For those folks driving!

[mickeymouse108]

checking in we are driving down from CT this summer

 

[Luvamouse]

checking in we are driving down from CT this summer

Have a great trip! It is our 20th this year too

Plan well-- don't try to overdo it and be too tired to enjoy it when you arrive. Since we were so used to driving straight through on long trips, that was our biggest mistake to get over. It is smarter to stop partway there and sleep in a $100/night room than to arrive mid-day in a coma and sleep the day away in a much more expensive room. To say nothing of knowing you are at WDW and too tired to play!

 

[redwingfan3991]

who has drove from michigan any tips for me? thanks i live in the upper pennisula

HI!
NO tips but I am getting ready to do the drive from MI as well.
We live just south of Detroit.
I was looking for anyone doing the drive from MI, but looks like most
of the drivers and tips are for the East coast!

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

HI!
NO tips but I am getting ready to do the drive from MI as well.
We live just south of Detroit.
I was looking for anyone doing the drive from MI, but looks like most
of the drivers and tips are for the East coast!

I, well DH drives from Ohio So I guess we would be in your group. We can make it in a day, but you have to go through our whole state so I am not sure how long it will take from Michigan. We are only in Ohio for a little over an hour of our drive. If they have a tips down 75 thread I have missed it, so if you find one let me know. Have fun.

 

[jacksmom2009]

Anyone Traveled From Mass know any other routes other than 95 because we hear the ny/philly/dc area is a horror show. is there a way to hook back up with 84 easily from clinton ct to avoid take 95 through NYC? thanks We are leaving either thrusday nite or friday depending on weather in MA.

 

[vandyke]

Driving from Milwaukee 9:00 PM straight through to WDW 6:00PM the next day. We'll have four different drivers, and an additional 4 and 6 YO in the van.

 

[DVC-family]

Hi everyone! We are DVC owners, and we've been going to Disney every year for almost 20 years....sometimes twice a year! Last year was the first year we did not go (went to VA instead). This year, we are going during April vacation, and my DH wants to drive because airline ticket prices are ridiculous.

We are driving from MA with two kids (boys, 12 and 9). The AAA triptik seems confusing. MA-90, to 84, to 684, to 287, to garden state parkway, 95 NJ turnpike, becomes 295, to 95, to 495, to 395/95, to 295, to 95...

Looks like we go around most major cities. Anyone know this route? Total travel is 1348 miles for about 20 hours. We are leaving at 4:00 AM on a Wednesday, will stay in SC on Wed night, then drive to Disney Thursday morning.

We are thinkging of staying at the Hampton Inn, Florence. Anyone stay there?

Anyone have any idea what traffic might be like for us? What about total time to get to Florence? Not planning many stops, just gas and bathroom breaks.

Any tips would be appreciated! THANKS! Have a Disney day!

 

[mrstomrice]

DVC Family...I can't speak for the hotel you are looking at, but I can speak up for Microtel Inn. To check prices for April in Florence Sc, I picked April 14 and got the rate of about $50.00 for 1 night. Here is the link: http://www.microtelinn.com/Microtel...73&propBrandId=MT&force_nostay=false&tab=tab2

The rooms are clean and they offer a quick breakfast! Gret price!

 

[emh1129]

We are planning our first road-trip to FL this coming December.
We are coming from CT and plan to stop in Florence, SC for the night. Found a good deal on the Days Inn there, $46 including breakfast, so hoping that will be decent. I was going to book Microtel, but the reviews on Trip Advisor scared me off.. they weren't amazing for the Days Inn, either, though.
We aren't picky, though, as long as it's clean, we just need a place to crash for the night. Have any of you stayed at that Days Inn before?
I'm so excited for this trip..can't wait!

 

[chanken3]

Hi everyone! We are DVC owners, and we've been going to Disney every year for almost 20 years....sometimes twice a year! Last year was the first year we did not go (went to VA instead). This year, we are going during April vacation, and my DH wants to drive because airline ticket prices are ridiculous.

We are driving from MA with two kids (boys, 12 and 9). The AAA triptik seems confusing. MA-90, to 84, to 684, to 287, to garden state parkway, 95 NJ turnpike, becomes 295, to 95, to 495, to 395/95, to 295, to 95...

Looks like we go around most major cities. Anyone know this route? Total travel is 1348 miles for about 20 hours. We are leaving at 4:00 AM on a Wednesday, will stay in SC on Wed night, then drive to Disney Thursday morning.

We are thinkging of staying at the Hampton Inn, Florence. Anyone stay there?

Anyone have any idea what traffic might be like for us? What about total time to get to Florence? Not planning many stops, just gas and bathroom breaks.

Any tips would be appreciated! THANKS! Have a Disney day!

We have driven down from southern Maine 10 times and basically do that same AAA route. A couple of times we have done the I84 to I81 thru PA - very pretty trip but not the best for a direct route. We have found that Fredericksburg, VA is about halfway (12hours) for us. This time however we are taking the auto train from Lorton, VA down to Sanford, FL.
We are also going for April vacation - 4/17 to 4/24. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[mdinme]

We're in Waterboro, Maine and we're driving down in August.

 

[mannasn]

Any drivers from Mississippi or Memphis TN area? Any ideas on the quickest way to drive from north Mississippi? Google maps is telling me to go to Atlanta and then straight down from there - but I remember driving years ago to Dothan AL and then on across the Florida Panhandle . Google maps also suggests a drive to Mobile and then across the interstate from there. I'm so confused!

 

[saintstickets]

Any drivers from Mississippi or Memphis TN area? Any ideas on the quickest way to drive from north Mississippi? Google maps is telling me to go to Atlanta and then straight down from there - but I remember driving years ago to Dothan AL and then on across the Florida Panhandle . Google maps also suggests a drive to Mobile and then across the interstate from there. I'm so confused!

Where in North Mississippi? We are in the Hattiesburg area, so we go to Mobile and then I-10 in to FL. Depending on how far north in MS you are, you would either go to Jackson, then US49 to Hattiesburg and then to Mobile, AL or you would go to Birmingham to Montgomery to Dothan and then straight south to I-10 in FL. I can't see going all the way to Atlanta just to stay on the interstate.

 

[Looking4themouse]

Hi everyone! We are DVC owners, and we've been going to Disney every year for almost 20 years....sometimes twice a year! Last year was the first year we did not go (went to VA instead). This year, we are going during April vacation, and my DH wants to drive because airline ticket prices are ridiculous.

We are driving from MA with two kids (boys, 12 and 9). The AAA triptik seems confusing. MA-90, to 84, to 684, to 287, to garden state parkway, 95 NJ turnpike, becomes 295, to 95, to 495, to 395/95, to 295, to 95...

Looks like we go around most major cities. Anyone know this route? Total travel is 1348 miles for about 20 hours. We are leaving at 4:00 AM on a Wednesday, will stay in SC on Wed night, then drive to Disney Thursday morning.

We are thinkging of staying at the Hampton Inn, Florence. Anyone stay there?

Anyone have any idea what traffic might be like for us? What about total time to get to Florence? Not planning many stops, just gas and bathroom breaks.

Any tips would be appreciated! THANKS! Have a Disney day!

To me it doesn't seem like you miss any of the major cities, it's basically the "95" route. It should be much easier to see it on the road, it's not a bad route probably the most direct, but be prepared for traffic, I would try to leave early, early in the am if I were you.

 

[DJFan88]

Hi everyone! We are DVC owners, and we've been going to Disney every year for almost 20 years....sometimes twice a year! Last year was the first year we did not go (went to VA instead). This year, we are going during April vacation, and my DH wants to drive because airline ticket prices are ridiculous.

We are driving from MA with two kids (boys, 12 and 9). The AAA triptik seems confusing. MA-90, to 84, to 684, to 287, to garden state parkway, 95 NJ turnpike, becomes 295, to 95, to 495, to 395/95, to 295, to 95...

Looks like we go around most major cities. Anyone know this route? Total travel is 1348 miles for about 20 hours. We are leaving at 4:00 AM on a Wednesday, will stay in SC on Wed night, then drive to Disney Thursday morning.

We are thinkging of staying at the Hampton Inn, Florence. Anyone stay there?

Anyone have any idea what traffic might be like for us? What about total time to get to Florence? Not planning many stops, just gas and bathroom breaks.

Any tips would be appreciated! THANKS! Have a Disney day!

Okay - You're very close to where we are. Pulled out the last year trip tik which we would totally use again. Ours is listed at 19 hrs. 21 min. and 1274 miles. (Border of Ma/Ct).
Here's the thing, Unless you're leaving on a Sun. you are not going to clear any major cities leaving at 4 am. If you want a time reference, I can only tell you what we've done. Left our house at 7 pm on a Sat. night. The plan was to drive all the way to Savannah and stay the night. Our kids basically sleep all night and hubby and I are awake. This plan totally clears all major cities. When we got to Savannah, however, it was only noon time. Too early to check in, so hubby says, lets just go the whole way, and got there at 4:30 pm to check in at a hotel on International drive for that night. This is the second time he's done this, and I know it's crazy but it is doable (though the last 3 hrs. are killer). We take many bathroom stops and gas stops just to break it up.
This year I am planning it differently. Hubby likes early eve. naps so he will have a little rest. Want to leave at 10 pm. This will clear all major cities and allow us to reach Savannah at 3 pm. Check in and rest. Get up early (I'm talking 3-4 am and drive the 5 hrs. left and get through Jacksonville early. (Another headache city).
The way back is another story altogether. Last year we handled it by 2 very early am leaves (2 am from Disney) and made it all the way to Fredericksburg before it was totally insane. This was a weekday however, so more traffic. Always better to travel on Sun. if possible. Then we left at 1:30 am after an early bedtime and was home by about 11 am. It's pretty bad on the garden state - Hartford, not so bad.
That trip tik route does bypass NY, DC, but still expect mega traffic on working days. Also, we do break up our stops alot and on the straight drive, 1/2 hr. power nap of hubby is necessary in the carolinas, but I figure the trip tik is a little off on there time figuring. We are not speeders nor dawdlers and we travel with the least traffic possible and we never make it in the 19 hr. 21 min. they predict for us. I'd add about 1 1/2 hrs. to there figures.

Have fun! With a good attitude, the drive is really not that bad! Bring LOTS of tunes.

 

[Looking4themouse]

To the drivers from MA, you could always do what we are going to try this time around and take the 84, 81, 77, 26, to 95 route. It's a little over an hour longer, you miss the major cities completely, as well as most of the tolls. Triple A can make up a trip tix using this way as well. My DH and I plan on using this route on our way down this time in order to avoid major cities and probably major arguments, we might still be speaking to each other by the time we reach Disney lol. Beside I've heard from others on here it's a beautiful drive down.

 

[BlueFairy]

Any drivers from Mississippi or Memphis TN area? Any ideas on the quickest way to drive from north Mississippi? Google maps is telling me to go to Atlanta and then straight down from there - but I remember driving years ago to Dothan AL and then on across the Florida Panhandle . Google maps also suggests a drive to Mobile and then across the interstate from there. I'm so confused!

Well, if you are far enough north to be coming from Memphis, then take Corridor X (US 78 near B'ham) to Birmingham Then the Montgomery/Dothan/panhandle route is what we have done in the past from Birmingham (about 11 hours). Google maps and our friends are saying Birmingham to Atlanta and then I-75 will save us 1 hour. It depends on how you time getting into Atlanta. Drive time traffic can be a real problem, but we avoided rush hour once on a return trip and it was smooth sailing. We are going with ATL rather than Dothan this year.
Also, Birmingham and Montgomery can be a tad slow if you hit between 4 and 6pm on a weekday.
As for Mobile, if you are travelling via Birmingham that makes no sense. It takes you too far west. However, from southern MS it might be worth it. The panhandle drive is narrow and boring, but not bad really.

 

[LovesTimone]

Panhandle drive - boring but not crowded, this is a straight shot basically only 2 or 3 turns I-10 to I-75 south to Fl Turn pike I can't remember the exit off the turnpike. From Pensacola to the Mouse is about 7 hours depending on how much you stop. DO NOT go over 80 or you will get stopped. Tallahassee and Gainesville are bad ( college towns) .. FHP hides in plain sight.

 

[DJFan88]

To the drivers from MA, you could always do what we are going to try this time around and take the 84, 81, 77, 26, to 95 route. It's a little over an hour longer, you miss the major cities completely, as well as most of the tolls. Triple A can make up a trip tix using this way as well. My DH and I plan on using this route on our way down this time in order to avoid major cities and probably major arguments, we might still be speaking to each other by the time we reach Disney lol. Beside I've heard from others on here it's a beautiful drive down.

This does sound nice, but I have concerns as I have heard that it is very mountainous and home to many tractor trailers. We do like to night drive, and the lack of lights and the trucks is scary to me. We'll probably just stick to our program, as it works for us. There is minor inconvenience for us parents in the driving times, but we have to put in the hours no matter how we look at it.

 

[LadySiren]

We're going to be driving from Alamance county in the Triad area of NC in June. I think we should have no problem making this drive in one day; anyone want to disagree based on experience? Also, any tips you want to share or warnings about trouble spots (or speed traps, LOL) would be greatly appreciated.