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

[pwdebbie]

Any word on US-15 between Harrisburg, PA and Frederick, MD? We'll be hitting Harrisburg, PA around 7pm and will have to choose between US-15 to I-270 to 95, or 83 around Baltimore and DC. Last I heard, US-15 in northern MD was still closed, but there aren't frequent updates on the state DOT website...

I know that from the Maryland line south to DC, 15 and 270 had been closed. I don't know if that's still true -- can't find any updates this morning. If I see something later, I'll let you know.

Updating to add:
Check out the traffic info at www.wusa9.com. Click on the Traffic tab and it will bring you to an interactive map. As of right now, Rt. 15 is closed in the Thurmont area because of drifting snow.

 

[lalugo]

Hi to all. I don't post verry often. but it seems like I am the only one that has done the drive from Los Angeles to Port Canaveral. last december Me and My,DD 12, DS 9 DW 44, drove from Los Angeles to Baumont Tx straight thru, spent the night there. next morning We left about 7:00 am and drove to Orlando, We check in at CBR at 10:00 pm the same Day. We spent Friday at WDW on Saturady 12/19/2009 we drove to Port Canaveral for Our Christmas Cruisue on the MAGIC. On 12/26/09 I drove 38 Hours Straight thru to Los Angeles for a total Round TRIP 5200 MILES. It may sound Crazy BUT IT WAS OUR BEST VACATION SO FAR!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BC1836]

Hi to all. I don't post verry often. but it seems like I am the only one that has done the drive from Los Angeles to Port Canaveral. last december Me and My,DD 12, DS 9 DW 44, drove from Los Angeles to Baumont Tx straight thru, spent the night there. next morning We left about 7:00 am and drove to Orlando, We check in at CBR at 10:00 pm the same Day. We spent Friday at WDW on Saturady 12/19/2009 we drove to Port Canaveral for Our Christmas Cruisue on the MAGIC. On 12/26/09 I drove 38 Hours Straight thru to Los Angeles for a total Round TRIP 5200 MILES. It may sound Crazy BUT IT WAS OUR BEST VACATION SO FAR!!!!!!!!!!

Unbelievable!

We made two round trips to San Antonio, Texas from the Jersey Shore. It took us two full days (16 hours) the first time (with a one night stayover) and it was exhausting. The next time we did it we broke it up over 2 1/2 days (with two night stayovers). How you folks could basically do twice that distance is incredible. However, our subsequent 1,080 miles one way drive to WDW after that was easy.

And then there's that 38-hour-straight-across-the-US drive you mentioned!

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

Leaving 3:45pm from southern NH next Friday... I have to admit- I'm a little freaked out by all of the southern snow storms!
We have no problem driving in the snow- we're used to it but we really hope it's all cleared up iwithin the next week down south so we have clear sailing down 95.

Last thing we want is to leave New England in February and run into a snow storm in Georgia!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Leaving 3:45pm from southern NH next Friday... I have to admit- I'm a little freaked out by all of the southern snow storms!
We have no problem driving in the snow- we're used to it but we really hope it's all cleared up iwithin the next week down south so we have clear sailing down 95.

Last thing we want is to leave New England in February and run into a snow storm in Georgia!

I totally understand you there! Safe travels!
We don't leave until April, but we are trying to figure out what time to leave. We are pulling the kids out of school (already ok'd with the school board) on a Tuesday, but we want them to go to school for the first half of the day, at least until lunch. Then we will hit the road from the middle of NH, driving down 91 in Vermont, hit 84, then connecting somewhere to 95. We took the PA route through to Hershey last year and I do not like that road at all.
We are hoping to get as far as the middle of Virginia (my hubby's preference) or top of North Carolina (Rocky Mount area...my preference).

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

I'm sooo excited!! We leave on Friday right after the kids get off the bus from school! I can't believe it's so close!

Last year when we drove down I was so proud of myself because I came up with a great plan* to keep the kids entertained and happy, but I think I've done better this year and I'm even prouder of myself!

I have made up a small 3-ring binder for each kid. Inside I put tabs for each state. In the section for each state I have a page or two of interesting facts about the state, a picture of the state flag, and a map of the state. Also in each state section is a page with a "treasure hunt." The treasure hunt has things to look for do and find (similar to the ideas below) for that state. At the end it says "Done? Ask mom for your prize." Because the Disney Store no longer sells Disney Dollars (this would have been my choice for the prize) I have gathered together bags of prizes for each of them that consist of wrapped up, cheap but relevant gifts (books, Glow sticks for the parks at night, underwater disposable cameras, etc). In addition to the state sections, I added an activity section that has tons of word searches, dot-to dots- and other games/activities.

It's been fun to make and I think/hope will keep the kids happy & occupied on our drive.

*For each state we passed through I had an envelope for each kid. I handed them the envelope when we entered the state. On the outside of the envelope it had the name of the state and some facts about the state (population, capitol, state bird, etc) and it also had several things they had to find and check off (a sign with the name of the capitol on it, a car with a Florida license plate, a bridge, and other things I knew they would see in that state). Once they checked everything off they could open the envelope. Inside I put Disney Dollars (1 for a small- quick state and 2 or 3 for a bigger state). The kids loved it and spent the $$ on our vacation at WDW.

 

[beachgirl2000]

Hi to all. I don't post verry often. but it seems like I am the only one that has done the drive from Los Angeles to Port Canaveral. last december Me and My,DD 12, DS 9 DW 44, drove from Los Angeles to Baumont Tx straight thru, spent the night there. next morning We left about 7:00 am and drove to Orlando, We check in at CBR at 10:00 pm the same Day. We spent Friday at WDW on Saturady 12/19/2009 we drove to Port Canaveral for Our Christmas Cruisue on the MAGIC. On 12/26/09 I drove 38 Hours Straight thru to Los Angeles for a total Round TRIP 5200 MILES. It may sound Crazy BUT IT WAS OUR BEST VACATION SO FAR!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! That is crazy!!!!! I am glad to hear that it was your best vacation because that is a lot of travelling.

My husband, son and I travelled last May from Philly to Orlando and it took us 15 hours total -- we left Philly at 2:45 a.m., stopped for breakfast at 9:30 in Wilson, NC and stopped for an overnite in Savannah, GA a little before 3:00. We left the next morning around 4:30 a.m. and got to AKL right before 8:30 a.m. - the trip there was nothing but the ride home was hell -- we hit tons of traffic, plus we were not happy to be home -- but we will be driving again this year straight through - it was well worth it!

 

[lalugo]

I know it is kind of crazy. But We did it. after geting off the Magic I wanted to take the Kids to KSC. but They did not want to go so I said lets ride!
this is the the gas station list.
1.-on 12/19/2009 I fill up before going to the port at.
Hess 09567 Orlando Fl. $2.49
Coming back.
2.-Pilot 374 Marianna Fl 12/26/09 13:59 $2.54
3.-Pilot 274 Breaux Bridge LA 12/26/09 $2.39
4.-San Antonio tx 12/27/09 3:13 am $2.53
5.-Pilot 209 Van Horn TX 12/27/09 09:22 am $2.59
6.-Pilot 163 Lordsburg NM 12/27/09 12:42 pm $2.45
7.-Pilot 328 Quartzsite AZ 12/27/09 18.12 pm $2.65
8.-Home Sweet Home around 22:00 pm

 

[BC1836]

I know it is kind of crazy. But We did it. after geting off the Magic I wanted to take the Kids to KSC. but They did not want to go so I said lets ride!
this is the the gas station list.
1.-on 12/19/2009 I fill up before going to the port at.
Hess 09567 Orlando Fl. $2.49
Coming back.
2.-Pilot 374 Marianna Fl 12/26/09 13:59 $2.54
3.-Pilot 274 Breaux Bridge LA 12/26/09 $2.39
4.-San Antonio tx 12/27/09 3:13 am $2.53
5.-Pilot 209 Van Horn TX 12/27/09 09:22 am $2.59
6.-Pilot 163 Lordsburg NM 12/27/09 12:42 pm $2.45
7.-Pilot 328 Quartzsite AZ 12/27/09 18.12 pm $2.65
8.-Home Sweet Home around 22:00 pm

An amazing journey! As were previously commented: "Unbelievable!"

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

I know it is kind of crazy. But We did it. after geting off the Magic I wanted to take the Kids to KSC. but They did not want to go so I said lets ride!
this is the the gas station list.
1.-on 12/19/2009 I fill up before going to the port at.
Hess 09567 Orlando Fl. $2.49
Coming back.
2.-Pilot 374 Marianna Fl 12/26/09 13:59 $2.54
3.-Pilot 274 Breaux Bridge LA 12/26/09 $2.39
4.-San Antonio tx 12/27/09 3:13 am $2.53
5.-Pilot 209 Van Horn TX 12/27/09 09:22 am $2.59
6.-Pilot 163 Lordsburg NM 12/27/09 12:42 pm $2.45
7.-Pilot 328 Quartzsite AZ 12/27/09 18.12 pm $2.65
8.-Home Sweet Home around 22:00 pm

Wow...what kinda of Looks like you made great time, have done Tampa to San Diego but had to stop in Baton Rouge LA ....I didn't want to but the car did I cannot imagine driving that straight through...good for you How many Drivers? and if you don't mind me asking where is your other home (not disney) obviously within 200 miles of Quartzsite..well with the times you were pulling maybe within 300miles

 

[soontobewed07]

Leaving 3:45pm from southern NH next Friday... I have to admit- I'm a little freaked out by all of the southern snow storms!
We have no problem driving in the snow- we're used to it but we really hope it's all cleared up iwithin the next week down south so we have clear sailing down 95.

Last thing we want is to leave New England in February and run into a snow storm in Georgia!

Have a blast we leave in 13 days! I am so excited and we are worried about that snow too. We have no snow at home so it will be disappointing for there to be snow in GA or FL.

The weather on Accuweather is starting to look up except for rain. They are predicting High 70's

 

[disneyfan55]

Well we are home back in NJ! We left pretty much as scheduled at about 4:30 am on the 4th of Feb. We were in Port Wentworth, GA by about 7 pm. There was very little traffic once we passed the Washington DC area (not much there either) When we arrived we had planned to go to Savannah but it was very cold and raining a little. We found a great Mexican place to eat (can't recall the name) just near the Days Inn. The next morning we left for WDW at about 7:30 or so. We were there by lunch time. One of our rooms was ready so we brought everything into that room and went to the MK. The entire week at WDW was very chilly, no shorts for us. It rained two of the days. There was a freeze warning I think 2 nights as well as lake wind warnings. The parks were somewhat more crowded than I thought they'd be. On the way home we were supposed to stay the night at Disney's Hilton Head resort, but cancelled Fri morning due to the snow in the forcast. Well, we stayed again at the Port Wentworth Days INn. We got there (rain all the way) at about 7 pm. JUst as we started to eat dinner all there were excited to see snow. It did snow all night and there was about 1-2 inches on the cars. (a small snowman was outside as well) We made it home with no traffic last night about 12:30 am, actually this morning! I was dissapointed at missing the Hilton HEad resort, but we really weren't staying that long and it wasn't worth the extra miles in nasty weather!

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

Well we are home back in NJ! We left pretty much as scheduled at about 4:30 am on the 4th of Feb. We were in Port Wentworth, GA by about 7 pm. There was very little traffic once we passed the Washington DC area (not much there either) When we arrived we had planned to go to Savannah but it was very cold and raining a little. We found a great Mexican place to eat (can't recall the name) just near the Days Inn. The next morning we left for WDW at about 7:30 or so. We were there by lunch time. One of our rooms was ready so we brought everything into that room and went to the MK. The entire week at WDW was very chilly, no shorts for us. It rained two of the days. There was a freeze warning I think 2 nights as well as lake wind warnings. The parks were somewhat more crowded than I thought they'd be. On the way home we were supposed to stay the night at Disney's Hilton Head resort, but cancelled Fri morning due to the snow in the forcast. Well, we stayed again at the Port Wentworth Days INn. We got there (rain all the way) at about 7 pm. JUst as we started to eat dinner all there were excited to see snow. It did snow all night and there was about 1-2 inches on the cars. (a small snowman was outside as well) We made it home with no traffic last night about 12:30 am, actually this morning! I was dissapointed at missing the Hilton HEad resort, but we really weren't staying that long and it wasn't worth the extra miles in nasty weather!

Glad you made it, sorry your back Looks like you left just before the snows..good for you, did you have any shoveling to do when you got back? Sorry it was chilly...but hey, way better than Jersey (or Virginia)

 

[disneyfan55]

Glad you made it, sorry your back Looks like you left just before the snows..good for you, did you have any shoveling to do when you got back? Sorry it was chilly...but hey, way better than Jersey (or Virginia)

Thanks! No shovelling for us at least not what fell while we were gone. My son had asked one of his best friends to shovel if it snowed, well as we all know it snowed a lot. I felt bad for him since we live on a corner and have 2 walks. I bought a few things for him and his daughter. Just found out about 2-3 hours ago they didn't remove the ink security tag! Hopefully a Disney store can do so. We don't really have any near us now but about 30 miles away!! Yes, back to very cold, snowcovered NJ!

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

Those come off, I had one left on and took it into my workshop, put it in the vise, pried the plastic gently open exposing the stainless steel pin, cut very small pin with sharp pliers.

Good luck, and glad you were shoveled out, I need a disney fix pretty bad tonight

 

[disneyfan55]

Those come off, I had one left on and took it into my workshop, put it in the vise, pried the plastic gently open exposing the stainless steel pin, cut very small pin with sharp pliers.

Good luck, and glad you were shoveled out, I need a disney fix pretty bad tonight

Thanks for the info on removing the security device. I just wouldn't want that messy ink all over. I think I may try to bring it to a Disney store to have it taken off. I really wanted to give it to the little girl along with what I got for her dad for shovelling!

Talk about Disney Fixes! I had Mary Poppins on 2 times - just finished the second show!! Watch a Disney flick!!

 

[Marshay]

I just got my AAA triptik and mapped out all the Welcome Centers (WC) and Rest Stops with Facilities (RSwF) from southern VA to FL. However, a map doesn't really tell me how good they are ... (clean, playground, food and gas on-site or close by, trees for shade, etc)

Can anyone comment on the WC/RSwF that are good ones? Or ones to avoid?

I'm trying to plot out some breaks according to the WC/RSwF.

Thanks!

 

[Luvamouse]

I have searched and looked and apologize if this specific thread/question exists...I am posting here and on the Community Board.

Next February we will be going to the Daytona 500 and then heading to the Poly. If any of you have been to Daytona-- preferably 2010, but I'll take any advice , how long did it take to leave the Racetrack? Leave the area? Get to WDW? We've done the drive in Nov. 2007 from Daytona Speedway, but obviously without a race it was quite quick. We are just trying to get a handle on our worst case scenario as we plan to stay in Daytona prior to the race, but drive to Disney after the race ends on Sunday night. No interest in waking in Daytona and then driving to Disney.

Thanks for advice or tips as I plan to book my Daytona hotel this week...

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

No interest in waking in Daytona and then driving to Disney.

You are my kinda planner

 

[momof3Disneykids]

We are driving right at 2000 round trip. first trip with 3 kids, dd5 ds3(Will be turning 4 during trip) and ds1 kinda worried about them losing it. my 1y/o is not a fan of his car seat!! we will be leaving out at 3AM and are planning many rest stops along the way!!