For those folks driving!

[todayray]

Hi all-help me decide and list pros and cons for each that i may not be thinking of...6 of us traveling from Central Virginia. 2 adults, 2 senior citizens and 2 college students, here are the options
1. take two cars. myself and my 73 year old dad as drivers in one and my son and husband to drive the other car...economical on gas, but worried about my older dad and young-ish son driver for long distances
2. rent a mini van for 6 adults and drive down together, this is what my husband is suggesting.
3. 4 of us drive down together in one of our cars and 2 people fly (probably the college kids to fly-my parents are not airport savy and we adults would need to drive...here a worry about them waking up and getting to the airport in time, etc!!
what do you all think? ! sorry so long and complicated, but i know you'll have great input or fresh ideas!!

 

[loveysbydesign]

We are driving down from SW VA at the end of May. We'll take I-26 down to I-95. But I'm very concerned about driving 95, and delays and traffic, etc. So far, I've not seen anyone take a more "scenic" route. Does anyone not go I-95? And is there a website where I can get information on delays/construction/accidents?

Not sure how far you are from I-81...but we take I-81 S. to 77 to 26 and pick up 95 later on closer to FL(near Savannah)

 

[loveysbydesign]

Hi all-help me decide and list pros and cons for each that i may not be thinking of...6 of us traveling from Central Virginia. 2 adults, 2 senior citizens and 2 college students, here are the options
1. take two cars. myself and my 73 year old dad as drivers in one and my son and husband to drive the other car...economical on gas, but worried about my older dad and young-ish son driver for long distances
2. rent a mini van for 6 adults and drive down together, this is what my husband is suggesting.
3. 4 of us drive down together in one of our cars and 2 people fly (probably the college kids to fly-my parents are not airport savy and we adults would need to drive...here a worry about them waking up and getting to the airport in time, etc!!
what do you all think? ! sorry so long and complicated, but i know you'll have great input or fresh ideas!!

I would def. rent a van if you can afford it, instead of having older folks and teens driving.

 

[WizardLarz]

GasBuddy
http://www.gasbuddy.com/

I love Gasbuddy! You can use their Trip Calcutator. Put in your home address and I use the address for Pop Century Resort (1050 Century Dr., Lake Buena Vista, Fl). Then enter the year, make & model of your car. Gasbuddy then will let you know where you will likely stop to fill-up.

Mapquest will also do this now. Using mapquest you can input the start and finish of your trip, then click the right icon and get all the gas stations, or restaurants, or motels along the route.

 

[cah5525]

Thank you Wizard, I was aware of Gas Buddy but didn't know that I could calculate the RT cost in gas for my specific car. How handy, I am paying attention just in case it becomes more economical for me to take the train instead!

 

[flagdaytwins]

I just got back from a driving trip from CT to Disney. I believe it was 1150 miles total. Took I-95 straight (GWB, not Tappan Zee and no loops/beltways).

We did the trip down and back in 18 hours -- moving time. Our GPS calculates this for us. I believe the key was that we left CT at 9 p.m. on the way down.

Return trip: left Disney at 2 pm. Didn't tap the brakes once.

Hope my experience provides hope for those like me -- I had so much anxiety about driving that I almost cancelled the trip!! I did not want to give my hard earned money to the airlines .

 

[java]

I'm BAAAAACK!!!
We will be driving again this summer- thinking of doing the 81/77 route again. But based on when we can leave I am guessing we'll only make it to around Charlotte NC before needing to stop for the night.
Any hotel tips for the area? There are 6 of us. I would like one room if I can get one that sleeps us all cheap enough.

I see there is an Embassy Suites there but it gets iffy reviews. I don't want to get off the road too far.

So where do you stop along 77?

 

[andapanda]

What is the best route from southwest PA? Google maps gives me a choice of two route - I-77/I-95 or just I-95. Anyone with any experience with this drive?

 

[Metal80s]

I'm a veteran of the I-95 drive back and forth from Ma to Orlando and from Orlando to Ma as we also lived in Orlando for 8 years. I was thinking of trying the 1-84 to I-81 to I-77 and then pick up I-95 in SC this time but I just read that I-81 is under construction. Has anyone done this recently and if so how bad is it? We're leaving Ma on Sept 14th.

 

[java]

What is the best route from southwest PA? Google maps gives me a choice of two route - I-77/I-95 or just I-95. Anyone with any experience with this drive?

I'm a veteran of the I-95 drive back and forth from Ma to Orlando and from Orlando to Ma as we also lived in Orlando for 8 years. I was thinking of trying the 1-84 to I-81 to I-77 and then pick up I-95 in SC this time but I just read that I-81 is under construction. Has anyone done this recently and if so how bad is it? We're leaving Ma on Sept 14th.

We love that drive. It's scenic and usually traffic free(famous last words) I don't know about the construction. In searching I don't see any current " major" construction but I am going to search more. Because that would change our route.

 

[Metal80s]

We love that drive. It's scenic and usually traffic free(famous last words) I don't know about the construction. In searching I don't see any current " major" construction but I am going to search more. Because that would change our route.

Because I'm new I can't post URL's but if you do a Google search of I81 construction 2013 you'll find the info

 

[java]

Because I'm new I can't post URL's but if you do a Google search of I81 construction 2013 you'll find the info

Hmm well I found one that said between 10-1pm mon-fri. Blasting and routing around. It says it started in spring 2011. We drove that route summer 2011 and I don't recall seeing anything. Hopefully someone has done it more recently.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Hmm well I found one that said between 10-1pm mon-fri. Blasting and routing around. It says it started in spring 2011. We drove that route summer 2011 and I don't recall seeing anything. Hopefully someone has done it more recently.

We drove that route his past oct. and there was not much issue at all with the blasting and such. We saw signs but no back-ups. Only back-up we had was due to an accident.

 

[java]

We drove that route his past oct. and there was not much issue at all with the blasting and such. We saw signs but no back-ups. Only back-up we had was due to an accident.

Good news! I want to stay at the Andy Griffin Motel along the way I really do!

 

[Metal80s]

So as I stated in my previous post we're driving down to Disney in Sept from Ma with our 4 and 2 year old boys. We drove down 2 years ago and did the I-95 drive because I've been doing it for years. Looking to change things up this time and we are leaning towards the I-84 to -I-81 to I-77 to I-95 route but I noticed while looking at the map that the Blue Ridge Parkway runs parallel with I-81. Has any one gone the Parkway route and if so any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[amber.miller]

Glad I found this board! My mom and I are driving down to Florida with my DS 4, and DS 2. We are leaving Kansas City on August 10th and driving to Jacksonville, FL to visit friends for a few days before heading to Orlando and checking in to Disney on August 16th. DH is flying down and meeting us at Disney. If anyone else has made that drive or similar any tips on routes or fun stops would be appreciated!

 

[Disney Sheri]

We will be making that drive in 4 weeks. I will look for you when we get back and let you know if I have any tips. We are driving straight through and just going to Orlando.

 

[disfan4life1]

we drive 10-11 hours sometimes just for a 2 day weekend..my teenagers love the family time spent in the car..lots of singing and game playing..of course sleeping too when driving through the night

 

[WizardLarz]

Glad I found this board! My mom and I are driving down to Florida with my DS 4, and DS 2. We are leaving Kansas City on August 10th and driving to Jacksonville, FL to visit friends for a few days before heading to Orlando and checking in to Disney on August 16th. DH is flying down and meeting us at Disney. If anyone else has made that drive or similar any tips on routes or fun stops would be appreciated!

http://ngeorgia.com/tenn/pointpark.html

That can get you started! Check out the major cities websites along your route and see what they have to offer.

notes: Watch the time you hit Atlanta! Try to avoid the rushhour! Make sure if you have a GPS device or Phone App, to use it. I've driven St.Louis,MO. to WDW several times w/o : 1. wrong turn going down at Mount Vernon IL added 1hr to the drive. 2. On the way back in Nashville,TN once I had to go the wrong way due to a traffic accident and the next time took that same route, kinda out of habit I guess. 3 With the right GSP system you can be directed around accidents or traffic delays.

MO, IL, TN, You will be on mostly 2 lane divided highway. Wentsville,MO. to O'Fallon,IL. & Nashville to Murfreeesboro TN 3 or 4 divided. Once past Chattanooga,TN. onto Georgia and Florida Hwy,75 it is all 3 or 4 lane divided.

 

[matdamom]

Not sure how far you are from I-81...but we take I-81 S. to 77 to 26 and pick up 95 later on closer to FL(near Savannah)

I am about 5 miles to I-81, but 77 is north of us. We'll probably hop on 81 to 26, then hit I-95 near Savannah. Estimated to be about 10-11 hours. Anyone have any tips on where to stop?