For those folks driving!

[java]

Most of the I95 ones are Before 6PM cancelation policy. You'll know if you're going to make it by that point.

Wanted to update that when I made reservations for our trip down they changed the cancelation policy to 6PM THE NIGHT BEFORE you check in. I don't know if it was just that one or most of the hotels now. just FYI

 

[casey49781]

Anyone drove from Michigan ? what is the shortest and fastest way? We are way up in the U.P. We are leaving in March.

 

[yooperfamily]

Anyone drove from Michigan ? what is the shortest and fastest way? We are way up in the U.P. We are leaving in March.

Where are you in the UP?? We are in the Keweenaw!

Edited... nevermind! I googled the digits in your name & it was a zip for St. Ignace!!

 

[beachgirl2000]

We're hoping to make it to GA from SE PA in August. We'll take 95 and hope to get to Savannah. I'm relying on AAA to help me make reservations on my way down. They will help you find the location and the rate that works for you They are open until 9 pm week nights and 4 pm on Saturday...not sur eof Sunday hours.
__________________

We drove from Philly to Orlando (AKL) on May 8th -- We left around 2:45 am and we stopped for the first time at a cracker barrel in Wilson, NC around 9:15 am -- then we drove straight until we hit a rest area in South Carolina (that had to be around noon) and then stopped at the Best Western Savannah Gateway for the night. We got there before check-in but our room was ready -- the room was clean and cute and it was less than $80 with AAA -- it had a Denny's on site and a Ruby Tuesdays and Applebees within walking distance -- It was perfect! We got up the next morning and left at 4:30 AM and were at AKL by 8:15 AM.

Coming home was not as smooth -- We hit traffic in DC -- IT WAS A NIGHTMARE -- Apparently the Phillies were playing and the game was just letting out so all of the Phillies fans were driving the same way as us and then the Preakness was going on in Baltimore so we hit that traffic too -- But we drove straight through on the way home -- we left at 3:30 AM from Orlando and arrived in Philly a little before 8:00 PM that nite.

Would I do it again? DEFINITELY! We are driving again next October and this time taking our dog so we will need to find a pet friendly hotel to stop over nite but I would still love to stay in the same area that we did before in Savannah. Hope that helps some!

 

[mrstomrice]

We're hoping to make it to GA from SE PA in August. We'll take 95 and hope to get to Savannah. I'm relying on AAA to help me make reservations on my way down. They will help you find the location and the rate that works for you They are open until 9 pm week nights and 4 pm on Saturday...not sur eof Sunday hours.
__________________

We drove from Philly to Orlando (AKL) on May 8th -- We left around 2:45 am and we stopped for the first time at a cracker barrel in Wilson, NC around 9:15 am -- then we drove straight until we hit a rest area in South Carolina (that had to be around noon) and then stopped at the Best Western Savannah Gateway for the night. We got there before check-in but our room was ready -- the room was clean and cute and it was less than $80 with AAA -- it had a Denny's on site and a Ruby Tuesdays and Applebees within walking distance -- It was perfect! We got up the next morning and left at 4:30 AM and were at AKL by 8:15 AM.

Coming home was not as smooth -- We hit traffic in DC -- IT WAS A NIGHTMARE -- Apparently the Phillies were playing and the game was just letting out so all of the Phillies fans were driving the same way as us and then the Preakness was going on in Baltimore so we hit that traffic too -- But we drove straight through on the way home -- we left at 3:30 AM from Orlando and arrived in Philly a little before 8:00 PM that nite.

Would I do it again? DEFINITELY! We are driving again next October and this time taking our dog so we will need to find a pet friendly hotel to stop over nite but I would still love to stay in the same area that we did before in Savannah. Hope that helps some!

Thanks for the info! I'd love to hit the road by 6 am...we'll see if I can convince DH of the same!

 

[jondvl]

Has any one living in Berks county PA driven down PA Turnpike to I-81 to I-95?

I checked it on Google maps and it is only about an hour more than going down 95 all the way.

I also here alot of people talking about getting directions and maps and reservations from AAA, do you need to be a member?

 

[java]

I also here alot of people talking about getting directions and maps and reservations from AAA, do you need to be a member?

Yes you need to be a member- or have a friend that's a member get it for you.

 

[Spookie1010]

Thanks for providing the info!

 

[chonga]

We just joined AAA, and it was rather reasonable. Plus they have some great benefits. I think a basic one year membership is around $65.

[QUOTE]I also here alot of people talking about getting directions and maps and reservations from AAA, do you need to be a member?[/QUOTE]

 

[debelfish]

to stay the night on our way to WDW. We left Virginia at 6 am and got to the hotel about 4. We did stop at the state welcome centers and a couple of rest stops. I was pleased with the cleanliness of the hotel. The gas station next door had the best buy for the entire trip, 24 bottles of water for 3.99!
In case anyone needs to stop for the night I would recommend it.

 

[mrstomrice]

to stay the night on our way to WDW. We left Virginia at 6 am and got to the hotel about 4. We did stop at the state welcome centers and a couple of rest stops. I was pleased with the cleanliness of the hotel. The gas station next door had the best buy for the entire trip, 24 bottles of water for 3.99!
In case anyone needs to stop for the night I would recommend it.

What part of VA? How much further (time wise) was the remainder of the trip to Disney? Thanks!

I just booked the hotel (Fairfield Savannah I-95) via AAA for $94 plus tax...includes internet and continental breakfast. The cancellation policy is 6 pm the day of the stay, which is perfect! Any more reviews are appreciated

 

[debelfish]

What part of VA? How much further (time wise) was the remainder of the trip to Disney? Thanks!

I just booked the hotel (Fairfield Savannah I-95) via AAA for $94 plus tax...includes internet and continental breakfast. The cancellation policy is 6 pm the day of the stay, which is perfect! Any more reviews are appreciated

I live about one hour north of Richmond Va. I got a deal through Marriot for 79 a night it taxed out to 89. Not much of a difference. We ate at the Cracker Barrel adjacent to the hotel. My kids liked the pool. I thought the breakfast was great for a small hotel. They had make your own waffles, pasteries, cereal.
I was so impressed with the chain we stayed at another one in Lumberton NC on our way back.
Have a great trip.
Elizabeth

 

[jessd_ct]

I am new to this site and am not sure if this has been asked. We are driving from CT down to Disney in September and I was wondering if there were any traffic laws that were special or unique (as compared to CT) that we should be aware of

 

[Tomh]

I'm not really certain of any traffic laws along the way that might cause issues for you. Really, most of the trip is highway anyway, so as long as you obey the speed limit (and it's 70 for a good bit of the trip), you should be fine.

I suppose if you are really interested in traffic laws in the various states, you can probably find some information via google.

 

[mrstomrice]

I live about one hour north of Richmond Va. I got a deal through Marriot for 79 a night it taxed out to 89. Not much of a difference. We ate at the Cracker Barrel adjacent to the hotel. My kids liked the pool. I thought the breakfast was great for a small hotel. They had make your own waffles, pasteries, cereal.
I was so impressed with the chain we stayed at another one in Lumberton NC on our way back.
Have a great trip.
Elizabeth

Thanks! That was a great deal! Looks like another 4.5 hours to Disney, is that about right? I think Lumberton is where we stayed when we drove last time.

 

[pbharris4]

I live about one hour north of Richmond Va. I got a deal through Marriot for 79 a night it taxed out to 89. Not much of a difference. We ate at the Cracker Barrel adjacent to the hotel. My kids liked the pool. I thought the breakfast was great for a small hotel. They had make your own waffles, pasteries, cereal.
I was so impressed with the chain we stayed at another one in Lumberton NC on our way back.
Have a great trip.
Elizabeth

debelfish...you must live near me..I'm in Fredericksburg.

 

[mrstomrice]

We did book Savannah at first, but then heard about Kingston Ga. I found a Microtel Inn hotel for 59.00 a night. Any info would be great. It is newer hotel about 2 miles from 95 and it has wifi and breakfast included. DH is still not happy about the long drive, but I think we will do fine. Now to see what time the FL Welcome center opens for the free OJ!

 

[NALA 24]

Has any one living in Berks county PA driven down PA Turnpike to I-81 to I-95?

I checked it on Google maps and it is only about an hour more than going down 95 all the way.

I also here alot of people talking about getting directions and maps and reservations from AAA, do you need to be a member?

We drive from NE PA and use I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95. The ride is scenic and we found less congestion than using more of I-95.

 

[honeybee616]

hi there - this is my first time posting and hoping to get some useful tips and advice on the crucial transport pre planning we are currently doing!

We are coming to USA from England in Feb 2010. We have been advised that car hire is our best option for the trip we have in mind - any comments on this much appreciated:

we will be visiting nashville, hendersonsville and hiltons (west virginia) for sure and then atlanta and onto the west coast of florida,crystal springs, zephry hills, titusville, florida keys .

We need to be in cuba for end of april 2010 (via another island) but this is our only constraint.

We seem to feel that flying into nashville and doing car hire from here eastwards then down through florida with a drop off in say miami is our best option ???- but we are keen to hear what local experience has to say? we are on a very tight budget so every penny counts ...and we are wondering if different pick up and departure points are in fact our best option also as we could potentially look at same pick up/departure location ie orlando and do a round trip????

with many thanks in advance for any assistance you can give us

 

[LadyBeBop]

with many thanks in advance for any assistance you can give us

Sounds fun. By theory, car rental seems to be your best bet. However, it sounds as if you'll be renting the same car for two months. That can easily cost you some money...I'm estimating a couple thousand dollars right there. And that's if you pick up and drop off in Orlando. If you pick up in Nashville and drop off in Miami, that's going to cost you more.

I'm thinking maybe buying a used car in Nashville and reselling it in Miami might be cheaper. But that's a gamble, and used cars aren't always trustworthy.

BTW, how many are in your group?