For those folks driving!

[justreading]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for recommendations for a nicer hotel near the NC/VA border, off I-95 while driving home from FL (headed to South Jersey).

Definitely don't want a Motel 6/Econolodge vibe. I've been told to stay away from almost all areas of NC, but the closer you get to VA, it's supposedly better. I don't know about all that, but I do know we'll be tired and my husband will be grumpy so I need a place that he will like that's clean. Thanks!

Take a look at Hampton Inn Smithfield NC.. maybe that will fit your qualifications.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Take a look at Hampton Inn Smithfield NC.. maybe that will fit your qualifications.

Thanks, I appreciate it!

 

[nono]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for recommendations for a nicer hotel near the NC/VA border, off I-95 while driving home from FL (headed to South Jersey).

Definitely don't want a Motel 6/Econolodge vibe. I've been told to stay away from almost all areas of NC, but the closer you get to VA, it's supposedly better. I don't know about all that, but I do know we'll be tired and my husband will be grumpy so I need a place that he will like that's clean. Thanks!

For your consideration: Hilton Garden Inn (and a Hampton Inn, too, but I haven't stayed there) Roanoke Rapids, NC.

 

[DJFan88]

If you can make it up to Richmond it gets better. Have stayed at a Best Western there (theres multiple cant remember which one but there was a restaurant next door). Have also stayed in Emporia VA and i am Not recommending that.

 

[bluezy]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for recommendations for a nicer hotel near the NC/VA border, off I-95 while driving home from FL (headed to South Jersey).

Definitely don't want a Motel 6/Econolodge vibe. I've been told to stay away from almost all areas of NC, but the closer you get to VA, it's supposedly better. I don't know about all that, but I do know we'll be tired and my husband will be grumpy so I need a place that he will like that's clean. Thanks!

We're from north of Philly and have made the drive several times. We typically like to get to Fredericksburg, VA on day 1 of the drive home. Lots of hotel options there. We usually choose a Hilton or Marriott property. On our drive home last month we got a later start than we had wanted to so we ended up stopping in Stoney Creek, VA instead (a little north of Emporia). Long story how we ended up there instead of actually in Emporia or Richmond, but we stayed at a Fairfield Inn there that was very nice. It looked fairly new and the staff was very friendly. Breakfast was good. The bad thing about that exit is that there is basically *nothing* there other than 2 hotels, a gas station with a Wendy's, and a small Pizza/Italian restaurant where we ate dinner. The food there was fine, nothing spectacular.

We don't make any hotel reservations ahead of time for the drive since we don't really have a schedule. Sometimes we get further than we expected to and sometimes we don't get as far as we expected to. We drive until about 6-7:00 p.m. and then get off at an exit with a lot of hotels and pull in to a parking lot. Then we use various apps to look for the best rate for whatever hotels we're interested in staying at. Only once in the last 6 trips (a total of 3 hotel stays for each trip) have we not been able to find a hotel at the exit we got off at. And in that case, we just immediately looked at the hotels that were available at the next exit and booked one from there.

 

[Kim&Chris]

We're from north of Philly and have made the drive several times. We typically like to get to Fredericksburg, VA on day 1 of the drive home. Lots of hotel options there. We usually choose a Hilton or Marriott property. On our drive home last month we got a later start than we had wanted to so we ended up stopping in Stoney Creek, VA instead (a little north of Emporia). Long story how we ended up there instead of actually in Emporia or Richmond, but we stayed at a Fairfield Inn there that was very nice. It looked fairly new and the staff was very friendly. Breakfast was good. The bad thing about that exit is that there is basically *nothing* there other than 2 hotels, a gas station with a Wendy's, and a small Pizza/Italian restaurant where we ate dinner. The food there was fine, nothing spectacular.

We don't make any hotel reservations ahead of time for the drive since we don't really have a schedule. Sometimes we get further than we expected to and sometimes we don't get as far as we expected to. We drive until about 6-7:00 p.m. and then get off at an exit with a lot of hotels and pull in to a parking lot. Then we use various apps to look for the best rate for whatever hotels we're interested in staying at. Only once in the last 6 trips (a total of 3 hotel stays for each trip) have we not been able to find a hotel at the exit we got off at. And in that case, we just immediately looked at the hotels that were available at the next exit and booked one from there.

Thank so much!

 

[deedeew80]

Hi everyone! We will be making the drive from NJ to Disney 11/29/24. We plan on leaving around 2:30am or so. We will be driving straight through. We don’t check in to our Disney hotel until 11/30, so we need a hotel for the night of 11/29. We typically stay at a Holiday Inn in Apopka, but I was just curious if anyone can recommend any other hotels. I was even pricing a few of the value resorts on Disney property, but they are super expensive just to lay our heads down for a night. We drive home on 12/7 and will be stopping for the night in NC, typically the Fayetteville area. So looking for hotel suggestions there as well. Thank you!

 

[MikeF;NJ]

Hi everyone! We will be making the drive from NJ to Disney 11/29/24. We plan on leaving around 2:30am or so. We will be driving straight through. We don’t check in to our Disney hotel until 11/30, so we need a hotel for the night of 11/29. We typically stay at a Holiday Inn in Apopka, but I was just curious if anyone can recommend any other hotels. I was even pricing a few of the value resorts on Disney property, but they are super expensive just to lay our heads down for a night. We drive home on 12/7 and will be stopping for the night in NC, typically the Fayetteville area. So looking for hotel suggestions there as well. Thank you!

When I drove up for Thanksgiving weekend two years ago, I stayed at the Best Western in Clermont (US 192 almost all the way out to US 27). Not sure how it compares to the Holiday Inn in Apopka, but I thought it was just fine.

 

[nono]

Hi everyone! We will be making the drive from NJ to Disney 11/29/24. We plan on leaving around 2:30am or so. We will be driving straight through. We don’t check in to our Disney hotel until 11/30, so we need a hotel for the night of 11/29. We typically stay at a Holiday Inn in Apopka, but I was just curious if anyone can recommend any other hotels. I was even pricing a few of the value resorts on Disney property, but they are super expensive just to lay our heads down for a night. We drive home on 12/7 and will be stopping for the night in NC, typically the Fayetteville area. So looking for hotel suggestions there as well. Thank you!

When we drive, we often end up at Lake Mary, I think it's Exit 101 off I-4. Few familiar hotels (Hampton Inn, Marriott, Westin), all in walking distance to good shopping and restaurants. We get our groceries/snacks at Publix in the morning and head to Disney.

 

[bluecastle]

Has anyone ever stayed at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Florence, SC? This is for or trip home. I was originally going to stay in the Best Western in Smithfield, (a bit longer in the car than I wanted). It’s hotel we’ve stayed in before, but they are about to start major renovations. I’ve already decided on the Fairfield Inn in Santee for our trip down, but I know not all Fairfield Inns are comparable. TIA!

 

[jimmytammy]

Has anyone driven 95 lately N or S bound around the SC/GA border? Just wondering about traffic buildup, especially on the SC side. Our last trip home from WDW, when is scales down to 2 lanes in SC from GA, it gets massively bogged down. I only ask as Im thinking of an alternate route

 

[deedeew80]

Hi everyone! We are gearing up for our drive from NJ in 23 days!! We will be coming from Camden County, NJ to be more specific. We are very close to 95 and we usually take 95 all the way down to FL. Our last drive was in 2020, so it’s been a while. Just wondering if there is anything new to expect or if there is a different route recommended? Also, what are some things to bring in the car for older kids, 14 and 12? I went through our road trip bag and got rid of most things because they are too old for it now, sadly. Thanks for any tips and suggestions!

 

[Pluto777]

Hi everyone! We are gearing up for our drive from NJ in 23 days!! We will be coming from Camden County, NJ to be more specific. We are very close to 95 and we usually take 95 all the way down to FL. Our last drive was in 2020, so it’s been a while. Just wondering if there is anything new to expect or if there is a different route recommended? Also, what are some things to bring in the car for older kids, 14 and 12? I went through our road trip bag and got rid of most things because they are too old for it now, sadly. Thanks for any tips and suggestions!

Hey, Good luck. We plan to go from NYC and take the 81 route to avoid the traffic. Haven't done it in a LONG time either. Let us know how it goes

 

[LadybugsMum]

For the kids, I'd just load up tablets with movies/tv shows and games for them to do. A long drive like that is when I relax the rules about screen time.

 

[OKW Lover]

For the kids, I'd just load up tablets with movies/tv shows and games for them to do. A long drive like that is when I relax the rules about screen time.

Be sure you have the necessary cords to keep them charged while in the car. Also, know if they need Wifi for their shows/games/etc

 

[LadybugsMum]

Also, if your kids are big readers then consider getting a ebook app like Kindle (Amazon), Nook (Barnes & Noble) or one that works with your library system.

 

[deedeew80]

Does anyone know how I’m able to check the weather along i95 from Philadelphia to Florida? We are heading down in 10 days and I want to keep an eye on the weather for our travel. Thanks!

 

[dvczerfs]

Does anyone know how I’m able to check the weather along i95 from Philadelphia to Florida? We are heading down in 10 days and I want to keep an eye on the weather for our travel. Thanks!

Deedee, have a safe trip coming down! What I use to do is pick six cities along my route. Of course I had a chart. lol. I would start two weeks before we would leave and check the weather in those six cities. I know, I had nothing to do. lol.
One good thing is we are out of hurricane season so you’re good there.
I would chart the day, temperatures high and low, and sunny , cloudy or rain.
I have to admit, I kinda miss my trips to WDW.
We use to see who would find the first palm tree.lol. Now we have seven in our backyard.

 

[Stratman50th]

Does anyone know how I’m able to check the weather along i95 from Philadelphia to Florida? We are heading down in 10 days and I want to keep an eye on the weather for our travel. Thanks!

I replied in your other post. Basically the same thing dvczerfs said.

 

[Stratman50th]

Deedee, have a safe trip coming down! What I use to do is pick six cities along my route. Of course I had a chart. lol. I would start two weeks before we would leave and check the weather in those six cities. I know, I had nothing to do. lol.
One good thing is we are out of hurricane season so you’re good there.
I would chart the day, temperatures high and low, and sunny , cloudy or rain.
I have to admit, I kinda miss my trips to WDW.
We use to see who would find the first palm tree.lol. Now we have seven in our backyard.

Don't forget there's always a thunderstorm over 95 in GA.