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

[Maize&Blue]

We drive 2400 miles round trip from central Michigan to Orlando last year. It's pretty much a straight shot down I-75. We drove straight through and took about 30 hours. Thanks to the construction in Kentucky.: Next time we are planning on stopping about midway (Knoxville) or dinner time.

 

[marius97]

You all are nuts!!! We'd NEVER do it. 2 1/2 hours by plane or 16 hours driving...hmmm!?!

$150 for gas vs. $1000 for airfare for my family of five plus rent a car...I'd be nuts to fly.

 

[mjones73]

You all are nuts!!! We'd NEVER do it. 2 1/2 hours by plane or 16 hours driving...hmmm!?!

No offense but what was the point of posting this?

 

[mjones73]

$150 for gas vs. $1000 for airfare for my family of five plus rent a car...I'd be nuts to fly.

Agreed, PP isn't including the time to get to the airport, parking, security, waiting for ME or a rental, etc also...

 

[FINFAN]

our rule is if there is a current car payment, we drive. No purchasing airfare AND making a car payment in the same month. Chicago RARELY has these awesome deals to MCO that other areas get...possible a DING form SW, but not too often...if someone sees 175 RT here it is a great deal...and yes, if needing a rental car.. ouch. The down side is obvious ( the drive home) but on the up side, you can pack what you want WHERE you want, if you want to stay longer, no airline penalties or increased air fare, and the final kicke ris once you teen is considered an adult at Disney and you are getting hit up for the extra fee for the room, that same kid now helps you make the drive to earn their keep!

 

[Maize&Blue]

You all are nuts!!! We'd NEVER do it. 2 1/2 hours by plane or 16 hours driving...hmmm!?!

I have 6 people in my family. And for us to fly...Think about that. We figure it costs us $250 by car and $1,300 to fly. Yeah, it would be nice to get there in 2.5 hrs but we wouldn't have any $$$ left.

 

[RJBMickey]

Can someone tell me the route that avoids the D.C. /Virginia and rte 95? I am coming from MA. and want to avoid the traffic. I do not mind adding a little more milage if it avoids traffic.

We have driven to Disney from MA eight times now. We used to take 95 all of the way down because distance wise, it is the shortest route. However, the last three times we have driven down we have taken the 84-81-77-26-95 route. This route, distance wise, is a bit longer but it takes you about the same time or even less due to the fact that there is little to no traffic, no tolls, and an all round better driving experience (nice scenery, etc.).

I learned this route from a friend who has driven down numerous times. He told me that if I took this route, I would never go back the 95 route again. He was right!

Hope this helps!

 

[KPH500]

We have driven to Disney from MA eight times now. We used to take 95 all of the way down because distance wise, it is the shortest route. However, the last three times we have driven down we have taken the 84-81-77-26-95 route. This route, distance wise, is a bit longer but it takes you about the same time or even less due to the fact that there is little to no traffic, no tolls, and an all round better driving experience (nice scenery, etc.).

I learned this route from a friend who has driven down numerous times. He told me that if I took this route, I would never go back the 95 route again. He was right!

Hope this helps!

Hi RJB,

We're driving from Central MA in June and were planning on I95 the whole way. To avoid traffic, tolls, etc would be fantastic! I'd be interested in more detailed directions if you don't mind sharing .....

 

[goofy4tink]

A bit of info here everyone...this thread is for the purpose of discussion regarding driving to WDW. It is not for poking fun at others or offering up the pros and cons of driving vs flying. There will be no 'insulting' (even if intended as funny) posts here.

 

[Flyerfan]

However, the last three times we have driven down we have taken the 84-81-77-26-95 route.

I learned this route from a friend who has driven down numerous times. He told me that if I took this route, I would never go back the 95 route again. He was right!

I agree! We learned about this route back in '06 and have taken it everytime since. One exception was our trip home one Jan. we had to avoid snow in the mountains so we came home 95...hated it.

 

[Flyerfan]

I am sorry if this has been asked before, but the length of this thread is intimidating to find something in, lol.

We are driving this August for the first time from Altoona, PA. Our plan is to leave on a Friday just after dh gets done with football practice, which means we leave between 11am-noon. We are planning on taking I-95, which means we will hit Baltimore at about 3pm on a Friday if my calculations are right- is that a terrible time, or will I be early for rush hour?

Also, how bad is traffic going through Richmond? It looks like we could be hitting there around 5 or 6 pm?

Thanks for any advice!

If I may, I'd like to offer a better route. Since you are in central PA, it would be easier just heading south from Altoona and taking the 81-77-26-95 route than to head over to 95. It's much nicer, more scenic and not as much traffic. I'm sure if you map it out, it would be the same distance and time. We are from eastern PA and take it all the time and love it.

 

[miprender]

We have driven to Disney from MA eight times now. We used to take 95 all of the way down because distance wise, it is the shortest route. However, the last three times we have driven down we have taken the 84-81-77-26-95 route. This route, distance wise, is a bit longer but it takes you about the same time or even less due to the fact that there is little to no traffic, no tolls, and an all round better driving experience (nice scenery, etc.).

I learned this route from a friend who has driven down numerous times. He told me that if I took this route, I would never go back the 95 route again. He was right!

Hope this helps!

What part of MA are you from? Where do you pick up 84? We are considering driving from RI and would be taking 95 all the way

 

[TSMAMI]

We have driven to Disney from MA eight times now. We used to take 95 all of the way down because distance wise, it is the shortest route. However, the last three times we have driven down we have taken the 84-81-77-26-95 route. This route, distance wise, is a bit longer but it takes you about the same time or even less due to the fact that there is little to no traffic, no tolls, and an all round better driving experience (nice scenery, etc.).

I learned this route from a friend who has driven down numerous times. He told me that if I took this route, I would never go back the 95 route again. He was right!

Hope this helps!

I was told the same thing...I use to take 95 all the way now I go 81 88 64 95 and I just love it...less stress and less traffic. It's the only way to go

 

[BC1836]

Where one departs from and when one departs are the two key factors in pre-determining the "success" of a 2,000+ mile round trip drive route.

For us on the NJ shore, it's a quick linkup with I-95 at the DE Memorial Bridge early (very early) on a Saturday morning. The DC area hasn't fully awakened by the time we're into northern VA.

All the best.

 

[glo]

for all the driving experts from the New England area. If you are leaving on a Saturday early evening in late June would you go the straight through rte 95 all the way? Or would you do the 90-84-81-77-26-95 route? We are planning on driving straight through...any thoughts?

 

[sharadoc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by raven69david
You all are nuts!!! We'd NEVER do it. 2 1/2 hours by plane or 16 hours driving...hmmm!?!

Agreed, PP isn't including the time to get to the airport, parking, security, waiting for ME or a rental, etc also...

Absolutely, plus we like the slower pace of the drive. We figured it like this:

1.5-2 hours to drive to airport
2 hours to go through security (required)
.5 hour to board
2.5 hours to fly
.5 hour to deplane, walk through airport
1.5 hours to load/ME to hotel

Total for first day: 8 - 9 hours, same as our first day drive

Plus - no luggage limit, stop and walk around when we want to, fresh air through open windows whenever we want, no sharing of anything with a stranger, watch whatever movies the kids want on the DVD player, plus a car/van at Disney World for free!

Our trip will cost us $400-500 round trip for four including room and meals on the road.

What a shame that someone felt the need to come in here and act like we're doing something wrong! We LOVE the drive and will always drive there. It's part of our family experience and creates lots of great family time.

 

[sharadoc]

Where one departs from and when one departs are the two key factors in pre-determining the "success" of a 2,000+ mile round trip drive route.

For us on the NJ shore, it's a quick linkup with I-95 at the DE Memorial Bridge early (very early) on a Saturday morning. The DC area hasn't fully awakened by the time we're into northern VA.

All the best.

Yep, we leave around 5-6 AM from above King of Prussia, go down 202 to 95 in Delaware. We're in Virginia before 9.

 

[u4ik]

for all the driving experts from the New England area. If you are leaving on a Saturday early evening in late June would you go the straight through rte 95 all the way? Or would you do the 90-84-81-77-26-95 route? We are planning on driving straight through...any thoughts?

Hi - Last month we drove down over April vacation, left on thursday night - drove til GA arrived at 3pm and left the next morning early for the Mouse. So with that perspective, the only issue we faced was the GWB in NYC. Every time I go through I get stuck in traffic. Now I will avoid the GWB like the plague, no matter what time it is. Instead I would hook up with the Tappen Zee Bridge and the Garden State Parkway, and then travel 95 the rest of the way.

Good luck with your drive.

 

[Flyerfan]

Absolutely, plus we like the slower pace of the drive. We figured it like this:

1.5-2 hours to drive to airport
2 hours to go through security (required)
.5 hour to board
2.5 hours to fly
.5 hour to deplane, walk through airport
1.5 hours to load/ME to hotel

Total for first day: 8 - 9 hours, same as our first day drive

Plus - no luggage limit, stop and walk around when we want to, fresh air through open windows whenever we want, no sharing of anything with a stranger, watch whatever movies the kids want on the DVD player, plus a car/van at Disney World for free!

Our thoughts exactly. Last time we flew, over 3 years ago, it was 10 hours from the time we left our house to check-in at the resort, which included renting a car. Every time I consider flying, I think of all the reasons driving is better. When we drive we are over 1/2 way there in that amount of time and we have our own car when we get there! Beats flying every time.

 

[MelanieC]

Hi - we drive too. It's better for us to have a car since we are there for 18 nights.