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

[BC1836]

We live in north central NJ at a point where we're pretty indifferent time wise between taking 95 and 81/77/26. We took 95 the first time just because it looked shorter on the map and decided to try 81/77/26 the next time just for comparison and have stuck with it since. Unless you're addicted to Pedro signs I think it would take a huge distance advantage to go 95. First I would say the traffic differential is worth about 100 miles. Second, to me at least, the scenery is worth at least another 100 miles. Shenandoah mountains vs. DC beltway. Hmmm, which would you pick. We leave around 7am, have a late breakfast at IHOP in Hagerstown MD, have dinner at Olive Garden in Rock Hill SC, and stay at H I Express in Blythewood SC. All 3 are just off the highway. The next morning we have breakfast at the hotel, maybe stop for fast food in northern FL if we're hungry, and arrive at WDW around check in time. So if you're reluctant to take the western route because it looks a little longer, give it a try. You may find it's just as fast and you'll certainly find it more relaxing.

We always enjoy the suggestions proposed by Fwd Facing Tentacles, who are experienced WDW guests. However, that extra 100 mile sojourn (complete with Shenandoah scenery) is too much of a detour of sorts for us at the Jersey Shore. Our previous Morris County residence would have had us link up with I-80 to I-81 for a trial run but that is no longer the case. We could take I-76 in PA and link up with I-81 but it still adds precious hours to our already lengthy drive. The DC Beltway/I-95 is not the most esthetically pleasing view, but we make it to the Wilson Bridge over the Potomac and into VA in less than 4 hours from Barnegat Bay! And that brings us closer to the view of Seven Seas Lagoon!

If we lived close to I-81, like pwdebbie, we would definitely take that route. In any event, we're getting ready for our next drive. Via I-95.

All the best.

 

[BC1836]

Veteran 2,000+ mile round trip drivers notice that as they leave their home state and cross state borders on the way to WDW, the number of fellow state license plates diminishes. And then by SC or GA the number of familar license plates are few in number; in fact hours may pass before a same-state plate is seen.

Despite 13 round trip drives to WDW we still act kind of surprised when we see a same state license plate in GA or northern Fl. Of course, it's even more enjoyable when that vehicle has a MM antenna figure standing tall!

Anyone else experience that "hey, look, there's a ___ car!" when far away from home?

 

[zulaya]

Ok, there are currently 73 pages in this thread. I really don't have time to scroll through and look for the MN drivers.

So if there are any MN drivers, can I either have you
A) Point me to your posts or tell me which page(s) they are on
or
B) PM me with your driving tips.

Thanks.

 

[Mark P.]

We're doin' the I-95 drive from Southern NJ in June!

This has probably been touched on, but with so many pages (nice to see, btw), I thought I'd ask if anyone else check off the car tags from the various states, too?
I print out a list of the states and see how many we can see. We are always are surprised as to how many get checks.

Call me Clark Griswald, but...
For the useless knowledge appreciators out there:
Does anyone have a guess as to where the first palm tree might be on I-95(southbound, of course)?
(Yes, it's a big deal for some of us North of the Border)

My best guess from a few years back is that it's on the right side of the highway somewhere in the central, just into the southern part of N.C. at a pretty big Ford dealership.
(Acutally a row of palms lined up in front of the building)

The things you set your mind on after a gallon of coffee at 3:00 am when everyone else is sound asleep

DW was impressed with my discovery, though

 

[MinMouse]

Count us in on those families who like to watch for license plates. We print out a blank copy of the US and color in the states we see. Good geography lesson (for us all!). We also have a contest between the front seat riders (adults) and back seat riders (our girls) to see who finds the most. One year our oldest made a graph when we got home. She kept herself busy keeping track of how many cars we saw from each state!

 

[glo]

Last minute trip coming up. We will decide tomorrow if we go April 21-24th. We are driving from Boston. We are thinking of leaving at 3am and hoping to make it to Savanna, Georgia. That evening...should we try for further? We are myself 45 years old, my girlfriend is also 45 and my twin 12 year old daughters. What route should we take take? Is Savannah a good stopping point?

Thanks for any help!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am just curious what is it like driving in the month of December on I-75 in Michigian, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee? I did not include Georgia because I don't think the weather there during that month is that bad. Anyway my mom brought up the idea of driving to WDW instead of flying, however I am not sure if we should take that chance since we don't know what the weather would be like.

 

[Puget Peach]

I am just curious what is it like driving in the month of December on I-75 in Michigian, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee? I did not include Georgia because I don't think the weather there during that month is that bad. Anyway my mom brought up the idea of driving to WDW instead of flying, however I am not sure if we should take that chance since we don't know what the weather would be like.

Michigan - Snow probability very high!
Ohio - Snow probability medium, lessens as you go south but the possibility of freezing rain goes up
Kentuck - Snow probability low, freezing rain high
Tennessee - Snow probability light - freezing rain very likely
Georgia - There's always the freak sleet/freezing rain event, but likely a clear sail once you get south of Atlanta.

I highway traveled GA, TN, KY full time for five years and was waylaid by ice storms most frequently in Tennessee. If you can be a bit flexible and be prepared to spend a day along the route until roads clear, it should be a great trip. Very scenic once you get into Southern Ohio!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Michigan - Snow probability very high!
Ohio - Snow probability medium, lessens as you go south but the possibility of freezing rain goes up
Kentuck - Snow probability low, freezing rain high
Tennessee - Snow probability light - freezing rain very likely
Georgia - There's always the freak sleet/freezing rain event, but likely a clear sail once you get south of Atlanta.

I highway traveled GA, TN, KY full time for five years and was waylaid by ice storms most frequently in Tennessee. If you can be a bit flexible and be prepared to spend a day along the route until roads clear, it should be a great trip. Very scenic once you get into Southern Ohio!

Thank you for that information. I also know how scenic the drive can be since my family and I drive from Toronto - WDW every summer using I-75, we just never drive during December because we always fly down.

 

[dsnymomof4]

This has probably been touched on, but with so many pages (nice to see, btw), I thought I'd ask if anyone else check off the car tags from the various states, too?
I print out a list of the states and see how many we can see. We are always are surprised as to how many get checks.

I did this 2 years ago and the kids didn't really get into it too much - maybe because we drive mostly at night, so they're hard to see. This past November, I printed out the sheets and everyone really go into it (especially DH)! It continued even when we were already at Disney. Every time we would drive somewhere we were always on the lookout for license plates. By the time we got back to NJ, I think we had them all checked off but one or two -we even saw plates from Alaska and Hawaii!

 

[dsnymomof4]

I was just going over the past few pages of posts and see a lot of talk about taking 81/77/26 instead of 95. We have driven down 95 several times - some trips have been smooth sailing, others we sat in detoured traffic for 3 hours at 3:00am in VA! Could someone please compare both trips for me? Are the roads comparable (are they major highways or smaller roads with lights/stops)? I'm gathering that the scenery is better, but we usually drive overnight. I'm more concerned with not having to drive through the Baltimore/DC area - I really don't enjoy that. But it looks like we would have to drive 2 hours just to get to 81 - is that really worth it? Please help - we are driving down again in August for free dining!

 

[marcyinPA]

I did this 2 years ago and the kids didn't really get into it too much - maybe because we drive mostly at night, so they're hard to see. This past November, I printed out the sheets and everyone really go into it (especially DH)! It continued even when we were already at Disney. Every time we would drive somewhere we were always on the lookout for license plates. By the time we got back to NJ, I think we had them all checked off but one or two -we even saw plates from Alaska and Hawaii!

UH OH....I always joke with my kids on car trips that if they see a Hawaii license plate, I'll give them $20! I never thought it would be likely...but now maybe it is!

 

[3boymthr]

Our trip is way off (May 2010), but I just love to plan. Has anyone from the Jersey area taken the 301 rt thru deleware and maryland, hooking back up to 95 north of Richmond? Doesn't seem to add more more time according to AAA triptiks. Just wondering if there are a bunch of lights and local traffic.

I would avoid this route. From what I can recall 301 is a semi local road with some lights and businesses. DH and I drove this route a few years ago to go from DC to Dover. It took sooo long. There is one way across that bay - a bridge and the traffic across that bridge backed up for two hours It took us 8 hours to get from DC to Dover. I can't remember if there was a toll to get across the bridge.

Plus, how are you going to get to 301? 71 or 13 or 1 via 300? 13 is local with lots of lights and I'm pretty sure 300 is too. 1 is a highway without a lot of traffic unless it's a beach weekend or a race weekend, but it has a lot of toll plazas.

 

[BC1836]

When it's time, it's time. [It's almost 2 a.m.]
About 90 minutes or so to go before we drive off.
Rough weather ahead, especially in the Carolinas later.
All the best to all.

 

[eeyoresmom]

GLO, you're going to drive from Boston for a 3 day vacation?? We drive from central MA and really wouldn't consider doing it for anything under a week. No matter how smoothly the drive is, it is a looooooong one and recovery is needed!

 

[Wendaeh]

I was just going over the past few pages of posts and see a lot of talk about taking 81/77/26 instead of 95. We have driven down 95 several times - some trips have been smooth sailing, others we sat in detoured traffic for 3 hours at 3:00am in VA! Could someone please compare both trips for me? Are the roads comparable (are they major highways or smaller roads with lights/stops)? I'm gathering that the scenery is better, but we usually drive overnight. I'm more concerned with not having to drive through the Baltimore/DC area - I really don't enjoy that. But it looks like we would have to drive 2 hours just to get to 81 - is that really worth it? Please help - we are driving down again in August for free dining!

I don't have an answer to your question, but rather have another question....is there a website somewhere that would show up to date construction information for I95?

Actually, just answering my own question: http://www.i95exitguide.com/alert/

 

[pwdebbie]

I would avoid this route. From what I can recall 301 is a semi local road with some lights and businesses. DH and I drove this route a few years ago to go from DC to Dover. It took sooo long. There is one way across that bay - a bridge and the traffic across that bridge backed up for two hours It took us 8 hours to get from DC to Dover. I can't remember if there was a toll to get across the bridge.

Plus, how are you going to get to 301? 71 or 13 or 1 via 300? 13 is local with lots of lights and I'm pretty sure 300 is too. 1 is a highway without a lot of traffic unless it's a beach weekend or a race weekend, but it has a lot of toll plazas.

Actually, I think the bridge you are referring to is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland but the route the previous poster was referring to would take them over/through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in VA. From DC to Dover you would be going way out of your way to get to the Bridge Tunnel, so I am sure you went over the Bay Bridge which is notorious for backups.

My parents took the route the poster was asking about, 301 through DE, MD, and VA and picked up 95 south of Richmond. They are nearly 80 years old and said the drive was easy. In fact, I had to wonder how fast they were driving because they made it to Pooler (?) by supper time. Gotta watch those senior citizens! If I lived on the Eastern Shore of MD or in DE, this is the route I would take.

 

[shafke]

I was just going over the past few pages of posts and see a lot of talk about taking 81/77/26 instead of 95. We have driven down 95 several times - some trips have been smooth sailing, others we sat in detoured traffic for 3 hours at 3:00am in VA! Could someone please compare both trips for me? Are the roads comparable (are they major highways or smaller roads with lights/stops)? I'm gathering that the scenery is better, but we usually drive overnight. I'm more concerned with not having to drive through the Baltimore/DC area - I really don't enjoy that. But it looks like we would have to drive 2 hours just to get to 81 - is that really worth it? Please help - we are driving down again in August for free dining!

I have only been on I81 as far south as I64 in VA. I don't know where in NJ you are but lets say you have to work your way to I78 mayby via I287. The biggest cities you will be hitting would be Allentown and Harrisburg. Travelling at night is not a problem for these cities. Don't be too concerned with it taking 2 hours to get to 81. You need to map out the entire trip to see what the total added time will be. My guess would be no more than 1 hour which on a trip of this length is not much. 1 hour is also meaningless if you are not driving straight through. I81 means that you will miss Baltimore/DC/Richmond. Another plus going I81... there is only ONE toll at the NJ/PA border.

 

[Marty Moose]

Well, technically I don't qualify for this thread since according to Mapquest it is 996.48mi from my house to the Polynesian! If anyone has a problem with my posting, let me know and I will quietly slink away... Of course, if I let my dh drive we'll probably get lost and I will have to start a 3,000+ mile thread!!

I am also coming from NJ, but I'm right at the base of the DE Memorial Bridge.

Do most of you drive straight through?? We have two little ones with us (8 &4) so we plan to stop along the way.

Any tips? I originally planned to leave at 3:30 on 4/22...but then realized this would land us in DC around 5:30p!! Yikes! So, now I'm thinking if we wait until 5:30 or 6p to leave, we can probably make to either Emporia, VA or Rocky Mount, NC before stopping? Is this reasonable? Has anyone stopped near there? I figured we'd just stay at a cheap motel...but some of the reviews on TripAdvisor are downright scary!!

Getting excited...4 weeks to go!!

Jen

 

[rdevine10]

Hi all-

I posted this as a seperate thread, but it got no responses, so Ill repost it here!

We are traveling from CT going down for easter break, leaving April 9 - thursday. We are thinking about going i-84 to i-81, and eitehr cutting back in at DC (should be about 8 pm according to my calculations from when we leave), or we can continue to i-77 to I beleive its i-26 to 95.

In either case, which would be the best route for the holiday traffic, and would you recommend we reserve a hotel room in advance? We are hesitant, as we want to drive as FAR as we can before we stop, and may with any luck surpass any designated stops?

Looking for some expert advice here! Thanks!