For 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers only!

[Dis_Dreamin]

the search function is not working tonight! I am driving from Indianapolis in June. We are going to break it up in to two days. Driving the majority of it the first day. Where is a safe, clean place to stay over night. I would like it somewhere on I75.

TIA!

We are traveling from Indy in May this year too...I think our first night stop will be just around (maybe to the south of) Macon, GA. There are several nice chain hotels we are going to consider. If you go out to AAA's website, you can mess with the "triptik" system and get listings of hotels all along your route.

Google Maps puts Macon, GA to be around a 10 hour drive, I'm guesstimating with stops closer to 12 hours. We'll probably leave around 6 am and eat lunch in Nashville or just south of there then dinner in Macon.

 

[BC1836]

This thread just broke the 2,500 comment mark!
Posts by some of the most experienced and knowledgeable drivers around!
All the best to all!

 

[sharadoc]

Hello my fellow DIS Drivers:

We left PA this morning at 9:30 (1/2 hour late) and arrived in Walterboro around 10:15. Took a little longer than we expected for a couple of reasons:

1. tunnels in Baltimore were all closed around 11:30 for police activity. Sat in traffic without movement for about 1/2 hour.
2. traffic out of Washington into Virginia was very busy at around 1:30, I guess for regular weekend traffic. Only lasted around 1 hour, but it set us back about 1/2 hour in total.
3. never seen so many people driving under the speed limit, especially truck drivers! they are usually the best drivers on the road, but they were constantly cutting people off, causing brakes to be slammed and traffic to slow down in the left lane
4. getting over 25 mph in the Dodge Grand Caravan, at least 5 more than summer with a/c running. Doing great on the budget.
5. got a Stuckey's pecan log at a truck stop - also a first for us

otherwise, volume of traffic has been good.

We're staying at the Microtel in Walterboro. Overheard the front desk saying that all the hotels in the area were all sold out.

Planning on a 5 1/2 hour drive tomorrow to WDW

 

[LadyBeBop]

We left at abou 7 am Friday morning, a full 10 hours ahead of schedule. We did not have any bad weather until Chattanooga at about 1:30 (during lunch). We drove in freezing rain for about an our (about 35 miles), when it turned into rain (actually sprinkes), and we drove at 70 MPH again.

We were lucky we left when we did. Last night, during supper, we talked to a couple travelling from Dayton, Ohio, an hour north of us. They also left abut 7. They started getting bad weather halfway beteen Knoxville and Chattanooga.

We are now in Walnut Grove, GA, about 40 miles south of Atlanta. The snow/ice line is somewhere north of Atlanta. We are fine; just a lot of rain. Considering we were supposed go leave at 5 PM, after work and only make it to Knoxville.

 

[disneyfan55]

Hope anyone driving to WDW on 95 has a safe trip. We leave on Thurs morning and I hope this mess is over and we have smooth driving conditions.

Just wondering what the longest trip to WDW or DL has been for anyone. On our 1989 trip to DL we drove a total of 8,500 miles (round trip from NJ with many stops and a trip from DL to the northwest corner of Washington). The WDW round trips vary from about 2,100 to 2,400 (stop nw of Atlanta, GA).

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We left at abou 7 am Friday morning, a full 10 hours ahead of schedule. We did not have any bad weather until Chattanooga at about 1:30 (during lunch). We drove in freezing rain for about an our (about 35 miles), when it turned into rain (actually sprinkes), and we drove at 70 MPH again.

We were lucky we left when we did. Last night, during supper, we talked to a couple travelling from Dayton, Ohio, an hour north of us. They also left abut 7. They started getting bad weather halfway beteen Knoxville and Chattanooga.

We are now in Walnut Grove, GA, about 40 miles south of Atlanta. The snow/ice line is somewhere north of Atlanta. We are fine; just a lot of rain. Considering we were supposed go leave at 5 PM, after work and only make it to Knoxville.

Thanks for the update. I have been thinking of you (and everyone) trying to get through the storm. Glad you are ok. Have fun!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Sharadoc, How is the Microtel? We are driving in June and need options in case we can't make it all the way in one shot. I am also interested in where you stop on the way home.

I hope your weather is nice; not sure about Limerick, but in West Chester, about 20 minutes from King of Prussia, we had about 1/2 to 1 of snow today.

Debby

 

[3girls4me05]

Ok another question. I am leaving just north of Boston at 4am on a Friday AM. If I drive till about 6 or 7 with some quick stops along the way for potty and leg stretching how far can I get?

Oh and any suggestions as to where to stay?

 

[disneylovin24]

Ok another question. I am leaving just north of Boston at 4am on a Friday AM. If I drive till about 6 or 7 with some quick stops along the way for potty and leg stretching how far can I get?

Oh and any suggestions as to where to stay?

I would guess somewhere in South Carolina

 

[mousebymarriage]

You should hit Santee, SC about 6 or 7pm. WE have stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Santee and it was a nice clean hotel for under $100. there are quite a few hotels in Santee so you may want to check out hotels .com for a listing. We will be leaving NJ on Friday at lunchtime but, we are driving straight through this time. Have a safe trip!

 

[3girls4me05]

You should hit Santee, SC about 6 or 7pm. WE have stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in Santee and it was a nice clean hotel for under $100. there are quite a few hotels in Santee so you may want to check out hotels .com for a listing. We will be leaving NJ on Friday at lunchtime but, we are driving straight through this time. Have a safe trip!

Thank you! You too!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Has anyone ever stayed around exit 126 in Virginia??? A Hampton Inn was recommended to us there and we think that will be our 1/2 way point.

 

[edbo77]

Note to Kat - I'm not sure when you're leaving, but I would suggest making a reservation. There were some hotels I had my eye on that were sold out. If you're travelling on Feb school vacation just keep in mind that you won't be the only person on the road!

 

[OrlandoHelp]

We are planning the drive to WDW during school break in April. We have the choice of leaving Thursday after dinner and stopping for the night somewhere in Virginia and driving the remaining leg of the trip on Friday. Or, leaving around 5am on Friday and stopping for the night in Savanah, Ga.

For those of you who have travelled 95 to WDW, which of these options would you consider to be the better option?

Our boys are 5 and 7 and we will have portable DVD players as well as Nintendo DS to help them pass the time.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

Has anyone ever stayed around exit 126 in Virginia??? A Hampton Inn was recommended to us there and we think that will be our 1/2 way point.

Hi there Brenda,

I have stayed at exit 126 for 6 years now...I live here it is a pretty safe area, although I will say the Ramada inn close by has had some problems in the past and the shell gas station was one of the locations of the "DC Sniper" murders. Plenty of food (golden corral, friendlys, hooters, waffle house, dennys are all 1 min away. Easy fuel and back to the highway plus, if you have any problems you have a fellow Dis'r less than 10 minutes away

Have fun, Alex

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

We are planning the drive to WDW during school break in April. We have the choice of leaving Thursday after dinner and stopping for the night somewhere in Virginia and driving the remaining leg of the trip on Friday. Or, leaving around 5am on Friday and stopping for the night in Savanah, Ga.

For those of you who have travelled 95 to WDW, which of these options would you consider to be the better option?

Our boys are 5 and 7 and we will have portable DVD players as well as Nintendo DS to help them pass the time.

My two cents....avoid DC area on friday afternoon southbound..

 

[JVL1018]

We are planning the drive to WDW during school break in April. We have the choice of leaving Thursday after dinner and stopping for the night somewhere in Virginia and driving the remaining leg of the trip on Friday. Or, leaving around 5am on Friday and stopping for the night in Savanah, Ga.

For those of you who have travelled 95 to WDW, which of these options would you consider to be the better option?

Our boys are 5 and 7 and we will have portable DVD players as well as Nintendo DS to help them pass the time.

I would leave Thursday evening.
We leave from the Paramus area and it takes almost exactly 3 hours to get to the Baltimore area and 4 hours to get to the DC area. If you leave Friday at 5am, you'll be in Baltimore/DC areas right around rush hour. Not good.

 

[mousebymarriage]

I would leave Thursday evening.
We leave from the Paramus area and it takes almost exactly 3 hours to get to the Baltimore area and 4 hours to get to the DC area. If you leave Friday at 5am, you'll be in Baltimore/DC areas right around rush hour. Not good.

I agree 100%! We are 5 min from Paramus and if it were me I would leave on Thursday evening, you definately do not want to hit DC during rush hour.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Hi there Brenda,

I have stayed at exit 126 for 6 years now...I live here it is a pretty safe area, although I will say the Ramada inn close by has had some problems in the past and the shell gas station was one of the locations of the "DC Sniper" murders. Plenty of food (golden corral, friendlys, hooters, waffle house, dennys are all 1 min away. Easy fuel and back to the highway plus, if you have any problems you have a fellow Dis'r less than 10 minutes away

Have fun, Alex

lol, My friend who lives outside of Richmond recommended Ashland, VA...do you know which exit that might be?

 

[mousebymarriage]

lol, My friend who lives outside of Richmond recommended Ashland, VA...do you know which exit that might be?

According to my "I-95 exit information Guide" (I know I'm a dork) it lists it as Exit 92 A/B (Hanover/Ashland). There are about a dozen hotels listed at this exit including Days Inn, Holiday Inn, Econolodge, Quality Inn & Suites, Super 8 etc. Also many places to eat including: Cracker Barrell, Burger King, KFC, Shoneys, Subway, Tacobell etc. Gas, Grocery and CVS also located at this exit.