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

[BC1836]

The seemingly annual pre-Memorial Day gas hike is likely to skip 2010 as prices nationwide fall a bit

 

[taximomfor4]

for any coming from Cleveland area (or other NE Ohio towns)...AAA offered me 2 different routes. One went through Kentucky, I believe, and the other goes through WV. I have always, ALWAYS done the WV route but she insists people have preferences and sometimes go down to FL one way, and return the other. THat the time difference is negligible. Anyone try "the other route" and what are the pro's/cons of each?

If it makes a difference, I guessed on how to "drag" the route to find the other route -- my route through WV is "17 hrs 38 min" and through KY (if I dragged correctly) is "19 hrs 11 min". Seems like a big difference to me, unless it's a really good drive, lol.

 

[BC1836]

for any coming from Cleveland area (or other NE Ohio towns)...AAA offered me 2 different routes. One went through Kentucky, I believe, and the other goes through WV. I have always, ALWAYS done the WV route but she insists people have preferences and sometimes go down to FL one way, and return the other. THat the time difference is negligible. Anyone try "the other route" and what are the pro's/cons of each?

If it makes a difference, I guessed on how to "drag" the route to find the other route -- my route through WV is "17 hrs 38 min" and through KY (if I dragged correctly) is "19 hrs 11 min". Seems like a big difference to me, unless it's a really good drive, lol.

Compare and contrast with a Google Maps and Mapquest search. You'll be able to make a better decision.

All the best.

 

[monymony3471]

Lots of Mickey Mouse-head antenna balls out there. It's always good to see them on other vehicles during the drive. Too bad there wasn't one manufactured for 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! But then again, what would it look like?

I wonder if one of those were ours, since people can't seem to stop stealing them from our antenna.

 

[Vickis3js]

I wonder if one of those were ours, since people can't seem to stop stealing them from our antenna.

A few were probably ours as we. We had one stolen from the parking lot of Pop Century on one of our trips. I know we didn't lose it driving since I put it on when we parked in the lot and the next am it was gone. I mean come on couldn't they have walked in any of the gift shops and bought their own.

Mine would probably have flames as well. Since I am constantly yelling at DH to slow down.

 

[loveysbydesign]

A few were probably ours as we. We had one stolen from the parking lot of Pop Century on one of our trips. I know we didn't lose it driving since I put it on when we parked in the lot and the next am it was gone. I mean come on couldn't they have walked in any of the gift shops and bought their own.

Mine would probably have flames as well. Since I am constantly yelling at DH to slow down.

I have a mickey head and bought a tinkerbell a few years ago..i never put it on for fear of it getting stolen

 

[KNJWDW]

Hi everyone,
We are considering driving straight through on this trip. Normally, we break our trip up into 2 days about 11 hours the first day and 9 or so the next. Instead of paying for a hotel room which we only occupy about 6 hours, my DH thinks we could just sleep in a rest area for 3 hours or so and then continue on. Has anyone ever done this? Is it safe, etc.? We would probably be somewhere in TN when we would want to rest for a few hours.

Thx.

Amy

 

[sharadoc]

Hi everyone,
We are considering driving straight through on this trip. Normally, we break our trip up into 2 days about 11 hours the first day and 9 or so the next. Instead of paying for a hotel room which we only occupy about 6 hours, my DH thinks we could just sleep in a rest area for 3 hours or so and then continue on. Has anyone ever done this? Is it safe, etc.? We would probably be somewhere in TN when we would want to rest for a few hours.

Thx.

Amy

Honestly, I could never do it. THere's a couple of places where trucks are permitted to stop and sleep, but I could never imagine being in that kind of place asleep with no protection. There are plenty of low cost motels that I think would be worth paying for. You could definitely get away with something under $40 if you look.

Or sleep in shifts if you can handle driving alone with the partner asleep and keep driving.

 

[marius97]

Honestly, I could never do it. THere's a couple of places where trucks are permitted to stop and sleep, but I could never imagine being in that kind of place asleep with no protection. There are plenty of low cost motels that I think would be worth paying for. You could definitely get away with something under $40 if you look.

Or sleep in shifts if you can handle driving alone with the partner asleep and keep driving.

Suprisingly the several rest stops we have stopped at during the night have been PACKED with dozens of other families stopping for a rest. I've even seen some that it was tough to get a parking spot in. I was shocked when we were forced to stop the first time due to tiredness. I was worried at first, but there weren't any scummy looking people walking around.

 

[thumbalyna]

I wonder if one of those were ours, since people can't seem to stop stealing them from our antenna.

i have a goofy one where it looks like he is hanging onto the antenna and spins i got it years ago i sure hope it doesnt get stolen on this trip i have had it since 2001

 

[dvczerfs]

Suprisingly the several rest stops we have stopped at during the night have been PACKED with dozens of other families stopping for a rest. I've even seen some that it was tough to get a parking spot in. I was shocked when we were forced to stop the first time due to tiredness. I was worried at first, but there weren't any scummy looking people walking around.

there are alot of people who do that. i myself wouldnt sleep in my car unless an emergency. we hit a snow storm one year on 77 and slept in the car but we were in our 20s. now we stop over night at the same hotel and drive non stop on the way home. not to mention, i wouldnt be able to stand up after sleeping in a car seat for a few hours. (getting to old for that.)

 

[BC1836]

there are alot of people who do that. i myself wouldnt sleep in my car unless an emergency. we hit a snow storm one year on 77 and slept in the car but we were in our 20s. now we stop over night at the same hotel and drive non stop on the way home. not to mention, i wouldnt be able to stand up after sleeping in a car seat for a few hours. (getting to old for that.)

We have taken naps (not extended sleeps) at rest stops...during the day. More of a feeling of safety when the sun is up.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

This will be our third trip driving. I think it's about 2,600 miles for us roundtrip.

We took the auto train in 2009, but that was almost as expensive as flying.

I have also flown once and taken a non-auto train once.

 

[BC1836]

This will be our third trip driving. I think it's about 2,600 miles for us roundtrip.

We took the auto train in 2009, but that was almost as expensive as flying.

I have also flown once and taken a non-auto train once.

And based on where you are located, you have the choice of the two classic NE-corridor routes to WDW.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We are thinking we will stop in Lumberton on our way home. Does anyone have any recommendations for clean hotels? Any hotels that you think we should avoid?
Thanks!


I am compiling a list of hotels for I-95 drivers. If anyone has any ideas for my list you can add them here. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36627017&postcount=1

 

[bookwormde]

Thanks for the hotel lists, any chance of adding $

bookwormde

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Thanks for the hotel lists, any chance of adding $

bookwormde

Good idea. I am hesitant because people can get different rates using travel sites. I can put $'s with a code based on reg. rates.

 

[ehaimann236]

hey all. Im from chicago, IL and we are driving down again over Thanksgiving. The only problem is the weather is unpredictable in the mountains. Im thinking we should go around the mountains but who knows. Anyone do the winter drive from chicago.

 

[monymony3471]

Good idea. I am hesitant because people can get different rates using travel sites. I can put $'s with a code based on reg. rates.

Maybe you could list rack rates. Aren't those pretty standard? What a nice thing you are doing.

 

[marius97]

hey all. Im from chicago, IL and we are driving down again over Thanksgiving. The only problem is the weather is unpredictable in the mountains. Im thinking we should go around the mountains but who knows. Anyone do the winter drive from chicago.

Never done the winter drive coming from southwestern MI, but I think that you are right about the weather. The farther south you can get before heading east across the mountains, then the better off you'll be.