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

[Vickis3js]

Ok so what is this other route that everyone speaks of? We live in very southern NJ. We normally take either 55 to 40 to 95 or 47 all the way to Delaware Memorial Bridge to 95. I'm always looking to get to WDW faster.

We leave around 2-3am the friday before Christmas. So far we have been extremely lucky and we have had no problems with horrible traffic. First year we got caught up around Richmond so we learned and left an hour earlier last year. The only set back last year was we hit rain in North Carolina and it stayed with us until we stopped in Savannah.

So should we stick with what we know or try for something new.

 

[HeatherC]

Vicki: I would think 95 is still the best route based on where you are located. This other route seems to work for a lot of New Englanders who have to bypass NYC and DC.

BC1836: I totally understand about the trucks. Unfortunately, for us we are traveling on Saturdays in the summer time which is beach turn over days from NJ to the Outer Banks. We just did the 95 drive over April break and hated it once again. We are hoping that the 81 route will just be a little more of a relaxing drive. Coming from MA, we don't want to be stressed driving the first 8 hours which is pretty much what it is driving through NYC and DC. If we were driving through the night, I'd definitely do 95.

To the poster who asked about the GSP or Turnpike on Saturdays....they are both bad Saturday afternoons. When I lived in NJ we always took the parkway to the "shore" so I think that might be a little worse northbound on a later Sat. afternoon/ early evening.

 

[anjalee6]

Saturday and Sundays are both bad during the summer on the parkway and the turnpike in NJ. I grew up off exit 7 on the turnpike. It is really bad Saturday afternoons especially since this is when the beach houses change renters. They are usually Saturday to Saturday rentals. Sunday is also pretty bad though after 3 with people coming back from other southern beaches outside of NJ.

 

[pwdebbie]

For the time being you are probably better off taking this route instead of staying on I84 to I81. Lots of construction (Bridge replacement) in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area creating single lane traffic for s hugr cunk of it. This is also creating major back logs of traffic.

Same thing going on in my area (from Shippensburg, PA south to the MD line).

 

[BC1836]

Ok so what is this other route that everyone speaks of? We live in very southern NJ. We normally take either 55 to 40 to 95 or 47 all the way to Delaware Memorial Bridge to 95. I'm always looking to get to WDW faster.

We leave around 2-3am the friday before Christmas. So far we have been extremely lucky and we have had no problems with horrible traffic. First year we got caught up around Richmond so we learned and left an hour earlier last year. The only set back last year was we hit rain in North Carolina and it stayed with us until we stopped in Savannah.

So should we stick with what we know or try for something new.

We have made 19 2,000+ mile round-trip drives to WDW since 2002, and from our location at the Jersey Shore we always leave very, very early in the morning. Of late, 3 a.m. is our absolute latest departure time on a weekend (an earlier departure is necessary on a weekday in order to avoid the greater DC area rush hour). This has worked for us; however, what works for you, well, works for you.

There are many folks on this thread who have lots of driving experience and knowledge. And besides, not even counting their road smarts, they are pleasant, courteous and fun. When we started this thread we were looking for folks who shared our driving experiences. But what we discovered were people who were more than just marathon drivers: They were good folks, real good folks.


All the best.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Horselover: I think you would also be better leaving at 11pm. But...I could never do it. We are not night people and would wind up sleeping in a ditch by Hartford!

As far as 287 goes, I grew up in Ringwood, NJ...right in that area. Parents are still there so I drive that road a lot.

What you would do is go over the Tappan Zee Bridge but don't get on the Garden State Parkway. Go to... I believe it is Exit 14B which will be Route 287/ 17south. It will take you through Oakland, Wanaque, etc.. Not much traffic and will connect with 78 further down in NJ. Most of the traffic on 287 will be going in the other direction towards NYC.

We are planning on leaving around 3am on a Friday and will be taking it as well.

This route will definitely help you skirt all the New York and DC traffic.

My concern is hitting Charlotte, NC around 5 on a Friday. Anyone know how the rush hour there is?

Have a great trip!!! Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!!

We live in north central NJ and HeatherC's suggestion is a great one. Go over the Tappan Zee Bridge and follow the signs to Route 287/Route 17 South. I don't know the exit number but it turnoff is clearly marked, right over the border in NJ after you cross the state line. Stay on Route 287, it should take you a bit under an hour to get to Route 78 West, which is again, clearly marked. There may be some traffic on Route 287 if you pass through at rush hour, especially when you cross Route 80, but only a slow down, nothing major. It is definitely the best way to avoid NYC.

Additionally, you are not on a "NJ shore" road, so you won't get caught up in any summer, shore traffic.

We take the 78/81 etc, route to WDW and find it better for us than I 95. A scenic drive and we haven't been bothered by the trucks.

Safe drive and have fun!

 

[taximomfor4]

Need advice...this is a new one for me.

I am driving about 1100 miles each way (17-18 hrs). Just one driver so no back-up if tired.

How would you divide the drive up? So far, I have 13-ish hours on day 1 (leaving in the wee hours of the morning), arriving around dinner time) with 3+ hours on day 2, have to be at hotel around lunch time. For way home, I divided it more in half. About 8-9 hours each day. I am iffy on whether to actually add a hotel at the beginning, cutting that 13 hours in half. It means spending more $ on an already tight budget, but want to keep my little one safe.

Anyone have experience/advice?

Note: I have driven 10-11 hours straight a few times, but one stopped at a hotel even though I hadn't planned on it. Never tried 13 hrs without a back-up driver!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Need advice...this is a new one for me.

I am driving about 1100 miles each way (17-18 hrs). Just one driver so no back-up if tired.

How would you divide the drive up? So far, I have 13-ish hours on day 1 (leaving in the wee hours of the morning), arriving around dinner time) with 3+ hours on day 2, have to be at hotel around lunch time. For way home, I divided it more in half. About 8-9 hours each day. I am iffy on whether to actually add a hotel at the beginning, cutting that 13 hours in half. It means spending more $ on an already tight budget, but want to keep my little one safe.

Anyone have experience/advice?

Note: I have driven 10-11 hours straight a few times, but one stopped at a hotel even though I hadn't planned on it. Never tried 13 hrs without a back-up driver!

Yikes...13 hours without a back up driver would be tough! I'd try and split it up if you can...just to be safe and not have to worry if you need to take a longer break here or there. Good luck!

 

[kidd_freeper]

Need advice...this is a new one for me.

I am driving about 1100 miles each way (17-18 hrs). Just one driver so no back-up if tired.

How would you divide the drive up? So far, I have 13-ish hours on day 1 (leaving in the wee hours of the morning), arriving around dinner time) with 3+ hours on day 2, have to be at hotel around lunch time. For way home, I divided it more in half. About 8-9 hours each day. I am iffy on whether to actually add a hotel at the beginning, cutting that 13 hours in half. It means spending more $ on an already tight budget, but want to keep my little one safe.

Anyone have experience/advice?

Note: I have driven 10-11 hours straight a few times, but one stopped at a hotel even though I hadn't planned on it. Never tried 13 hrs without a back-up driver!

I routinely drive between Hartford and Pittsburgh, an 8 hour drive, by myself.
Under ideal conditions, that is a hard drive.

But with a child in the car, who WILL need attention, I would not recommend going much more than 8-10 hours at a time. Leave at 3am on Day 1 and drive until 4 pm (you should be able to get 10 hours of driving in). Go to bed early and start at 3 am again on Day 2.

 

[taximomfor4]

I routinely drive between Hartford and Pittsburgh, an 8 hour drive, by myself.
Under ideal conditions, that is a hard drive.

But with a child in the car, who WILL need attention, I would not recommend going much more than 8-10 hours at a time. Leave at 3am on Day 1 and drive until 4 pm (you should be able to get 10 hours of driving in). Go to bed early and start at 3 am again on Day 2.

I would do that, except I worry that dd won't get appropriate sleep. She has to be physically in top form upon arrival (noon-ish on day 2). That's mostly why I thought to do the major bulk of driving on day 1...so she could wake at a normal time on day 2.

Maybe I will explore options between here and our day 1 stop. Seems so wasteful to do an 18 hr drive in 3 days, but it's just on the way there. The way home, dd can be as tired as she wants.

Thanks, and any suggestions for stops between Cleveland, OH and Jacksonville, FL (the stop I already booked)?

 

[mamaprincess]

I have taken a couple of days to read this thread in it's entirety.

Hi 2,000 plus drivers. Looks like our family of 5 (2 adults, 3 dd's ages 12, 12 and 6) will be joining your ranks for our December trip. We will be driving a little over 1100 miles each way from central Illinois. We plan on stopping in Georgia somewhere past Atlanta. Any recs on a good hotel with suites? Anyone else driving from central Illinois (Bloomington, Champaign, Peoria, Springfield etc? I'd also like to hear from anyone driving from St. Louis as it seems as though some of the route from our home will take us up 55 south so we'd probably be taking a same or similar route as those who go from St Louis unless there is an alternative route other that the one I have from mapquest that is better for those leaving from central Illinois. Anyone who travels from the midwest that has any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

These are my Mapquest directions. Are they convoluted or good?

Merge onto I-74 E toward BLOOMINGTON. (go 8.1 miles)
7. Merge onto I-155 S via EXIT 101 toward LINCOLN. (go 32.7 miles)
8. I-155 S becomes I-55 S. (go 93.4 miles)
9. Take the IL-4 exit, EXIT 33, toward STAUNTON/LEBANON. (go 0.2 miles)
10. Turn LEFT onto IL-4 S. (go 26.7 miles)
11. Merge onto I-64 E via the ramp on the LEFT toward MT VERNON. (go 55.0 miles)
12. Take I-57 S toward MEMPHIS. (go 47.3 miles)
13. Merge onto I-24 E via EXIT 44 toward NASHVILLE (Passing through KENTUCKY, then crossing into TENNESSEE). (go 183.7 miles)
14. Keep RIGHT to take I-24 E via EXIT 213A toward CHATTANOOGA (Passing through GEORGIA, then crossing into TENNESSEE). (go 133.9 miles)
15. Merge onto I-75 S via EXIT 185A toward ATLANTA (Crossing into GEORGIA). (go 178.9 miles)
16. Merge onto I-475 S/GA-408 S via EXIT 177 toward BYPASS TO I-75 SOUTH/VALDOSTA. (go 15.5 miles)
17. Merge onto I-75 S via the exit on the LEFT (Crossing into FLORIDA). (go 300.9 miles)
18. Merge onto FLORIDA'S TURNPIKE S via EXIT 328 on the LEFT toward ORLANDO (Portions toll). (go 40.1 miles)
19. Take the SR-429-TOLL S exit, EXIT 267A, toward TAMPA. (go 0.9 miles)
20. Merge onto FL-429 TOLL S/DANIEL WEBSTER WESTERN BELTWAY (Portions toll). (go 2.0 miles)
21. Take the CR-535 exit, EXIT 19, toward WINTER GARDEN VINELAND RD. (go 0.3 miles)
22. Merge onto STONEYBROOK WEST PKWY. (go 0.1 miles)
23. Turn LEFT onto CR-535 S/WINTER GARDEN VINELAND RD. (go 2.9 miles)
24. Turn LEFT to stay on CR-535 S/WINTER GARDEN VINELAND RD. (go 7.8 miles)
25. Turn RIGHT onto E BUENA VISTA DR. (go 1.2 miles)
26. Turn RIGHT onto DISNEY VACATION CLUB WAY. (go 0.2 miles)

The only question I have about this route is should I just take I-74 to I-57 or should I do it like it's shown here? My hubby thinks I-74 to I-57 would be better.

 

[dvczerfs]

We live in north central NJ and HeatherC's suggestion is a great one. Go over the Tappan Zee Bridge and follow the signs to Route 287/Route 17 South. I don't know the exit number but it turnoff is clearly marked, right over the border in NJ after you cross the state line. Stay on Route 287, it should take you a bit under an hour to get to Route 78 West, which is again, clearly marked. There may be some traffic on Route 287 if you pass through at rush hour, especially when you cross Route 80, but only a slow down, nothing major. It is definitely the best way to avoid NYC.

Additionally, you are not on a "NJ shore" road, so you won't get caught up in any summer, shore traffic.

We take the 78/81 etc, route to WDW and find it better for us than I 95. A scenic drive and we haven't been bothered by the trucks.

Safe drive and have fun!

you could also take int80 west into pa., rt33 south , to int78. 80 to 78 on rt33 will take about 20min. and you wont hit any traffic.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

There are many folks on this thread who have lots of driving experience and knowledge. And besides, not even counting their road smarts, they are pleasant, courteous and fun. When we started this thread we were looking for folks who shared our driving experiences. But what we discovered were people who were more than just marathon drivers: They were good folks, real good folks.


All the best.

BC1836, It is a pleasure to post on this fantastic thread that you started!

I hope to be able to add more than speculation once I have some miles under my belt!

Debby

 

[chipper10]

The only question I have about this route is should I just take I-74 to I-57 or should I do it like it's shown here? My hubby thinks I-74 to I-57 would be better.

I'm not sure of your route question. My hubby's in charge of that. We are taking the route that both mapquest and yahoomaps say to take. We will be driving from just north of St. Louis on the IL side. We are right on 55. We are going down in August, so I can let you know how we do. We've driven twice before, but both times were prior to having our son. I believe it was back in 2003 and 2005.

 

[DVC4US]

I have taken a couple of days to read this thread in it's entirety.

Hi 2,000 plus drivers. Looks like our family of 5 (2 adults, 3 dd's ages 12, 12 and 6) will be joining your ranks for our December trip. We will be driving a little over 1100 miles each way from central Illinois. We plan on stopping in Georgia somewhere past Atlanta. Any recs on a good hotel with suites? Anyone else driving from central Illinois (Bloomington, Champaign, Peoria, Springfield etc? I'd also like to hear from anyone driving from St. Louis as it seems as though some of the route from our home will take us up 55 south so we'd probably be taking a same or similar route as those who go from St Louis unless there is an alternative route other that the one I have from mapquest that is better for those leaving from central Illinois. Anyone who travels from the midwest that has any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.


The only question I have about this route is should I just take I-74 to I-57 or should I do it like it's shown here? My hubby thinks I-74 to I-57 would be better.

DD and I will be making this drive in July from North Central Iowa - 1350 miles one way! I have made the drive to the Florida Panhandale several times and I have found the I-74 to I-57 is a much better route and a little bit faster.

I am a solo driver too and I usually try to leave early in the am on Day 1 and put in 12-14 hours before we stop so we don't have such a long second day. I am going to try to make it past Atlanta if I can but if not then we will stop before then and I will deal with Atlanta on day 2.

It is hard when you are the only driver but I just make stops when we need them and get out and move around some. DD is 14 and has her learner's permit so I am hoping I can have her drive for a couple hours each day. I can't sleep while she is driving but at least it gets me out from behind the wheel.

 

[mamaprincess]

DD and I will be making this drive in July from North Central Iowa - 1350 miles one way! I have made the drive to the Florida Pandale several times and I have found the I-74 to I-57 is a much better route and a little bit faster.

I am a solo driver too and I usually try to leave early in the am on Day 1 and put in 12-14 hours before we stop so we don't have such a long second day. I am going to try to make it past Atlanta if I can but if not then we will stop before then and I will deal with Atlanta on day 2.

It is hard when you are the only driver but I just make stops when we need them and get out and move around some. DD is 14 and has her learner's permit so I am hoping I can have her drive for a couple hours each day. I can't sleep while she is driving but at least it gets me out from behind the wheel.

Thanks for the confirmation about going I-74 to I-57. DH and I reviewed it on the map and it looked a lot more straight forward.

My Dh ia solo driver by choice. I wish he'd let me do some of the driving, even though he won't likely sleep but he is a control freak in a car so I don't hold out much hope of helping. I'm still looking forward to our road trip to WDW!

 

[java]

I started a separate thread but wondering if any of you here might have advice.
We are in Central western NJ- I am thinking about driving down I81 to 77 to 26 to 95. But am second guessing that. We usually do I 95 the whole way. *basically with a couple go arounds near dc and richmond.

It is longer mileage wise- but I am wondering if the traffic is better? or even if it's a prettier drive. Might be nice for a change but really not looking to add too much time onto the drive. I am guessing about an extra hour but may make up for that by avoiding traffic.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I started a separate thread but wondering if any of you here might have advice.
We are in Central western NJ- I am thinking about driving down I81 to 77 to 26 to 95. But am second guessing that. We usually do I 95 the whole way. *basically with a couple go arounds near dc and richmond.

It is longer mileage wise- but I am wondering if the traffic is better? or even if it's a prettier drive. Might be nice for a change but really not looking to add too much time onto the drive. I am guessing about an extra hour but may make up for that by avoiding traffic.

it's a great drive! We just went that way 2 weeks ago and it was such a beautiful drive. We didn't hit and traffic snarls or construction! We would drive that way again in a heartbeat!

 

[java]

it's a great drive! We just went that way 2 weeks ago and it was such a beautiful drive. We didn't hit and traffic snarls or construction! We would drive that way again in a heartbeat!

Thanks! Did you get off I 81 on 77 to head over to 95? That's what we are thinking? And are there rest stops along I 81?

 

[amtag]

We have been debating the 95 all the way or the 78-81 route ourselves!!! It's nice to see someone who just did that drive. According to google maps it really is only a 45 minute difference. We are leaving on August 21st around 2 or 3am and hoping to get to Kingsland, Georgia by 7 or 8pm that night, we reserved a hotel room, but made sure we can cancel by 6pm if we don't make it that far!