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

[BC1836]

We leave in 3 weeks. Heading from Iowa to Florida. We're planning 2 days worth - First day we'd like to go 12-13 hours, then the next day will be about 6-7 hours... We were going to go through Nashville, then down through Atlanta, and catch a hotel room just south of there. HOWEVER, we are now seriously considering going through Alabama after Nashville.

• Thoughts on this? My parents love going this way to miss the mountains for the most part & Atlanta.
• Also trying to figure out a place to stop in Alabama - I would assume somewhere around Montgomery/Troy area?
• Any GOOD hotels? We're expecting to pay around $100 for a night.

Thanks in advance!

Good move: drive a significant portion of your mileage on day #1.

[We are unfamiliar, though, with the Montgomery/Troy area.]

Note: Avoid metro areas at rush hour; all major hotels brands will be satisfactory.

All the best!

 

[BC1836]

Have gasoline prices bottomed out? The price of crude recently inched up and our local gas station seems to be in immediate sync with international markets.

The price for regular dropped to $1.89 last week (although another station not too far away was selling at $1.85) but it went up a penny several days ago and just notched up to $1.91.

We would enjoy filling up at under $2.00 before we depart for WDW at the end of the month.

All the best!

 

[diskids2]

Hi Everyone! I am about to read this thread....this will be our first time driving from NY to FL. Normally we fly, but since we want a second trip Dec. and April, from a budget point we'll be driving....plus I feel like doing it....being adventurous! Any pointers for me? Everyone is an adult and we have four drivers in the car. We still want to stop over once back and forth. We'd also like to get as far as we can get on the first day....14-15 hours.

This summer I drove from NY to Williamsburg....took I-95 literally the whole way and was stuck in traffic all over the place...even though we left very early from NY. Living in lower Westchester puts me about 15 minutes from the GWBridge...but I have NO PROBLEM going another way! I-84W is about 40 minutes north. We were thinking of leaving about 2 am on a Saturday morning. I'm really interested in good stop off places for lunch and gas....and of course a place to stay overnight in possibly Georgia.

 

[dvczerfs]

A guy I work with is leaving Friday morning for the world. He called me to rub it in and to ask me about I95 in SC.
I told him the web site that was posted here and also to check with AAA.
He than tells me he was concerned about getting gas in SC.? One of our costumes was heading home and had filled up in SC, he was driving a diesel pickup. The fuel he got was loaded with water!!! Had to have the truck serviced before he finished his trip. Was not cheap.
Not sure where he got fuel, not sure if it had anything to do with the flooding, not sure if it was a gas station?
When I had a diesel pick up, I got my fuel at truck stops. Truck stops sell tons of diesel. Gas stations don't turn fuel over as fast as a truck stop and I was told when I first got the truck to use truck stop fuel..
As far as gas, I'm not sure how to take it. My uncle and some family members live along the flooded areas and they didn't say anything about water in there gas.
If I was driving this week, I would get gas in NC or Ga but that's just me.
Anyone hear or see anything on this? I didn't hear anything but I'm way north of the effected areas.

 

[ParrotBill]

Hi Everyone! I am about to read this thread....this will be our first time driving from NY to FL. Normally we fly, but since we want a second trip Dec. and April, from a budget point we'll be driving....plus I feel like doing it....being adventurous! Any pointers for me? Everyone is an adult and we have four drivers in the car. We still want to stop over once back and forth. We'd also like to get as far as we can get on the first day....14-15 hours.

This summer I drove from NY to Williamsburg....took I-95 literally the whole way and was stuck in traffic all over the place...even though we left very early from NY. Living in lower Westchester puts me about 15 minutes from the GWBridge...but I have NO PROBLEM going another way! I-84W is about 40 minutes north. We were thinking of leaving about 2 am on a Saturday morning. I'm really interested in good stop off places for lunch and gas....and of course a place to stay overnight in possibly Georgia.

I always suggest to people in your area to consider going west to I-81 and then to I-77, I-26, and back to I-95. I find your average speed can be much higher and traffic will be much less likely to be a major problem. I find that I-95 from NY to Virginia is very likely to give you at least one significant delay and the traffic will be heavy and annoying most of the time. And timing your drive through Baltimore-Washington is critical - avoid rush hours (which are 3 hours long) and then you may still come to a stop anywhere around there.

Use google maps and plot both routes, and consider what happens if your average speed is 70-75 on I-81 versus 55-60 going down I-95 (plus an half hour or an hour of traffic trouble.)

 

[ParrotBill]

Here's an odd question for you. Until now, with only 2 drivers we have always taken 2 days to do our 21 hour drive to Florida. We tried it straight through once and promised ourselves we'd never do it again. Next summer my daughter will likely have her license but only after 3-6 months on her learning permit and perhaps 3 months with her license. Would you then have her drive for a couple of maybe 2 hour shifts? That could be enough relief to consider driving straight through again. I can't decide. Makes a big difference - we get 2 more days of vacation if we can drive through. With her 4 hours, and 2 shifts of 3 hours for my wife, I get 3 shifts of about 4 hours. And we would take 2 meal stops of a full hour each in addition to our 15 minutes bathroom/gas stops. That doesn't sound too bad to me.

 

[dvczerfs]

Here's an odd question for you. Until now, with only 2 drivers we have always taken 2 days to do our 21 hour drive to Florida. We tried it straight through once and promised ourselves we'd never do it again. Next summer my daughter will likely have her license but only after 3-6 months on her learning permit and perhaps 3 months with her license. Would you then have her drive for a couple of maybe 2 hour shifts? That could be enough relief to consider driving straight through again. I can't decide. Makes a big difference - we get 2 more days of vacation if we can drive through. With her 4 hours, and 2 shifts of 3 hours for my wife, I get 3 shifts of about 4 hours. And we would take 2 meal stops of a full hour each in addition to our 15 minutes bathroom/gas stops. That doesn't sound too bad to me.

My dd is almost 23 and I still don't let her drive my car. Lol
I would think if you feel comfortable with her driving, why not. I would try to get her in less congested areas and if you have three drivers, only have one sleeping at a time. Front passenger can keep the driver awake and like my wife, another set of eyes. Lol and just someone to talk too.

 

[cranbiz]

I wouldn't have any issues with her driving. There are several stretches of interstate where she can drive and not need to change routes for several hours.

 

[ParrotBill]

Thanks. I expect her to be a competent driver by the time she gets her license. I will be teaching her!

 

[diskids2]

I always suggest to people in your area to consider going west to I-81 and then to I-77, I-26, and back to I-95. I find your average speed can be much higher and traffic will be much less likely to be a major problem. I find that I-95 from NY to Virginia is very likely to give you at least one significant delay and the traffic will be heavy and annoying most of the time. And timing your drive through Baltimore-Washington is critical - avoid rush hours (which are 3 hours long) and then you may still come to a stop anywhere around there.

Use google maps and plot both routes, and consider what happens if your average speed is 70-75 on I-81 versus 55-60 going down I-95 (plus an half hour or an hour of traffic trouble.)

Thank you! Very familiar with the route to I-81 south as we take it for a quick time on route to Hershey Pa. I will do the research on that combination!
Any ideas for stopping overnight or gas/food?

 

[AaronInWI]

I wouldn't have any issues with her driving. There are several stretches of interstate where she can drive and not need to change routes for several hours.

Obviously a different situation, but my wife is a white-knuckle driver on roads that she doesn't know, and this is what we do when we road-trip. I'll look at our route and say, "we stay on this stretch of the highway for the next 185 miles, so you can take over for an hour or two". And she's fine with that. She barely drives above the speed limit, in the right lane, but I figure moving slow is still moving as opposed to stopping to rest.

 

[ParrotBill]

Thank you! Very familiar with the route to I-81 south as we take it for a quick time on route to Hershey Pa. I will do the research on that combination!
Any ideas for stopping overnight or gas/food?

I can't remember which states are good for gas prices.. I think South Carolina was good? I just use Gasbuddy when we are at about 1/4 tank and check past the next state border in case the taxes are way better.

For overnight, we come from Rochester NY which a little farther than you but we overnight at Columbia SC usually. You could choose any of the chain hotels off I-95 based on how far you want to drive the first day. We like Country Inn by Carlson as having good prices and nice rooms but there are lots of good choices.

 

[nono]

A guy I work with is leaving Friday morning for the world. He called me to rub it in and to ask me about I95 in SC.
I told him the web site that was posted here and also to check with AAA.
He than tells me he was concerned about getting gas in SC.? One of our costumes was heading home and had filled up in SC, he was driving a diesel pickup. The fuel he got was loaded with water!!! Had to have the truck serviced before he finished his trip. Was not cheap.
Not sure where he got fuel, not sure if it had anything to do with the flooding, not sure if it was a gas station?
When I had a diesel pick up, I got my fuel at truck stops. Truck stops sell tons of diesel. Gas stations don't turn fuel over as fast as a truck stop and I was told when I first got the truck to use truck stop fuel..
As far as gas, I'm not sure how to take it. My uncle and some family members live along the flooded areas and they didn't say anything about water in there gas.
If I was driving this week, I would get gas in NC or Ga but that's just me.
Anyone hear or see anything on this? I didn't hear anything but I'm way north of the effected areas.

Yes. Back in the day, my Dad wouldn't get gas at the coast after big rains (otherwise known as Nor'easters!). I still abide by it living at the coast, though I know modern, updated gas tanks (at the stations) aren't likely a problem. I've driven 50+ miles inland to get gas...cough cough two weeks ago. (OK, was going to see my Mom in hospice in PA, but you know...)

I would imagine it would all depend on when the upgrade to the gas stations tanks were. And it was a pretty darn catastrophic event, so even a "modernized" station might be at risk.

So anyway, call him tomorrow morning, and remind him the solution to his problem is to visit Kenly! Unless he's driving a total fuel hog, he'll get through SC without having to stop.

 

[BC1836]

Yes. Back in the day, my Dad wouldn't get gas at the coast after big rains (otherwise known as Nor'easters!). I still abide by it living at the coast, though I know modern, updated gas tanks (at the stations) aren't likely a problem. I've driven 50+ miles inland to get gas...cough cough two weeks ago. (OK, was going to see my Mom in hospice in PA, but you know...)

I would imagine it would all depend on when the upgrade to the gas stations tanks were. And it was a pretty darn catastrophic event, so even a "modernized" station might be at risk.

So anyway, call him tomorrow morning, and remind him the solution to his problem is to visit Kenly! Unless he's driving a total fuel hog, he'll get through SC without having to stop.

INTRASTATE NJ NOTE: So glad the overpasses at the GSP traffic lights near you have finally been built. Finally! No stop lights on the GSP until Exit 0!

All the best!

 

[BC1836]

Local gas price holding at $1.91; stable for the last few days.

We will be taking a previous poster's suggestion about filling up prior to our drive through SC soon in case a station's pumps could have been compromised due the the recent flooding. A fill up at South of the Border is convenient.

All the best!

 

[dvczerfs]

Texting with a guy I work with tonight, they departed the Lehigh valley at 6am, arrived in Savana around 7pm. Smooth sailing. Went 78/81/66/17/95.
He said parts of i95 in South Carolina have a lot of trees down and still a lot of puddles and flooding along side the interstate. Weather was good, just hit some drizzle.

 

[nono]

INTRASTATE NJ NOTE: So glad the overpasses at the GSP traffic lights near you have finally been built. Finally! No stop lights on the GSP until Exit 0!

All the best!

Yes, in general it shaves 10 minutes off my off-season commute back home from visiting my Mom and such. In season? Incalculable!! Also makes my "mosey-ing" route to WDW possibly more attractive to a few folks.

 

[BC1836]

Yes, in general it shaves 10 minutes off my off-season commute back home from visiting my Mom and such. In season? Incalculable!! Also makes my "mosey-ing" route to WDW possibly more attractive to a few folks.

We're not sure that your recommended leisurely ferry ride as part of a WDW travel jaunt would attract us; we just wanna go!

All the best!

 

[BC1836]

Every so often, reasons why regulars on this forum prefer to drive instead of fly are listed. Here are three current forums on the Transportation thread. Legitimate concerns, to be sure; however, no explanation necessary:

First Experience With an Arm Rest Hog

Used to Getting TSA Precheck? Not so Fast...

Boarding Passes When You Don't Have a Printer

All the best!

 

[nono]

We're not sure that your recommended leisurely ferry ride as part of a WDW travel jaunt would attract us; we just wanna go!

All the best!

I always say, it's not for everyone. I like the ferry because I get a good hour nap after the crush of last minute preparations (and the inevitable customer emergency...) That way can drive the first few legs after the ferry while my dh catches up on his sleep.

There's probably something wrong with us but we really enjoy the ride and consider the whole thing vacation!