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

[Disneynutbsv]

We are in the double digits for when we drive for our DCL vacation!!! So excited!

 

[BC1836]

If anyone ever asks why you drive to WDW, just have them read the first two pages of questions on this thread. They will quickly understand.
All the best to all on the road...and in the sky...in 2010!

 

[dvczerfs]

If anyone ever asks why you drive to WDW, just have them read the first two pages of questions on this thread. They will quickly understand.
All the best to all on the road...and in the sky...in 2010!

bc, have you seen the news lately? there were thousand stranded in newark airport for a sec. problem. in chicago jet blue stranded people for 24 hours, couldnt find the flight crew the next day. and now there are full body pat downs to get on some flights. sec. check points are expected to get worse before they get better. it may take me 161/2 hours to get to wdw but at least i dont get patted down before i go. happy driving!!

 

[middlepat]

it may take me 161/2 hours to get to wdw but at least i dont get patted down before i go. happy driving!!

Zerfs,

Don't you know that those pat downs are now considered perks?

 

[BC1836]

Indeed, the problem at Newark Airport the other day only reinforces our decision to drive to WDW. Of course, our forthcoming trip to Texas requires a flight via Newark Airport.

 

[dvczerfs]

Zerfs,

Don't you know that those pat downs are now considered perks?

i guess it all depends how you look at "the pat down"

 

[My_3_Mi_Princesses]

i guess it all depends how you look at "the pat down"

Sorry had to jump in here, but I think it depends on WHO does 'the pat down'!

Anyways I just completed a 5000 mile round trip over the hoildays, MI->Tx->AZ->MI (had to brag someplace) and was a little less that 1/2 the total cost of just flying. So now I know our first drive to WDW in June will be no sweat!

 

[soontobewed07]

Does anyone know the cost of tolls from Boston to Florida? An approximate would be great.

Also does anyone know if the EZ pass is accepted all the way down? Just need to know what to have on hand for Cash.

Thanks

 

[edbo77]

NJ Turnpike is going to be $9.05.

You'll pay $4 in Delaware, then another $2 in MD.

On the way back, add in $8.00 for the GW Bridge and another $1 for the NE Expressway in NY.

I got this info off another website, but it sounds about right from what I remember.

 

[disneyfan55]

If you get on 287 north in NJ going home and take that to the NY thruway, you can bypass NYC. We drove to the Boston area last spring and GPS took us through the George Washington Bridge and much traffic. We live in central NJ and came home through the TappenZee bridge and route 287. It is a MUCH better ride, really not much traffic. The mileage was the same for us. Just check that way out to avoid NYC

 

[Tricia1972]

Argh! Decisions, Decisions

We are leaving central WI on Monday January 18th. We can drive either straight south through Illinois or cut through Chicago and then go through Indiana.

I am leaning towards straight south through Illinois, who wants to drive through Chicago on a Monday morning (even if it is MLK day) but we've never gone down through Illinois before.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what would be better?

 

[cruisingkat]

Argh! Decisions, Decisions

We are leaving central WI on Monday January 18th. We can drive either straight south through Illinois or cut through Chicago and then go through Indiana.

I am leaning towards straight south through Illinois, who wants to drive through Chicago on a Monday morning (even if it is MLK day) but we've never gone down through Illinois before.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what would be better?

We live in the Chicago area and drive down to FL several times during the year. We have taken both ways. We prefer taking I-57 through Illinois to I-24 to Chattanooga. Then I24 to I-75 to Florida, exiting at the Florida Tollroad to Disney.
We hated the drive though IN on I-65 - way too many trucks. And it seems that there is always construction on I80 in Indiana to Chicago.

 

[shafke]

Does anyone know the cost of tolls from Boston to Florida? An approximate would be great.

Also does anyone know if the EZ pass is accepted all the way down? Just need to know what to have on hand for Cash.

Thanks

EZ pass is accepted all the way through DC. Going south I think the last toll is in Delaware and going north I seem to recall someting in Maryland.

There are no tolls in DC or south of DC. FL does not accept EZ Pass but you should not end up on any toll roads in FL driving to Disney

 

[Tricia1972]

We live in the Chicago area and drive down to FL several times during the year. We have taken both ways. We prefer taking I-57 through Illinois to I-24 to Chattanooga. Then I24 to I-75 to Florida, exiting at the Florida Tollroad to Disney.
We hated the drive though IN on I-65 - way too many trucks. And it seems that there is always construction on I80 in Indiana to Chicago.

Thank you for the voice of experience. I think that we'll go through Illinois. With the time that we plan to leave, we'd be in Chicago around 8am

 

[soontobewed07]

NJ Turnpike is going to be $9.05.

You'll pay $4 in Delaware, then another $2 in MD.

On the way back, add in $8.00 for the GW Bridge and another $1 for the NE Expressway in NY.

I got this info off another website, but it sounds about right from what I remember.

Thank you so much. That really helps. I always bring a "Toll Bucket" when we go with quarters and dollar bills. I just wanted to make sure I have enough.

 

[BC1836]

Once you end your NJ Turnpike drive, you have a $3.00 toll for the DE Memorial Bridge. Then a $4.00 I-95 DE toll. $2.00 for the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. After that, toll free to WDW! (However, some Southern states are discussing the possibility of adding highway tolls.) Returning from WDW, there's an additional $5.00 I-95 MD toll (north-bound).

All the best.

 

[Marshay]

Hello everyone!

Sharadoc and BC1836 recommended I check you guys out (Hi!). After flying to WDW for 13 years (4.5 years with children), we are taking the plunge and going to drive this July. We live near Dulles Airport (VA) so it should be about 14 hours driving.

Main reason is to save $$ since we do not like to go to WDW w/o a car since we have two small children. However, I'm finding other benefits, too, thanks to my DIS buddies!

I've skimmed through this thread and saw many of you keep a "Driving Journal" with a list of the good rest stops, those McD's that aren't too off the roads, etc.

Has anyone compiled a link for a sample Journal or be willing to share?

We'll have 2 drivers and 2 children (DDs will be 5 and 16 months in July). We'll have one portable DVD player and Leapster2 and My First Leap Pad, plus sticker books, card games, travel trays, music, etc.

I look forward to getting more ideas from you all!

 

[mommy2paris]

Hello everyone!

Sharadoc and BC1836 recommended I check you guys out (Hi!). After flying to WDW for 13 years (4.5 years with children), we are taking the plunge and going to drive this July. We live near Dulles Airport (VA) so it should be about 14 hours driving.

Main reason is to save $$ since we do not like to go to WDW w/o a car since we have two small children. However, I'm finding other benefits, too, thanks to my DIS buddies!

I've skimmed through this thread and saw many of you keep a "Driving Journal" with a list of the good rest stops, those McD's that aren't too off the roads, etc.

Has anyone compiled a link for a sample Journal or be willing to share?

We'll have 2 drivers and 2 children (DDs will be 5 and 16 months in July). We'll have one portable DVD player and Leapster2 and My First Leap Pad, plus sticker books, card games, travel trays, music, etc.

I look forward to getting more ideas from you all!

Hi! We are making the drive tomorrow, for the first time, from the Eastern SHore of MD, so we aren't too far away!! We have always flown as well, with our dd's who are 2 & 4... I'll stop back by and let you know how it worked out for us. Of course, I say that flying with two small kids, two strollers, two car seats, etc... was by far not a breeze, so I am hoping the driving won't be too much harder. I'll try most anything once!!

 

[Marshay]

Hi! We are making the drive tomorrow, for the first time, from the Eastern SHore of MD, so we aren't too far away!! We have always flown as well, with our dd's who are 2 & 4... I'll stop back by and let you know how it worked out for us. Of course, I say that flying with two small kids, two strollers, two car seats, etc... was by far not a breeze, so I am hoping the driving won't be too much harder. I'll try most anything once!!

This is what we were thinking too -- try it once to see how we like it. And the thought of dragging a car seat through the airport again (my DH becomes the pack mule!) along with stroller, diaper bag, snacks, things to do, extra clothes for everyone in case of an accident or lost luggage, etc...is a lot to worry about.

On our Nov trip, we arrived to the Southwest gate just as they were boarding section B...any longer and we would have missed the flight!

 

[DisneyTigers]

Last year, we drove from just north of Philly to WDW, but we broke it up into two days of driving. If we come this year, it will probably be a shorter trip, which means we will try to drive it straight through.

For those of you who drive from up here, how long did it take you from door to door averaging around, say, 70 mph. We will make as few stops as possible. We won't drive thru the nite... we'll just leave REALLY early... around 3am. Thanks!!