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

[BC1836]

You mean this sign?

Absolutely, THAT sign!
Thanks for posting, loribell!
All the best.

 

[BC1836]

We just arrived home from another 2,000+ mile round trip! Actually, the entire drive totaled 2,292 miles, including 132 miles driven at WDW!
Gas prices varied along I-95 from $3.09 to 3.24 per gallon (regular).
However, the week was rain free (a bit cold last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday)!
Half the week at Port Orleans Riverside and the second part of the week at the Poly! We had a great time, meeting good friends and enjoying the magic (including a couple of MK 3 a.m. nights, er, mornings).

 

[loribell]

We just arrived home from another 2,000+ mile round trip! Actually, the entire drive totaled 2,292 miles, including 132 miles driven at WDW!
Gas prices varied along I-95 from $3.09 to 3.24 per gallon (regular).
However, the week was rain free (a bit cold last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday)!
Half the week at Port Orleans Riverside and the second part of the week at the Poly! We had a great time, meeting good friends and enjoying the magic (including a couple of MK 3 a.m. nights, er, mornings).

Sounds like a great trip. Glad you are home safe & sound! We are going to try night time emh's for the first time ever on our trip this summer. Can't wait to see how we like it compared to setting an alarm on vacation.

 

[dreamn_Disney]

We will be driving to WDW for the first time this June. I decided after my ds freaked out on the plane last year that we would drive. We will be driving from SW Michigan to Greenville SC to visit my Aunt and Uncle for a day and then off to WDW from there. I have never drove this far and we are dividing the trip to SC into 2 days this time. If I think I can do it in one I will do so next time.

 

[Maverick Mike]

I love making those roadtrips to WDW! They are the best!

If anyone would care to share their story with me on our new podcast, please leave me a message. It would make a great show!

www.beourguestpodcast.com

(Lori was a guest on our first show!!)

Mike

 

[BC1836]

Sounds like a great trip. Glad you are home safe & sound! We are going to try night time emh's for the first time ever on our trip this summer. Can't wait to see how we like it compared to setting an alarm on vacation.

We are not surprised to see your reply here since you were kind enough to send that wonderful photo of THE entrance some weeks ago. We anticipated seeing that inviting structure as soon as we made the right-hand turn at Exit 67!
Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.

 

[loribell]

We are not surprised to see your reply here since you were kind enough to send that wonderful photo of THE entrance some weeks ago. We anticipated seeing that inviting structure as soon as we made the right-hand turn at Exit 67!
Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.

You are very welcome!

 

[goofyernmost]

The last two weeks in February we drove down from Vermont. I have made the trek many times in the past, but, it has been a few years since the last road trip. Total mileage from home to home 3389 miles.

Years ago I decided to make the road trip a part of the adventure and not just the labor involved with getting there. I split the trip in to three segments. The first, from Vt. to Va. (approx. 600 miles), second, from Va. to the bottom of SC. (approx. 500 miles) and finally SC to Kissimmee on the last day. (approx. 400 miles). I try to have the same mileage spacing on the return trip.

Surprisingly, I didn't find the trip any more tiring at nearly 60 then I did in my 30's. Due to some unforeseen problems, I wasn't able to detour this trip. I have sometimes gotten off I-95 and travel through Savanna or other southern cities. I love the south, oaks and Spanish moss.

 

[MareSINY]

My family is driving down this summer. We haven't driven down in years, and not since before the girls were born. They'll be 7, 5 and 1 on this trip. We're warming up for the trip by taking a 2 week trip to Texas in July.

 

[ellenmiele]

Thanks to all who have replied to our original question about lengthy drives to WDW! We enjoyed your comments. To be sure, the speed of an airline flight --- the flight, not the journey to and from the airport --- has a time-saving advantage, but the drive itself is flexible, baggage-friendly, and, well, memorable. Crossing each state border is part of the anticipation. We prefer the early departure. Our best time was a 6 a.m. departure in March of this year. We crossed into Virginia at 9:45 and made it to North Carolina by 12:33. We reached Florida by 8:06 p.m. and after another hour or so we made our overnight stay in St. Augustine.The next morning: a shorter drive, to be sure, to WDW!

I just found this thread tonite and as another Jerseyan who has driven a few times, I was interested in this strategy of leaving early am. We usually leave around 6 PM and drive straight thru overnite (cool, dark, and quiet w/sleeping kids) but I must admit that DH and I are usually beat on that first day there. So...we snooze around the pool and don't plan too much for that first day. But...our next trip is in June and we are doing a 3 day Wonder cruise followed by 3 days at BCV. Since this is our first time ever on any cruise, I want to make sure that we really make the most of it and I'm afraid that we'll end up wasting that first day if we are tired from the drive. So I have been thinking about taking a different strategy (something along the lines of what you did) of driving this time 'round and I am curious as to what day of the week it was that you drove down in March because one of the things that has always influenced our decision to drive overnite is the fear of commuter traffic. We also love the autotrain and we have taken it in the past but I don't want to do that on the way down for fear that there would be a delay and we'd miss our cruise (very unlikely I know but I think I'd be too worried to try it).

p.s. loribell that pic of the entry is GREAT!! There is nothing like that moment when that sign comes into view !

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We drove down from NJ once and I'll never do it again. DH is one of those "let's see how fast we can do it" type guys and I want to strangle him!! We also leave around 6 pm and drive straight through.

He did it as a child every summer with lots of family. He asks to drive down every time but I just don't find it fun.

We used to do a lot of driving trips as a kid. I'm scarred. LOL

 

[BC1836]

I just found this thread tonite and as another Jerseyan who has driven a few times, I was interested in this strategy of leaving early am. We usually leave around 6 PM and drive straight thru overnite (cool, dark, and quiet w/sleeping kids) but I must admit that DH and I are usually beat on that first day there. So...we snooze around the pool and don't plan too much for that first day. But...our next trip is in June and we are doing a 3 day Wonder cruise followed by 3 days at BCV. Since this is our first time ever on any cruise, I want to make sure that we really make the most of it and I'm afraid that we'll end up wasting that first day if we are tired from the drive. So I have been thinking about taking a different strategy (something along the lines of what you did) of driving this time 'round and I am curious as to what day of the week it was that you drove down in March because one of the things that has always influenced our decision to drive overnite is the fear of commuter traffic. We also love the autotrain and we have taken it in the past but I don't want to do that on the way down for fear that there would be a delay and we'd miss our cruise (very unlikely I know but I think I'd be too worried to try it).

p.s. loribell that pic of the entry is GREAT!! There is nothing like that moment when that sign comes into view !

We usually depart early---very early (pre 7:00 a.m.)---in the morning on a Sunday. That's the key: A Sunday drive. Fewer vehicles on the road, no highway construction workers, a day-time drive. However, instead of departing on a Sunday morning, we left a day earlier on Saturday at noon. We couldn't wait! We knew we wouldn't drive straight through (something we have yet to do, although we made it to Palm Coast [990 miles in one day] last December), but we just wanted to make the most out of Sunday's WDW arrival.

We departed at noon and arrived at our Florence, SC hotel at 9:30 p.m. (607 miles). We left Florence at 7:55 a.m. on Sunday and made it to Exit #67 on I-4 at 2:43.

The return trip was bogged down by end-of-Easter-week traffic, from WDW guests, Florida vacationers and northern "snow birds" returning home. Georgia's two main construction streches (one of 32 miles and the other of 9 miles) was stop and go. And we experienced a few delays in the Carolinas, something we have never dealt with in ten round trip drives since 2002.

We hope this info helps.

All the best.

 

[pilferk]

We're planning our next 2000+ mile drive....we'll be driving (as of right now...DW is still trying to squeeze flying down into the budget) down in early December.

 

[CSI007]

52 days and counting till we leave for Florida!

 

[BC1836]

We're planning our next 2000+ mile drive....we'll be driving (as of right now...DW is still trying to squeeze flying down into the budget) down in early December.

Howdy!
The travel budget is the key; in fact, it will be THE key factor that affects many potential WDW guests for the rest of the year. Gas prices increased 4-cents in a few days at WDW Hess while we were there last week. Stories about $4 per gallon gas persist later this spring and summer, and airlines have already increased fuel surcharges on many fares.
When families save and devote time for a WDW vacation, it usually happens. But the gas prices will be affecting many, especially those of us who drive 2,000+ round trip miles a year. Who knows what prices will be in December?

 

[pilferk]

Howdy!
The travel budget is the key; in fact, it will be THE key factor that affects many potential WDW guests for the rest of the year. Gas prices increased 4-cents in a few days at WDW Hess while we were there last week. Stories about $4 per gallon gas persist later this spring and summer, and airlines have already increased fuel surcharges on many fares.
When families save and devote time for a WDW vacation, it usually happens. But the gas prices will be affecting many, especially those of us who drive 2,000+ round trip miles a year. Who knows what prices will be in December?

Exactly.

The thing is...there are 5 of us to fly down. Looking at fares, even with an overnight hotel stay down and back, food costs, etc, right NOW (with today's gas prices and air fares) it's still cheaper to drive.

Our breakdown, today, is like this:

About 110 gallons of gas to make the trip at $3.10 a gallon = $341

Two nights in a hotel room (one down, one back) = $150

Food for the trip (two dinners....breakfast is included in the hotel stays): $150

Approx total for the drive: $641 (not including wear and tear on the car, etc).

To fly down, it would cost us about $312 per person from Bradley (BDL) to Orlando (MCO) = $1560.

AND we lose the use of our car while down there which, really, is a huge benefit for us as DVC members. Makes it MUCH easier to stock our kitchen, etc. We'd either need to rent a car, or work out a way to make a grocery stop....both of which means paying for transportation while down there, of some sort.

Also, this trip is in December...and one of the big "deals" for us (DW and I) is visting the resorts to check out the Xmas decorations. That becomes harder and more time consuming without our own vehicle.

Now, the above doesn't take into account that we may find better deals flying, as we get closer to our dates...or we could fly JetBlue out of JFK (which has it's own set of issues...we live in NW CT, so....). Southwest will undoubtedly have some DING! fares at some point that will let us drop that numbers some, too. It also doesn't take into account the rising costs of gas for the car. But I think, best case scenario, is we can fly for around $1200. That's the number I've floated to my DW....if she can "squeeze" together the difference between the drive and flight costs...about $600, out of our monthly budget (or earn it in her side business) between now and July/August....we can look at flying. If not....we drive.



The drive in January didn't bother me a bit...and the drive DOWN didn't seem to bother her, either. But the drive home drove her nuts...not the kids, not any of that..simply the amount of time it took to get us home to our beds.

 

[HolidayRoad]

Just found this thread. We make the drive from Massachusetts every year, well over 2000 miles round trip. This year we're going to try going a different route, 84 to 81 then cut over on 66 to 17. Sick of the NJ turnpike and some of the other big cites. The wagon queen family truckster leaves in 16 days 19 hours 33 minutes and 48 seconds!!!
I haven't read all the posts on here but I will today. The one thing I will say for those trying it for the first time with children, I wouldn't even attempt this drive without that little auto miracle the DVD player.

 

[BC1836]

Just found this thread. We make the drive from Massachusetts every year, well over 2000 miles round trip. This year we're going to try going a different route, 84 to 81 then cut over on 66 to 17. Sick of the NJ turnpike and some of the other big cites. The wagon queen family truckster leaves in 16 days 19 hours 33 minutes and 48 seconds!!!
I haven't read all the posts on here but I will today. The one thing I will say for those trying it for the first time with children, I wouldn't even attempt this drive without that little auto miracle the DVD player.

Your concern over the traffic, particularly the NJ Turnpike, is understandable. But your aforementioned route will certainly take longer. What time of day do you expect to depart? An pre-dawn departure may be best for you but I estimate that you will be facing rush-hour traffic around northern NJ which will be a problem. Perhaps an evening departure is an option, if you are a nightime driver. In any event, if you do take your planned route, keep track of the times and distances. Others from your area will want to compare and contrast your travel details (including gas prices!).
All the best.

 

[HolidayRoad]

Your concern over the traffic, particularly the NJ Turnpike, is understandable. But your aforementioned route will certainly take longer. What time of day do you expect to depart? An pre-dawn departure may be best for you but I estimate that you will be facing rush-hour traffic around northern NJ which will be a problem. Perhaps an evening departure is an option, if you are a nightime driver. In any event, if you do take your planned route, keep track of the times and distances. Others from your area will want to compare and contrast your travel details (including gas prices!).
All the best.

I've driven the old 95 route from Massachusetts to WDW a bunch of times pretty much every year and to be honest I'm kind of bored with it and the new route is only about 90 miles longer and more scenic. Less starting and stopping at the tolls and I always seem to run into some sort of a traffic nightmare along the way on 95. By going 84 to 81 I avoid northern NJ. I'd rather travel an extra 100 miles but keep moving. We usually leave our house about 7:00am and get to Fayetteville at around 9:00pm. This year I'm going to drag my family out of bed and roll them into the car at around 5:00am all in all it's about 870 miles with the new route. It should take no longer than 13 and a half hours of actual drive time. We don't stop much so if things go smooth and even adding on another 2 hours for stops, which is over kill for us, we should get to Dunn NC where we are staying this year by 8:30 the latest. If things go smoother maybe even earlier. If they don't a little later but that still gives me some flexability as long as I'm there by 11:00pm I'm happy.

 

[BC1836]

I've driven the old 95 route from Massachusetts to WDW a bunch of times pretty much every year and to be honest I'm kind of bored with it and the new route is only about 90 miles longer and more scenic. Less starting and stopping at the tolls and I always seem to run into some sort of a traffic nightmare along the way on 95. By going 84 to 81 I avoid northern NJ. I'd rather travel an extra 100 miles but keep moving. We usually leave our house about 7:00am and get to Fayetteville at around 9:00pm. This year I'm going to drag my family out of bed and roll them into the car at around 5:00am all in all it's about 870 miles with the new route. It should take no longer than 13 and a half hours of actual drive time. We don't stop much so if things go smooth and even adding on another 2 hours for stops, which is over kill for us, we should get to Dunn NC where we are staying this year by 8:30 the latest. If things go smoother maybe even earlier. If they don't a little later but that still gives me some flexability as long as I'm there by 11:00pm I'm happy.

Sounds like a plan!

We were planning to do a 4:30 a.m. departure last week for a first-time, direct, one-day journey to WDW. But we decided to maximize our planned Sunday night arrival by leaving a day early. We left at noon and made it to Florence, SC by 9:30 p.m. (607 miles). We departed the next morning at 7:55 and arrived at WDW seven hours later. So instead of arriving late Sunday night we arrived in the afternoon and managed to enjoy a "full day" at the MK until 2 a.m. that (Monday) morning! It was an extra day of vacation that we had not originally planned for.

Ah, those tolls. Since we live at the Jersey Shore, our hook up to I-295 avoids the NJ Turnpike tolls but we pay the following tolls heading south: Del. Memorial Bridge ($3.00), Delaware ($4.00), and Balt. Harbor Tunnel ($2.00). Of course, the outrageous $5.00 Maryland toll is added to the aforementioned tolls heading back north on I-95 (but no toll on the Del. Memorial Bridge crossing back into NJ).