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

[TSMAMI]

Can anyone reccommend a great beach area when you get into FL? We are going to Port Canaveral for the Disney cruise but with airfare and low gas prices we are contemplating driving. We have only drove once and I hated it. I thought it might be better if there were some points of interest or places to stay along the way that might make the drive not so bad.

I am looking for a great beach in the tip of Florida...not to far out of my way with clear water etc...I soooo appreciate any tips or suggestions

cocoa beach is nice!

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

We're driving down in late February and planning to stop one night. We've got a total of 1360 miles to get there and want to get most of it out of the way on the first day. Brunswick, GA looks like it would be a good place to stop for the night leaving us only about 225 miles to go on our 2nd day.

Two questions:
How bad is the construction on 95 in GA? I keep reading about it and I'm worried it will slow us down. Any chance it's scheduled to be finished by end of Feb?

Has anyone stayed at the Red Roof Inn off exit 36 in Brunswick, GA? It looks like a convenient and relatively inexpensive place to stop for the night. I don't need anything fancy, but do want a clean room with a comfy bed.

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

Can anyone reccommend a great beach area when you get into FL? We are going to Port Canaveral for the Disney cruise but with airfare and low gas prices we are contemplating driving. We have only drove once and I hated it. I thought it might be better if there were some points of interest or places to stay along the way that might make the drive not so bad.

I am looking for a great beach in the tip of Florida...not to far out of my way with clear water etc...I soooo appreciate any tips or suggestions

We went on the Disney Cruise (Wonder) last April and spent the day before in Melbourne, FL. We flew into Orlando on Friday night and drove over to Melbourne (arrived around midnight) and that way, got to spend the entire day Saturday in Florida before our cruise departed on Sunday. Melbourne had some great public beaches- we just headed toward the ocean , found a place to park and spent the day! We brought a cooler with drinks and snacks. This day was one of the best of our vacation. The waves were huge (anything over a foot is a huge wave for us New Englanders!) and the kids had a blast while the adults just hung out in the sun and enjoyed being on vacation.

Melbourne is south of Port Canaveral- I think it was about 1/2 hour drive. Cocoa Beach is closer,but seems more touristy and crowded.

Your idea of a day at the beach before your cruise is a good one. We felt like we had a vacation in just our one day at the beach. The cruise felt like another vacation and then we went to Orlando for a couple more days after the cruise. It was like three vacations in one week!

 

[pilferk]

Two questions:
How bad is the construction on 95 in GA? I keep reading about it and I'm worried it will slow us down. Any chance it's scheduled to be finished by end of Feb?

It wasn't terrible (and we only noticed it Southbound)...we hit it after noon on a weekday. But it lowered our speed from 75 to 80-ish down to 50-55-ish, and maybe less than that at times, because ALL the truckers had to move over and use the left lane, and it was neigh impossible to pass them with the right shoulder completely ripped out and the right lane narrowed considerably.

Looking at where they were, I'd give even odds...maybe a little better... that most of it is done by mid to late Feb. The hard parts were pretty much done (the ripping up) and they were leveling and paving in parts, already. But it's a LONG stretch (30+ miles, if I remember right) of highway...

 

[MOmousefan]

This is what Southern Georgia looks like:

 

[Juliet25]

We usually leave early morning (like 5-6 am), but I'm thinking that for our March trip we may try to leave at 11 pm-midnight in order to drive when the kids can get a good chunk of sleep.

I assume that there's less traffic on the roads at this time. But are there more trucks on the road? Do you feel unsafe stopping? We'll be driving from St. Louis on interstates through Ill-Kentucky-Tenn-Georgia. We plan to drive straight through.

Can anyone recommend a good park or attraction around Atlanta that we could stop at and let the kids have fun at for an hour or so?

 

[BC1836]

Although we can't comment on your route, we prefer the early, early morning hour start (pre-4 a.m.) over the overnight drive since the amount of traffic is usually less.

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

Wow what a great thread!! It took me a couple days, but I finally read through the whole thread. We will drive for the the 5th time in March from NW Arkansas. (1118 miles one way) So we are 2000+ drivers. March can not get here soon enough. I really hope gas stays like it is I got it today at Walmart for $1.48. Anyway I just wanted to post and say hi and now I need to rest my eyes I think I'm about to go crosseyed from reading all the posts on this thread. Goodnight and Disney Dreams to all.

 

[uva185]

We usually leave early morning (like 5-6 am), but I'm thinking that for our March trip we may try to leave at 11 pm-midnight in order to drive when the kids can get a good chunk of sleep.

I assume that there's less traffic on the roads at this time. But are there more trucks on the road? Do you feel unsafe stopping? We'll be driving from St. Louis on interstates through Ill-Kentucky-Tenn-Georgia. We plan to drive straight through.

Can anyone recommend a good park or attraction around Atlanta that we could stop at and let the kids have fun at for an hour or so?

Well Olympic Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta is nice. There is open green space and fountains. There are several restaurants and attractions nearby but they would probably take more than an hour. If you can spare the time the Aquarium in Atlanta is magnificent.

 

[BC1836]

Happy New Year to all who drive far enough to make their odometers flip four digits one way!

So who is making the first 2,000+ mile round trip drive to WDW in 2009?

All the best.

 

[TSMAMI]

not till Feb here......Happy New Year!

 

[grammynelliebelle]

We are leaving early Sat am from NJ. Grammy

 

[TSMAMI]

We are leaving early Sat am from NJ. Grammy

Have a safe trip!

 

[BC1836]

We are leaving early Sat am from NJ. Grammy

Why?
Currently it's cloudy, 23 degrees with periodic flurries here in NJ. Why would you want to leave these wonderful conditions? As for the Orlando area forecast for tomorrow....mostly sunny and 80-degrees!
Now I know why!

Once you cross the Wilson Bridge, you'll really be on your way.

Have a great trip.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Great thread, and full of good info- I haven't had time to read the whole thing, so I will subscribe to it. We are planning on driving for the first time from PA in June 2010, after flying for our last 3 trips.

 

[rotlex]

Great thread, and full of good info- I haven't had time to read the whole thing, so I will subscribe to it. We are planning on driving for the first time from PA in June 2010, after flying for our last 3 trips.

Ditto. We are from the Lehigh Valley\Allentown\Bethlehem area of PA. We have flown down for the past 3 years, but are making the first drive next June.

At first, I was a little concerned, especially having two young children, but the more I read this thread, the more I'm actually starting to look forward to the drive! Seriously, I'm starting to think of the drive as part of the vacation, and not just the transportation, hehe. Time for some serious family fun, bonding, and who knows what else. (Especially considering the 4 of us will be cooped up inside a Honda CRV for 1100 or so miles one way, LOL).

 

[Tricia0305]

We are driving to Disney for the first time this Feb 09 from Fairfield County, CT. My DH is not really thrilled with my choice.
Normally we fly because it's such a short flight....but with air costs and weather conditions I just think driving might be a cheaper, safer bet. (At least I'm hoping!!)
I am not a good flyer to begin with and I really just want to take a break from the hassle (and medication!). We tried the Auto-Train out of VA one year as an alternate option and had a horrible experience, so I don't recommend that at ALL!!
I was thrilled to find this post with all the tips and tricks to make the ride easier.
So if anyone from my area is willing to email me with specifics, especially for this time of year, I would appreciate any and all suggestions!!
Thanks to all for your time.

 

[DVCisME]

We will also be driving down in Feb-the first week actually, from NJ though. Has anyone driven this time of year? I know how unpredictable the weather is these days, but has it ever made for a real issue while driving?
I have not heard anyone here say they take the ferry...is that correct? because it takes so much time?

 

[mjbradeis]

We will also be driving down in Feb-the first week actually, from NJ though. Has anyone driven this time of year? I know how unpredictable the weather is these days, but has it ever made for a real issue while driving?
I have not heard anyone here say they take the ferry...is that correct? because it takes so much time?

Drove from NJ in December, drove 12 hours down to Savanah Ga, stayed the night and drove rest of the way. On way home I drove straight through left at 5:30am and pulled into my drive way at 11:30 same night. It was long as all hell but so worth it to sleep in my own bed!

We did not take the ferry either way.

 

[BC1836]

We will also be driving down in Feb-the first week actually, from NJ though. Has anyone driven this time of year? I know how unpredictable the weather is these days, but has it ever made for a real issue while driving?
I have not heard anyone here say they take the ferry...is that correct? because it takes so much time?

As you know, February in New Jersey can be anywhere weather-wise from unseasonably mild (though somewhat rare) to a blizzard. That's the problem with departing in early February, whether you drive or fly.

Conduct weather checks for your one day-two days of travel by searching such places as Baltimore, Richmond and Charlotte several days before time. You might be snow free for the first six hours and then hit part of a snow system moving through central VA. However, if you have the flexibility (no work/school conflicts) you can always depart a day early to beat the path of any unfriendly weather system.

When you are considering time: avoid the ferry and avoid the car train!

[Also: check post #783 for travel time info].

And always remember: if you can, depart very, very early and make that departure on a weekend.

All the best from us (four round trip drives in 2008)!