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

[DisGal520]

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).

Just swing by Maryland and pick me up. I'll pay those pesky tolls!


Disgal

 

[goofyernmost]

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.

The route you suggested is one that I have used almost exclusively for the last 12 or so years. I tried an experiment this year. I went that route heading toward Florida and did the Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway on the return trip.

Mapquest will show an additional 100 miles by going through Pennsylvania but guess what! From my house to My Hotel in Kissimmee was 1511 miles. Kissimmee back to my house via Jersey, etc., 1528.

The fun thing about taking 95 is that you manage to skip through many states at a pretty rapid rate. This give you the feeling of accomplishment. Also the traffic tends to keep you more awake and alert. Taking 84 and 81 feels like you spend a lifetime just traveling through Penns. Nothing wrong with Penns. but, it is nice to feel like you are actually getting someplace.

 

[dizprincess717]

I just got back from a 2,000+ mile journey!

My boyfriend and his brother and sister left Cherry Hill, NJ at 4 AM and got into Orlando at 7:30 PM. We took his dad's 2005 BMW 5-Series and stopped for gas once in North Carolina ($60) and again in Orlando (another $60) because we'd be driving the car a lot while there.

We left Orlando around 6:30 AM and made it back to Cherry Hill, NJ by 9:30 PM. We filled up once in Orlando before leaving (again, $60) and once again in NJ (I paid this one - $51 ) to return the BMW to their dad with a full tank of gas.

For some reason, I really don't mind driving. We took a portable DVD player and an iPod FM transmitter and a bunch of DVD's. We plugged the DVD player into the cigarette lighter and used the FM transmitter to play the sound through the car's speakers. It worked out GREAT!

As far as traffic goes - we hit NONE! Nothing in Baltimore and nothing in D.C. We left at the perfect time.

I've also driven down 3 other times prior to this. Once in a motor home, another time in a Ford Excursion (let's not talk about the gas money on THAT trip...) and the other time in a rented minivan. The minivan was by far the worst as far as comfort goes. The BMW was like a dream. No sore bottoms at all and plenty of leg room - and we're all over 5' 9", too!

 

[Kelash265]

I've driven from Glens Falls, NY with my parents when I was a teenager 3x. This May will be my first time with my soon to be musband and kids. Twenty-four hours straight through, but with the kids, we will stop overnight once!

 

[ellenmiele]

I just got back from a 2,000+ mile journey!

My boyfriend and his brother and sister left Cherry Hill, NJ at 4 AM and got into Orlando at 7:30 PM. We took his dad's 2005 BMW 5-Series and stopped for gas once in North Carolina ($60) and again in Orlando (another $60) because we'd be driving the car a lot while there.

We left Orlando around 6:30 AM and made it back to Cherry Hill, NJ by 9:30 PM. We filled up once in Orlando before leaving (again, $60) and once again in NJ (I paid this one - $51 ) to return the BMW to their dad with a full tank of gas.

For some reason, I really don't mind driving. We took a portable DVD player and an iPod FM transmitter and a bunch of DVD's. We plugged the DVD player into the cigarette lighter and used the FM transmitter to play the sound through the car's speakers. It worked out GREAT!

As far as traffic goes - we hit NONE! Nothing in Baltimore and nothing in D.C. We left at the perfect time.

I've also driven down 3 other times prior to this. Once in a motor home, another time in a Ford Excursion (let's not talk about the gas money on THAT trip...) and the other time in a rented minivan. The minivan was by far the worst as far as comfort goes. The BMW was like a dream. No sore bottoms at all and plenty of leg room - and we're all over 5' 9", too!

That sounds great - I'm thinking about doing something like this on our trip home this time (instead of leaving in the evening). You hit no traffic? - what days of the week did you travel?

 

[BC1836]

I just got back from a 2,000+ mile journey!

My boyfriend and his brother and sister left Cherry Hill, NJ at 4 AM and got into Orlando at 7:30 PM. We took his dad's 2005 BMW 5-Series and stopped for gas once in North Carolina ($60) and again in Orlando (another $60) because we'd be driving the car a lot while there.

We left Orlando around 6:30 AM and made it back to Cherry Hill, NJ by 9:30 PM. We filled up once in Orlando before leaving (again, $60) and once again in NJ (I paid this one - $51 ) to return the BMW to their dad with a full tank of gas.


As far as traffic goes - we hit NONE! Nothing in Baltimore and nothing in D.C. We left at the perfect time.

What day of the week was your departure date and return date? Hitting no traffic (especially on weekdays) even at those early hours is amazing!
We departed in December 2007 from the Jersey Shore at 5:05 a.m. and entered the Baltimore Harbor tunnel at 7:45; we crossed the Potomac into VA at 8:42 and by 11:29 a.m. we were in NC. But you made great time!

 

[dizprincess717]

That sounds great - I'm thinking about doing something like this on our trip home this time (instead of leaving in the evening). You hit no traffic? - what days of the week did you travel?

What day of the week was your departure date and return date? Hitting no traffic (especially on weekdays) even at those early hours is amazing!
We departed in December 2007 from the Jersey Shore at 5:05 a.m. and entered the Baltimore Harbor tunnel at 7:45; we crossed the Potomac into VA at 8:42 and by 11:29 a.m. we were in NC. But you made great time!

We left on Tuesday and returned home on Friday. We also took the Beltway as driving straight through Baltimore and DC would have been I can't remember the exact times, but I do know that we were out of DC before 7:30AM.

We averaged about 70-75 MPH and averaged exactly 29.4 MPG going and 31.7 MPG coming home.

If at all possible (I know it's not always possible, especially with young kids and work schedules of parents), if you could leave the Shore around 4 I'm sure you could make the same time. If we would have left any later, everything would have been jammed and my boyfriend would have been flipping out.

 

[CSI007]

I just got back from a 2,000+ mile journey!

My boyfriend and his brother and sister left Cherry Hill, NJ at 4 AM and got into Orlando at 7:30 PM. We took his dad's 2005 BMW 5-Series and stopped for gas once in North Carolina ($60) and again in Orlando (another $60) because we'd be driving the car a lot while there.

We left Orlando around 6:30 AM and made it back to Cherry Hill, NJ by 9:30 PM. We filled up once in Orlando before leaving (again, $60) and once again in NJ (I paid this one - $51 ) to return the BMW to their dad with a full tank of gas.

For some reason, I really don't mind driving. We took a portable DVD player and an iPod FM transmitter and a bunch of DVD's. We plugged the DVD player into the cigarette lighter and used the FM transmitter to play the sound through the car's speakers. It worked out GREAT!

As far as traffic goes - we hit NONE! Nothing in Baltimore and nothing in D.C. We left at the perfect time.

I've also driven down 3 other times prior to this. Once in a motor home, another time in a Ford Excursion (let's not talk about the gas money on THAT trip...) and the other time in a rented minivan. The minivan was by far the worst as far as comfort goes. The BMW was like a dream. No sore bottoms at all and plenty of leg room - and we're all over 5' 9", too!

What was your average speed? Seems like you made fantastic time. I am planning on it taking at least what it took you to get to Daytona Beach FL and I am further south in Maryland.

 

[dizprincess717]

What was your average speed? Seems like you made fantastic time. I am planning on it taking at least what it took you to get to Daytona Beach FL and I am further south in Maryland.

For the majority of the trip we averaged right around 75 MPH. There were times when we were up to 80 MPH, but that was mostly in Georgia and Florida itself because the speed limits were up to 70 MPH so we figured we could get away with a little more. Like I said earlier, we only stopped 3 times going to Florida - once in Virginia for breakfast, the North Carolina welcome center to use the restrooms, and again in North Carolina for gas and a late lunch. Coming home, we stopped once - North Carolina for food, gas and to use the restroom.

We're all in our 20s, though, and we obviously didn't have young children. I remember driving when I was little with my parents and we stayed over night usually in South Carolina because we had to make so many stops for me and we had a Ford Excursion and a 32' travel trailer behind us as well. This trip was a breeze compared to previous ones because of the fantastic gas mileage, no traffic and no frequent stops!

Best of luck to you on your trip! The most important thing to remember is to get plenty of rest the night before and don't push yourself! My boyfriend got really, really tired driving home from Orlando and we pulled off on the shoulder of the road so he and his brother could switch. We didn't want any accidents happening!

 

[TSMAMI]

I've driven from Glens Falls, NY with my parents when I was a teenager 3x. This May will be my first time with my soon to be musband and kids. Twenty-four hours straight through, but with the kids, we will stop overnight once!

Hey neighbor! Colonie NY here. We drive every year with 2 kids. We stay overnight in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Too hard on the kids to drive straight through.

 

[Kelash265]

Hey neighbor! Colonie NY here. We drive every year with 2 kids. We stay overnight in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Too hard on the kids to drive straight through.

How early in the morning do you usually leave to avoid major traffic? What time do you usually arrive at Disney? TIA!

 

[TSMAMI]

How early in the morning do you usually leave to avoid major traffic? What time do you usually arrive at Disney? TIA!

We try to leave around 5am, and if the kids are doing fine with little potty breaks, we get to Fayetteville NC by 7 or 8 pm depending on traffic. The past couple of times it poured the whole way there so that slowed us down a little bit. The next day we leave around 7am and make it to Disney by 3:30.

 

[Harley-Mouse]

We will hit the road at 9:00 pm we left one time int the 6:00 am time to go to HHI, SC. never again I will only drive down at night. Looking to make it all the way. hope to be in Disney area by 4:00 pm. The drive home is alway done doring the day and its a lot harder for me with everybody up. I like ti drive when thay are sleeping for most of the trip.

 

[loribell]

It does make it a lot easier if the kids are sleeping. I really enjoyed driving straight through. Wouldn't mind at all doing it again.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Texan here :wave

We have yet to make the drive, but we probably will for our future trips. We are a family of 4 now, and we are also interested in staying offsite and renting pool homes. So we will be looking forward to packing up the van and making the trip. We love road trips, so this will be fun for us.

2314 miles round trip from Plano, Texas!

 

[ALnRYSmom]

Texan here :wave

We have yet to make the drive, but we probably will for our future trips. We are a family of 4 now, and we are also interested in staying offsite and renting pool homes. So we will be looking forward to packing up the van and making the trip. We love road trips, so this will be fun for us.

2314 miles round trip from Plano, Texas!

I was just going to post the same thing. 2314 from Plano RT - GoogleMaps says 17 hours each way - I'm saying that's crazy talk. We plan to head out around 9:00 PM on Friday and drive as far as we can until a rest area calls our name. Then it's back up and on the road again with the hope that we make it to the Florida welcome center in time for some OJ - We aren't supposed to check into our condo until Sunday after 4:00, but are now talking about adding an extra Universal day so the hope is that we can hit Orlando and hotel it Saturday night, spend the morning and early afternoon at Universal then check into the condo at 4:00 after we pick up our Disney/NASA tickets.

 

[BC1836]

A return flight from Austin, TX to Newark, NJ this morning reminded us why we drive to WDW: leave when we want, pack what we want, stop when we we want, stretch our legs when we want, etc.

[In all fairness, though, the 3 1/2 hour flight translates to a Jersey Shore departure and a Potomac River crossing into VA via car!]

 

[allisophie]

We have only flown once to WDW .. in 06 over the holidays. DH grumped the entire time in the airport, then again when we picked up the rental car.. Arriving at the Contempoary was the biggeset relief to us all.. Going home was even worse... Jan 2.. no flight delays.. just the going home part.....

We are going back to Fort Wilderness with our Travel Trailer this October.. my 8 yr old DD asked if we could ship the camper down and fly instead.. (Dh works for Fedex)because it takes "Too long" of course she's sleeping most of the time.. or saying.. the famous.. "are we there yet? how much longer? is this Florida yet? we are still IN Georgia?

 

[kileybeth]

We're back! 2,700 miles later (we did a day trip down to Siesta Key bumping our milage a bit)

1 chevy uplander
2 maclaren volo strollers
3 unplanned hotel stays (stomach flu)
4 kiddos (2 teens 2 toddlers)
5 different hotels
6 suitcases
7 misc bags of junk and a cooler
8 unexpected new treasures found (in terms of fun places to see/things to do)
9 dates with the DH while teens sat tods
10 rides in each park
11 how many times we each filled our refillable mugs (that we can remember)
12 Disney bus and monorail rides
13 days away from home

and altho the straight thru on way home was nice in that we just needed to get here, it was a bit long at 21 hours on the road!

would do it again if it meant I could go back sooner than later!

average gas price in Orlando $3.23-29 a gallon, price at home $3.08
average miles per gallon 23.8 nice! fully loaded too.

did I miss flying? you betcha!

heading out to Minnesota in August. should be about same plus a few hundred more miles. no way we can fly that one with 6 of us.

happy travels everyone!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

We've made to drive to WDW twice last year and will drive three times this year. We live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas. It is 1130 (17 hrs 25 min) each way. Total = 2260 miles

We have been blessed with three children that travel well. They love roadtrips. Having a DVD player in the minivan helps too. We always stop at the Jameson Inn in Crestview, FL as our stopping point for the first night. There is a Cracker Barrel right next door. So, the family gets a nice meal for dinner too. It sure beats fast food. Then, we get up the next morning and eat the continental breakfast provided by the hotel and are on our way. We only have about five/six hours left until we arrive at WDW. Those last few hours fly by with the anticipation of our destination.

- Jennifer