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

[kingcrab]

startin the drive down on Friday from west of Chicago, any heads up regarding any construction folks ran into on I-39, I-74, I-57. I-24, or I-75 that I should know about.

thanks,

jim

 

[BC1836]

startin the drive down on Friday from west of Chicago, any heads up regarding any construction folks ran into on I-39, I-74, I-57. I-24, or I-75 that I should know about.

thanks,

jim

And...what's the very latest on I-95 construction in southern GA and greater Jacksonville?

Thanks.

 

[dantedisney]

And...what's the very latest on I-95 construction in southern GA and greater Jacksonville?

Thanks.

Also very interested in this... leaving for FL the night of Friday, July 17.

Currently planning on taking I-95 instead of the I-81 (though this may change).

 

[mjones73]

I found this site for GA.

http://www.georgia-navigator.com/construction/lists/95?range=4

Looks like some one lane closures (I'm assuming that's what they mean by 1 lane affected) over parts of the weekend.

I'll be hitting that area sometime Saturday afternoon, hope it's not too bad.

 

[dvczerfs]

I found this site for GA.

http://www.georgia-navigator.com/construction/lists/95?range=4

Looks like some one lane closures (I'm assuming that's what they mean by 1 lane affected) over parts of the weekend.

I'll be hitting that area sometime Saturday afternoon, hope it's not too bad.

we just were down, we hit int95 ga. around 8am on a friday and we had no problems. we hit jacksonsville alittle later and didnt even hit the brakes. i have been driving thru jacksonville since 1973 (as a passanger for about 7 years) and i dont ever remember there not being construction!that city is a constant construction zone on 95. the way home we left on a sat. morning and we had no problems in jacks or in ga. have a good trip!!

 

[marius97]

Personally, I wouldn't do it quite like that. We head back to Southwestern MI tonight after 10 in WDW/Daytona. With your schedule, you leave and get there in the middle of the night. We left at 7:00 PM and drove straight through getting to Daytona at 3:00 pm. That was with one sit down meal and one stop for fog in the mountains. We like that time to leave because the kids are up for a few hours in the evening (just long enough for one movie), then they wake up for breakfast, drive for a few hours, stop for lunch, then just a few hours until we get there. That seemed to keep the kids the calmest. Hope your drive goes well. Not looking forward to ending a great vacation tonight.

DH loved the idea of getting up early. He wants to get up at 3, be out the door at 3:30. He wants to drive straight through (as expected) and arrive (if all goes well) about 1 am (that's 3 1/2 hours of breaks...I don't even know if that's realistic!). We're staying offsite this trip and it's not much more to add that night. His line of thinking is that he can do the bulk of the driving, and then I can take over after we pass through Atlanta.

I will approach this with the thought that we can always stop for the night somewhere if needed. DH might be able to make it, but I'm unsure about the kids!

On the way back I'm insisting we have reservations to stay the night somewhere, though. I expect we'll be pretty tired by that point (two weeks-our longest trip yet!)

 

[squirrlygirl]

Personally, I wouldn't do it quite like that. We head back to Southwestern MI tonight after 10 in WDW/Daytona. With your schedule, you leave and get there in the middle of the night. We left at 7:00 PM and drove straight through getting to Daytona at 3:00 pm. That was with one sit down meal and one stop for fog in the mountains. We like that time to leave because the kids are up for a few hours in the evening (just long enough for one movie), then they wake up for breakfast, drive for a few hours, stop for lunch, then just a few hours until we get there. That seemed to keep the kids the calmest. Hope your drive goes well. Not looking forward to ending a great vacation tonight.

Sorry your vacation is ending Your drive times mean if we went straight through (assuming we're similarly located from the ohio border) we'd get there at 11:30 in the evening.

BUT, the plan has now changed again and we'll do the get-up-early drive, but stop somewhere south of Atlanta for the night, then get up and spend a few hours with my aunt and uncle (they live about an hour north of Orlando) before continuing on to Disney. Then we don't have to take a day trip out to visit her in the middle of our trip.

My oldest DS son sold his Nintendo DS to my other son, so now every child but my youngest will have a personal entertainment device of some sort. Now I just need to figure out how to entertain the 2-year old when she gets tired of watching the B-Bell movie (her name for Tinker Bell). I haven't yet found much in the way of travel toys yet.

 

[BC1836]

Thanks, mjones73 and dvczerfs, for your replies to our GA/FL I-95 construction question.

All the best.

 

[sgtdisney]

We're planning a drive to Orlando this upcoming August coming from the Chicago area. Last year we drove also. I actually enjoyed the ride more than I thought. It was nice to see the scenery, and just take it easy. Lately flying just seems to be such a difficult way to travel, expecially with kids. What with weighing luggage, charging for each peice of luggage, security hassels, tacked on charges, etc. That said, if we found really cheap airfare I may reconsider, but so far it looks like driving is it, especially since we need the car when we are in Orlando.

Anyway, last year we took 65 down through Indiana. Lots of construction around northern Indiana then, but was ok. I hear there is more this year. We will be travelling on the weekends both ways... Anyone from the midwest have any opinions on using 57 vs 65. It just seems like 57 is going to be further distance wise. Does it really save that much time than going through Indiana on 65. Anyone who made the drive on either road have any opinions to share?

 

[pwdebbie]

I-81 North and South near the WV/MD border was shut down yesterday (Friday, 6/12) for seven hours and the southbound side continued to be shut down another four hours. I sure hope none of you were traveling there and got held up. One man that was interviewed said, "This wasn't how we thought we'd be seeing daylight. We thought we'd be further down the road." Right away I wondered if he was heading to Disney and if he was here on the dis.

 

[SeedsLuvDisney]

We always take 57/24/75 from the Chicago area, we have tried both and the miles were pretty close, but a lot less traffic...

 

[marius97]

Just got back this afternoon after 21 hours on the road. We ended up taking a slow lunch and an 1hr 1/2 nap at a rest stop. It is about 1200 miles for us (a rough guess because we actually base out of Daytona for the week.) Going down was a living hell with the kids DS4 stated at 11:00 at night that he would not go tobed until we got to the hotel...16 hours later. he is such his mother's son. God luck with your drive and enjoy the vacation. I'm already thinking of ways to sceam another trip.

Sorry your vacation is ending Your drive times mean if we went straight through (assuming we're similarly located from the ohio border) we'd get there at 11:30 in the evening.

BUT, the plan has now changed again and we'll do the get-up-early drive, but stop somewhere south of Atlanta for the night, then get up and spend a few hours with my aunt and uncle (they live about an hour north of Orlando) before continuing on to Disney. Then we don't have to take a day trip out to visit her in the middle of our trip.

My oldest DS son sold his Nintendo DS to my other son, so now every child but my youngest will have a personal entertainment device of some sort. Now I just need to figure out how to entertain the 2-year old when she gets tired of watching the B-Bell movie (her name for Tinker Bell). I haven't yet found much in the way of travel toys yet.

 

[BC1836]

Just as the next members of the "For 2,000+ Mile Round Trip Drivers Only!" club prepare for the journey, gasoline prices continue their climb once again.

Last December, we spent $1.63 a gallon at WDW Hess! Ah, the "good old days."

 

[dvczerfs]

Just as the next members of the "For 2,000+ Mile Round Trip Drivers Only!" club prepare for the journey, gasoline prices continue their climb once again.

Last December, we spent $1.63 a gallon at WDW Hess! Ah, the "good old days."

when we were down in oct 08, we payed 394.00 round trip for gas. (we use 100 gals. total) this past may, our gas bill was 226.00. for this coming trip in oct., i guess i should plan on 400.00 again. it wont stop us!!! hot dogs for diner for the next few weeks!!

 

[KPH500]

when we were down in oct 08, we payed 394.00 round trip for gas. (we use 100 gals. total) this past may, our gas bill was 226.00. for this coming trip in oct., i guess i should plan on 400.00 again. it wont stop us!!! hot dogs for diner for the next few weeks!!

And it's still much cheaper than airfare + car rental.

Leaving in 9 days! WooHoo!!

 

[glo]

5 of us and it is much cheaper to drive!!! Leaving in 12 days! I am excited!

 

[mickeymom24]

Leaving Saturday night for our 1700 one way journey! I am so nervous! Anyone travel the 1-10 from Texas that has places to eat or hotel recomendations along the way? This should be interesting as we are traveling with my 3 kids and their grandma who they hardly ever see. She is getting a crash course with no escape from them!!

 

[casey49781]

We are way up in the Upper Michigan, what is the fastest/safest way to get to orlando, I 75 or a different route, Just trying to plan my trip, we would like to stop half way and stay over night and continue on the next day. Map quest says 21 hours but i heard it was more like 24 hrs anyone know. thankyou

 

[BC1836]

We are way up in the Upper Michigan, what is the fastest/safest way to get to orlando, I 75 or a different route, Just trying to plan my trip, we would like to stop half way and stay over night and continue on the next day. Map quest says 21 hours but i heard it was more like 24 hrs anyone know. thankyou

No matter where you journey originates from and no matter what on-line map service you use, the day and time of your departure are the most important factors. And, of course, the time you approach major traffic jam areas. Twenty-one hours can easily translate to 24 hours depending on the traffic, etc.

We prefer a very, very early Saturday morning departure. Perhaps it can work for an upper Midwest departure, too.

All the best.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We are way up in the Upper Michigan, what is the fastest/safest way to get to orlando, I 75 or a different route, Just trying to plan my trip, we would like to stop half way and stay over night and continue on the next day. Map quest says 21 hours but i heard it was more like 24 hrs anyone know. thankyou

I would highly recommend going on I-75 because I think it's the most direct and easiest route.