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

[dvczerfs]

Is that the price in FL? Because if so, we are in good luck next week!

no, thats what its trading for. in pa you can add about 60-65 cents to whats its trading for and thats what we see at the pump. but, when the trading price goes up, it goes up that the pump in a few days, when trading price goes down , it inches its way down over 2 weeks as long as it dont go back up again.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I am planning on taking the wii, I already hooked it up and it works good I have a 2008 grand caravan with an outlet in the back so thats where I plugged in the system, that will occupy them nicely!

Where did you put the sensor bar/ how are you going to attach it? We have a Sienna and I think I will pack our Wii for the ride home. I'm not sure of the logistics of that bar though.

Thanks!

 

[BC1836]

Localy gas prices are at a 2 year high still. They have to drop soon with futures dropping so much. Here's to hoping market pressures keep it declining for a couple more weeks.

Yup! A little bit of price stability is always welcome...especially around Memorial Day.

All the best.

 

[ceruleansummer]

no, thats what its trading for. in pa you can add about 60-65 cents to whats its trading for and thats what we see at the pump. but, when the trading price goes up, it goes up that the pump in a few days, when trading price goes down , it inches its way down over 2 weeks as long as it dont go back up again.

Ugh, that's a bummer. We're concerned with gas prices in FL. Is there a site with day-to-day updates on gas prices?

 

[dvczerfs]

Ugh, that's a bummer. We're concerned with gas prices in FL. Is there a site with day-to-day updates on gas prices?

not that im aware of. i know on property alot of times is real close to what i pay here. about 2.86 as of now.

 

[BC1836]

Of the nearly 20 gas stations that are listed online in Lake Buena Vista, the general price range right now is from $2.78 to 2.82 a gallon (Hess is within that range). The 7-11 stations and one or two other stations are a bit higher.

All the best.

 

[nono]

This is the night!
And gas prices have dropped a bit.
Don't forget to maintain a drive log: (departure time, times crossing state borders, etc.). You'll need it to compare and contrast on your next drive...and provide folks on this site with added info.
All the best.

We did it!!! I meant to keep a log, but well, I ended up driving a whole lot of the trip, and my navigator was sleeping and not taking notes!

Quick summary: We got off the Cape May-Lewes Ferry at 6:10 p.m. We arrived at SSR at 10:30 a.m. Since our "optimal schedule" had us arriving at 9:30 a.m., we're thrilled with our results. Synchronizing bladders and gas stops between our two cars (the other came through Balt/DC/Richmond) would have shaved another 1/2 hour off the trip, but we were not pushing for a world's record.

It was fun! Kids were great, and we all spent the rest of the day at AK, closing the place up after 5 p.m. Finally got everyone to bed at 10:15 p.m. last night, and hey, I'm up now.

So, yeah, with more than 1 driver per car, even mid-40s and early 50s newbies can pull an overnight drive successfully to WDW. We're already talking about when the next possible time is that we can do this.

Oh and on gas prices, every state DE - FL basically had regular unleaded at $2.85 a gallon. It felt like collusion.

 

[ceruleansummer]

not that im aware of. i know on property alot of times is real close to what i pay here. about 2.86 as of now.

Of the nearly 20 gas stations that are listed online in Lake Buena Vista, the general price range right now is from $2.78 to 2.82 a gallon (Hess is within that range). The 7-11 stations and one or two other stations are a bit higher.

All the best.

Thank you both for your help. That's not a whole lot more than where I am in VA. It's probably an average of 20 cents more. So in your opinion/experience, which state between VA and FL is the best and most cost-effective to fill up in?

 

[BC1836]

Thank you both for your help. That's not a whole lot more than where I am in VA. It's probably an average of 20 cents more. So in your opinion/experience, which state between VA and FL is the best and most cost-effective to fill up in?

You are quite welcome.

There is no general answer for your question since gas stations' prices (even those at the same exit) can vary. Still, an exit with more than one gas station generally offers a lower price than a single station at an exit (the benefits of competition). Finally, the larger the town/city/metro area, the higher the gas.

End of lesson.


All the best.

 

[ceruleansummer]

You are quite welcome.

There is no general answer for your question since gas stations' prices (even those at the same exit) can vary. Still, an exit with more than one gas station generally offers a lower price than a single station at an exit (the benefits of competition). Finally, the larger the town/city/metro area, the higher the gas.

End of lesson.


All the best.

I loved the lesson! What wonderful advice, thanks again. Now I really feel ready to conquer I-95 on my own for the first time ever!

 

[blondietink]

Often driving a half mile or so after you get off at an exit will yield lower gas prices. Also, if you have a GPS, look for a Wal-Mart or Sam's club, which either will have the lowest prices. We find that Virginia, South Carolina nd Brunswick, GA have the lowest gas prices in general. It is now $3.05 a galln here in NYS.

 

[monymony3471]

This is the night!
And gas prices have dropped a bit.
Don't forget to maintain a drive log: (departure time, times crossing state borders, etc.). You'll need it to compare and contrast on your next drive...and provide folks on this site with added info.
All the best.

This and all the other suggestions are just choked full of great advice! Planning this driving trip is going to be so much fun!!!!!

 

[emh1129]

Hey everyone..
We are planning a last minute trip (last-minute to me, anyway, when I'm normally such a planner!) and I could use any help/tips/suggestions you have for me!

We will be driving for the first time and I'm a bit nervous, although mostly I'm really looking forward to it. The kids have no idea that we're going and are going to be SO surprised!

We will be leaving when DH gets home from work-- right around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22nd. Hoping to just pick the kids up from their beds and carry them to the van. They're usually very deep sleepers, so hopefully they will just stay asleep! And hopefully we can get a nice 7 hours in before they wake up.
We will be driving from the Hartford area and DH and I will be taking turns driving. I think it might be 21 hours or so? Plus bathroom and fuel stops, of course. I'd like to find a place or two along the way where the kids could get out and run around to burn off some energy.

We do not have hotel reservations yet for Saturday night, since I'm not sure where/when we should stop.. and we planned to take I-95 down, since I think we're leaving at a pretty good time & it will be Saturday, so maybe less traffic? We bought the Drive I-95 book to help us out.

We would like to drive 2/3 or maybe even 3/4 of it on the first day, if possible, but I don't know if this might be pushing it.. guess it depends on how the kids do. I love the idea of waking up on Sunday with just a few hours left. Then we'd be able to hit a park after check-in (and maybe naps )

Now-- for the drive home, we will be checking out on Sunday, May 30th. So we'll have all of Sunday and Monday to get home. It's Memorial Day weekend, so I'm worried about traffic and I'm not sure if we should take a different route home. I think there will be traffic just about everywhere that weekend, though.. so at least we've planned for two full days, just in case.

So-- this newbie would really appreciate any tips you have for us. At first, the decision to drive was solely a budget decision, but I am really excited about this new freedom that driving will afford us!

 

[kidd_freeper]

emh1129 -

Hello, from a fellow Hartford resident.

We also plan to start out at 12:30 AM (on July 3)
My parents drove down to WDW when I was a kid, but this is our first time with my own family.

We also don't have solid plans for the return trip, but we're also giving ourselves two days to return (in mid-July).
= = =
We intend to drive to Jacksonville, FL in one day and spend some time with cousins. I'm thinking of returning via the Chesapeake Bay bridge or the Appalacian mountains.

I will be very interested to hear how your driving went.

 

[emh1129]

emh1129 -

Hello, from a fellow Hartford resident.

We also plan to start out at 12:30 AM (on July 3)
My parents drove down to WDW when I was a kid, but this is our first time with my own family.

We also don't have solid plans for the return trip, but we're also giving ourselves two days to return (in mid-July).
= = =
We intend to drive to Jacksonville, FL in one day and spend some time with cousins. I'm thinking of returning via the Chesapeake Bay bridge or the Appalacian mountains.

I will be very interested to hear how your driving went.

hello
I will definitely report back.. most likely with a list of what NOT to do..

 

[BC1836]

We do not have hotel reservations yet for Saturday night, since I'm not sure where/when we should stop.. and we planned to take I-95 down, since I think we're leaving at a pretty good time & it will be Saturday, so maybe less traffic? We bought the Drive I-95 book to help us out.

Make two reservations based upon two possible places that you expect to reach on Saturday. Prior to 6 p.m. (when reservations are charged to your credit card) cancel one of them and drive to the other one.

Remember: Friday and Saturday night hotel/motel reservations tend to fill up faster than other (non-holiday) nights.

All the best.

 

[PrincessMom4]

We drive from Canada with 4 kids under 11. We have travel games in the car, a dvd player (limited use-emergency only...lol) and some family fun games like I Spy We usually get towards the end of Virginia on the first day (about 12hours). Next day we drive to Jacksonvlle, Florida. Then on your resort check-in day we only have a couple of hours to drive.

 

[Marshay]

Just heard that Virginia is proposing tolls at the VA-NC I-95 border to help with future Transportation budgets. If it gets approved, they could start in about 2 years or so.

Current proposed toll is $2-4 each way.

I'm not complaining (too much) b/c it's still cheaper than flying with their "toll", I mean, "baggage and security" charges.

I wonder if this is going to be the way of the future ... anyone else hear of tolls for I-95?

 

[PrincessMom4]

Just heard that Virginia is proposing tolls at the VA-NC I-95 border to help with future Transportation budgets. If it gets approved, they could start in about 2 years or so.

Current proposed toll is $2-4 each way.

I'm not complaining (too much) b/c it's still cheaper than flying with their "toll", I mean, "baggage and security" charges.

I wonder if this is going to be the way of the future ... anyone else hear of tolls for I-95?

So past Emporia??

 

[Marshay]

So past Emporia??

sorry, the news article I heard on the radio didn't mention a specific city...just said the VA-NC border. But I figure they are trying to get all those folks driving down to FL and the Outer Banks ... could be a winfall of money for Virginia without raising taxes for residents...

We live near dulles airport and travel the Greenway, another toll road, which costs us $2-4 one way, too. I hate using it but it can be soooo much quicker than the non-toll roads.