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

[garmich]

Last year, we drove down for the first time. From western MA to Orlando, it's 2,400 miles RT. We stopped in Baltimore, to watch a Red Sox game at Camden Yards. And the next day we drove down to Brunswick, GA. The next day it was a short drive to Orlando.

This year we're driving again. For the 4 of us, it will be cheaper than flying, even with gas prices at over $4/gal. We will be leaving on a Friday at 4:30am and driving through NYC/NJ at around 7:00am. Last year we had no problem in NYC at this time on a Friday. Then we drive through Baltimore at about 10:30am (it was exactly 6 hours last year). And finally, We should arrive in Richmond at around 1:00pm (Google Maps says 8.5 hours). Will a drive through Richmond between 1:00pm - 2:00pm be traffic-free? Last year, we encountered heavy traffic between DC and Richmond. We left Baltimore on a Sat. morning at 8:30am. We were delayed at least 1.5 hours. Luckily, we avoided a good portion of the traffic, by using the "multi-passenger" lanes. I suspect that it was beach traffic. So, I'm thinking that if we go through northern VA at 1:00-2:00pm, we should not encounter heavy traffic. After Richmond, VA, it should be lighter traffic all the way to Santee, SC, where we'll stay overnight. If there are no delays, it should take us about 14 hours, arriving after 6:30pm. And then, it's 6 hours to Orlando.

 

[kimbac3]

Will a drive through Richmond between 1:00pm - 2:00pm be traffic-free? Last year, we encountered heavy traffic between DC and Richmond.

We've found that there is ALWAYS traffic around Richmond!! No matter what time we seem to go through there. It's very annoying - It throws off our groove!!! The must have some traffic lights at the end of the exit ramps that back up traffic. I did find however that the lunch time hours in Richmond are worse. Say between 11 and 2. Last year we hit it a little earlier and it wasn't as bad. If you find you are getting close to Richmond around that time you may want to pull off for lunch - or listen to a audio book. That's what we do.

Have a great, safe trip!!

Kimba

 

[Maverick Mike]

I so can't wait until two months from today we will be loading the Trailblazer and heading back to Florida! I just love the anticipation of the trip on the way down! It seems so far away still!

 

[asmarykay]

We drive to Disney!!! About 3300 roundtrip from Minneapolis. It's a wonderful drive, just my husband and I.

Nothing can compare to seeing those "We Bare All" signs...that's when you know you're getting close! LOL!

These signs are also our "your getting closer" signal - and the signs for Ron-Jon Surfshop.

We don't drive nearly as far as ya'll - ya'll are Disney animals!

 

[summerlandjeff]

I'm glad this thread came back ! What are all the DIS'ers doing now that gas is $3.60 per gallon (In Southern New Jersey)! I remember our 2004 road trip cost us exactly $200.00 in gas round trip. That price would be double today, yet I can get a Spirit Airline Flight out of ACY for $300 - $400 total for the three of us and be pool side in 3 hours!

DW is extremely afraid of flying (Xanax anyone? ) but still thinks it's better than driving 16 hours over two days. I concur.

Has anyone changed their mind on driving because of gas prices$$$?

 

[garmich]

Has anyone changed their mind on driving because of gas prices$$$?

We are driving down to WDW in August. We were also thinking about going to visit my family and my in-laws up in Canada in July. We have an 11-hour drive (600+ miles) to northern Québec. The gas prices in Québec are already up to about $5.50US/gal. We're already spending alot to go to WDW, so we will postpone the Canada trip until next year.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

How old were your kids when you started driving? DH think it will be no problem driving with a toddler, but I don't agree at all.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I'm glad this thread came back ! What are all the DIS'ers doing now that gas is $3.60 per gallon (In Southern New Jersey)! I remember our 2004 road trip cost us exactly $200.00 in gas round trip. That price would be double today, yet I can get a Spirit Airline Flight out of ACY for $300 - $400 total for the three of us and be pool side in 3 hours!

DW is extremely afraid of flying (Xanax anyone? ) but still thinks it's better than driving 16 hours over two days. I concur.

Has anyone changed their mind on driving because of gas prices$$$?

When gas here (metro Detroit) hit $3.95 the other day I went online and checked airfare again. Even if gas got to $4.50/gallon, with the current airfare prices (and there are just 3 of us), we'd still save almost $600 by driving! Spirit was even more than Northwest ... it literally would cost us over $1K to fly on *any* airline at this point. Plus, we'd have to rent a car when we get to Orlando (went without one only once -- never again!).

So, I'll keep checking, but unless airfare drops considerably, we'll be packing up our trusty VUE and making the drive!

 

[MinMouse]

How old were your kids when you started driving? DH think it will be no problem driving with a toddler, but I don't agree at all.

Dallas Lady --- our first driving trip DDs were 5 & 8. It's a 16-hour drive for us (that's straight driving so it usually takes us about 18 hours). They had several "training" trips . . . . we have family and friends 6 hours from us and my bro lives 10 hours away. So they had a lot of travel experience but nothing quite this long. I think it would be challenging with a toddler (and I see from your sig a newborn, congrats!) but many on this board do just what your DH proposes. We do really like driving though. Since that first trip we have made 6 more drives to WDW. Our next trip (in 10 days!!!) is a flying one since we found awesome Southwest flights ($59 each way) a few months ago and had those "maybe gas will go to $4 per gallon" talks. Worked out well for us this time but I see driving trips in our future!

Mindy

 

[Amirah95]

some people take I-81 and the other way I believe is I-13

Try the I-295 loop which links up with I-95 north of Richmond and south of Petersburg.

Thanks to the both of you.

 

[ellenmiele]

How old were your kids when you started driving? DH think it will be no problem driving with a toddler, but I don't agree at all.

7 or 8 - before that we took the Autotrain.

 

[disney407]

I have driven down to Disney from Missouri many times, most recently in August of 2007. We usually stop somewhere south of Nashville and finish the next day. Very fun drive. Just have to hit Atlanta at the right time.

 

[CSI007]

T-12 hours and counting now. I think my nerves are starting to get the best of me now. LOL.

 

[goofyernmost]

How old were your kids when you started driving? DH think it will be no problem driving with a toddler, but I don't agree at all.

I would have thought that as well until a year or so ago. I went to Myrtle Beach from Vermont. My daughter and her, just barely, 5 year old went with me. My grandson is what is commonly known as "perpetual motion". He wears his clothes out from the inside because he never stops moving.

Picture this...all that energy, seat belted into a car seat, for 12 hours the first day and 7 the next. To my amazement he really did well, he played games, looked around, thought about what he wanted for lunch and dinner (mac & cheese, if anyone is curious) and was great the whole trip there and back. I never would have guessed that he would travel that well. Who knew?

 

[Amirah95]

How old were your kids when you started driving? DH think it will be no problem driving with a toddler, but I don't agree at all.

My oldest DD was 8 years old when we started. That 8 year old is turning 13 years old this year and she will help out with the almost 1 year old DD I have on the next trip. She's six months old right now and hates the car seat. I hope all of that changes by October's end. *crossing my fingers*

 

[MightyMom]

Thanks to all who have replied to our original question about lengthy drives to WDW! We enjoyed your comments. To be sure, the speed of an airline flight --- the flight, not the journey to and from the airport --- has a time-saving advantage, but the drive itself is flexible, baggage-friendly, and, well, memorable. Crossing each state border is part of the anticipation. We prefer the early departure. !

Thanks..... it was nice to read this. I've been really bummed out about not flying this year. I was REALLY wanting to fly..... but for our family it makes so much more sense to drive. DH says getting there is "half the adventure". I usually just roll my eyes..... but I think it's time I change my frame of mind.

 

[MightyMom]

How old were your kids when you started driving? DH think it will be no problem driving with a toddler, but I don't agree at all.

I thought it was gonna be impossible when we drove. My little one was only 2 years old..... My older one was 6.... and my niece was also 6. They did AMAZINGLY well!

I had a little "prize" to give them every hour on the hour. It was as simple as a lollipop.... or as grand as a new gameboy game. It kept them entertained.... and they behaved well because they knew they wouldn't get the hourly prize if they misbehaved.

My little one... who was only 2 was the best behaved. He was content to sit in his car seat..... watch TV..... snack and nap.

We're driving again this year. I'm dreading the drive because I don't like sitting for any extended length of time. But flying isn't really an option for us right now.... so I've just got to suck it up and deal with it.

 

[Maverick Mike]

I agree that the trip down is part of the vacation. You get to spend such quality time with your family!

We always drive straight through from here in St. Louis. It is about a 17 hour drive, typically. However, this time, we will have our new baby who will be 7 months old at the time, so I imagine that will change the dynamic of the trip quite a bit! She does love riding in the car, though!

 

[summerlandjeff]

When gas here (metro Detroit) hit $3.95 the other day I went online and checked airfare again. Even if gas got to $4.50/gallon, with the current airfare prices (and there are just 3 of us), we'd still save almost $600 by driving! Spirit was even more than Northwest ... it literally would cost us over $1K to fly on *any* airline at this point. Plus, we'd have to rent a car when we get to Orlando (went without one only once -- never again!).

So, I'll keep checking, but unless airfare drops considerably, we'll be packing up our trusty VUE and making the drive!

Yikes!! That does make a difference! Spirit out of ACY (Atlantic City Intnl.) is still reasonable. Last time we flew round trip business class for $203 a piece (3 of us), coach was $179 so we splurged .

The other point is the time... I just don't look forward to the 2 day trip driving!

 

[CSI007]

We have decided on a last minute change in our travel. We are going to take I81 through VA to avoid the DC traffic as well as Richmond traffic. We will then pick up 77 and then 26 in SC. We leave in less than 16 hours and I am getting a cold.