharadoc]

Going to ask my question again.

Has anyone taken 95 - 415 - 417 (instead of 95 - I-4)?

Nope, never heard of 415? Could you explain please? I'm always on the lookout for roads to avoid the giant highways.

We always advocate for 417, we love it and it's incredibly easy. Now I'm going to look at Google Maps!

Okay, just looked. What about 95 to 15 to 417? 15 looks like a bigger road, 415 looks pretty tiny and dumps right into the Sanford Airport, which could be very busy.

 

[sharadoc]

We've driven 5 times I think from shoreline CT. The best has been when we leave between 3-3:30 am. Last Christmas we decided to drive all night bcs we had 2 drivers. We left around 4 in the afternoon. We hit construction traffic in pretty much every state. A drive that usually take 19 1/2-20 hrs took 28! That was partly bcs of an accident in Jacksonville that backed up 95 all the way to the Florida line. But the construction was bad. It's also harder driving through construction in the middle of the night w lane shifts and those big construction spotlights. I much prefer leaving very early in the morning.

Google Maps or even better, the Waze App keeps you up to date on road conditions, backups, accidents etc. Waze is great because there's always someone on the road giving up to the minute reports, so the passenger in our car tries to do the same. We had a great time on the Waze app this past trip. Always keep yourself informed at least an hour ahead of your drive by just dragging along the map and checking to make sure it's green. If it goes red, then you will have time to plot out alternatives.

We also now use 295 around Jacksonville religiously. It's more of a suburban feel, and we don't have to go through the "wacky races" style 12 lane on and off ramps with twisty turny tunnel thingies, construction (AGAIN) and idiots LOL. A couple years ago, the construction around Jacksonville was supposedly finished and we all celebrated. Then this year they started up again. Ugh!

 

[pwdebbie]

Nope, never heard of 415? Could you explain please? I'm always on the lookout for roads to avoid the giant highways.

We always advocate for 417, we love it and it's incredibly easy. Now I'm going to look at Google Maps!

Okay, just looked. What about 95 to 15 to 417? 15 looks like a bigger road, 415 looks pretty tiny and dumps right into the Sanford Airport, which could be very busy.

I don't see a 15. Perhaps 17? As for 415 -- Yeah, it apparently goes to the airport, which is why I was wondering what it was like. That could either be a good thing (big road to move the traffic through efficiently) or a bad thing (the road isn't a big road and traffic doesn't move efficiently).

Thanks for the tip that was in your next post about the road around Jacksonville. I'll check that out. Do you go around the west side or the east side of Jacksonville?

 

[sharadoc]

I don't see a 15. Perhaps 17? As for 415 -- Yeah, it apparently goes to the airport, which is why I was wondering what it was like. That could either be a good thing (big road to move the traffic through efficiently) or a bad thing (the road isn't a big road and traffic doesn't move efficiently).

Thanks for the tip that was in your next post about the road around Jacksonville. I'll check that out. Do you go around the west side or the east side of Jacksonville?

I think 15 starts as 17, then becomes 15 further south. I looked at 415 on satellite and it looks like one lane in each direction. That always makes me nervous because one pokey driver can mess up the timing a lot!

I believe we go on the west side of 295. I'll try to ask my husband if he remembers.

 

[cranbiz]

I think 15 starts as 17, then becomes 15 further south. I looked at 415 on satellite and it looks like one lane in each direction. That always makes me nervous because one pokey driver can mess up the timing a lot!

I believe we go on the west side of 295. I'll try to ask my husband if he remembers.

I used to live in Deltona and know 415 well. I would use 415 frequently to get to New Smyrna (from my house it was Saxon Blvd to Doyle Rd to SR415 to SR44) from Deltona but almost never took it from Deltona to Sanford.

I have to ask why would you want to do that route? It's mostly 2 lane highway and winds it way down to Sanford. It's usually an OK road but because it has limited passing zones, it can take forever if someone slow gets in front of you. Most of 415 is in the middle of nowhere, so gas and convenience stores/restaurants are few and far between. Even with the construction on I4 from Daytona to Deland, I4 to 417 is better than taking 415 to 417.

 

[BC1836]

One benefit of the I-95 + 1-4 drive heading south: the descending mile marker numbers. They provide a good way to gauge miles per hour driving and they generate excitement as the numbers dwindle and new state borders are reached.

To be sure, there are enough negatives about the route.

All the best.

 

[pwdebbie]

I have to ask why would you want to do that route? It's mostly 2 lane highway and winds it way down to Sanford. It's usually an OK road but because it has limited passing zones, it can take forever if someone slow gets in front of you. Most of 415 is in the middle of nowhere, so gas and convenience stores/restaurants are few and far between. Even with the construction on I4 from Daytona to Deland, I4 to 417 is better than taking 415 to 417.

The last drive through Orlando on I-4 was crazy. I missed the 417 exit even with GPS on. I want to be sure not to miss it again. We did take 417 on the return home and I will gladly pay tolls to avoid that mess.

 

[Eastern]

Just back from our trip today. Our drive down was uneventful and easy (just boring). On our way south on Saturday Jan 3, we saw a lot of northbound traffic from NC to Florida. Probably all of the NYE week guests returning home. Something to keep in mind if you travel during that week.

From Exit 8 off the NJT you can expect a 17 hour trip if you do not hit traffic and your stops are quick. The hotels I picked were nice, but a bit $$ and 15-25 minutes off I95. I don't think I would do that again. It seems short but when you are in a car for so long every minute is precious! We never drove more than 3-5 miles over the posted limits so you can adjust the time based on your own driving style.

Two apps that I read about here and liked were Inrix for traffic and iExit (that one was great for finding food stops). I chose my hotels ahead of time through TripAdvisor but waited until I arrived to pay for my rooms and it was not a problem.

hth

 

[artemis4]

We are considering driving to WDW from Ontario in the spring. With 4 kids between 2 and 9 I know we will need to stop part way down. I'm nervous to book a hotel room in advance, since I have no idea how the trip will go. Any idea how to find a room for 6 without advance reservations?

I know that it's been a few weeks since you posted. However, as a fellow parent of 4, I know about your hotel room concerns. It's easier now that they are older, but we still often just book one room since its more cost effective. We often stay in Comfort Suites when on the road to our destination locations. We've done a few Quality Suites as well. Most of these have rooms for 6, and they are often near interstates.

If we don't have advance reservations, I use the Choice Hotels app to start scoping out what is ahead by lunchtime. However, what I usually do is make reservations for a couple of places I think we may be near, and then cancel the ones I was wrong about. Most have 6 pm cancellation deadlines, some have 4 pm. I can usually tell where we will be stopping by about 3 pm, so this works well. They don't charge you as long as you cancel in time. I've canceled with just 5 minutes to spare and been fine.

Have fun on your drive! We always road trip with the kids instead of flying (well, except for Mexico), and we've had such fun.