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

[sharadoc]

Such a fun thread. I've been a member of DISBoards for years, and for some reason never wandered into the Transportation board until yesterday. Anyway, happy to have stumbled upon this thread. We live in western suburbs of St. Louis... The round trip drive to WDW is slightly over 2,000 miles. We've done the drive 11 times (as adults) with one more coming up in May. Last summer, we did a 5,000+ mile road trip to Disneyland (also visiting San Francisco, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, etc.). I guess that puts us at Silver level

Anyway, fun thread. Looking forward to following along with you all and seeing what additional tips I can pick up

Welcome it's the best thread on the DIS. Friendliest people and best advice you'll get regarding driving and all it's related info.

Feel free to share too, we want to hear experiences, tips, ideas that worked for you.

 

[sharadoc]

That's an amazing claim, dvczerfs...and we know you can do it. [For folks who need more info on this veteran driver go to page one, post one: all-time driving records and look for dvczerfs!]

For us, two hours is the maximum time behind the wheel until we stop. We've gone about three hours a couple of times but that's about it.

We're headin' back in five weeks.

All the best!

Speaking of time behind the wheel, both DH and I have crested that hill (not "over it" lol) called 50, and we are discussing the blood clot issue. Sitting for too long can cause blood clots to form in the legs that can travel to your heart. So we are going to figure out a good schedule for stopping, and I think your 2 hours seems like the right amount.

As always, have a wonderful trip and keep us posted on your transportation!

 

[AaronInWI]

In order to keep in proper road-trip driving shape between WDW trips, we just completed our drive from WI to AZ, then on to CA, and back home to WI. In total, we put 5300 miles on the car. In just road trip time (stopping point to stopping point), I figure we drove around 70 hours, and I handled about 65 of those hours, with my wife taking a few hours here and there to allow me to rest. My limit is 2-3 hours between stops. More than that and I stop being able to focus properly.

Since there was new car talk earlier (which I missed while on my trip), last year we traded in our trusty Toyota Rav4, which made two drives to WDW, for a new Highlander. The Rav4 served us well, but the Highlander was much more comfortable for the long drive. The extra room was noticeable, and the difference between the old cloth seats in my Rav4 to the leather in the Highlander was significant. Although it is my daily driver, we bought it specifically because we like to road trip and wanted a little extra space. We had the 10k mile service performed on it right before the trip. They were a little surprised to see us back two weeks later for the 15k mile service.

Now we start planning for WDW next year. 531 days until we head out on the road again.

 

[dkoerner27]

I have no idea what your talking about. Lol
I think there are a lot of factors, no only speed. Most of the way it's 70mph and if I'm on 75, that's the upper end. I for some reason will hit 80 in spots but in my older age, I don't do it too much for long.
Traveling at night you can make time. You don't break or slow down its just hauling.
How many rest stops and how long of a break you take. We can click off 300 miles without stopping without a problem. But again, I drive for a living so as long as the gas holds out and my bladder, I can go long distances.
I usually hit the Florida state line in 13 3/4 to 14 hours. I'm generally total trip around 16 hours. That's 1086 miles. It's faster if I go 81/77/26/95. Mileage is real close for both ways. I'm not sure how mapquest calculates miles and time but I always seem to out run the time and do it in less miles. Many of you have seen my charts. Lol

We also travel from the poconos and it takes us about 16-17 hours driving through the night on 81-77-26-95. When we go down next week we'll be trying the 95 route all the way. We leave at 6pm and drive straight through the night. Since I do most of the driving, I have gotten really bored of the inland route, as there is absolutely nothing to see at night. We always come home using 95 and enjoy the night time views of all the cities.

 

[kbainbridge]

Hi everybody,

We've just booked a 4 night WDW, 3 night DCL holiday and although the flights aren't too badly priced ($1300 r/t for 4 people from Toronto), a rental car and some gas works out to be cheaper. I'm still tossing up whether to just fork out the money on flights to save time, but for now I've got a rental car booked and I'm after some tips. We are hoping to drive pretty much straight through, maybe one o/n stop on the way there and one on the way back. Will be a see how we go kind of thing. I do have family in Fayetteville, GA so may see if we can spend a night at their place on the way down.

What are the best roads to take from Toronto, possibly with fewer tolls? Any hints and tips would be super appreciated

 

[dvczerfs]

We also travel from the poconos and it takes us about 16-17 hours driving through the night on 81-77-26-95. When we go down next week we'll be trying the 95 route all the way. We leave at 6pm and drive straight through the night. Since I do most of the driving, I have gotten really bored of the inland route, as there is absolutely nothing to see at night. We always come home using 95 and enjoy the night time views of all the cities.

Have a nice trip. I'm in Nazareth and spend a lot of time in the poconos for work.
All depending when I leave, lately I have been using 81/77/26 on the return trip.
We have been leaving around 6-7pm lately for the ride down and take 81/66/17/95. For some reason it's the mileage and time. ( time is the same for night driving)
If I drive at night, I don't take 81/77/26, not much going on and fewer places to stop. Even though over the years it has been built up. The first time I took that way was in 1985 on our honeymoon, it was like driving on the moon back then.

 

[BC1836]

Regular gas prices shot up six cents to $1.75.

Hey there: can anyone help the Toronto-based folks who asked for assistance two posts back?

All the best.

 

[mousegear]

Hi everybody,

We've just booked a 4 night WDW, 3 night DCL holiday and although the flights aren't too badly priced ($1300 r/t for 4 people from Toronto), a rental car and some gas works out to be cheaper. I'm still tossing up whether to just fork out the money on flights to save time, but for now I've got a rental car booked and I'm after some tips. We are hoping to drive pretty much straight through, maybe one o/n stop on the way there and one on the way back. Will be a see how we go kind of thing. I do have family in Fayetteville, GA so may see if we can spend a night at their place on the way down.

What are the best roads to take from Toronto, possibly with fewer tolls? Any hints and tips would be super appreciated

Isn't your trip almost 20 hours to WDW? I would definitely think that with little ones, you would need an overnight each way. Isn't Fayetteville in NC? Unless there is small town in GA also. I would think you will take 77S down to GA and take 26E to meet 95S which should be around Savannah, GA. If you stop around there, they have plenty of places to stay/eat overnight. I've never made a trip straight from Toronto before. I've drove to Toronto from NJ and NJ to FL in separate trips. It seems like a long drive and mine is 14 hours from NJ to FL. However 1300 for 4 pp for flight doesn't seem a lot to me. It's usually 200~250/person from NJ to Orlando so it's just little more. I would probably fly for that price.

 

[Limes96]

I'm not sure what the shortest route is from Toronto, but I do know that if you take I-75 south from Detroit there are no tolls until you hit the Florida turnpike just south of Ocala. There are a number of large cities to avoid at rush hour of course, but nothing too terrible.

ETA: just checked the map and saw that Fayetteville is just south of Atlanta. In that case, if you want to spend the night there, 75 would be the way to go. Worst cities at rush hour would be Detroit, Cincinnati, and Atlanta. But you've also got Toledo, Dayton, Knoxville, and Chattanooga too. Not as bad though.

 

[kbainbridge]

Isn't your trip almost 20 hours to WDW? I would definitely think that with little ones, you would need an overnight each way. Isn't Fayetteville in NC? Unless there is small town in GA also. I would think you will take 77S down to GA and take 26E to meet 95S which should be around Savannah, GA. If you stop around there, they have plenty of places to stay/eat overnight. I've never made a trip straight from Toronto before. I've drove to Toronto from NJ and NJ to FL in separate trips. It seems like a long drive and mine is 14 hours from NJ to FL. However 1300 for 4 pp for flight doesn't seem a lot to me. It's usually 200~250/person from NJ to Orlando so it's just little more. I would probably fly for that price.

$1300 isn't terrible, but I've paid less. We are from Australia so after paying the flights from Australia to Canada + Disneyworld and our cruise I'm trying to save money where I can lol

 

[kbainbridge]

And yes, Fayetteville just outside of Atlanta

 

[dvczerfs]

$1300 isn't terrible, but I've paid less. We are from Australia so after paying the flights from Australia to Canada + Disneyworld and our cruise I'm trying to save money where I can lol

Wow! How long of a flight is that from Australia to Canada?
I know some friends in Canada and they tell me it's cheaper to drive across the border into the US and fly to Florida from there?

 

[kbainbridge]

Wow! How long of a flight is that from Australia to Canada?
I know some friends in Canada and they tell me it's cheaper to drive across the border into the US and fly to Florida from there?

It's takes about 22 hours total with the stopovers. We do it yearly so my kids cope really well!!
We usually fly to Orlando from Buffalo, NY but with the exchange it only saves $80. Not really worth it. We have priced our flights out to fly out of Buffalo and back into Toronto because Buffalo flight times are better. Still tossing up between driving and flying. I love Orlando airport lol

 

[dvczerfs]

It's takes about 22 hours total with the stopovers. We do it yearly so my kids cope really well!!
We usually fly to Orlando from Buffalo, NY but with the exchange it only saves $80. Not really worth it. We have priced our flights out to fly out of Buffalo and back into Toronto because Buffalo flight times are better. Still tossing up between driving and flying. I love Orlando airport lol

That is a long flight. Sorry can't help you out too much with driving from Toronto. I do a 16 hour drive and Toronto is a good 5 hours north of me.
Everyone is different, if you guys can drive straight through I say go for it. Sounds like your children are seasoned travelers.
It's always good when you have cooperating passengers
Good luck to you and have a nice trip.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Just wanted to post to see my countdown ticker I can't wait! I have about 3 more weeks until spring break and then 7 more weeks until school is out. We leave July 11th or 12th depending on where we want to stop on the way down. We check in on the 15th.

 

[BC1836]

Regular gas prices shot up six cents to $1.75.

All the best.

A four-cents jump in one day: up to $1.79.

All the best!

 

[OKW Lover]

$1.96 at the Speedways on WDW property.

 

[dvczerfs]

Childs play. Lol. You people have to start paying some Pa. Taxes! Lol

 

[dvczerfs]

View attachment 158583
Childs play. Lol. You people have to start paying some Pa. Taxes! Lol

You think Disney can "give it to ya". You should meet our governor. Lol

 

[dvczerfs]

Same station is up to $2.15 this morning.