For those folks driving!

[crazyhusband]

hey do not worry about bugging me. i am very glad to help. the first time we drove we went through dothan al down to chipley fl and then to I-10 and over. the way we go now only takes about 6 hours. again, glad to help, any more questions do not hesitate to email me. i or my wife will do our best to try and answer them.

 

[2xDisneyDad]

Hi All,

Thanks for the info, I have gone through most of the pages trying to find out if there is an alternate route available to us other then the usual I95 straight down. We drive down 2-3 times a year and always wind up hitting traffic somewhere. Our times have gone from a best of 15 3/4 hours to a worst of 22 hours . I realize that from NJ this is most likely the most direct route and timing has alot to do with it. Sometimes we don't have much choice when to leave based on business or family commitments.

We do, however, live right outside of Easton PA off route 78 and have seen some people opting for 78-81-11-26-95 or 78-81-64-95. I would really like some opinions, if based on where we are in NJ, it is a viable route (and if one is better then the other). I have heard the pluses of no tolls and less congestion, as well as the drawbacks of it being a less direct route. I have no problem with not being able to make it in 15 3/4 hours again, but don't want it to take 19 or 20 every time.

If someone has any hotel info at about just before they hit 95 to stay for the night (preferably a Marriott property) that would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Funwith4kids]

(I'm sure there's been plenty on this topic, but the search keeps freezing up on me. Sorry for any redundancy!)

DH and I decided for sure that we're going to drive to WDW for our trip next May. We live in Canton, OH - we're about an hour south of Cleveland and about 2 hours north of Columbus for a reference point. Neither one of us have driven to this region before. Mapquest says it's just under 16 hours for us and at this point we're tenatively planning on driving 12 hours or so the day we leave, staying overnight and then finishing up the drive the next morning.

For those that have made the drive from this general area -
Where will driving about 12 hours put us to stay overnight? If you've done this, can you recommend any nice, inexpensive hotels to stay at for the night?

Just starting to put things together after ALOT of talking!
Thanks in advance!

Try freetrip.com as it has times along the route.

 

[GranddadTom]

Hi All,

Thanks for the info, I have gone through most of the pages trying to find out if there is an alternate route available to us other then the usual I95 straight down. We drive down 2-3 times a year and always wind up hitting traffic somewhere. Our times have gone from a best of 15 3/4 hours to a worst of 22 hours . I realize that from NJ this is most likely the most direct route and timing has alot to do with it. Sometimes we don't have much choice when to leave based on business or family commitments.

We do, however, live right outside of Easton PA off route 78 and have seen some people opting for 78-81-11-26-95 or 78-81-64-95. I would really like some opinions, if based on where we are in NJ, it is a viable route (and if one is better then the other). I have heard the pluses of no tolls and less congestion, as well as the drawbacks of it being a less direct route. I have no problem with not being able to make it in 15 3/4 hours again, but don't want it to take 19 or 20 every time.

If someone has any hotel info at about just before they hit 95 to stay for the night (preferably a Marriott property) that would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

We have a daughter in Windermere (20 miles north of WDW) plus we are Disney fans, so we make the drive to Orlando often also. We also have a son who lives just south of Charlotte so we do the Rt. 81 to Rt. 77 thing often too. As a matter of fact, we just did the round trip to Orlando last weekend. Last week we experienced to problem areas - south of Washington on Rt. 95 (what's new!) and between milepost 70 and milepost 30 in Georgia. The Northern Virginia business cost us around 30 minutes (I can live with that) but the Georgia thing was worst, much worse. We lost over an hour there. I believe that we made the mistake of driving through the Brunswick, GA area after rush hour (around 8:00 pm). There is a bridge right at mile post 30 that they are expanding and the work involves hoisting huge steel beams into place. They don't allow traffic to flow while they are doing this, so routinely the entire highway is stopped. The result is a rolling back up the goes back for miles. We came back through there in the daytime and there was no evidence of beams being hoisted around, which leads me to believe that they do the work at night when the traffic load is lighter. We heading back that way in December and I've made a note to check on work arounds (maybe on Rt. 301) in case the same thing happens. I remember driving through there before Rt. 95 was finished (early 1970's) so I know there are ways to do it. I personally don't see Rt. 81/Rt. 77/Rt. 26 being a great option because Rt. 81 in Virginia can be a tough road with the hills and the truckers.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I've skipped thru this post but there is just WAY too much info! We are doing our fourth trip, but first one driving. Boys will be ages 6 and 2 (AAAAHHH!!!!) Anyone driven from St. Louis? Good routes, good rest stops for the boys to run around? How long did it take (Mapquest said 15, RandMcNally said 16, a friend said 20hrs.). We are planning on leaving around 3pm and after a stop for dinner around 6-ish, driving straight thru. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[the Fidge]

Driving down from North east PA and wondering about trying a different route. Has anyone ever gone 81 to 15 to 17 to 95?? Please let me know how this went. I am hoping to find an easier way and I really don't feel the love for the mountains of VA especially if its snowing when we leave in November. Thanks!

 

[Caitsmama]

Hi everyone, just getting my bearings here.. i am in RI and my MIL has asked me if i would like to do a "road trip" with her and my dd to WDW in '09.

Now, we go to WDW twice a year, but usally fly, this would be my first time driving. And my MIL is not a big driver, so it would basically all fall on me. I would be driving her Ford Expedition. I am not sure when in '09 we would be looking at -- we are fairly open right now, as it is up to me. LOL
I am not sure why she is wanting to do this all of a sudden.. lol.. but it has turned from being a "joke" to a possible reality. So, now i need info.

I have driven long distances before (twice to KY and once to So. Carolina).

I would love some advice / routes to take to avoid 95s. thru NY/NJ. I read some routes from someone in CT back on the first page of this thread.. do those routes still stand correct? I don't mind adding on a bit of time.. i would rather do that and have a smoother ride than to get stuck in NYC traffic.
I am thinking we would probably do it over 2 days - staying somewhere (any advice) in between.

Any/all advice from New England based travelers are welcome!! PLEASE! LOL I need to know exactly what i am getting myself into.

 

[jmsvss]

This Is my 6th trip from VA and will be the third time driving. After the last time I said NO MORE but... I was lured intothis quickie trip by $49 O/W airfares that in reality are not. So, its me, DD15, a van w/DVD, books on tape and 11 hours of rubber on the road. The $$ saved versus flying will buy one 4 day pass.

 

[Luvamouse]

Hi everyone, just getting my bearings here.. i am in RI and my MIL has asked me if i would like to do a "road trip" with her and my dd to WDW in '09.

I would love some advice / routes to take to avoid 95s. thru NY/NJ. I read some routes from someone in CT back on the first page of this thread.. do those routes still stand correct? I don't mind adding on a bit of time.. i would rather do that and have a smoother ride than to get stuck in NYC traffic.
I am thinking we would probably do it over 2 days - staying somewhere (any advice) in between.

Any/all advice from New England based travelers are welcome!! PLEASE! LOL I need to know exactly what i am getting myself into.

Hi Caitsmomma-- I am from RI also- Richmond to be specific- and we did just this last November and will be doing it again in April! First I need to say that my DD's 8 and 14 are quite used to long trips and this does help a lot. But it doesn't mean it can't be Cait's 1st long drive! I use the AAA online triptik which allows me to plug in my house and WDW and then literally drag the route to the roads I choose to travel instead. Very handy!

Here is our specific route so you can look at a map to see where it goes:
95S to Exit 69 in CT. Take Rte 9N to 66W in Middletown, CT. This becomes 691. Get on 84W and follow to 81S in PA. 81S about 450 miles to Rte 77 S in Virginia. Follow 77S about 230 miles to 26E in Columbia, SC. 53 miles to 95 S. I can't swear to the best route once you're in Florida, but many people here can give you that. I can tell you that this route was terrific and we met with NO stops at all due to traffic or construction. It is a truck route and the ride was beautiful. It was just 100 miles longer than going 95 straight through. Been there, done that, never again. At about 1380 miles, I wouldn't choose to go straight through although some do. Again, we've done it in the past out of neccesity. Now we factor in 2 days to get there. We stayed overnight in Mount Airy, NC. It was about 13.5 hours to get there with no traffic and only a few stops. Perhaps somewhere in Virginia might be sooner?

We love to drive and love to see the country, that's why we drive. If I can answer any questions for you, feel free to PM me to chat more!


Heidi

 

[BC1836]

Hi everyone, just getting my bearings here.. i am in RI and my MIL has asked me if i would like to do a "road trip" with her and my dd to WDW in '09.

Now, we go to WDW twice a year, but usally fly, this would be my first time driving. And my MIL is not a big driver, so it would basically all fall on me. I would be driving her Ford Expedition. I am not sure when in '09 we would be looking at -- we are fairly open right now, as it is up to me. LOL
I am not sure why she is wanting to do this all of a sudden.. lol.. but it has turned from being a "joke" to a possible reality. So, now i need info.

I have driven long distances before (twice to KY and once to So. Carolina).

I would love some advice / routes to take to avoid 95s. thru NY/NJ. I read some routes from someone in CT back on the first page of this thread.. do those routes still stand correct? I don't mind adding on a bit of time.. i would rather do that and have a smoother ride than to get stuck in NYC traffic.
I am thinking we would probably do it over 2 days - staying somewhere (any advice) in between.

Any/all advice from New England based travelers are welcome!! PLEASE! LOL I need to know exactly what i am getting myself into.

And for added info, check out the "For 2,000+ Mile Drivers Only!" thread!
All the best.

 

[Luvamouse]

And for added info, check out the "For 2,000+ Mile Drivers Only!" thread!
All the best.

Thank you from me also, BC1836! You started this after we had gotten home last year.

 

[BC1836]

Thank you from me also, BC1836! You started this after we had gotten home last year.

You are quite welcome!
Don't forget to share your driving experiences and tips with the marathon drivers on the "For 2,000+ Mile Drivers Only!" thread.
All the best.

 

[dthogue]

Driving down from North east PA and wondering about trying a different route. Has anyone ever gone 81 to 15 to 17 to 95?? Please let me know how this went. I am hoping to find an easier way and I really don't feel the love for the mountains of VA especially if its snowing when we leave in November. Thanks!

We are in Central PA and take this route when we head to Richmond, VA or beyond - 81 and 15 are 4 lane highways - 15 will bear off and 270 will head South to DC - the road changes to 2 lanes - you travel small towns. Traffic for the most part isn't too bad, but to me the road seems like it goes on forever - my DH on the other hand likes going this way. The one nice thing is that you keep moving, unlike sitting in traffic on 95. You pick up 95 above Fredricksburg, VA. We'll be heading this way in March when we drive to Disney.

Tammy

 

[garada3]

We are driving to Disney next summer. Our start point is northern Virginia and we plan to overnight at Hilton Head with the mother-in-law. We are very familiar with that portion of the drive

My question is the next leg of the journey. I want a 6:00am start on a Sunday morning from HHI. Can all you experienced drivers make suggestions for the rest of 95 South such as bypasses around towns etc. Also any info on the best routes to take as we approach WDW would be fantastic. WHat should our drive time be?

And I guess I had better ask about the dreaded return trip, which will be mid to late afternoon on a Thursday, Any particular things to watch out for on the drive back to MIL in Hilton Head?

Thank you all so very much!

 

[PA DISNEY]

My family is driving from PA to Orlando on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We are planning on going 81-77-26-95 to avoid traffic on 95. Has anyone gone this route recently? I'm trying to avoid any construction.

 

[jmsvss]

Hi All,

Thanks for the info, I have gone through most of the pages trying to find out if there is an alternate route available to us other then the usual I95 straight down. We drive down 2-3 times a year and always wind up hitting traffic somewhere. Our times have gone from a best of 15 3/4 hours to a worst of 22 hours . I realize that from NJ this is most likely the most direct route and timing has alot to do with it. Sometimes we don't have much choice when to leave based on business or family commitments.

We do, however, live right outside of Easton PA off route 78 and have seen some people opting for 78-81-11-26-95 or 78-81-64-95. I would really like some opinions, if based on where we are in NJ, it is a viable route (and if one is better then the other). I have heard the pluses of no tolls and less congestion, as well as the drawbacks of it being a less direct route. I have no problem with not being able to make it in 15 3/4 hours again, but don't want it to take 19 or 20 every time.

If someone has any hotel info at about just before they hit 95 to stay for the night (preferably a Marriott property) that would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

Steve,
I live in Virginia - where I81 and I64 intersect. Your post caught my eye when you mention I78. I frequently travel to Morristown, NJ via 81-78-278. That trip takes me about 51/2 to 6 hours. When I drive to Disney I take 81-77-26-95, stopping in Savannah, GA if I am breaking the trip up. This rout takes about 10 hours and is decent, low volume until you get around the major cities in FL on 95. With this in mind I think you could just about make in in 16 hours.

 

[cruisinpan55]

We are driving to Disney next summer. Our start point is northern Virginia and we plan to overnight at Hilton Head with the mother-in-law. We are very familiar with that portion of the drive

My question is the next leg of the journey. I want a 6:00am start on a Sunday morning from HHI. Can all you experienced drivers make suggestions for the rest of 95 South such as bypasses around towns etc. Also any info on the best routes to take as we approach WDW would be fantastic. WHat should our drive time be?

And I guess I had better ask about the dreaded return trip, which will be mid to late afternoon on a Thursday, Any particular things to watch out for on the drive back to MIL in Hilton Head?

Thank you all so very much!

We are also leaving on Tuesday from Pa. and going to Bluffton SC. It's just outside of HHI. You have to pass through it to get to HHI. From HHi it should be approx. 6 hrs. drive time. The worst traffic you hit will be Jacksonville. We did this trip two years ago and the constuction around there was almost done. It should'nt be that bad. We are also leaving Bluffton on Sunday morning and traveling to WLV for the rest of the week. Good luck in your trip. and have a GREAT time.

 

[soonerlpn]

Driving from OKC to Orlando in March. How horrible will it be???

 

[jmsvss]

Oklahoma - that will be a nice little drive!

How much time are you allowing yourself? Kids? How old? I grew up in the military and my parents drove four kids and two dogs coast to coast numerous times. I fondly remember these great adventures because my parents planned for such interesting stops, hotels pools, etc.

AAA trip tiks are very helpful.

 

[Jericho]

Hey I originally wanted to fly, but I'm not sure about what I should do after I read this article

http://www.authspot.com/Thoughts/Phones-on-Airplanes.360119

What do you think??

Thanks so much!

_Jer