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

[sharadoc]

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.

Just keep an eye out for the Airport. There's a lot of warning that the airport is coming along I-4. That's what we did, we didn't actually see signs that said 417 until we were at the exit.

GPS argues with us to get back onto I-4 when we turn onto 417, so we turn it off until it gives in, usually about 10 miles in!

 

[amcnj]

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.

Also be careful with the hotel cancellation policies. A couple hotel chains recently started a 24 hour cancellation requirement. I think one was Marriott, but can't recall who else did. So now you have only up to some time the day before check-in to cancel.

 

[amcnj]

I forgot to add that I paid 1.91 for gas this morning. That was a credit card price too. The lowest I saw (cash prices at other stations) was 1.89.

 

[nono]

I forgot to add that I paid 1.91 for gas this morning. That was a credit card price too. The lowest I saw (cash prices at other stations) was 1.89.

Saw $1.89 on the drive out of Newark airport last night.

 

[cranbiz]

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.

You won't miss 417 this time. There has been a complete redo of the ramp system in Sanford for 417 and the signage is MUCH better.

 

[artemis4]

Also be careful with the hotel cancellation policies. A couple hotel chains recently started a 24 hour cancellation requirement. I think one was Marriott, but can't recall who else did. So now you have only up to some time the day before check-in to cancel.

Yes, certainly be aware of cancellation policies! I always check that carefully even when I'm 99% certain I know where we'll be when we stop that day. You never know when you'll see that Way Cool roadside distraction or encounter a traffic jam that delays you.

I have a travel binder with, among other things, hard copies of all reservations, cancellation policies highlighted. That binder lives in the van during our road trips. We reference it often.

 

[amcnj]

Yes, certainly be aware of cancellation policies! I always check that carefully even when I'm 99% certain I know where we'll be when we stop that day. You never know when you'll see that Way Cool roadside distraction or encounter a traffic jam that delays you.

I have a travel binder with, among other things, hard copies of all reservations, cancellation policies highlighted. That binder lives in the van during our road trips. We reference it often.

I looked up what I had read and apparently Hilton is the other chain who revised their cancellation policy as of Jan 1. So apparently both Hilton and Mariott now require you to cancel up to the day before check-in, so I assume that means up to 11:59 pm the day before check-in.

 

[pwdebbie]

Just keep an eye out for the Airport. There's a lot of warning that the airport is coming along I-4. That's what we did, we didn't actually see signs that said 417 until we were at the exit.

GPS argues with us to get back onto I-4 when we turn onto 417, so we turn it off until it gives in, usually about 10 miles in!

So, the airport exit and the 417 exit are the same exit? Just want to be sure I am understanding clearly. Thanks!

 

[pwdebbie]

You won't miss 417 this time. There has been a complete redo of the ramp system in Sanford for 417 and the signage is MUCH better.

That's good to know!

 

[BC1836]

Does anyone have the current WDW Hess gas prices?

All the best.

 

[nono]

Does anyone have the current WDW Hess gas prices?

All the best.

According to an update on gasbuddy 13 minutes ago: $2.02.

 

[BC1836]

According to an update on gasbuddy 13 minutes ago: $2.02.

Thanks, nono!

[Greetings from Naples, FL. The winter of 2013-14 got to us.]

All the best.

 

[BC1836]

Hopefully, all long distance drivers in the northeast were safe today.

All the best.

 

[LadyBeBop]

For those taking I-75 down from Ohio, Michigan or Canada. Part if the interstate will be closed for the next several days, due to an overpass collapse into the highway. http://cin.ci/1J5o88e I'd avoid Cincinnati rush hour, southbound for the next several days, because the alternatives will be crazy. Here are the alternatives for avoiding the shutdown. 1). I-275 (Exit 16) eastbound. You pick up I-71 southbound into Cincinnati in about five miles. You can also take I-275 around an pick up I-75 again in Kentucky. 2) State Route 126 (Exit 10A) AKA the Ronald Reagan Highway. Eastbound, and pick up I-75 in about 3-4 miles. 3). State Route 562 (Exit 7). This is about a three mile, interstate to interstate highway to I-71.

BTW, this is southbound only. Northbound should not be affected.

 

[nono]

For those taking I-75 down from Ohio, Michigan or Canada. Part if the interstate will be closed for the next several days, due to an overpass collapse into the highway. http://cin.ci/1J5o88e I'd avoid Cincinnati rush hour, southbound for the next several days, because the alternatives will be crazy. Here are the alternatives for avoiding the shutdown. 1). I-275 (Exit 16) eastbound. You pick up I-71 southbound into Cincinnati in about five miles. You can also take I-275 around an pick up I-75 again in Kentucky. 2) State Route 126 (Exit 10A) AKA the Ronald Reagan Highway. Eastbound, and pick up I-75 in about 3-4 miles. 3). State Route 562 (Exit 7). This is about a three mile, interstate to interstate highway to I-71.

BTW, this is southbound only. Northbound should not be affected.

Very kind of you to post so quickly, LadyBeBop!

 

[feet1]

Woohoo!! We have another trip booked! Driving from Hershey, PA on 9/15 and staying until 9/25. We drove back in sept of '13...hoping to have the same pixie dust we had back then with smooth traveling. We are all so excited.

 

[mjmyers10]

Our next drive is Nov 1. Heading to Vero for a week then onto Disney for the Food and Wine Half Marathon

 

[LadyBeBop]

I-75 is now completely open through Cincinnati.

http://www.fox19.com/story/27888169/collapse-on-overpass-shuts-down-i-75

Traffic is now flowing well through the accident site. Still, a horrible tragedy.

 

[staceychev]

Woohoo!! We have another trip booked! Driving from Hershey, PA on 9/15 and staying until 9/25. We drove back in sept of '13...hoping to have the same pixie dust we had back then with smooth traveling. We are all so excited.

We're driving down in September, too, leaving from the Philly area. We're most likely going the last week. I'm so excited--last time we went was 2010. We drove then and swore we'd fly this time, but driving is giving us the opportunity to stay in a nicer resort. I'm excited for the road trip--it's more of an adventure.

 

[lizzyb]

Driving down again in April. Hoping for the same experience.