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

[BC1836]

gas is up today to $2.35!!!! oil is over $86!!! with gas at 2.35 on the market you are looking at about $2.90 on the int. 95 area. (still wouldnt keep me home!) happy driving!!!

On March 22, 2008, we paid $3.29 a gallon in NC (it was $3.25 at WDW Hess). On our return drive, we paid $3.41 in NC on March 30, 2008. But some airlines were adding a fuel surcharge to flyers at that time, too. All travelers paid more at that time...except those riding bicycles!

 

[dvczerfs]

On March 22, 2008, we paid $3.29 a gallon in NC (it was $3.25 at WDW Hess). On our return drive, we paid $3.41 in NC on March 30, 2008. But some airlines were adding a fuel surcharge to flyers at that time, too. All travelers paid more at that time...except those riding bicycles!

i like when people say gas is to expensive to drive.(avgas) jet fuel cost more than unleaded gas.

 

[NickTim&Sami'smom]

We will be driving from North Dartmouth Mass. to DW in October. First time driving. (We usually fly Jet Blue). The only road trip my little ones have done is Sesame Place in PA. They travel well, so not worried about keeping them busy. We are also deciding to either rent (mini van or Tahoe) or drive my Jeep Grand Cherokee limited. (DH, ME, DS23, DS13, DD8) Wondering if anyone has done this trip and how many people and what size vehicle. Also how long, my oldest is 23 so we have 3 drivers and would like to drive straight through. (except to eat and use the bathroom) I love to drive, dad was a race car driver so I am used to traveling. Looking forward to doing the road trip, Just wondering if anyone has any advice.

 

[BC1836]

We will be driving from North Dartmouth Mass. to DW in October. First time driving. (We usually fly Jet Blue). The only road trip my little ones have done is Sesame Place in PA. They travel well, so not worried about keeping them busy. We are also deciding to either rent (mini van or Tahoe) or drive my Jeep Grand Cherokee limited. (DH, ME, DS23, DS13, DD8) Wondering if anyone has done this trip and how many people and what size vehicle. Also how long, my oldest is 23 so we have 3 drivers and would like to drive straight through. (except to eat and use the bathroom) I love to drive, dad was a race car driver so I am used to traveling. Looking forward to doing the road trip, Just wondering if anyone has any advice.

How many miles on the Jeep Grand Cherokee's odometer? And what has been your longest drive in that vehicle to date?

[Three drivers to share the straight-through drive is a luxury. "Go ahead!"]

 

[dvczerfs]

We will be driving from North Dartmouth Mass. to DW in October. First time driving. (We usually fly Jet Blue). The only road trip my little ones have done is Sesame Place in PA. They travel well, so not worried about keeping them busy. We are also deciding to either rent (mini van or Tahoe) or drive my Jeep Grand Cherokee limited. (DH, ME, DS23, DS13, DD8) Wondering if anyone has done this trip and how many people and what size vehicle. Also how long, my oldest is 23 so we have 3 drivers and would like to drive straight through. (except to eat and use the bathroom) I love to drive, dad was a race car driver so I am used to traveling. Looking forward to doing the road trip, Just wondering if anyone has any advice.

i would go for the minivan.3 adults, 1 teen and an 8 year old maybe crammed in a jeep cherokee for that long.

 

[Marshay]

Another reason to drive:

I'm sure charging for toilets, snacks, magazines, oxygen with mask, etc will be next!

=============================
NEW YORK -- Closely-held Spirit Airlines said Tuesday it would begin charging customers for carry-on luggage, the first airline to do so. The low-cost carrier said the new policy was the next step in de-bundling products and services traditionally included in the price of a ticket, helping it to further lower its airfare. For flights on or after August 1, Spirit will charge passengers $45 for a carry-on bag, or $30 if they register the bag ahead of time either on line or on the phone. Members of the airline's $9 Club Fare will be charged $20. Spirit also raised its second check-bag fee to $45 from $25 when checked in at the airport. The first check-bag fee is held at $25.

 

[starwood]

Another reason to drive - did everyone see the news story that as of 8/1 Spirit air will start charging $45 for your CARRY ON luggage.

 

[JennMouse32]

does 1880 miles count? lol​

 

[My_3_Mi_Princesses]

Another reason to drive:

I'm sure charging for toilets, snacks, magazines, oxygen with mask, etc will be next!

=============================
NEW YORK -- Closely-held Spirit Airlines said Tuesday it would begin charging customers for carry-on luggage, the first airline to do so. The low-cost carrier said the new policy was the next step in de-bundling products and services traditionally included in the price of a ticket, helping it to further lower its airfare. For flights on or after August 1, Spirit will charge passengers $45 for a carry-on bag, or $30 if they register the bag ahead of time either on line or on the phone. Members of the airline's $9 Club Fare will be charged $20. Spirit also raised its second check-bag fee to $45 from $25 when checked in at the airport. The first check-bag fee is held at $25.

I was just coming here to post this! Only a matter of time before every airline does this, except Southwest hopefully!

 

[sharadoc]

does 1880 miles count? lol​

Sure!

 

[NickTim&Sami'smom]

There is 44,656 miles as of right now. longest drive was a 2 hours. We do this alot with visits to family. We are headed to Virginia this summer to visit my cousin, so that should tell me if the kids can last that long that close!

 

[momtolots]

We drove down over 2 days just after Xmas. We had 6 kids, and a Nana in a Suburban. We also had a cargo carrier on the trailer hitch, a laptop, bulit in dvd player, and 2 portable dvd players! The kids were AMAZING! We are going back with in a few wks, in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, however, we will take the cargo carrier again.

 

[cruisingkat]

Just barely thinking about this for August 2011. For those that drive from Chicago, what time do you leave? What time do you stop? When do you get to WDW?

It would be my mom, DD (4 by then) and I. I would be the only driver. And we definitely have to stop, preferably around dinner time. If my dad came, he'd probably drive too.

Here's my thought--leave early morning--7 ish. Then can be in Chatt around 8 PM. Leave Chatt about 7 AM. Atlanta then almost 9 AM and Orlando late afternoon, but in time for dinner. Does that sound right?

In 2003, DH and I drove from Chatt but got stuck in the great construction traffic after ATL that set us back about 2 hours. We got to St. Augustine about 6 instead of 3 or 4.

Just curious. On the return, I'd try to get to Nashville.

We drive down to FL several times a year from the Chicago area - however it is just DH and myself and hubby is the only driver. We usually leave around 9 (avoiding the Chicago morning rush hour traffic) and stop just south of Atlanta (around McDonough, GA). We don't really stop for lunch - either pick up something at one of our gas stops or I bring sandwiches and snacks with us. We get there around 8 (9 pm their time). We usually sleep in a little bit, have a big and filling breakfast (we stay at a Holiday Inn Express) and then hit the road around 10am. We arrive at Disney around 3pm.
On the way back, we usually like to stop just past Chattanooga in Kimball, TN. We usually leave Disney around noon.
Doing it this way puts most of our drive on the first day each way.

 

[BC1836]

We drive down to FL several times a year from the Chicago area - however it is just DH and myself and hubby is the only driver. We usually leave around 9 (avoiding the Chicago morning rush hour traffic) and stop just south of Atlanta (around McDonough, GA). We don't really stop for lunch - either pick up something at one of our gas stops or I bring sandwiches and snacks with us. We get there around 8 (9 pm their time). We usually sleep in a little bit, have a big and filling breakfast (we stay at a Holiday Inn Express) and then hit the road around 10am. We arrive at Disney around 3pm.
On the way back, we usually like to stop just past Chattanooga in Kimball, TN. We usually leave Disney around noon.
Doing it this way puts most of our drive on the first day each way.

Our situation and plan is somewhat similar to yours except we prefer an early, early morning departure. We don't stop for lunch either since we have all the beverages and pre-made sandwiches ready for consumption. We try to get a close to WDW as possible on the first day. It's always a FL overnight stop, sometimes as close as Lake Buena Vista itself. After a HIE breakfast, we're on the road with WDW music on the CD as we pass beneath the entrance sign.

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

We drove down over 2 days just after Xmas. We had 6 kids, and a Nana in a Suburban. We also had a cargo carrier on the trailer hitch, a laptop, bulit in dvd player, and 2 portable dvd players! The kids were AMAZING! We are going back with in a few wks, in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, however, we will take the cargo carrier again.

six kids in one car????

 

[rotlex]

Another reason to drive - did everyone see the news story that as of 8/1 Spirit air will start charging $45 for your CARRY ON luggage.

Yeah, but this ones even better! Now they want to charge for lavatory usage, LOL. http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/07/ryanair.lavatory.fee/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn

We started driving a few years ago, and now, I'm VERY glad we enjoy it so thoroughly!

 

[dvczerfs]

Yeah, but this ones even better! Now they want to charge for lavatory usage, LOL. http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/07/ryanair.lavatory.fee/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn

We started driving a few years ago, and now, I'm VERY glad we enjoy it so thoroughly!

just like the old stores, you have to put a nickle in the slot and turn the handle. i bet they will have dollar bill takers on the doors like a vending machine!. wounder what the charge is for the t.p.?

 

[rotlex]

just like the old stores, you have to put a nickle in the slot and turn the handle. i bet they will have dollar bill takers on the doors like a vending machine!. wounder what the charge is for the t.p.?

I absolutely remember those! Most of the local Woolworth stores, and probably everywhere else had them, LOL. I remember being panic stricken as a kid if I was out and about and didn't have a nickel or a dime on me.

 

[LoveKermit]

We would have to stop for lunch. DD will be 4.5 and may need a break. As will I. And I grew up not really being allowed to eat in the car, therefore I am trained to not eat in the car.

So, I planted the idea to my mom (and dad if he chooses). Now to ask the in-laws for their DVC points......

 

[LoveKermit]

Oh yeah, and I can avoid morning Chicago traffic by taking 355 to 80 now. As long as there are no accidents on 80 or 65. We used to eat breakfast at the Lincoln Oasis if we had to leave early. But I don't think I'd take the Tri-State anymore since I don't have to.