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

[Tricia1972]

I am going to join you guys!

We're loading up the van and going to Orlando. DH and I are seasoned cross country travelers, and though we've traveled with our children before, this will be our first cross country trip with them. I have three sons, who will be 7 yrs, 4 yrs and 21 months old when we go.

I'm going to need a support group, because I think it's quite possible that we're certifiably crazy.

 

[luvdumbo]

We are driving for the first time to Disney World in Sept. it will be 24 hr drive straight thru approx 1400 miles one way. we have three adult drivers so we are taking shifts so we dont have stop at a hotel. I am so looking forward to it!

We used to take long road trips when I was a kid. one summer we drove from LA to NY.

 

[Maize&Blue]

We are leaving Michigan on Saturday around 4am. Our goal is to be in Chattanooga, Tn by dinner (5-6pm). Then off to Disney an 8-9 hour drive.

 

[mrstomrice]

We're heading back home We left the Beach Club around 1:15pm yesterday and headed for home. We are trying the 95/26/77/81 route to avoide the NE corridor. We made it to Rock Hill, SC last night and are staying in a Microtel for $65. The gas is 2.33 a gallon! We had 2.41 in GA too! El Cheapo stations are not the best and a few exits in GA makes a big difference! Brunswick, GA was a great stop on the way down for gas.
We used our van to get to the parks everyday...I LOVED IT! I am a big fan of Disney transportation, but I loved the freedom of hoping in the van and not waiting for the bus!

 

[pilferk]

I am going to join you guys!

We're loading up the van and going to Orlando. DH and I are seasoned cross country travelers, and though we've traveled with our children before, this will be our first cross country trip with them. I have three sons, who will be 7 yrs, 4 yrs and 21 months old when we go.

I'm going to need a support group, because I think it's quite possible that we're certifiably crazy.

We've done it with younger than that. So far, it hasn't been that bad.

Our first drive down they were 5, 3, and 16 months.

Our BIGGEST mistake that first drive was trying to do it in a straight shot, overnight. The kids just wouldn't sleep. My wife and I started to get very frustrated by that, and finally just decided to go with the flow. We flipped the DVD player back on and kept movies going (on low volume...because the baby DID sleep) most of the night. They did doze with the DVD player on...but got little actual sleep. That was likely OUR fault: We sprung the trip on them as a surprise literally that day as we rolled out.

The second time, they were 6, 4, and 2. The drive down was fine. We brought lots for them to do AND we made a stop for the night which I think helped everyone get some rest. The drive home was not too bad. They slept a LOT of the drive, we again stopped for the night, and got home the next day.

Whoever invented the portable DVD player should be sainted!

 

[BC1836]

When driving on I-95 in FL, we have stopped at all of the off-road/exit sites which boast of souvenirs, candy and assorted snacks and, of course, free OJ/citrus slices: Exit #373, #329, #311, #298 and #273. And gas stations are either at the site or nearby the exit.

Our favorite: the one at Exit #329 (best selection of merchandise). The bathroom could be a bit better, however.

 

[mrstomrice]

We're back! We left Rock Hill, SC at 9 am and got home to SE PA at 7:30 pm. We had a few stops, including a sit down lunch. We took 77/81/PA turnpike. I did not like the amount of 19 wheelers on the route. Theyh cut you off in a heartbeat when a slower truck is in the right lane. It probably beat the traffic on 95 in the NE corridor, though.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I am going to join you guys!

We're loading up the van and going to Orlando. DH and I are seasoned cross country travelers, and though we've traveled with our children before, this will be our first cross country trip with them. I have three sons, who will be 7 yrs, 4 yrs and 21 months old when we go.

I'm going to need a support group, because I think it's quite possible that we're certifiably crazy.

Hi Trica,
Been there done that with five very little close in age boys. We drove at night which works better. We leave at 5pm.
At night lees ppl on the road.
The car is not hot like the day time.
The kids would fall a sleep around 11 and usually wake up when we hit the welcome sign. Which was great.
We did have a TV in the Van for video games & movies.
That is a God send. lol Pleanty of snacks.
We only stop 3 maybe 4 times bathrrom/gas stop.
Now were down to 2 boys left 16 & 20. The older ones are to good for the van now they Fly and meet us there. I love having my van there. I don't like the busses. To much time wasted with them for me.
Have a MAGICAL TRIP

 

[BC1836]

We leave at 5pm.
At night lees ppl on the road.
The car is not hot like the day time.
The kids would fall a sleep around 11 and usually wake up when we hit the welcome sign.

This is the thread to be!

If possible, try an early, early morning departure (pre-4 a.m.) on a weekend. We have found that, for us, it works best. Our last drive (June) was a straight-through event, departing the Jersey Shore at 3:22 a.m. and reaching Exit #67 on I-4 at 8:48 p.m.

All the best.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

This is the thread to be!

If possible, try an early, early morning departure (pre-4 a.m.) on a weekend. We have found that, for us, it works best. Our last drive (June) was a straight-through event, departing the Jersey Shore at 3:22 a.m. and reaching Exit #67 on I-4 at 8:48 p.m.

All the best.

Were leaving on A Wednesday cause we don't like leaving on a Thursday or Friday. To much traffic on those days. And traveling from 5pm works best for us. Gives us a full day at Disney. When we drive home from Disney we leave in the middle of the night and drive all day. We don't like drive during the day. Not fun. Then again not fun going home.

 

[BC1836]

Were leaving on A Wednesday cause we don't like leaving on a Thursday or Friday. To much traffic on those days. And traveling from 5pm works best for us. Gives us a full day at Disney. When we drive home from Disney we leave in the middle of the night and drive all day. We don't like drive during the day. Not fun. Then again not fun going home.

It's unique how each experienced 2,000+ mile round trip driver has a preference when to travel and what route to take.

But as long as we all avoid heavy traffic, construction delays and the reckless text-messaging crowd we'll arrive safe 'n' sound at WDW!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I am going to join you guys!

We're loading up the van and going to Orlando. DH and I are seasoned cross country travelers, and though we've traveled with our children before, this will be our first cross country trip with them. I have three sons, who will be 7 yrs, 4 yrs and 21 months old when we go.

I'm going to need a support group, because I think it's quite possible that we're certifiably crazy.

You're not that crazy. We're doing it with 4 and 2 year olds - plus 2 dogs - this October. Where in Wisconsin are you leaving from? There's a lot of East Coasters on this board, so it's nice to see someone from my neck of the woods.
The thing I'm worried about now is that DS2 just got potty trained and goes every hour or so. If he can't learn to hold it in the next month and a half, it's going to be a loooong trip.

 

[Tricia1972]

You're not that crazy. We're doing it with 4 and 2 year olds - plus 2 dogs - this October. Where in Wisconsin are you leaving from? There's a lot of East Coasters on this board, so it's nice to see someone from my neck of the woods.
The thing I'm worried about now is that DS2 just got potty trained and goes every hour or so. If he can't learn to hold it in the next month and a half, it's going to be a loooong trip.

I hear you on the potty issue, our 3 year old (will be 4 soon), goes frequently when he's bored. We'll be allowing lots of movies during our trip to fight off boredom.

I'm from north and west from you, up in the north central part of the state, but you're right, it's nice to see a fellow Wisconsinite.

 

[Becky2005]

It's unique how each experienced 2,000+ mile round trip driver has a preference when to travel and what route to take.

But as long as we all avoid heavy traffic, construction delays and the reckless text-messaging crowd we'll arrive safe 'n' sound at WDW!

I was thinking that myself. We haven't done a lot but enough. We have learned for us we prefer the unheard of time of 3 or 4 AM to leave. Mostly because neither DH nor myself prefer to drive in the dark. Driving at night does not work well for us BUT leaving that early in the morning, you still get the advantage of hardly any cars on the road but it's getting lighter as you drive not darker. I especially don't like to drive in dark, unfamiliar areas -- so driving at 3/4 AM on roads near our home when it's dark is no big deal. We also use a very boring long back road before we get onto the Interstate but DH insists it's the fastest way as that isn't really built up yet & it is pretty straight shot with not much traffic & very few stoplights/stops. You get to see lots of cornfields. Unfortunately, lots of other people have confirmed it's the best way as much as I try to see if others have a better one.

We do stay overnight as we made the mistake ONCE of driving all the way from the Atlanta motor speedway to our house & DH's first words out of his mouth were "never let me do that again" -- it was awful as we were falling asleep at the wheel. That is why I knew we have to stop slightly before Atlanta. On the way back we stopped at Chattanooga, TN.

 

[dvczerfs]

I hear you on the potty issue, our 3 year old (will be 4 soon), goes frequently when he's bored. We'll be allowing lots of movies during our trip to fight off boredom.

I'm from north and west from you, up in the north central part of the state, but you're right, it's nice to see a fellow Wisconsinite.

when our dd was little, we use to take a potty with us in the van. my dw bought these plastic bags and the had a thick slab of cotton on the bottom of them that would soak up what was put into them. when she was done, take the bag out and we had a huge zip lock bag to put that bag into and we just threw that bags in the garbage when we hit a rest stop. only used in three times that i could remember.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Does anyone have/use a 12v cooler/fridge in the car? We want to get one for our October trip to avoid needing to get ice and deal with all the melted ice in the bottom of a regular cooler. If anyone has any buying advice, I'm all ears...
Thanks!

 

[emh1129]

Question for those CT/MA/RI drivers.. we are departing from the Hartford area and plan to head out on a Monday in May.

We could leave the night before if we really had to.. but Sunday is the day of my graduation and I don't know how long it will end up being & I think DH and I will be tired, so I'm thinking it would be best to get a good night's sleep and head out early on Monday.
I'm just not sure what time would be best to avoid the NY/DC traffic.
What have you guys found to be the best plan?

Our kids will be 8, 5, and 2. I was planning to drive 12-ish hours and stop overnight in Florence, SC. Then the next morning we will depart around 8-9 a.m. and arrive at Disney around 2-3 p.m.
Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[pilferk]

Question for those CT/MA/RI drivers.. we are departing from the Hartford area and plan to head out on a Monday in May.

We could leave the night before if we really had to.. but Sunday is the day of my graduation and I don't know how long it will end up being & I think DH and I will be tired, so I'm thinking it would be best to get a good night's sleep and head out early on Monday.
I'm just not sure what time would be best to avoid the NY/DC traffic.
What have you guys found to be the best plan?

Our kids will be 8, 5, and 2. I was planning to drive 12-ish hours and stop overnight in Florence, SC. Then the next morning we will depart around 8-9 a.m. and arrive at Disney around 2-3 p.m.
Any advice would be appreciated!

We find leaving between noon and 2 PM works best for us (and we come from NW CT). Rather than use "time" to avoid NYC traffic, we use an alternate route (84 to 684 to Sawmill Pkway to 287 to Garden St Parkway back to 95). Then we usually get into DC after 6 PM, when rush hour is winding down.

We stay in Northern NC (let me know if you decide to go that route and want suggestions), about 10-ish hours in. For us, that's 1/2 way almost EXACTLY in mileage.

There are other alternatives, but I think they would involve leaving either in the evening (after 4 PM...which would make it tough to stop for the night) or VERY early in the AM (1-2 AM) to make it by both NYC and DC....and depending on highway speed/conditions you could STILL bump into DC rush hour.

 

[mrstomrice]

Does anyone have/use a 12v cooler/fridge in the car? We want to get one for our October trip to avoid needing to get ice and deal with all the melted ice in the bottom of a regular cooler. If anyone has any buying advice, I'm all ears...
Thanks!

We used an electric cooler that could be charged in the car. Ours is about 10 years old and on the smaller side inside. It was nice to have! The only problem was it has a heat or cool option that is changed by the way the plug is inserted. We had milk, cheese, and fresh fruit for the trip. My DH accidentaly flipped the cord after the kids unplugged it and the heater worked well...melted the brick of cheese completely!
Just be sure not to leave it charging in the car overnight. My dad did that years ago and it killed the battery. It also worked well and replaced our need for a fridge in our hotel.

 

[debf]

So the plan was to leave this coming Tuesday. But now we're thinking about leaving Monday around noon and driving as far as we feel like it.Maybe drive six hours then start looking for a place to stop. We are doing the 81/77/26/95 route. Would it be crazy for us to spend three nights on the road? We don't check into resort until Thursday.We thought it might be a nice change to not feel rushed. Any thoughts?