For those folks driving!

[tnmomof4]

When we stop, we usually stay in Smyrna, Tn (just south of Nashville) which leaves around 10 hrs the next day. However, there will be a lot of traffic since it will be a holiday with a lot of people going in the same direction with you so be safe.::cop:

I know that this may seem like a dumb question, but I live around Smyrna, TN and I was wondering if you could tell me the way you drive to get to WDW. It is just me and the kids and I really don't want to get lost. I got lost last year. I have found a couple different ways to get there and I just want the best way. Thanks.

 

[WDWjen]

I love these boards and I grabbed so much advice from them so I owe you all some advice in return...

We just drove NY to WDW in about 17 hours..3 kids ages 2,4,& 6 in the minivan. It was sooo much better than I had expected! I read these boards while planning looking for horror stories and I have to admit I was scared but it was not bad at all! We left Long Island after the ice storm (3/17) at 4pm on Saturday and had a bit of traffic on the Verazzano bridge b/c of falling ice but after that we sailed straight thru to Florida! We stopped for gas and food a few times but we made it down in 19 hours. Kids mostly slept or watched the DVD player and we got to the hotel Sunday morning. We spent 3 days in Universal (our 1st time) and 1 day at the MK. Trip home was depressing but just as smooth. We left 12pm on Friday and arrived home around 7am on Saturday (3/24) Again, we only stopped for gas and food and to switch drivers. We did potty breaks whenever we stopped.

We always fly when we go to WDW but this was a last minute trip and we need 5 seats so to fly and rent a car would have been $1200 and it only cost us around $300 to drive.... The last time we flew JetBlue I was able to get $39 fares so in that case we would never have driven!

All in all a great trip and I would do it again, although I prefer to fly, I gotta say I loved to save all that money!

 

[Mom23chicklets]

WDWjen, glad to hear your drive went well. We live right on the border of CT and NY (used to live in Westchester County), and we are planning on driving down for our spring break (4/13) for the first time. I like the idea of having our car, being on our own time schedule (flexibility is key with 3 kids!), and saving a few dollars.

But . . . a bit unsure about the route to take, and whether or not to drive straight through. I want to go for it, DH wants to get a room so we don't get overtired. Please tell me if you switched drivers and any advice on where some good places are to stop and eat. Our kids are 12, 10, and 6. What route did you take? We are still trying to decide whether to leave Thursday late afternoon, or Friday late morning. Don't want to hit the DC traffic.

Would appreciate any advice or pointers from any of you veteran drivers!
Thanks!

 

[mochabean]

WDWjen, glad to hear your drive went well. We live right on the border of CT and NY (used to live in Westchester County), and we are planning on driving down for our spring break (4/13) for the first time. I like the idea of having our car, being on our own time schedule (flexibility is key with 3 kids!), and saving a few dollars.

But . . . a bit unsure about the route to take, and whether or not to drive straight through. I want to go for it, DH wants to get a room so we don't get overtired. Please tell me if you switched drivers and any advice on where some good places are to stop and eat. Our kids are 12, 10, and 6. What route did you take? We are still trying to decide whether to leave Thursday late afternoon, or Friday late morning. Don't want to hit the DC traffic.

Would appreciate any advice or pointers from any of you veteran drivers!
Thanks!

From PA we drove straight through, leaving at 2AM. If you think you can do it, driving through the night is the way to go, the driving is so much easier because the roads are empty. DC traffic at 3-4AM was non-existent. I'd be worried about hitting DC traffic anytime during the day on a Friday around spring break time. If you plan to hit DC between 11PM and 5AM you'll be good.

 

[mochabean]

I know that this may seem like a dumb question, but I live around Smyrna, TN and I was wondering if you could tell me the way you drive to get to WDW. It is just me and the kids and I really don't want to get lost. I got lost last year. I have found a couple different ways to get there and I just want the best way. Thanks.

I'd encourage anyone driving to get a GPS for the trip. Especially if there's no one to navigate while you're driving. Not only does it eliminate the possibility of getting lost, but it's also great for when there's accidents and traffic and you want to find an alternate route. They can be had for under $200 nowadays. We had one and it was great, I wouldn't do a trip longer than a couple hours without it!

 

[tnmomof4]

I'd encourage anyone driving to get a GPS for the trip. Especially if there's no one to navigate while you're driving. Not only does it eliminate the possibility of getting lost, but it's also great for when there's accidents and traffic and you want to find an alternate route. They can be had for under $200 nowadays. We had one and it was great, I wouldn't do a trip longer than a couple hours without it!

That's a great idea since I will be doing all the driving. I will definitely have to look into getting a GPS. I had no idea they were that price. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[coltink]

We will be driving in from VA. We want to make the drive as smooth as possible. It will take us approximately 13-14 hours depending on how many times we stop (it will only be two adults but one of us who shall remain namelss has a small bladder). We are checking in to BWV on the 19th of September. We don't plan to do any parks until the following day. We want to avoid as much traffic as possible. What time should we leave???

 

[mochabean]

We will be driving in from VA. We want to make the drive as smooth as possible. It will take us approximately 13-14 hours depending on how many times we stop (it will only be two adults but one of us who shall remain namelss has a small bladder). We are checking in to BWV on the 19th of September. We don't plan to do any parks until the following day. We want to avoid as much traffic as possible. What time should we leave???

It all depends where in VA you are, and if you'll hit DC or Richmond. If you leave by 6am and not hit much traffic, you should make it to the Boardwalk by 8 pm. If leaving at 6am would put you in rush hour traffic somewhere, then leave earlier to avoid it, or use the bypass around Richmond.

 

[coltink]

We are about an hour west of Richmond. I just want to make sure I miss rush hour in all the major big cities. And make it to Disney at a reasonable hour.

 

[mochabean]

We are about an hour west of Richmond. I just want to make sure I miss rush hour in all the major big cities. And make it to Disney at a reasonable hour.

From where you are, there aren't really any big cities to worry about other than Jacksonville. I hit Jax at 6pm and it was fine, but that would put you at WDW between 9 and 9:30. If that is too late for you then you'll want to hit Jax before 4, and get to WDW at around 7-7:30.

The problem is planning your stops well enough since Jax is near the end. When we drove from PA we left at 2am to make sure to be past DC by 5. We didn't worry about Jacksonville much since we had no idea when we'd be there. I don't think Jacksonville rush hour is that bad anyway, and if you hear something on the radio, there is a bypass (but it adds 15-20 miles or so).

I would suggest, if you don't mind getting up that early, to leave about 3 am, and you should make it to Jax before 4 pm. If that is too early then leave at 5 am you'll likely be in Jax on the far end of rush hour.

Hope this helps!

 

[dreamin in pa]

I've read through every post, I think, but could still use a little help. We'll be driving from Lehigh Valley, PA (slightly NE of Philly) in August. Our 4 kids are great in the van so that's not a worry.

We are looking for a hotel to stop at that wll sleep 6 in one room. Maybe somewhere near Santee, SC or if we are feeling ambitious Savannah, Ga.

Anybody have any recommendations of where they stayed?

Thanks.

 

[ILUVWDW]

I AM DRIVING FROM SYRACUSE,NEW YORK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A CAR TO WALT DISNEY WORLD , I HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES BY PLANE. MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS, 14 AND 3 ARE GOING, SO IT'S MORE ECONOMICAL TO DRIVE THAN FLY AND RENT A CAR. IAM LEAVING JUNE 30. MY QUESTIONS ARE 1. WHEN SHOULD I LEAVE, 2.DOES THE GAS GET CHEAPER AS YOU DRIVE SOUTH BECAUSE IN NEW YORK IT'S HIGH,3.IS THE PAULA DEEN AND SONS RESTAURANT FAR OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN SAVANAH,GA ON THE WAY TO DISNEY WORLD.
WE HAVE THE DVD PLAYER FOR THE CAR BUT ALSO NEED ADVICE ON MAYBE WHERE TO STOP AND GET A HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT. IAM THINKING NORTH CAROLINA. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS

 

[Captain Hook]

We are leaving Friday from CT. We have driven down before and also like to stay in Santee, SC. Hotels are reasonable and you are less than an hour from the GA border. Last trip we stayed at the Comfort Inn&Suites, great room and they offer AAA discounts. When your in SC the rest stops allow you to book hotel stays from the rest stops, and they have plenty of brochures and coupons too.

 

[Delaware Mike]

... 2.DOES THE GAS GET CHEAPER AS YOU DRIVE SOUTH BECAUSE IN NEW YORK IT'S HIGH,3....

Please forgive me if this was posted earlier in this thread, but I use a website to find out gas prices ahead of me. It's: http://autos.msn.com/ Scroll down to the bottom-right of the screen, and look for Driving Tools. Once there, click on Gas Prices.

Now, you'll have to know about where you'll need to get gas ahead of time, and you'll need a zip code for that area, but the website is pretty accurate. I use it for planning purposes.

I hope this little bit helps, and good luck with the drive.

 

[8 Ears]

Captain Hook- we are leaving Friday as well. Friday PM/Saturday AM What is the weather prediction down your way for Friday/Saturday?
We are planning on staying near Rock Hill, SC, glad to hear we may be able to get a good deal. We have not made reservations incase we don't get as far or we are able to go farther.

Iluvwdw-from me research I have learned it seems cheaper to purchas gas in Virginia and Georgia Recently in Virginia reg. was $2.58 a gal. Hope that helps you.

Safe travels everyone!

 

[Mom23chicklets]

We are also planning on leaving late Thursday or Friday. Weather here on friday/Saturday is supposed to be partly cloudy.

Haven't decided yet if we are going to stop and get a room in NC/SC. Just checked the weather for Orlando, Sat/Sun is nice. Mon/Tues is showers.

 

[Luvamouse]

I'd encourage anyone driving to get a GPS for the trip. Especially if there's no one to navigate while you're driving. Not only does it eliminate the possibility of getting lost, but it's also great for when there's accidents and traffic and you want to find an alternate route. They can be had for under $200 nowadays. We had one and it was great, I wouldn't do a trip longer than a couple hours without it!

I agree highly! Here is another alternative to consider if traveling with two adults (or one adult and a techie tween/teen!) just so someone else can look at the visual if neccesary, but I use it solo safely-- I upgraded my cell phone last summer just before our annual trip to the midwest (about 1200 miles for us). I got a free month of VZ Navigator service with it (Verizon) and since I knew where I was going, decided to try it. When we came up to our exit in Indianapolis, Indiana on the Sunday of a race (!!) and saw a semi parked across the exit, we were in trouble. As we went past the exit, the navigation changed the directions for me and began to tell me what exit to take to get me back on track! (It also has the video directions on the phone. I will say that I would not have gone the way the Navigation told me to every time, but that was because I was familiar with the route. Were I not familiar, it would have been great. Another feature I loved is that I could do a search for a restaurant, hotel, etc. around where we were or in the direction we were traveling and it would give an address, phone and directions if desired as well as the # miles it was away. I even called ahead to a steak house in Columbus, Ohio to make a reservation for dinner hours later using the search feature. I even used it when I needed to find an ATM when on vacation.

I am sure that all carriers have a similar feature and it is available on almost all newer phones. I cannot vouch for any other service, but the VZ Navigator was 100% for us and the GPS capability had us at exactly the distance it said when telling us to turn. It was simple to use and the features were superb. I also like the fact that I can only sign up for one month when we go to WDW and I do not need a long subscription. (About $10/mth). It only uses airtime to download the directions initially, and then again when you access additional features or go off course. Once the trip info is downloaded, you are only using the battery power--not minutes. This may be worth looking into for some of you who may have an appropriate phone. I am a big fan of GPS.

 

[Luvamouse]

3.IS THE PAULA DEEN AND SONS RESTAURANT FAR OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN SAVANAH,GA ON THE WAY TO DISNEY WORLD.
WE HAVE THE DVD PLAYER FOR THE CAR BUT ALSO NEED ADVICE ON MAYBE WHERE TO STOP AND GET A HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT. IAM THINKING NORTH CAROLINA. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS

Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady and Sons is right in Savannah, probably only 10 or 12 miles from Route 95, but the problem you will run into is the wait for seating. It is terribly popular. For lunch service, our host will start taking names at the host stand, located on Congress Street, at 9:30am. For dinner, the hosts will begin taking names at 3:30pm. Please remember, people line up very early to put their name on the seating list. We can't guarantee you will get the exact time you want.

I'd love to stop too.

Regarding your other questions, we are traveling from RI. We will take 81S in PA down to 77S in Virginia, then onto 26 in Columbia,SC. We will then hit 95S and go from there. I have had this route recommended to me here and also by friends who travel from RI to SC. It keeps you out of the big cities and is a pretty ride.

We will stay south of the 81/77 exchange in Hillsville, Georgia as we routinely do a bit more than 700/day and that puts us there. There are a lot of hotels there. I'd pick a good distance and a hotel chain you like so you can see options on your route.

 

[Captain Hook]

Thanks for the update. Looks like we will leave Friday and hit a little rain along the way, but it still beets working in NYC anyday! I too have Verizion navigator (picked it up for this trip), so I'm sure it is going to come in handy

 

[mochabean]

The only drawback to VZ Navigator is the small screen. On our way back, there was an accident on 95 and the road was shut down. I was able to successfully map out an alternate route on my GPS, I think that would be rather difficult on a cell phone. This is where most GPSs fall short - when you deviate from the course on purpose all they want to do is get back on the course. Only now are GPS units coming along with the ability to navigate around a traffic jam.