For those folks driving!

[killian_red]

so much good info on this site.....

 

[katybugsmom]

Tomh,
Your welcome! Happy to help a fellow DIS member!

 

[Ham Ham]

I have been driving to WDW pretty regularly from Massachusetts, about every year. I am sick of the traffic along the way, the basic AAA trip tick way. I have read about alternative ways that seem pretty cool, on this thread, going 84 to 81 then 64 over to 95 again thereby avoiding NJ and some other big cities, sounds pretty good to me. My question is for those that have driven both ways, the basic AAA route and this alternative route. What are the pluses and minuses of each? How much longer does the alternative route take? I'm heading out three weeks from tomorrow and I'm just trying to make the best decision possible. Thanks so much for your help and guidance.

If I may suggest. Stay on I-81 until I-77 south to I-26 east to I-95 south. Much less traffic and trucks than on I-95. Avoid charlotte during rush hour although nothing like traffic around NYC or DC.

 

[mudman]

Tomh,
Where are you guys staying in Florence? I only live about 20 minutes from there! Depending on where you are staying please be careful!! They have had a lot of car break-ins around the hotels in the past year. This can happen anywhere I know, but I wouldn't feel right not saying something. Hope you guys have a great trip! If you are staying on Highway 52 the Ruby Tuesday's and FATZ Cafe are good places to eat. If you are staying on the I-20 exit, Outback, Ruby Tuesday's Olive Garden etc. are good places. Also, The Western Sizzlin has a good inexpensive buffet and their steaks are great!
Let me know if I can tell you anything else about the area!

Katybugsmom,
Can you tell me anything abouth Holiday Inn Express in Florence (exit 170@HWY 327 Williston Road). We've stayed there in the past and liked the hotel, but wondering now about the car breaks you report. Is this an okay area? It would be devastating to have this happen!!!

THANKS!

 

[katybugsmom]

Katybugsmom,
Can you tell me anything abouth Holiday Inn Express in Florence (exit 170@HWY 327 Williston Road). We've stayed there in the past and liked the hotel, but wondering now about the car breaks you report. Is this an okay area? It would be devastating to have this happen!!!

THANKS!

You should be fine! Most of the break-ins have been in and around the Hwy. 52 area. These break-ins have been few and far between, but they always seem to happen in the same general area. It's pretty quiet where you're staying except for the Pilot station next door, but it's well lit so they get a lot of traffic at all hours of the night! Hope you guys have a great trip! Be safe!

 

[mudman]

You should be fine! Most of the break-ins have been in and around the Hwy. 52 area. These break-ins have been few and far between, but they always seem to happen in the same general area. It's pretty quiet where you're staying except for the Pilot station next door, but it's well lit so they get a lot of traffic at all hours of the night! Hope you guys have a great trip! Be safe!

Thanks for putting my mind at ease!
Take Care,

 

[minnierealtor]

We have driven from NH the I-84 to I-81 and not connecting with I-95 until South Carolina for several years on our way to DVC Hilton Head. It does add a bit more mileage but the stress of the drive is much less. Also, you are less likely to get stuck on accident back-ups and such on this route. We are attempting to drive all the way to Orlando in April. It usually takes about 1 3/4 days to get to Hilton Head and we are adding about 5 hours to get to Orlando. Good luck on your trip.

 

[Captain Hook]

We are taking 95 straight down, stopping over in Santee,S.C.. Leaving at 3 AM, Friday morning.

 

[pilferk]

We are taking 95 straight down, stopping over in Santee,S.C.. Leaving at 3 AM, Friday morning.

Hey Captain!

I've done the drive from CT, too....a number of times now. We go a slightly different way (we leave late in the day, around 2 PM, and during the week) down, though. We hit 84, to 684 to 287 (and the Tappen Zee Bridge), to the Garden State, and then pick up 95 from there. That way we avoid NYC altogether....no matter when we go, if I try to go through the city, we always seem to get stuck in traffic.

Given when you're going, though, straight 95 should work fine for you!

 

[wedindis'00]

We are driving down from MA via 84-81-77-26-95 we plan on leaving Thursday afternoon about 2 on 4/17 and getting to Hagerstown MD to spend the night. We are then going on Friday to try to get to Savanah GA leaving us a short ride Saturday to get to Disney. We are a family of 4 myself DW and 2yr old DD's

so let me ask.....

with friday being so long can anyone recommend some "stretch" stops i.e. a school playground or a restaurant with play area like the golden arches along that route

thanks

 

[Kimbere]

I'll post what it cost us when we get back. I'm braced for a HUGE hit!! It won't be pretty I"m sure.

Okay we are back and have our fuel totals. It was actually better than we anticipated.

$ 834.53 Fuel
8.66MPG
$ 3.24 Avg PPG
2232 Total Miles
257.651 Total Gallons

We had a very smooth drive both ways and excellent weather. The only traffic we hit (which was AWFUL) was in Atlanta. Holy crap! It took us 2.5 hours to go 50 miles. Yes, I was ready to kill someone. Next trip down we will plan to hit the Atlanta area at night. They are doing construction and it is a nightmare. If you are heading down and need to go thru the Atlanta area, I highly suggest finding an alternate. Even on the way down it took us an hour to get thru and that was mid-day. Happy driving!!

 

[pilferk]

Okay we are back and have our fuel totals. It was actually better than we anticipated.

$ 834.53 Fuel
8.66MPG
$ 3.24 Avg PPG
2232 Total Miles
257.651 Total Gallons

We had a very smooth drive both ways and excellent weather. The only traffic we hit (which was AWFUL) was in Atlanta. Holy crap! It took us 2.5 hours to go 50 miles. Yes, I was ready to kill someone. Next trip down we will plan to hit the Atlanta area at night. They are doing construction and it is a nightmare. If you are heading down and need to go thru the Atlanta area, I highly suggest finding an alternate. Even on the way down it took us an hour to get thru and that was mid-day. Happy driving!!

OUCH! Less than 9 MPG? Pulling that camper really killed your gas mileage, huh?

 

[Kimbere]

Yep, it really does kill the mileage. But, it's soooooo worth it!!

 

[pilferk]

Yep, it really does kill the mileage. But, it's soooooo worth it!!

Yeah....figuring you have your "hotel room" with you the entire way.

I'd guess the reduction in gas mileage was MORE than offset by the savings you'd spend on hotel rooms, etc.

I mean, I couldn't drive AND pay for my room(s) for your total fuel cost.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We have less than 3 weeks to go and I'm so nervous about driving! I'm just worried about gas prices jumping

Oil is getting changed next week, winter tires are coming off as well, hubby just needs to check other little things...

Can't wait!

 

[disneydaddvc]

Has anyone stayed at the Hampton Inn off I95 in Lumberton NC ? My family and I will be driving to HH and want to stop one night. I have not booked yet. $113.00 a night. thanks for any help

 

[java]

Has anyone stayed at the Hampton Inn off I95 in Lumberton NC ? My family and I will be driving to HH and want to stop one night. I have not booked yet. $113.00 a night. thanks for any help

Ok the hotels all kind of blur together but I know we stayed there at least once and it was fine.

 

[2xDisneyDad]

Has anyone stayed at the Hampton Inn off I95 in Lumberton NC ? My family and I will be driving to HH and want to stop one night. I have not booked yet. $113.00 a night. thanks for any help

We always stay at the Fairfield Marriott in Lumberton and have no complaints.

 

[katybugsmom]

You should be fine at the Hampton Inn. The area at that exit has seen a lot of growth in the last 5 years. I live about 30 minutes from Lumberton, but have traveled back and forth to shop or dine there all my life.
If you can drive about an 45 minutes to an hour more you can stay at the I-20 exit in Florence County. It has grown tremendously in the last two years. There are 4-5 new hotels as well as a lot of choices for dining. Outback, Lone Star Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday's, Shoneys, IHOP, Red Lobster, and Western Sizzlin(if your family likes buffets-it's very good and their steaks are good too) . There's a mall at this exit too. The Hwy. 52 exit is okay too, but most of the hotels are older.
I'm not trying to promote Florence in any way-I don't live there, but it is a nice area to spend the night. Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!

 

[disneydaddvc]

Thanks everyone