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

[pilferk]

hey,
just returned from the "jersey week"
the drive was fine but i thought i could pass on a few things i
wish someone would have told me.

the price of gas on 95 varies greatly!!!!

I am not one to sweat a few cents per gallon so I did not see much difference on the way down and was pleasantly suprised at the prices
in disney area,

but watch out!! I stopped about MM 60 in Georgia and found only 2 gas stations and regular was 2.69 and 2.79.
crazy little place with lots of conferate flags and stuff.
I asked why so hight and she shrugged and blew me off.
I thought it was all georgia, but a few miles up the road it was
more like 2.19
so i guess what i am saying is,
that you can find gas as low as 1.89 in places like virginia, or carolinas.
fill up there and do not stop in Georgia!
also,
there is a lot of construction in Georgia,
and in jacksonville.
I was glad i got thru jacksonville without the rush hour.

I am convinced i have the best way thru the D.C. area.
and its in the middle of the night.
no problems at 1 in the morning.

Thanks for the tip!!

I'll make sure we fill up in SC, before crossing into GA....should take us through to FLA.

We're seeing prices in CT (which are typically pretty high when compared with other states) around 2.20 a gallon. That's ALMOST $1 a gallon LOWER than they were when we drove in January. If they stay (or go down a bit more...which I doubt given we're travelling right after Turkey day), we could save about $100, round trip, over last years drive.

SWEET!

 

[onelugnut]

Onelugnut--

You are certainly right about the price variations! Part of my trip planning is to get on Gas Buddy and decide what states to get gas in and which to skip! I have a pretty good idea of the mileage I can get out of a tank in my Yukon XL, so I break up the trip into areas to stop in so I don't need to buy gas in those high priced states. I find heading into SC from NC is very cheap right over the border for example (we take Rte 77). Likewise, I always stop in GA (Kingsland area) right before we hit Florida! We were quite surprised that the Hess station at WDW was one of the lowest we'd found in the area or in Florida to be honest.

Right!
i think it would be an excellent thread and a benefit to us road warriors to
share the good gas prices.
Also to share good experiences with gas stations, eating stops or even rest areas.
lets face it, your basically blind when you pull onto that ramp.
we tried to stop at a mcdonalds, that had a huge sign on the side of 95 only
to find out after getting off, that it was miles from 95. (i hate that!)

there are some good places to stop and eat with playgrounds for little kids for example, or rest areas that seem safe as apposed to the ones that feel not so safe.

I am going to check my driving log, and let everyone know what the exact exit was of that bad stop in Georgia.

I think your plan on stopping in georgia is not exactly right.
I saw cheaper gas in Florida.
besides, then your in florida when you stop.

 

[Luvamouse]

Right!
i think it would be an excellent thread and a benefit to us road warriors to
share the good gas prices.
Also to share good experiences with gas stations, eating stops or even rest areas.
lets face it, your basically blind when you pull onto that ramp.
we tried to stop at a mcdonalds, that had a huge sign on the side of 95 only
to find out after getting off, that it was miles from 95. (i hate that!)

there are some good places to stop and eat with playgrounds for little kids for example, or rest areas that seem safe as apposed to the ones that feel not so safe.

I am going to check my driving log, and let everyone know what the exact exit was of that bad stop in Georgia.

I think your plan on stopping in georgia is not exactly right.
I saw cheaper gas in Florida.
besides, then your in florida when you stop.

One of my biggest rants when we drive are those fast food signs that send you miles down the road! I have a trip journal I take with me and I have place the Good and Bad Exits for stops inside the front cover. Nothing worse than taking and exit and thinking..Oh NO! Done this before...

As far as gas goes, at least last fall, it was significantly cheaper to stop in GA, about 6 miles from FL, for gas. Right now, they show green (2.09 or less)for most of GA Gas Buddy Temperature Map. Florida is mostly 2.19 and up. Of course there are pockets in every state that are higher or lower... but Kingsland (right on 95) is running 1.98 today, and Yulee FL (first gas noted over the line) is running 2.09 and 2.11. There are a few stations around J-Ville at just over 2.00 and 1 is 1.99. I think it depends where you are. Or where you are when you run out because "I know it is cheaper down the road..."

 

[JanineandMike]

we tried to stop at a mcdonalds, that had a huge sign on the side of 95 only
to find out after getting off, that it was miles from 95. (i hate that!)

One of my biggest rants when we drive are those fast food signs that send you miles down the road!

i'm with you both on this one. we learned the difference between "rest areas" and "gas, food, lodging exits" on our road trip to williamsburg, va earlier this year. if it's not a rest area or listed under a half mile from the turnpike we aren't stopping.

luvamouse, thanks for the gas buddy link.

 

[Luvamouse]

Another thing I note is whether or not a stop is good for a "pee and flee". I hate eating at one McDonald's/ getting coffees at DD, etc. and getting 200 miles down the road, needing a pit stop and feeling like I have to purchase something again. I already did, that's why I need to use the bathroom I even note if there is a back exit to use, hence the "and flee". I somehow can't bring myself to stop at a chain location that I don't frequent. Keeps the guilties down.
Oh, and Janineandmike-- you're most welcome. I like to plan down to the tiny details. Then, when we don't follow plans, at least I know how off we are.

 

[BC1836]

One of my biggest rants when we drive are those fast food signs that send you miles down the road! I have a trip journal I take with me and I have place the Good and Bad Exits for stops inside the front cover. Nothing worse than taking and exit and thinking..Oh NO! Done this before...

Agreed! That's why we prepare sandwiches, assorted snacks and a cooler filled with beverages for the ride to WDW.

We make our only food stop (usually a Cracker Barrel) on our return near the place where we check in for the overnight stay.

And, yes, a trip journal is not only a great reference for future trips but it's fun to do.

BTW: gas prices under $2.00 a gallon in these parts.

[Thanks to all veterans on this VETERANS DAY!]

 

[Luvamouse]

Agreed! That's why we prepare sandwiches, assorted snacks and a cooler filled with beverages for the ride to WDW.

That is just what DH and I do. We just stop at MCD's or BK for the girls, since the appeal of eating sandwiches on a 1400 mile drive isn't the end all for them Dh and I really enjoy it. That and the fast food never agrees with us. I have to say we'd be a bit faster without the kids, but we can go 4-5 hours between stops if there is no coffee involved, so we do well!

I enjoy my trip journals so much because I can look at myself complaining when gas hit $1.75 (!!) a few years ago... The outrage!

 

[pilferk]

Agreed! That's why we prepare sandwiches, assorted snacks and a cooler filled with beverages for the ride to WDW.

We make our only food stop (usually a Cracker Barrel) on our return near the place where we check in for the overnight stay.

And, yes, a trip journal is not only a great reference for future trips but it's fun to do.

BTW: gas prices under $2.00 a gallon in these parts.

[Thanks to all veterans on this VETERANS DAY!]

I suspect the same for us this trip.

Packing dinner on the way down...the hotel includes breakfast (likely cereal, bagels, pastries, juice and coffee...which is just fine with us) and we'll arrive in Orlando around dinner time. That leaves us just needing to make a lunch stop on the 2nd day down.

On the way back, same thing: We leave after lunch, will pack dinner, breakfast included at hotel, and should be home around dinner time...leaving us to cover lunch on the 2nd day again.

We found that stopping for "meals" on the last drive was the biggest "eater of time".

 

[Luvamouse]

We found that stopping for "meals" on the last drive was the biggest "eater of time".

What a good point! We used to do that on long trips home from the midwest... then we realized that we'd rather be home at 1 a.m. than 2 a.m. and so scratched the Cracker Barrel stop. We always drove straight through on the ride home-- I want to sleep in my own bed, thank you. Plus, it's easier to keep in the rhythm of the drive...

 

[BC1836]

We always drove straight through on the ride home

Straight through? From WDW to RI? Now that's a haul!

And we should know: we did our first (and only) straight through drive from the Jersey Shore to WDW last May. We departed at 4:45 a.m. and reached Exit #67 on I-4 at 10:27 p.m. Total miles: 1, 074.

What were the departure and arrival times on your aforementioned marathon drive?

 

[1princessand1pirate]

Hello All!

We will be making the long drive in just 26 short days!!!

 

[Luvamouse]

Straight through? From WDW to RI? Now that's a haul!

And we should know: we did our first (and only) straight through drive from the Jersey Shore to WDW last May. We departed at 4:45 a.m. and reached Exit #67 on I-4 at 10:27 p.m. Total miles: 1, 074.

What were the departure and arrival times on your aforementioned marathon drive?

No, not the WDW trip, but the midwest trips. We would do 1100 miles in about 16- 18 hours. We'd leave 8 a.m. and be home about 1 a.m. It was such a busy 2 week with my cousin and her family that we just wanted to be home in our own beds... That makes it worth pushing the envelope.

From WDW, we drive from Moorseville, NC home usually. About 840 miles. Not bad.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
We're thinking of driving from Kansas City area to WDW in March. The thing is, we just moved here from non-wintery Southern California, so I have no idea what driving conditions are like in March. Do you all drive to WDW in the winter? It's about 1250 miles each way, so I'm thinking we would need to spend the night someplace.

I'd prefer to fly, but airfare is about $2300 for all four of us. With gas prices being so low, it seems cheaper to drive. Plus, dh wants the kids to see some of the country.

Do you experts have any tips for us newbies driving to WDW?

 

[BC1836]

Hi,
We're thinking of driving from Kansas City area to WDW in March. The thing is, we just moved here from non-wintery Southern California, so I have no idea what driving conditions are like in March. Do you all drive to WDW in the winter? It's about 1250 miles each way, so I'm thinking we would need to spend the night someplace.

Do you experts have any tips for us newbies driving to WDW?

Your central-midwest-to-WDW drive in March could encounter everything from blizzards and ice storms to rain and balmy conditions (just what we have to be aware of here in NJ at that time), especially until you reach a more southertly location. Most of March is still winter.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Your central-midwest-to-WDW drive in March could encounter everything from blizzards and ice storms to rain and balmy conditions (just what we have to be aware of here in NJ at that time), especially until you reach a more southertly location. Most of March is still winter.

Dang it! I'm not sure I feel comfortable driving in those conditions. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[BC1836]

Dang it! I'm not sure I feel comfortable driving in those conditions. Thanks for letting me know.

If you have some flexibilty, you could always depart a day early to miss bad weather. We've done it on a couple of occasions, both going to and departing from WDW.

 

[MOmousefan]

NIKs MOM: Welcome to Missouri. We live in the Lake of The Ozarks area and are driving to WDW Nov 30 for a week. I can tell you that March is all over the place weather-wise. We have had everything from 19 inches of snow to 70 degree weather. A previous poster is correct in advising you to plan extra days if possible.
Good Luck

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess we could just keep a very close eye on the weather and change our plans accordingly.

 

[renae3]

Hi everyone. Well we are planning on driving in June with our 3 kids ages 6, 3, and 10 months from NJ. My question is are we crazy driving with a baby? I am sure my 6 and 3 year old will be fine, just not sure about the baby. Anyone have any experience, thoughts, or suggestions? Thanks so much!

 

[disneyfan55]

Hi everyone. Well we are planning on driving in June with our 3 kids ages 6, 3, and 10 months from NJ. My question is are we crazy driving with a baby? I am sure my 6 and 3 year old will be fine, just not sure about the baby. Anyone have any experience, thoughts, or suggestions? Thanks so much!

We did the drive since my daughter was 4 months old and that was almost 31 years ago!! Never a problem. YOu will hear both sides of this probably. We, in fact, just did the drive the end of Sept with my daughter and her new son 6 months at the time. It all depends on you and the chid. Mine drove the NJ/FL run all but a few of the times in my signature. They flew for the HS trip to WDW. They have also done the NJ/CA dirves as listed!! This was all before the electronic age, they when old enough brought coloring books, car games, books and just did a lot of play between the two of them. Have fun on your trip!! Your attitude towards the drive will influence your childrens as well. If you are happy and look forward to it they will see this (the older 2) That will help with the whole trip!