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

[Fwd Facing Tentacles]

I've done a lot of cross country driving and I find that about 600 miles a day is what I'm comfortable with. It allows you to get a full night's sleep the night before and get to your daily destination by dinner time while doing almost all your driving in daylight, depending on the time of the year. For the NJ-WDW trip of a little over 1,000 miles it has the added advantage of getting us there right around check-in time the second day. So that's what works for me although I realize everyone has their own preference.

 

[BC1836]

I've done a lot of cross country driving and I find that about 600 miles a day is what I'm comfortable with. It allows you to get a full night's sleep the night before and get to your daily destination by dinner time while doing almost all your driving in daylight, depending on the time of the year. For the NJ-WDW trip of a little over 1,000 miles it has the added advantage of getting us there right around check-in time the second day. So that's what works for me although I realize everyone has their own preference.

Cross-country drives require the sensible 600 mile breaks that Fwd Facing Tentacles utilizes; however, for us, about 900 miles is our limit. It gets us in the St. Augustine-Palm Coast area. Of course, when we get so close to I-4, we have an urge to go on, which we did on one occasion. But we were draggin' when we arrived.

 

[loribell]

Just wanted to let you guys know I got gas for $1.71 yesterday. Hopefully it will come on down to that for all of you too.

 

[rotlex]

Subscribing to this as my wife and I are seriously considering driving from the Lehigh Valley are of PA next year. I can't believe we are even thinking of it, but with the cost of flights, things are just getting insane cost wise.

I've read through quite a bit of this thread, but wanting to know if anyone has any thoughts on driving, approx 1100 one way, with a 6 year old, and an 8 month old. Are we nuts, or will a DVD player, games, food, and the occasional rest make it possible without going insane, LOL?

We are thinking of leaving our area late afternoon, as in 5pm or so, and driving during the evening, when hopefully the kids would be asleep. Straight through would put us down there around noon next day with breaks. I'm really hedging back and forth, as while I have done the drive alone, the kids part is really making me give it thought. Then again, with the current deal going on, if we DO opt to drive, the savings will allow us to stay deluxe for probably the first and last time, which would be very, very cool. We are thinking Wilderness Lodge.

Thoughts?

 

[pilferk]

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 with a 16 month old (and a 3 and 5 year old) this past January, and will do it again with a 2+ old, 4 year old, and 6 year old in about 2+ weeks.

They ALL did fine (well, the older 2 didn't sleep much..and we drove straight for 22 hours). The baby slept alot, actually. We made sure we had some toys she could play with, and we had a portable DVD player going with lots of Disney movies. We brought snacks and drinks, too. Our drive was 1100 miles, one way (so 2200 total), in a minivan.

You know your kids best...ours are pretty good travellers. If your little one is generally good in the car....I suspect you'll have no problems, at all.

 

[amcnj]

Hi. How do you go to the Delaware memorial bridge? Via Rte 40, or AC Xway to Rte 295 or NJ turnpike?

 

[Luvamouse]

I've done a lot of cross country driving and I find that about 600 miles a day is what I'm comfortable with. It allows you to get a full night's sleep the night before and get to your daily destination by dinner time while doing almost all your driving in daylight, depending on the time of the year. For the NJ-WDW trip of a little over 1,000 miles it has the added advantage of getting us there right around check-in time the second day. So that's what works for me although I realize everyone has their own preference.

I agree that it is good to have a limit especially for planning stops. Our's tends to be about 750 for the day if it is a standard 2 or more day trip. We try to split it unevenly so that we get the most miles under our belt when we are "yee-ha" and the thought of 1395 miles to go isn't that bad. So on WDW trips, our stop now is 840 because that gets us to Moorseville,NC...NASCAR country. Then the next day we have a little over 550 and it seems short. Well, you know what I mean We can push the extra miles the first day because it means we are not exhausted when we arrive and can get right to the MK! (Driving straight through is only good for trips home to peace and quiet.)

 

[BC1836]

Those gas stops will be less "painful" experiences in the weeks ahead. Gas was $1.85 nearby yesterday. Folks driving to WDW for the upcoming Christmas festivities may be getting an early gift of sorts at the pump!

 

[pilferk]

Those gas stops will be less "painful" experiences in the weeks ahead. Gas was $1.85 nearby yesterday. Folks driving to WDW for the upcoming Christmas festivities may be getting an early gift of sorts at the pump!

If prices stat static over the next few weeks....we'll save about $150 of what I budgeted for gas round trip....actually just a bit more since our first 20 gallon fill up will actually be FREE (grocery store rewards).

Man, driving is just looking better and better!

 

[Nik's Mom]

How do you all pick your hotels along the way? Do you book ahead, or just look for a vacancy along the way?

 

[pilferk]

How do you all pick your hotels along the way? Do you book ahead, or just look for a vacancy along the way?

We book ahead...but we largely do it because we're a travelling party of 5. It's harder to find rooms for us along the way....

IF I were travelling during a busy time (Spring Break, etc), I'd also likely book our room in advance, just to be safe.

But if we were a smaller party (up to 4), and were travelling during the "off season" parts of the year, we'd likely just find a place to stop on the way. We did it on the way home in January...and though the results weren't great (the only vacancy with a crib available...which we ended up not using, but that's another story...was sort of "dive-y"), we certainly found accomodations. And that was around midnight.

 

[BC1836]

Hi. How do you go to the Delaware memorial bridge? Via Rte 40, or AC Xway to Rte 295 or NJ turnpike?

We pick up I-295 via route 70 (from 72). We stay away from the Turnpike: too much traffic and tolls!.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We book ahead...but we largely do it because we're a travelling party of 5. It's harder to find rooms for us along the way....

IF I were travelling during a busy time (Spring Break, etc), I'd also likely book our room in advance, just to be safe.

But if we were a smaller party (up to 4), and were travelling during the "off season" parts of the year, we'd likely just find a place to stop on the way. We did it on the way home in January...and though the results weren't great (the only vacancy with a crib available...which we ended up not using, but that's another story...was sort of "dive-y"), we certainly found accomodations. And that was around midnight.

Thanks, pilferk! O.k, I have another question. I mentioned earlier on this thread that we would be driving from Kansas to WDW in March. I know we may experience winter weather. The problem is, we just moved from Southern California and have very little experience driving in winter. Please share with me your driving to WDW during winter driving tips!
Thanks!

 

[LindaBabe]

Anyone got an opinion on I 95 around Washington as opposed to down the Delmarva peninsula and over the Chesapeake bay bridge? We have the time and hate traffic

 

[BC1836]

Anyone got an opinion on I 95 around Washington as opposed to down the Delmarva peninsula and over the Chesapeake bay bridge? We have the time and hate traffic

A few simple guidelines that have been mentioned on this thread before: stay away from I-95 DC area during rush hours (a.m. and p.m.), especially on Friday. If possible, plan your drive so can pass through the northern VA/DC area very early in the a.m.. And whenever possible, drive through the DC area on weekends. These guidelines are not fool proof, but they generally hold up most of the time.

 

[pilferk]

Thanks, pilferk! O.k, I have another question. I mentioned earlier on this thread that we would be driving from Kansas to WDW in March. I know we may experience winter weather. The problem is, we just moved from Southern California and have very little experience driving in winter. Please share with me your driving to WDW during winter driving tips!
Thanks!

Well...so far we've been lucky. We've driven down 3 times in the winter months, and all 3 have been smooth sailing. No "weather" to deal with at all...not even rain.

Those trips were in 2001, in early December, 2006 in early January, and 2008 in early January.

I'll let you know when we get back from this upcoming trip how things go. Hopefully, we'll go 4 for 4.

 

[pilferk]

Anyone got an opinion on I 95 around Washington as opposed to down the Delmarva peninsula and over the Chesapeake bay bridge? We have the time and hate traffic

The "new" (relatively) flyover on I-95 makes it a little less of a nightmare around DC. That's helps, for sure. Makes merging on the beltway easier, which means the beltway traffic keeps a more steady flow.

If you avoid DC during typical rush hours, it's not so bad. REALLY, REALLY early in the AM, or after 7 to 8 PM during the week, or any time on most weekends (unless there's...say...an economic summit going on) work really well.

I wouldn't take the detour unless I knew I was going to hit DC during rush hour.

 

[sharadoc]

Hi - haven't posted in a while. All of this talk about DC made me realize our planning could be a little "tricky". Here's the question - we are driving from west of Philly to SC/GA border on the first day. Our plan is to leave around 5 am to get around DC at 8-8:30 on Sunday 1/18. With MLK day on Monday and Inauguration Day on Tuesday, do you think we'll hit any traffic? I assumed that would be a perfect time to drive in DC, so I hope that's still correct.

With the cost of gas right now, our trip has gone down to less than $500. Airfaires are still running around $220 apiece for a family of 4.

 

[pilferk]

Hi - haven't posted in a while. All of this talk about DC made me realize our planning could be a little "tricky". Here's the question - we are driving from west of Philly to SC/GA border on the first day. Our plan is to leave around 5 am to get around DC at 8-8:30 on Sunday 1/18. With MLK day on Monday and Inauguration Day on Tuesday, do you think we'll hit any traffic? I assumed that would be a perfect time to drive in DC, so I hope that's still correct.

With the cost of gas right now, our trip has gone down to less than $500. Airfaires are still running around $220 apiece for a family of 4.

I suspect you'll be fine. Inauguration day, ITSELF, will likely be gridlock...but I'd bet Sunday will be OK. Maybe heavier than usual, but still not TOO bad. I'd definitely chance it.

 

[BC1836]

While falling crude oil prices continue to translate at the pump in the form of sub-$2 per gallon prices, there seems to be no corresponding drop in airline ticket prices.