For those folks driving!

[dalstitch45]

We are going to be driving down from NJ this year. We were going to do it last year, but decided not to. My DS wants to do the road trip thing, so I told him he will be doing most of the driving. Especially, since I let him talk me into it, and he convinced me with the you can bring back more stuff line. We are thinking about leaving 8:30 or 9 a.m. on 5/28. He wants to drive straight through, but I don't. My thoughts are to stop somewhere around Savannah, and get up fresh for in the morning.

I have several questions. Since this is the start of the Memorial Day weekend, should we leave earlier in the morning? Is Savannah a good place to stop, or should we stop sooner? Does anyone know if South of the Border is closed, or is this just a rumor? My DS loves this place even though he is grown now.

I am hooked on flying, and haven't done road trips in a few years. I am trying to get psyched for this driving trip even though I swore I would never drive more than three (3) hours again. I forgot, he wants to stop several places along the way once we get past Virginia (outlets, South of the Border, etc.). Any help would be appreciated.

 

[disneyfan55]

We are going to be driving down from NJ this year. We were going to do it last year, but decided not to. My DS wants to do the road trip thing, so I told him he will be doing most of the driving. Especially, since I let him talk me into it, and he convinced me with the you can bring back more stuff line. We are thinking about leaving 8:30 or 9 a.m. on 5/28. He wants to drive straight through, but I don't. My thoughts are to stop somewhere around Savannah, and get up fresh for in the morning.

I have several questions. Since this is the start of the Memorial Day weekend, should we leave earlier in the morning? Is Savannah a good place to stop, or should we stop sooner? Does anyone know if South of the Border is closed, or is this just a rumor? My DS loves this place even though he is grown now.

I am hooked on flying, and haven't done road trips in a few years. I am trying to get psyched for this driving trip even though I swore I would never drive more than three (3) hours again. I forgot, he wants to stop several places along the way once we get past Virginia (outlets, South of the Border, etc.). Any help would be appreciated.

Well, the drive is fun!! We drove all but 2 of the trips in my signature from NU!! We also drove cross country 6 times! My kids still come and want to drive (not kids anymore either 31 and 29!! much older than your son!) Anyway, we have always driven straight through until I injured my back a few years ago. Savannah is a great place to stop and we have stopped there both ways the past 2 trips!! If you leave around 5-5:30 you will get to the Port Wentworth exit (109 in GA) by about 7 or so with some stops to eat and gas. We stayed at a Days INn there (and I do suggest reservations since it's a weekend plus Memorial Day weekend-they have a cancellation policy as long as you do so by 6 pm no charge) they are clean and have a full free breakfast. It's just a short drive to Savannah and you can check it out in the evening (we did this as well) South of the Border is still open (at least in Feb this year it was) It's really not a great place to visit but if you never have been by all means stop and walk around. The shops are just worn out and restrooms nasty. They should spend some on cleaning it up instead of all the billboards!! Any other questions, ask!!

 

[dalstitch45]

Thanks Disneyfan55. Actually, my son is the same age as your youngest. I just recently heard the South of the Border rumor, and it has been about 10 years since we stopped there. My DS still talks about those billboards. He used to love getting firecrackers there.

 

[disneyfan55]

Thanks Disneyfan55. Actually, my son is the same age as your youngest. I just recently heard the South of the Border rumor, and it has been about 10 years since we stopped there. My DS still talks about those billboards. He used to love getting firecrackers there.

You're welcome! have fun!

 

[beachgrl001]

Ahh fellow New Jerzians!!!
I have been thinking of driving(started a thread on here before I decided to look at this one) I just bought a grand caravan and figure why not drive? It will save me around $700.00 , unless we stop overnight, which I want to but DH does not. We are hoping to go in Sept. for free dining.It will be me,dh,my mom, and ds 15 & ds 6. I havent driven to Fla. in 10 yrs so it should be interesting...going to back track a little to see what ya all have been talkin about

 

[rescuetink]

I just recently heard the South of the Border rumor

HUH??? It's been YEARS since I've stopped there!! But what rumor????

 

[java]

To the driver looking from NY looking for a hotel along your route, I found this link to be helpful in trying to find a place.

http://www.freetrip.com/cgi-bin/autopilot2.pl

It breaks your trip down giving you approximate arrival times along your route as well as a list of hotels that are along the route.. It list budget motels all the way up through your nicer hotels.... Just click on the hotel name and it will give you information about that particular resort.

Great site! Thanks. Just another tip I picked a hotel through that site and it showed as not having availability. I went to the hotel's website and found a room. So don't be discouraged - I am assuming they get a % of rooms to offer.

 

[hushupu]

We are leaving Friday April 16th around 5pm from central Mass. I was thinking of driving through NYC by way of the BQE - Varrenzanno Narrows bridge back to the NJTP. I have traveled on that road before for business and there are some impressive views of Lower Manhattan and the statue of Liberty. I know my way around so I'm not afraid of getting lost my only concern is traffic. We should be there between 8 and 9pm on a friday night. I think the kids would get a big kick out of seeing the city at night and seeing lady liberty but I dont want to do it if it's going to add hours to our trip. Anyone ever do this -- any thoughts?

 

[abline]

If I were you I would avoid NYC all together. We've driven up to Boston from Central Jersey and always take the Garden State Parkway and the Tappanzee Bridge. Just take 84 to 684 to the Tappanzee to the Garden State Parkway South to exit 127 the New Jersey Turnpike, picking up same at Interchange 11 Woodbridge. I never take the route you're thinking about. It may look short on the map but it's a pain in the you know what and once your in New Jersey you'll enter the Turnpike at Interchange 10 which is only 3 miles south of Interchange 10. Trust me. Your chances of hitting traffic will be greatly reduced.

 

[disneyfan55]

If I were you I would avoid NYC all together. We've driven up to Boston from Central Jersey and always take the Garden State Parkway and the Tappanzee Bridge. Just take 84 to 684 to the Tappanzee to the Garden State Parkway South to exit 127 the New Jersey Turnpike, picking up same at Interchange 11 Woodbridge. I never take the route you're thinking about. It may look short on the map but it's a pain in the you know what and once your in New Jersey you'll enter the Turnpike at Interchange 10 which is only 3 miles south of Interchange 10. Trust me. Your chances of hitting traffic will be greatly reduced.

YEs, we live in central NJ and when travelling to the New England area always avoid NYC! The GPS actually took us through the GWbridge with a travel trailer! It was a nightmare and high tolls! My husband loves the GPS and had I looked (probably wouldn' t have let me anyway) I would have told him to go the Tappanzee bridg. Actually coming home he did let me go the tappanzee bridge, same miles for us so I don't know why GPS takes you through NYC!! Nightmare to say the least traffic tolls, roads in need of repair!

 

[Denzbrujah]

From a New Yorker who has to make this drive daily for work ..... DONT DO IT!!!

 

[capecoddisneyfamily]

From a New Yorker who has to make this drive daily for work ..... DONT DO IT!!!

daily traffic and a Yankees fan......ouch

 

[abline]

Let's go yankees.....

 

[mskermit]

Thanks for the link. As of now, we are still planning on driving for our first time (I did it many years ago - I was not the driver but a a passernger). My oldest son might fly - not sure yet. I am trying to convince him to try it once - it also does not pay to rent a car for 10 nights. He hates to drive it and I hate to fly.

we drive from New Jersey all the time, ( gloucester coutny) and it is not a bad drive at all. just make sure you leave early enough to get past the DC morning traffic!!! we stop in brunswick GA overnight, the hotel is 1/2 hour from the Fl border

 

[mskermit]

We will be driving down from NJ and plan to drive straight through. Leave at 7pm with 2 drivers a 7yo & 2 yo. Are we crazy? Anyone have any advice?

we drive from NJ too, gloucester county. i do all the driving, can't sit still in the car. we drove straight thru last time and it was exhausting,i cant sleep in the car either!!, we left at 9pm,thursday ,traffic in MD at night, got to SC about 8:30 am got to fort wilderness at 3:30pm. by wednesday i was tired missing a nights sleep. this time we are leaving about 2am to get thru the DC morning rush, staying in Brusnwick GA. perfect hotel right off I95, 89.99 a night. it is 1/2 hour from the FL border

 

[glocon]

We will be driving from the Nashville area on the Tuesday after labor day. Drivng thru Atlanta always seems to be a bear for us, but someone mentioned a bypass? Anyone know what the rush hour times usually are in the Atlanta area both am and pm? Thanks!

 

[glocon]

Did I say Labor Day? I meant Memorial Day. Thanks for any help!

 

[rescuetink]

we drive from New Jersey all the time, ( gloucester coutny) and it is not a bad drive at all. just make sure you leave early enough to get past the DC morning traffic!!! we stop in brunswick GA overnight, the hotel is 1/2 hour from the Fl border

We're driving from Camden County!! We leave Friday, stop in Fayetteville, NC and continue on to WDW on Sat!! We're picking up my DS from school at noon and we HOPE to get through DC and Baltimore before afternoon rush hour!! We'll see how it goes, it says it's about 8.5 hours to the hotel, but with kids and traffic that could easily turn into 10 hours!!

PRAY FOR US!!!!!

 

[hushupu]

Just got back last night from WDW driving round trip from central Massachusetts. Left Upton, MA at 5pm on 4/16 and arrived in St Augustine, FL at 3:30 pm on Saturday, spent the night and arrived in the World at 9am on Sunday. We left Down Town Disney at 2pm on Sunday and drove straight through getting back at 2pm Sunday. We took the Mass pike to 84 to 91 then 95 the rest of way including straight through NYC.
It is not a problem for me to drive straight through the night as I work nights and my girl friend drove during the day.

 

[mskermit]

We're driving from Camden County!! We leave Friday, stop in Fayetteville, NC and continue on to WDW on Sat!! We're picking up my DS from school at noon and we HOPE to get through DC and Baltimore before afternoon rush hour!! We'll see how it goes, it says it's about 8.5 hours to the hotel, but with kids and traffic that could easily turn into 10 hours!!

PRAY FOR US!!!!!

good luck!! is this your first time driving??? its not a bad drive at all. we are staying in brunswick GA, found a comfort inn for 80.00 a night and only 1/2 hour away from the FL border. I drove 2008 with 3 teenagers!!!!talk about insanity!!! I personally like the drive, i do all the driving myself too. let me know how it goes!! have a great time...