For those folks driving!

[Flyerfan]

Hey there! Haven't posted in a while since we flew our last trip in July.

We are driving to HHI next month and we do 81-77-95. Last time we drove to WDW we had to go straight thru Charlotte. I believe the new "outer loop" (I-485) is complete except the northeast section. Anybody take that lately?

 

[kandb]

We are leaving Rockland County, NY on a Friday night in October and driving straight thru. We are going to leave at around 6pm, so will be driving all night Friday into Saturday. Does anyone know if there will be any construction or traffic areas? Thanks, Linda

 

[NJBILL]

Just got back from Florida and wanted to share a great website for Orlando weather as well as travel weather for all areas of the county. Great resource as we are in the peak of the tropical season.

www.travelweather.weebly.com

 

[Greenepona]

BF and I are driving from Perry Hall, MD on 10/22. leaving at around 8pm and driving straight through to WDW!

We shouldn't hit much if any traffic on I-95 right?

 

[rugman1969]

Oh I hope you add more info, we are coming from central Texas for the first time and have no idea how long it will really take...

Maybe this will help you:
From new orleans it is 11 hours

 

[jasko5990]

BF and I are driving from Perry Hall, MD on 10/22. leaving at around 8pm and driving straight through to WDW!

We shouldn't hit much if any traffic on I-95 right?

You'll probably hit some on I-4 around Orlando since you'll probably be going through that area around 8:00 am.

 

[jondvl]

Hey there! Haven't posted in a while since we flew our last trip in July.

We are driving to HHI next month and we do 81-77-95. Last time we drove to WDW we had to go straight thru Charlotte. I believe the new "outer loop" (I-485) is complete except the northeast section. Anybody take that lately?

Please let me know how that route works for you(81-77-95). We live near Lancaster,Pa and are planning a trip for May 2011.

 

[csharpwv]

We took that route on a Sunday afternoon - and there was VERY VERY VERY little traffic - I could hardly believe that we were in Charlotte - since the last time we went right through Downtown it was around 4:00am and the traffic was a mad house!!!

I would definitely suggest taking the loop!

 

[babesboo99]

We are driving to disney for the first time as a family. We are coming from Albany New York any idea's on how to better our experience driving and not hitting all the traffic?? We are leaving on the 15th or 16th of October, we were also trying to decide if we should try to drive straight through we will have 3 adults and two 3 year olds.. any advice would be appreciated..gotta love this board

 

[echip]

We are driving to disney for the first time as a family. We are coming from Albany New York any idea's on how to better our experience driving and not hitting all the traffic?? We are leaving on the 15th or 16th of October, we were also trying to decide if we should try to drive straight through we will have 3 adults and two 3 year olds.. any advice would be appreciated..gotta love this board

We drove to Orlando from NYC 4 times in the past.
3 times drove straight down.
We took 95 straight, no problem at all.
Either we got lucky or the timing was good.
We usually start very early in the morning on Sat 5AM, so the ride is very smooth from NYC to DC.

If you leave on the Sat Oct 16th very early, I think you could take route I95.
But if you leave on Friday Oct 15th, I would say avoid going thru NYC, unless you drive at night.

I strongly recommend sleep early the night before.
Also have at least 2 drivers, so you could alternate when the other feel tired.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[PrincessMom4]

We just recently drove from our home right at Canada-US border to Georgia the first 24hrs. Left our house around 4pm and got to Kingsland area (with stops and gas breaks) around 3pm. That was about 20hrs plus a a few potty break stops, grocery shop and gas-ups (plus customs )

 

[disneylover1959]

The gas buddy website is wonderful! You have to save every penny you can so you can spend at WDW. I appreciate the tips and information that you shared.

 

[iggler]

we are decideing wheter to drive or fly. Is ther an advantage to having your car while there? We are staying at the CBR. Would it be better to driver ourselves around, say like for dinner ressies, or thake the free transoportation provided by disney?

 

[Flyerfan]

We've done both. In July we flew, took ME and we always use Disney transportation when we're there. It was a piece of cake for us but it's just two adults, no kids. We just came back from HHI 3 days ago and drove. Traffic was terrible on the drive down (Columbus day weekend) but not too bad coming home. We drove straight through coming home. Coming from WDW, we couldn't do that. I would be miserable.

After doing both, I just can't stand the drive anymore. For future trips to WDW we will be taking the big birds. For just the two of us, it's not worth it to drive.

 

[Flyerfan]

we are decideing wheter to drive or fly. Is ther an advantage to having your car while there? We are staying at the CBR. Would it be better to driver ourselves around, say like for dinner ressies, or thake the free transoportation provided by disney?

To answer your question, it is easier to have your own car for dinner ressies. However, it's not impossible to use Disney buses to get to where you're going. It just takes a little longer. We've done it but it's just the two of us and we figured our travel time. We've also used our car when we drove and it's fairly easy to get around on Disney property.

If getting around at WDW is the only factor in whether you drive or fly, I would say fly. It depends on what you want to spend on travel, how far you have to drive and if you can stand the drive. As for me, I can't do the 18 hour drive anymore. It's easier to fly for us.

 

[SPBendersky]

Seems as though now with the rising cost of airfare we will be driving more often.

 

[saphyre]

I have driven to WDW countless times from NY and now from MD. My experience when travelling with young children is to start right after dinner and drive through the night. When the kids wake up you are almost there.

 

[dawz1026]

We drive yearly from Long Island NY- We found the best way to do it is leave Saturday morning around 6am. We arrive in Jacksonville usually between 7-9pm and kick back and have dinner and when we wake up we are only 2 hrs away! This is the best way since we do not lose sleep.wake to early or drive at night. We do 6 nights and then spend day 7 visiting resorts,dtd and enjoy things one last time then we start driving back home after 5. It saves on the hotel fee,we lose no time at wdw and we drive back sat get home sun or drive staright through depending on traffic.

 

[66Tink]

We drive yearly from Long Island NY- We found the best way to do it is leave Saturday morning around 6am. We arrive in Jacksonville usually between 7-9pm and kick back and have dinner and when we wake up we are only 2 hrs away! This is the best way since we do not lose sleep.wake to early or drive at night. We do 6 nights and then spend day 7 visiting resorts,dtd and enjoy things one last time then we start driving back home after 5. It saves on the hotel fee,we lose no time at wdw and we drive back sat get home sun or drive staright through depending on traffic.

Thanks so much Kathy for your perspective!!! We are thinking of driving for the first time in June and our biggest problem is deciding what time to leave Long Island and where to stop on the way down After reading your post it sounds like a great plan...thanks again

 

[dawz1026]

Thanks so much Kathy for your perspective!!! We are thinking of driving for the first time in June and our biggest problem is deciding what time to leave Long Island and where to stop on the way down After reading your post it sounds like a great plan...thanks again

of course! anytime!