For those folks driving!

[kidd_freeper]

Hartford-Jacksonville (July 3)
- Took I95 route, going over the GWB, eastern side of DC beltway and through Richmond
- Left Hartford at 12:30 am. Made it to northern VA by 6:30 am. Jacksonville by 7:30 pm.
- This was a holiday weekend. Mild traffic to DC beltway. Very little traffic on eastern side of beltway. Heavy traffic (but no slowdowns) from DC to Richmond. Heavy traffic with half dozen slowdowns and three major stoppages from Richmond to NC/SC border. Mild traffic through SC, GA and FL. Few trucks the whole way.
- Construction in Connecticut, south side of DC beltway and GA. None of these caused slowdowns at the times that I went through them.
- Avoid GWB. This road has major, car swallowing potholes. Complicated exits - easy to make a wrong turn.
- McD's near Fredricksburg was mobbed. Took over an hour for breakfast there. Should have waited for Richmond for breakfast stop.
- EZPass is a must-have. Saved half an hour of wait time.
- Garmin Nuvi 265T was very helpful. Rerouted us past two bad traffic stoppages.

Jacksonville-WDW (July 5)
- Left Jacksonville at 4pm. Made it to Kissimmee by 6:15 pm via I95/I4.
- Mild traffic, no construction, no slowdowns/stoppages.

WDW-Greensboro,NC (July 16)
- Took I4 to I95 to SC-38 to US-220
- Left Kissimmee at 10am. Slowdown in Kissimmee on I4. Heavy traffic to I95. Light traffic rest of way. Made it to Greensboro, NC by 8pm.
- US220 (aka I73 and I74) is a new road and is a great ride with almost no traffic. Recommended.
- Advice: don't "wing it" when getting a hotel on a Friday night. Available rooms were hard to find. Again, Garmin Nuvi 265T was very helpful in finding something that was available.

Greensboro,NC - Hartford (July 17)
- Took US-29 to Shenandoah National Park. Then I81 to I78 to I287 to Tappan Zee Bridge to I95.
- Left Greensboro at 8:30am. Made it to Shenandoah National Park by 12:30pm. Drove through Shenandoah National Park. Back on I81 by 4:30pm. Hartford by 11:30 pm.
- US-29 is a beautiful road. 65 mph most of the way, scenic, no trucks. Very safe. Recommended.
- Shenandoah National Park is beautiful, of course. But we had been in the car for a long time at that point and probably should have skipped it.
- Trucks not a problem on I81/I78. I81 was a nice road.
- Light traffic up to Tappan Zee bridge. Heavy traffic with slowdowns from Tappan Zee to Bridgeport, CT.
- Connecticut drivers suck. Avoid I95 in Connecticut during evening hours. Lots of dangerous drivers, lanes are poorly marked, partially finished paving, grooved roads, etc.

Total mileage: 2860 miles

 

[trishie30]

Okay, not THAT Jersey Shore...we are regular drivers to the World but are considering a different route this time. We have always taken 95 down, but can't stand the monotony of 95 and the traffic around the beltway. We're thinking of heading across PA to pick up 81, then to 77, to 26, and then finally to 95 in South Carolina. Has anyone from the Red Bank, NJ/GSP exit 114 area taken this route before? Friends from PA tell us this is the only way to go, but then again, they live in PA. We're not heading down until November but you know how it is, you have to always be planning! Thanks!

 

[patclairesmom]

Okay, not THAT Jersey Shore...we are regular drivers to the World but are considering a different route this time. We have always taken 95 down, but can't stand the monotony of 95 and the traffic around the beltway. We're thinking of heading across PA to pick up 81, then to 77, to 26, and then finally to 95 in South Carolina. Has anyone from the Red Bank, NJ/GSP exit 114 area taken this route before? Friends from PA tell us this is the only way to go, but then again, they live in PA. We're not heading down until November but you know how it is, you have to always be planning! Thanks!

Hi neighbor-we're in the town next to you-Middletown. We are contemplating taking this route for the same reasons as you. I95 is so boring. My parents take the western route and swear by it. A couple of things I'm concerned about is the truck with the hills and not as many rest stops and exits.

 

[trishie30]

Hi neighbor-we're in the town next to you-Middletown. We are contemplating taking this route for the same reasons as you. I95 is so boring. My parents take the western route and swear by it. A couple of things I'm concerned about is the truck with the hills and not as many rest stops and exits.

We are in Middletown too, but I always think people will recognize Red Bank more than Middletown . My husband just drove to Virginia along 81 last week and said it was a great drive, no traffic, roads in great shape (unlike 95!). He said he was able to find plenty of places to stop to grab a bite to eat. I ran the routes through randmcnally.com and the western route is a bit longer (less than 100 miles), but when you're driving for that long even a little more distance is a consideration. We're planning to leave at 2 am and drive straight through; a friend who just got home Friday did that and was in Disney at 8 pm, including several short stops, but she took 95. My friend in PA says he can get there along the western route in 16 hours...he must be far exceeding the speed limit!

 

[kristytru]

We live in Morris County, NJ and took the PA route last year cuz DH was new to RV driving. The PA route is longer, but more scenic. There are LOOONNNGGG stretches of NOTHING in terms of food and rest stops especially in NC & SC. My only suggestion would be: if you see a place to stop and eat/rest, take advantage of it because you don't know when you'll get the chance again

 

[trishie30]

Thanks kristytru! I have done the RV drive down 95 too, and I can't blame you for trying a different route...trying to handle an RV along side the tractor trailers that are flying along the route is not fun!

 

[mskermit]

Another late August road trip here! Leaving from Northern NJ around 3am on 8/21, we are hoping to get to our reservation in Brunswick, GA by 7 or 8pm that night. We are still torn between taking I95 or I81

where are you in north jersey?? i am near exit 3, an hour and 1/2 from bayonne. we drive to disney too. in 2006 we left at 2:30 am and made it to brunswick by 3:00 pm the next day, basically 10 hours. in 2008 we left at 9:30pm, drove straight thru and made it to disney by 3:30, depends on traffic and stops. our stops are a little longer as i have a daughter who uses a wheelchair so its a little extra load and unload time. we take 95 all the way. you can make brunswick in 10 hours. what is great about brunswick is its only 1/2 hour to florida and then 3 hours to orlando. we stay at the comfort inn on new jessup highway, its fairly cheap, there is a bar/ restraunt and its decent. we are leaving on 08-19

 

[kirby428]

My Sienna is older, it's an 05 so hopefully your mileage will be better. I was disappointed that mine seemed to be only 20 mpg.

As far as the money on gas I spent, I did round up a bit. It cost me about $50 to fill it up from almost dry. I also included the fill up before we left MD and the one while we were driving to the outlets and such in FL. On the way down we filled up while on half a tank so my actual total price may have been closer to $300.

Sorry for the confusion. That's what I get for posting while I'm still wiped out!

Sienna MPG is likely to be influenced more by V6 versus 4 than year of make. I have a 2005 Sienna, but not the V6 and get 22-24 MPG highway.

 

[PrincessMom4]

It takes us from Canada (right at the border) to Orlando (and back home) about $500 or less in gas. We have a v6 engine in our van.

 

[mali3434]

I am not sure who is putting together that particular information, and I have posted this before, but I think it is worth repeating. There is a playground just off I-95 in N. MD. It is a GODSEND if you are coming from further north and need a break. Lots of food places nearby and bathrooms. Here are the directions.



Route 24 in Bel Air, head west about 4 miles to a left on Ring Factory Road, there is a large (HUGE) wooden playground on the corner and a few miles down the road is a large selection of food and/or gas stations.

Thanks, its very helpful

 

[RC4]

hi everyone. This is my first time on this board... so a quick introduction is needed. My name is Carrie, and I have a hubby and three kids: Claire, 9, Christian, 3, and Cameron, 2. We are considering a road trip to Disney in early December.

A few questions for you- driving from Chicago- any places along the way that are great stops for the kids? Any routes that are must see's? We'd like to make the drive down as close to two days as possible, but would like to draw out the trip home a bit longer. three to four days. Any suggestions would be great.

I'm sorry if these questions have been asked/answered before- but there is no way I'm going to get through 100+ pages of thread in the next few days!!

Thanks!!

 

[amtag]

where are you in north jersey?? i am near exit 3, an hour and 1/2 from bayonne. we drive to disney too. in 2006 we left at 2:30 am and made it to brunswick by 3:00 pm the next day, basically 10 hours. in 2008 we left at 9:30pm, drove straight thru and made it to disney by 3:30, depends on traffic and stops. our stops are a little longer as i have a daughter who uses a wheelchair so its a little extra load and unload time. we take 95 all the way. you can make brunswick in 10 hours. what is great about brunswick is its only 1/2 hour to florida and then 3 hours to orlando. we stay at the comfort inn on new jessup highway, its fairly cheap, there is a bar/ restraunt and its decent. we are leaving on 08-19

I am in Morris County - I would be soooo happy if we could make it to Brunswick in 10 hours, but I really don't think that will happen! We have a reservation in Brunswick, I think it may be the comfort inn! It seemed pretty nice and I wanted a good place for us to rest for the night. We are heading to Ocala first, so only about 2 hours left for us to drive on Sunday morning and then we head to Disney on that Wednesday the 25th. We are dropping off someone at the airport (she is only coming for the drive to Ocala and then flying home) and then picking up my niece, who will be flying in to join us in Disney. Getting sooooooooo close now, can't wait. We are STILL debating that I95 vs I81 route, but I think we are leaning towards 81.

 

[mskermit]

I am in Morris County - I would be soooo happy if we could make it to Brunswick in 10 hours, but I really don't think that will happen! We have a reservation in Brunswick, I think it may be the comfort inn! It seemed pretty nice and I wanted a good place for us to rest for the night. We are heading to Ocala first, so only about 2 hours left for us to drive on Sunday morning and then we head to Disney on that Wednesday the 25th. We are dropping off someone at the airport (she is only coming for the drive to Ocala and then flying home) and then picking up my niece, who will be flying in to join us in Disney. Getting sooooooooo close now, can't wait. We are STILL debating that I95 vs I81 route, but I think we are leaning towards 81.

we are leaving on the 19th, and also staying in brunswick at the comfort inn, jessup highway, if that is where your are staying, yes it is nice we have stayed there before an it is our regular stop now. we were reading your post, my boyfriend is from North jersey and his brother in law is at truck driver, he said 81 is about an hour longer.and 95 straight run. you should be there way before 7pm. ususally not much traffic except in maryland at night when they do roadwork, but it does keep moving. we are leaving at 1am we have reservations at paula deens!!!

 

[amtag]

we are leaving on the 19th, and also staying in brunswick at the comfort inn, jessup highway, if that is where your are staying, yes it is nice we have stayed there before an it is our regular stop now. we were reading your post, my boyfriend is from North jersey and his brother in law is at truck driver, he said 81 is about an hour longer.and 95 straight run. you should be there way before 7pm. ususally not much traffic except in maryland at night when they do roadwork, but it does keep moving. we are leaving at 1am we have reservations at paula deens!!!

I guess we will take the 95 route then, especially that we are leaving by 3am sharp!!! How exciting to eat at Paula Deens - that will be great! We will only be missing you by a couple of days at the hotel then since we are leaving 2 days after you! Thanks for the info!

 

[PrincessMom4]

Anyone knew anything about US15 and how "safe" it is?? We are travelling with kids and have never been down this route.

 

[alexensmom]

I wouldnt head down I81 just because of I95 truck traffic. I81 is heavily traveled by semi trucks. We avoid it at all possible. I dont know if it would be worth the extra hour to go down it instead of I95 if your traveling during the day. We plan on an extra half hour/hour in our schedule in case of accidents.

 

[amtag]

I wouldnt head down I81 just because of I95 truck traffic. I81 is heavily traveled by semi trucks. We avoid it at all possible. I dont know if it would be worth the extra hour to go down it instead of I95 if your traveling during the day. We plan on an extra half hour/hour in our schedule in case of accidents.

I have heard that about I81 too - lots of trucks and few and far between rest stops, I think we have finally (after 3 months of planning ) decided to stick with the I95 route! We may take I81 on the way home just for a change of scenery and we have given ourselves 2 days to get home in case we want to stop anywhere.

 

[amtag]

Anyone knew anything about US15 and how "safe" it is?? We are travelling with kids and have never been down this route.

The only Route 15 I know is here in NJ and we sometimes will take it to Route 206 and into Pennsylvania. There are parts of it that are only one lane, but I don't think it is "unsafe" there are certainly worse highways. Again, I'm not sure if that's the US15 you will be traveling though. HOpe you have a safe trip!

 

[PrincessMom4]

This route goes through or near Gettysburg.

 

[disneyfan55]

This route goes through or near Gettysburg.

Yes, and Antietam,Harpers Ferry and Shennandoah NP!