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

[cindermomma]

The last trip in our car was in 2007. My two 20 something daughters and I drove straight through with no issues. However I would like to point out one aspect of my "strategy" to stay awake backfired. My son had graduated from high school on a Thursday and I helped sponsor Project Graduation, an activity in which we bused the graduates to a YMCA and "Locked" them in all night for a drug and alchohol free night of fun. We came home at 6:30 the following morning (Friday). We left for WDW on Saturday at 3:00PM. My plan was to not dring any Diet Pepsi (I'm addicted) to avoid any extra pit stops. My oldest daughter drove for fours in two two-hour stints.
We stopped in Valdosta,GA around 5:00AM at an IHOP and I had a big breakfast. By the time we were on the Florida Turnpike I was feeling the effects of no cafiene and the big breakfast. It was hard to stay awake, but I made it to Orlando.
My 22YO son and I are driving down to WDW on Nov 30 and again we will drive straight through. This time I will stay well hydrated and my son will drive the majority of the way. He loves to drive and I will spell him when he is tired.
I don't want to drink energy drinks so will stick with my Pepsi.

Just wondering...how long did it take you to drive straight through ? Did you go through Atlanta? It looks like we could avoid it by going through Memphis and then to Birmingham. Just looking for ideas..thanks!!

 

[huskies90]

Here are a few things you can check out on the energy drinks.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1725925/red_bull_danger_to_your_health/

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/333/8015/344084.html

http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/atod/energydrinks.htm

This is great information. Thanks so much. Taurine seems to be the big unknown. It is unclear how bad it is. I read one article saying it was actually good for you.

But either way, don't drink a lot of this stuff!!! That is for sure. I got that...Thanks for the heads up!!!!!

 

[loribell]

Just wondering...how long did it take you to drive straight through ? Did you go through Atlanta? It looks like we could avoid it by going through Memphis and then to Birmingham. Just looking for ideas..thanks!!

Sorry to butt in here again. We have done this route several times and it still takes you through the south side of Atlanta. I actually prefer the drive through Nashville/Chatanooga/Atlanta. It has always taken us less time. I think driving through Memphis is what causes so much delay.



Huskies90 glad I could help with that info. Would hate to see anyone harmed by those things.

 

[cindermomma]

Sorry to butt in here again. We have done this route several times and it still takes you through the south side of Atlanta. I actually prefer the drive through Nashville/Chatanooga/Atlanta. It has always taken us less time. I think driving through Memphis is what causes so much delay.



Huskies90 glad I could help with that info. Would hate to see anyone harmed by those things.

Thanks for the heads up on Memphis! Well, it looks like we will go through Atlanta, and I think through Nashville. We will head to Kansas City and then over to St. Louis - then on down. We have never driven this far, but I think we are all ready! We plan on going June 1st or so. DH is taking 2 weeks off work. We're trying to talk other family into coming also!

We would like to stop 1/2 way there...any suggestions for good prices, clean hotels in the Nashville or so area...or maybe we should try to get to Georgia the first night. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!

 

[loribell]

What part of Nebraska are you coming from?

 

[cindermomma]

What part of Nebraska are you coming from?[/QUOTE

About 35 min. Northwest of Omaha. So, basically from Omaha!

 

[loribell]

We normally stay around Chattanooga. It isn't necessarily cheap because it is a tourist area. We have found decent prices though. That will be about a 900 mile drive for that day.

The one thing I really suggest is to pick an area South of Nashville, Murfreesboro or Chattanooga you want to stop and priceline a hotel. You will get amazing prices that way.

 

[the Fidge]

Leaving North east PA and wondering if anyone has gone this way: 81 to 15 to 17 to 95? Of so what is your experience with this??

THanks!

 

[BC1836]

And THAT'S what you get for being up at 3:35 in the am!



Hope you have a great, safe trip!

We're back!

[Oh yeah, pilferk, you are so right about my early morning post: I corrected it but it lives on in subsequent posted quotes!]

Trip benchmarks:

* 4:35 a.m. departed from home
* 6:10 a.m. crossed Delaware Memorial Bridge/DE border
* 6:27 a.m. MD border
* 8:15 a.m. VA border
* 11:05 a.m. NC border
* 1:37 p.m. SC border
* 4:45 p.m. GA border
* 6:28 p.m. FL border
[8:15 p.m. checked in to Palm Coast hotel. Departed next morning for WDW!]

1,077 miles down
134 miles at WDW
1,083 miles back

2,294 miles round trip

Lowest gas: exit #329 I-95 in FL: $2.49

And WDW? Awesome, spectacular! And the extended rainy weather near the end of the week never materialized!

And thanks for those best wishes posts, all!

Let the December countdown begin....

 

[LovePug]

Leaving North east PA and wondering if anyone has gone this way: 81 to 15 to 17 to 95? Of so what is your experience with this??

THanks!

I'm also in NEPA. I take this route every time EXCEPT 15. I have no idea what that part is like. I always just take 81 to 17 to 95. I loathe the Baltimore/DC traffic and prefer this route. The only part of 17 that's ever congested is at the very beginning and the very end when you are driving though the cities there. The rest of it is a country setting and very relaxing . It might be a few extra miles added, but I have clocked no difference in time.

I leave next Friday . If you happen to update before then, and decide to take 15, I'd be interested in what it's like.

 

[pilferk]

We're back!

[Oh yeah, pilferk, you are so right about my early morning post: I corrected it but it lives on in subsequent posted quotes!]

Trip benchmarks:

* 4:35 a.m. departed from home
* 6:10 a.m. crossed Delaware Memorial Bridge/DE border
* 6:27 a.m. MD border
* 8:15 a.m. VA border
* 11:05 a.m. NC border
* 1:37 p.m. SC border
* 4:45 p.m. GA border
* 6:28 p.m. FL border
[8:15 p.m. checked in to Palm Coast hotel. Departed next morning for WDW!]

1,077 miles down
134 miles at WDW
1,083 miles back

2,294 miles round trip

Lowest gas: exit #329 I-95 in FL: $2.49

And WDW? Awesome, spectacular! And the extended rainy weather near the end of the week never materialized!

And thanks for those best wishes posts, all!

Let the December countdown begin....

Glad you had a good time...

...but even more glad you made it down and back SAFE!

 

[Caitsmama]

Hi everyone, just getting my bearings here.. i am in RI and my MIL has asked me if i would like to do a "road trip" with her and my dd to WDW in '09.

Now, we go to WDW twice a year, but usally fly, this would be my first time driving. And my MIL is not a big driver, so it would basically all fall on me. I would be driving her Ford Expedition. I am not sure when in '09 we would be looking at -- we are fairly open right now, as it is up to me. LOL
I am not sure why she is wanting to do this all of a sudden.. lol.. but it has turned from being a "joke" to a possible reality. So, now i need info.

I have driven long distances before (twice to KY and once to So. Carolina).

I would love some advice / routes to take to avoid 95s. thru NY/NJ. I read some routes from someone in CT back on the first page of this thread.. do those routes still stand correct? I don't mind adding on a bit of time.. i would rather do that and have a smoother ride than to get stuck in NYC traffic.
I am thinking we would probably do it over 2 days - staying somewhere (any advice) in between.

Any/all advice from New England based travelers are welcome!! PLEASE! LOL I need to know exactly what i am getting myself into.

 

[pilferk]

Hi everyone, just getting my bearings here.. i am in RI and my MIL has asked me if i would like to do a "road trip" with her and my dd to WDW in '09.

Now, we go to WDW twice a year, but usally fly, this would be my first time driving. And my MIL is not a big driver, so it would basically all fall on me. I would be driving her Ford Expedition. I am not sure when in '09 we would be looking at -- we are fairly open right now, as it is up to me. LOL
I am not sure why she is wanting to do this all of a sudden.. lol.. but it has turned from being a "joke" to a possible reality. So, now i need info.

I have driven long distances before (twice to KY and once to So. Carolina).

I would love some advice / routes to take to avoid 95s. thru NY/NJ. I read some routes from someone in CT back on the first page of this thread.. do those routes still stand correct? I don't mind adding on a bit of time.. i would rather do that and have a smoother ride than to get stuck in NYC traffic.
I am thinking we would probably do it over 2 days - staying somewhere (any advice) in between.

Any/all advice from New England based travelers are welcome!! PLEASE! LOL I need to know exactly what i am getting myself into.

The CT routes will work for you...you just need to pick up I-84 Westbound somewhere along the line...lots of ways to get there from RI. Probably the best way is 6, to 384, to 84 (assuming you're near Providence...further North in RI, and you may be better off picking up the MA pike)...but you might have different preferences.

Then WE go 84 to 684 to the Sawmill Pkway (windy, but no trucks) to 287 to the Garden State Pkwy to 95...and 95 the rest of the way (actually, we use the "run around" 295 in Richmond) to I-4 in Florida.

We'll be making the run again in a just about 5 weeks.

 

[twoeeyy]

about a month ago we took the 95 route without any problems.
I think it all depends on when you leave. We left the providence area at 4:45pm and sailed the entire way with NO traffic at all. just rain .

I like the 95 route myself becuase I get on one road and just drive, I do not have to worry about missing exits etc...

My parents drive to FL every winter and they take the route you are asking about. They like it.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Does everyone just drive the vehicles they have or rent something a bit bigger?

DH and I are going to drive from NJ and we have two Honda Accord sedans. We fit fine but we are worried about the kids being too crowded in the back.

DH is thinking about renting a minivan but I really don't want too!

 

[pilferk]

Does everyone just drive the vehicles they have or rent something a bit bigger?

DH and I are going to drive from NJ and we have two Honda Accord sedans. We fit fine but we are worried about the kids being too crowded in the back.

DH is thinking about renting a minivan but I really don't want too!

We drive one of our cars...but that's because my wife's car IS a minivan.

It's awful nice to be able to stretch out, fire up the DVD player for them, etc...and it gives us a LOT more room to pack.

 

[Caitsmama]

Thanks for your reply! I am just trying to figure this all out.. LOL Yes, i could do Rt.6 to 384 to 84, as i am only about 20 min. from Providence. ( My Grandmother lives in Manchester CT, so i do Rt 6 alot.. )

I am trying to figure out when i can do this.. I am not sure i want to do it in Feb. as we are going to WDW the first weekend of March - i can't see going then going back 2 weeks later.

Another thought was Easter week.. leaving on GFriday, and arriving at WDW on Easter Sunday.. But, i have to drive to VT that next weekend, and don't really want to get back from driving to FL, only to turn around and drive up to VT.. LOL

So, i am wondering about waiting til dd is out of school and going mid-june. It will be lighter out later (which helps with driving for me) and won't have to worry about snowstorms/ice like in the winter..

 

[pilferk]

about a month ago we took the 95 route without any problems.
I think it all depends on when you leave. We left the providence area at 4:45pm and sailed the entire way with NO traffic at all. just rain .

I like the 95 route myself becuase I get on one road and just drive, I do not have to worry about missing exits etc...

My parents drive to FL every winter and they take the route you are asking about. They like it.

Yeah, it will depend largely on when you leave (day of the week, too) and what's going on in NYC.

We just avoid it on principle...partly because of when we're driving (we'd hit it around rush hour on the way down and late afternoon on the way back) and partly because I just don't want to risk dealing with the headache.

But if you're LEAVING RI at 5 PM....you'd more than likely cruise through NYC unless there was construction or a BAD accident on 95 (in CT or NY). You'd hit it, and New Haven (which is another snarl point during rush hour...the Q bridge especially), well after rush hour, I'd think.

 

[Caitsmama]

Does everyone just drive the vehicles they have or rent something a bit bigger?

DH and I are going to drive from NJ and we have two Honda Accord sedans. We fit fine but we are worried about the kids being too crowded in the back.

DH is thinking about renting a minivan but I really don't want too!

Hi there! IF we do this trek, we will be in my MIL's huge Ford Expedition.. BUT, that being said, me, my mom, and my dd (she was 5 at the time) drove to Hilton Head SC 2 years ago, and she did fine - my mom also has a Honda Accord (2 door). But there were just 3 of us.

 

[Caitsmama]

Yeah, it will depend largely on when you leave (day of the week, too) and what's going on in NYC.

We just avoid it on principle...partly because of when we're driving (we'd hit it around rush hour on the way down and late afternoon on the way back) and partly because I just don't want to risk dealing with the headache.

But if you're LEAVING RI at 5 PM....you'd more than likely cruise through NYC unless there was construction or a BAD accident on 95 (in CT or NY). You'd hit it, and New Haven (which is another snarl point during rush hour...the Q bridge especially), well after rush hour, I'd think.

Well, that could be an option.. if i wanted to do 95 - we could leave RI after supper, and get thru NYC and just spend 2 nights on the road instead of one.. so it would be like 2 1/2 days of travel instead of 2.. just spreading it out a bit.. that's a thought..