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

[Nik's Mom]

Wow! That is impressive. I could not do 20 hours straight through. With 2 little ones and just dh and I to drive, we'd never survive without breaks.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I didn't even think about 55 but it is the best choice. 270 has traffic 24 hours a day! I would go with 55.

Thanks. I'll take the 55 then.

 

[disneymom06]

My in-laws live in Hancock, NY, right near the Pennsylvania border. I told them about the route 81S-77S-26-95 and was wondering what makes it a better route than picking up 95 in Virginia.

Since we take the GW, thru NJ route to 95, there has never been a need for us to take this route and they are asking us advice since we have traveled to Disney by car numerous times. But for these routes, I have no advice for them.

Can anyone tell me who has taken both routes from upstate NY which one they prefer and why? When I had the routes done thru AAA, it is only a 20 mile difference. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[FidlMom]

Wow! That is impressive. I could not do 20 hours straight through. With 2 little ones and just dh and I to drive, we'd never survive without breaks.

We started doing the drive straight through when my DD13 was a DD2. She was awful in the car, and the only way we could manage was to drive as much of the time as possible when she was asleep. Things haven't changed much in 11 years......

No, we're not usually night owls; my husband and I just switch off every couple of hours for a gasoline and coffee stop. The last drive down I had a full moon all night - it was a great drive. And watching the world lighten up as dawn arrives is really neat.

 

[etoiles]

I think deciding if you're going to break it up into two days or one very very long day just depends if you want to see anything on the way down.

For us, we have never driven down there before so seeing Atlanta on the way which we've also never seen sounds interesting. On the way back stopping in Nashville which we've also never seen sounds appealing to.

Laura - There is plenty to see in Louisville so if it interests you, that would be a good stopping point so you could see some things in the evening. If you decide Louisville isn't a good stopping point then go straight through. If you do stop you must eat at Lynn's Paradise Cafe though.

 

[Laurabearz]

Lynn's looks good. Thanks!

We are actually going to Hilton Head Island, SC, but staying 3 nights in Atlanta first, so we are not really going to be doing much more than that....

One trip I did try and fit in a few roadside treasures and the family revolted.

And I think we are going to just plow through in one day. I will take that $100 bucks we would have spent on hotel and get the kids some movies or new DS games and me some chocolate covered coffee beans!!

 

[tjbaggott]

We will be driving just under 3000 miles Round trip next fall. I have a question for others who have driven I-95.
Our trip is booked, the route planned, some of the time frames set. We are travelling over two days, averaging 12 hours a day. Leaving early morning and driving only during daylight hours. We've never driven down before and want to see the sights along the way. Our children, at the time of the trip will be 6, 12, 16 and 18. Hubby and I will share the driving. My question is, are there really Hotels/motels along I-95 that are less than $50.00 a night and where we can just show up unannounced and expect to get a room? We don't want to make firm plans as to where we will stop for the night as anything can delay us, as well, we might just push ahead further beyond the 12 hours if we are feeling up to it. But definately will stop for the night at some point. Is it realistic to do it this way?

 

[sharadoc]

My in-laws live in Hancock, NY, right near the Pennsylvania border. I told them about the route 81S-77S-26-95 and was wondering what makes it a better route than picking up 95 in Virginia.

Since we take the GW, thru NJ route to 95, there has never been a need for us to take this route and they are asking us advice since we have traveled to Disney by car numerous times. But for these routes, I have no advice for them.

Can anyone tell me who has taken both routes from upstate NY which one they prefer and why? When I had the routes done thru AAA, it is only a 20 mile difference. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Hi. I'm interested in this also. We're travelling in August and we can pick up 81 in Harrisburg and avoid 95. Love to hear your opinions.

 

[sharadoc]

We will be driving just under 3000 miles Round trip next fall. I have a question for others who have driven I-95.
Our trip is booked, the route planned, some of the time frames set. We are travelling over two days, averaging 12 hours a day. Leaving early morning and driving only during daylight hours. We've never driven down before and want to see the sights along the way. Our children, at the time of the trip will be 6, 12, 16 and 18. Hubby and I will share the driving. My question is, are there really Hotels/motels along I-95 that are less than $50.00 a night and where we can just show up unannounced and expect to get a room? We don't want to make firm plans as to where we will stop for the night as anything can delay us, as well, we might just push ahead further beyond the 12 hours if we are feeling up to it. But definately will stop for the night at some point. Is it realistic to do it this way?

Yes there are, realistically anywhere along 95 in North Carolina is your best bet. South Carolina has a good amount of hotels/motels but less than NC. Georgia has basically nothing unless you want to drive off the highway a distance.

When we drove down in January, we had our pick of hotels on the way. We had a definite reservation at one, then we had a few others picked at different exits if we decided to drive further or stop sooner. You can cancel reservations through 6:00. On the way home, we changed hotels - we called and made another reservation, then cancelled our original one from the car around 5:30 that night.

Plus get a free breakfast - that's comes in really handy!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I just realized that we haven't booked our hotel for the return trip home. We are thinking of spending the night in the Nashville area. Any recommendations for a good area to stay in?

I can't believe we are leaving in just a few days!
Thanks!

 

[BC1836]

We will be driving just under 3000 miles Round trip next fall. I have a question for others who have driven I-95.
Our trip is booked, the route planned, some of the time frames set. We are travelling over two days, averaging 12 hours a day. Leaving early morning and driving only during daylight hours. We've never driven down before and want to see the sights along the way. Our children, at the time of the trip will be 6, 12, 16 and 18. Hubby and I will share the driving. My question is, are there really Hotels/motels along I-95 that are less than $50.00 a night and where we can just show up unannounced and expect to get a room? We don't want to make firm plans as to where we will stop for the night as anything can delay us, as well, we might just push ahead further beyond the 12 hours if we are feeling up to it. But definately will stop for the night at some point. Is it realistic to do it this way?

A number of I-95 hotels/motels advertise sub-$50 rates on highway billboards. However, you get what you pay for. Quality is definitely lacking at these places; however, they do offer the basics. Bathroom towels in adequate numbers may be problem for your family.

Indeed, all essentially operate as reservation and non-reservation facilities. We have driven up to several over the years at night and checked in; however, sometimes they were booked and we had to drive to the next location (not a fun thing to do when you are tired).

All the best.

 

[Jumba17]

On the hotel topic, I am wondering if any of you have some hotel recommendations between Macon and Valdosta? I would prefer something along the lines of a Hampton (love the beds) and also a pool so the kids can blow off some steam. Last trip down we did not make reservations and after 2 stops, we gave up and ended up staying in a rather dumpy hotel in Lake Park.

TIA!

 

[JB2K]

I just realized that we haven't booked our hotel for the return trip home. We are thinking of spending the night in the Nashville area. Any recommendations for a good area to stay in?

I can't believe we are leaving in just a few days!
Thanks!

If you're willing to drive a little farther, Clarksville, TN has lots of hotels.

 

[Nik's Mom]

If you're willing to drive a little farther, Clarksville, TN has lots of hotels.

Thanks! I don't mind driving a little longer. I will check out our hotel options in Clarksville.

 

[mookie]

On the hotel topic, I am wondering if any of you have some hotel recommendations between Macon and Valdosta? I would prefer something along the lines of a Hampton (love the beds) and also a pool so the kids can blow off some steam. Last trip down we did not make reservations and after 2 stops, we gave up and ended up staying in a rather dumpy hotel in Lake Park.

TIA!

Jumba...we are staying at a Fairfield Inn in Macon on our way down. It got decent reviews on Trip Advisor, and we really will only be there for a quick meal, swim and sleep. It had suites, which was nice, plus a pool and a FULL breakfast in the morning....not just bagels and cold cereal. That way, we can FILLER UP on our way out the next morning!

 

[angwill]

Jumba,
There is a Fairfield Inn phone 229-273-0042 in Cordelle Georgia which is about 2 hours north of Valdosta. There is also a Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, and a Ramada in cordelle.

HTH

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Jumba,
There is a Fairfield Inn phone 229-273-0042 in Cordelle Georgia which is about 2 hours north of Valdosta. There is also a Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, and a Ramada in cordelle.

HTH

Don't forget there is also a Hampton Inn.
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/...ionid=JVTJURDRLRTYACSGBJNMVCQ?ctyhocn=CRDGAHX

 

[Mysteria]

May will be my 3rd and about DH's 10th 2000+ mile RT. We did it in January for what amounted to a long weekend in FL. That was kind of crazy but it was worth it.

 

[Funwith4kids]

On the hotel topic, I am wondering if any of you have some hotel recommendations between Macon and Valdosta? I would prefer something along the lines of a Hampton (love the beds) and also a pool so the kids can blow off some steam. Last trip down we did not make reservations and after 2 stops, we gave up and ended up staying in a rather dumpy hotel in Lake Park.

TIA!

Check out Warner Robins, GA. There is a bunch of hotels & restaurants just a couple miles from I-75. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn last Easter and will be in a few weeks. Nice place with restaurants all around.

 

[BC1836]

All hotels/motels on the way to WDW are not created equal. We know! On our first drive, we ended up at an I-95 motel in North Carolina (can't recall the name) that featured just one set of thin towels and a paper bath mat!

Were we glad when we finally reached the AKL!