For those familiar with the drive down I-95...

[Faldred]

Does anyone know rest stops or fast food joints along the I-95 corridor in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (also onto I-4) that have playground or similar facilities for the kids to blow off some energy while we food & fuel?

Edit (1/27/09) -- I'll track this and tally the responses organized by state and exit #. I'll gladly expand the list up the rest of the east coast if people provide the info...

I-95 Restaurants or Rest Stops With Play Areas

Virginia

• Exit 160 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 156 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 155 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 152 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 143 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 133 - McDonald's (*) [Not recommended; use Exit 130 McDonald's instead]
• South of Exit 133 - SOUTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; no playground but open space
• Exit 130 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 126 - McDonald's (*) [Not recommended; use Exit 130 McDonald's instead]
• Exit 118 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 108 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 92 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 41 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 37 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 35 - NORTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop
• Exit 19 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 9 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 1 - NORTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area

North Carolina

• Near exit 181 - SOUTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Near exit 142 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 107 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 99 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 97 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 79 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 48 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 31 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 17 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 5 - NORTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area

South Carolina

• Exit ??? - South of The Border
• Near exit 195 - SOUTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Near exit 172 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 170 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 164 - McDonald's
• Near exit 139 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Near exit 99 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 98 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 77 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 47 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 33 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 17 - NO FACILITIES
• Near exit 5 - NORTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area

Georgia

• Near exit 111 - SOUTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 102 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 87 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 49 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 40 - SOUTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 36 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 3 - Chick-Fil-A
• Exit 3 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 1 - NORTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area

Florida (I-95)

• Near exit 375 - SOUTHBOUND ONLY - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 373 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 360 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 353 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 339 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 331 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 318 - McDonald's (*)
• Near exit 302/303 - Rest Stop; Picnic area
• Exit 289 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 284 - McDonald's (*)

Florida (I-4)

• Exit 92 - McDonald's (*)
• Exit 74 - McDonald's (*)

(*) These came from the McDonald's web site, not confirmed, for locations along the route south of DC with play areas. Similar locations along the way are not included if they looked to be difficult to access from I-95 and there was a nearby location with a playground.

 

[Denamac]

I live in Florence, SC. I-95 runs right through Florence. I know exit 164 has plenty of gas stations and a McDonald's with a playground. There are plenty of other restaurants around too. Hope this helps!

 

[Faldred]

That certainly does help... by my basic timetable, that might be a good time for a snack stop!

Anyone else have any help here?

 

[jenn10a]

The only places that I have noticed there is not many places to stop is the section in Florida just after you pass Jacksonville, Fl until you get to I-4. Other than that there is something at least fast food at almost every exit.

 

[AnitaDisneyVacation]

Here's a pretty good web site that we've used for our drive (PA to FL):
http://www.i95exitguide.com/index.php

 

[Faldred]

Here's a pretty good web site that we've used for our drive (PA to FL):
http://www.i95exitguide.com/index.php

Unfortunately, that doesn't list places with play areas, which is why I'm asking the more specific question here.

 

[u4ik]

I am driving down from NE this April on i-95 and just bought the book Drive i-95.

It is $16.29 and has details of rest areas. In the comments there is mention that is also includes play areas. Good luck.

 

[Faldred]

Bumping, and noting that any responses to this that indicate restaurants or rest stops with play areas will be tallied in post #1

 

[BC1836]

Does anyone know rest stops or fast food joints along the I-95 corridor in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (also onto I-4) that have playground or similar facilities for the kids to blow off some energy while we food & fuel?

You might want to also post this question on the "For 2,000+ Mile Drivers Only!" thread.

 

[garada3]

Exit 130

The McD is easy on/off. If heading south, just stay in the exit lane, the farthest lane to the right, and at the first light turn right and the road loops back to a McD with a decent play place. Target is across the parking lot if you need to pick anything up. All other standard fast food is within a mile but only the one play place at the first McD. Gas and lodging are available. If you travel farther from 95 at rush hour or a Saturday the trip back to 95 can take awhile as 95 often slows to a crawl near these exits

Exit 133

Avoid. The planning minds that allowed the building of a huge shopping center across from the only mall for 40 minutes in any direction were just stupid. All the standard fast food is available as well as many chain sit down places. Lodging and gas are there too. The McD's on Rt 3 south has a play area but traffic is always backed up. Stop three miles earlier at exit 130.

Exit 126

Quickly becoming a clone of exit 133. Standard food, gas and hotel choices. McD had a play place.

anyway...

 

[garada3]

that there is a rest stop just south of exit 133 just past the Rappahannock River. No playground but space to let kids run.

 

[Faldred]

Thanks, I've updated #1 with your insights.

 

[Alexander]

Just a question, no flames intended, but do people really let their kids use those playareas? Are we talking about the ones where you take off your shoes and climb around or the ones that have those ball pits? Just curious, because I never let me kids go into those areas. Call me a germaphobe, but they totally gross me out.

Back on topic though, the I95 exit guide has GREAT information for those traveling.

 

[worlok]

All those Mickey D's on the way down I would check myself into the first Orlando hospital upon arrival!!!

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

Just a question, no flames intended, but do people really let their kids use those playareas? Are we talking about the ones where you take off your shoes and climb around or the ones that have those ball pits? Just curious, because I never let me kids go into those areas. Call me a germaphobe, but they totally gross me out.

I WILL NOT let the kids play in a ball pit at one of these places. Several years ago I read a news story about a needle left by someone in there and a 3-year-old was stuck and died from an o-d of heroin. This isn't confirmed, but it scared the living daylights out of me and I won't take the chance.

But, if they have slides or climbing structures, those are the things Faldred is looking for (I'm his wife and, like I said, I won't let the kids loose in the ballpits if they can't control who is going in them).

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I WILL NOT let the kids play in a ball pit at one of these places. Several years ago I read a news story about a needle left by someone in there and a 3-year-old was stuck and died from an o-d of heroin. This isn't confirmed, but it scared the living daylights out of me and I won't take the chance.

But, if they have slides or climbing structures, those are the things Faldred is looking for (I'm his wife and, like I said, I won't let the kids loose in the ballpits if they can't control who is going in them).

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/archer.asp

 

[jobie61]

don't forget south of the border first exit in south carolina exit 198 or something like that

 

[LisaNJ25]

don't forget south of the border first exit in south carolina exit 198 or something like that

You cant forget Pedro even if you try.

 

[kileybeth]

BUT you should try! Really really hard, you should try and avoid PEDROS, talk about YUK and NASTY!

There is a really clean Chic fil A in Georgia with a nice playplace I have heard, someone over on the 2000+ mile board should know.

Give me chic-fil-a anyday over Mcd's!


Happy travels.

And don't forget your free dixie cup of yummy grapefruit or orange juice at Florida welcome center!

 

[DisneyFed]

Chic fil A Exit 3 in Georgia...take a left of 95