For those folks driving!

[marie8461]

Thanks for the suggestions. Sadly, I don't think we will have time to see much of anything on the way down. A friend had also recommended the Spring Hills Suites (Marriott) at exit 94. Do you generally book ahead or just stop and hope you can get a room? We are traveling on Easter weekend.

 

[bluezy]

Thanks for the suggestions. Sadly, I don't think we will have time to see much of anything on the way down. A friend had also recommended the Spring Hills Suites (Marriott) at exit 94. Do you generally book ahead or just stop and hope you can get a room? We are traveling on Easter weekend.

We usually never booked ahead because we weren't sure exactly how far we would drive the first day. After ending up at the same hotel 3 times in a row, we finally booked it ahead of time the last time we went. And it's good we did because by the time we arrived at about 7:00 p.m., the hotel was sold out....and it wasn't a holiday weekend. I would suggest booking ahead of time if you know where you want to stay. You can always cancel (by 5:00 or 6:00 usually) if you decide to stop sooner or drive further.

 

[ilovethisplace]

I posted this on another thread but thought I might get more action here:

We are considering driving down from Stoughton MA (20 south of boston) and I'd like to leave at about 4pm on the Friday of our Spring Break (April 17) and drive until about 11pm-Midnight with no more than a fast food dinner and quick bathroom breaks. I'm looking at lodging in Aberdeen, MD or so. Is that being to aggressive? I am wide open to suggestions. Last time we did this drive was 20+ years ago and we drove straight through but we were much younger and poorer then. I've had bad experience on road trips without a room booked. I'd much rather drive to a destination than wing it and hope to find a room.

 

[OKW Lover]

Keep in mind that you'll be traveling on a very busy weekend. If you leave Stoughton at 4 (i'm assuming you'll just get on I-95 there) you'll have some rush hour traffic in Providence but that won't be too bad to deal with. I'd be more concerned with rush hour traffic through New Haven (about 2 hours into your drive) and NYC (about 2.75 hours into your drive) areas. I don't know how long that will delay you.

I've done the drive from Plymouth 4+ times before we moved to FL but we always tried to avoid the cities on weekdays.

 

[cranbiz]

Tough time to travel. Been there, done that.

Plan your stops carefully. The last time I traveled on the Friday before MA April vacation, the Cross Bronx was backed up for many miles at 9pm and the NJ Turnpike rest areas were backed up onto the turnpike. Consider taking I287 and the Tappan Zee bridge. That should help somewhat.

 

[ilovethisplace]

I'm now considering leaving a bit earlier, maybe picking my son up from school (2:30ish)and getting right on the road. I would probably push the stopping point to closer to DC. Unless I hit NYC at a completely dead time I tend to opt for the Tappan Zee. I assume I'll be hitting Richmond at about 8am on Saturday, will taking 295 around (I assume this is longer) be necessary?

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm now considering leaving a bit earlier, maybe picking my son up from school (2:30ish)and getting right on the road. I would probably push the stopping point to closer to DC. Unless I hit NYC at a completely dead time I tend to opt for the Tappan Zee. I assume I'll be hitting Richmond at about 8am on Saturday, will taking 295 around (I assume this is longer) be necessary?

At 8AM on a Saturday you shouldn't have a big problem in Richmond. I'm not sure of the current state of construction in the city though.

Yes, I-295 around the city is longer (in miles) but I'm not thinking its that much longer in time because the speed limit is higher. Just checked Google Maps and it looks like the I-295 route should be about 15 minutes longer.

 

[Original Amber]

We will be leaving Huntsville, AL on 18 June 2015. We must stop in Alanta, GA around noon, local time, to pick up someone who is coming in on Greyhound. Any and all help is appreciated.
Our trip back will begin on 25 June 2015 with a possible/probable overnight in Chattanooga, TN.

 

[cranbiz]

I'm now considering leaving a bit earlier, maybe picking my son up from school (2:30ish)and getting right on the road. I would probably push the stopping point to closer to DC. Unless I hit NYC at a completely dead time I tend to opt for the Tappan Zee. I assume I'll be hitting Richmond at about 8am on Saturday, will taking 295 around (I assume this is longer) be necessary?

It may be 15 miles longer but it's easily less time. The road is in better shape, doesn't have the "highway safety corridor" speed restrictions and higher fines if you get extremely unlucky. There is still construction going on around mile 74 on 95, where they are rebuilding bridges but it's now in the finishing stages (expected to be done by October).

 

[Original Amber]

I've read more of this thread now and I wanted to make a suggestion to everyone, regardless of where you're coming from. Pack a separate bag(s) for when you spend the night on the road.
Last time we went to WDW first and stopped in Chattanooga, TN. I had clothing for all three of us in one bag so we only took that in to the hotel. At WDW I only took in the bags relevant to WDW. On the way back we went to Huntsville, AL for a few days so I packed yet another bag(s) for that. When we left Champaign, I packed the bags for Huntsville in the van first, then WDW, and finally our stuff for Chattanooga.
When we reloaded the van at ASMu, I pulled the stuff for Huntsville out before I packed the dirty stuff in the van. I was a little hesitant about leaving our clothes in the van in Alabama. Since we were actively using the van, I could keep checking that all of our belongings were where we left them.
Everything made it home except my sanity, but I'm not sure that made the trip!

 

[pheonixheart]

Really glad I found this thread....my mom and I are planning a trip for Sept 2016 very early planning however we are NOT flying.....when I was younger we went to disney/Florida often because father grew up in Orlando...there were 4 of us and my father ALWAYS drove flying wasn't an option and it was always him.....flash forward 20 years I went on my first trip to Disney no parents no kids on a plane. (Pre-9/11) no problems. My mom and I have taken my 5 kids in many different combinations since then (I have several athletes who have to stay home and now they're adults) flying was never a problem until our trip last year......many unfortunate things happened (none were related to poor service so that's a bonus) after our trip in February 2015 I said no more Disney for a while....well my mom had to say she'd love a trip just us....I can't say no to that! But I said I'm driving lol. We live in upstate NY on the pa border and since I grew up with riding to fla I'm pretty comfortable with the drive. Only problem is it is just me driving. I'm ok driving long distances...but I'm like my dad I don't want to stop ever lol I wanna drive as far as I can no potty breaks and starve lol cuz we're making great time! My mom however cannot commando road trip and I'm trying to work it out how long it will take. I know I'm gonna have to split it into 2 days bc I'm pretty positive even if I thought I could drive 20 hours straight it would not be safe or smart. I have tried to figure out how far I want to go on the first day. We used to stop mid-nc but I think I could get to the sc-georgia border. Idk but it is a.comfort seeing other people love the adventure as much as I do.

 

[DizDaD7]

Really glad I found this thread....my mom and I are planning a trip for Sept 2016 very early planning however we are NOT flying.....when I was younger we went to disney/Florida often because father grew up in Orlando...there were 4 of us and my father ALWAYS drove flying wasn't an option and it was always him.....flash forward 20 years I went on my first trip to Disney no parents no kids on a plane. (Pre-9/11) no problems. My mom and I have taken my 5 kids in many different combinations since then (I have several athletes who have to stay home and now they're adults) flying was never a problem until our trip last year......many unfortunate things happened (none were related to poor service so that's a bonus) after our trip in February 2015 I said no more Disney for a while....well my mom had to say she'd love a trip just us....I can't say no to that! But I said I'm driving lol. We live in upstate NY on the pa border and since I grew up with riding to fla I'm pretty comfortable with the drive. Only problem is it is just me driving. I'm ok driving long distances...but I'm like my dad I don't want to stop ever lol I wanna drive as far as I can no potty breaks and starve lol cuz we're making great time! My mom however cannot commando road trip and I'm trying to work it out how long it will take. I know I'm gonna have to split it into 2 days bc I'm pretty positive even if I thought I could drive 20 hours straight it would not be safe or smart. I have tried to figure out how far I want to go on the first day. We used to stop mid-nc but I think I could get to the sc-georgia border. Idk but it is a.comfort seeing other people love the adventure as much as I do.

You're probably just a lil further NW then us...We're basically near the GW Bridge. SO what I'd suggest is this....& it's only a suggestion because of never done it this way. ( August will be our 1st ) Leaving at around 2 or 3 am, & getting past Wash. DC by 6 am. would be a plus. I'd shoot for Santee S.C., which is just north of the border between Ga. That way you'll only have a short6 1/2 ride the next morning.

We did like you used to....Both times I drove with the family, we left right after working an 8 hour shift, @ 4:15 sharp. We drove straight through the night & arrived in WDW around noon the next day....I figured why pay for a room on the way down, let's just get to Disney...This trip, I'm going to play it safe.. Either way, have a great drive..

 

[pheonixheart]

Thanks and since we are still a year out I have a bit of planning lol. I was thinking leaving early would be better I'm also not to worried considering we will be driving down on a weekend the week after a holiday lol. I drove to myrtle Beach last year by way of VA Beach to drop off one child with family and go down to a softball tournament....in a standard Tran car and had no problems lol...i thought Richmond was a bit messy but not too bad.
I was thinking if I can get to SC on the first day I would be good. Mom and I decided to get a room the first night at a dtd resort just for me to be able to rest and relax from the drive before officially beginning our disney trip the next day. I don't want to waste park tix or any disney time that night so we figured it would be a good way to start. I think I'm more excited about the drive than disney lol. A real adventure just me and mom

 

[DizDaD7]

Thanks and since we are still a year out I have a bit of planning lol. I was thinking leaving early would be better I'm also not to worried considering we will be driving down on a weekend the week after a holiday lol. I drove to myrtle Beach last year by way of VA Beach to drop off one child with family and go down to a softball tournament....in a standard Tran car and had no problems lol...i thought Richmond was a bit messy but not too bad.
I was thinking if I can get to SC on the first day I would be good. Mom and I decided to get a room the first night at a dtd resort just for me to be able to rest and relax from the drive before officially beginning our disney trip the next day. I don't want to waste park tix or any disney time that night so we figured it would be a good way to start. I think I'm more excited about the drive than disney lol. A real adventure just me and mom

This is true in most cases in our experiences as well, but then I remember the drive home & Poof back to reality...LoL.

This year we're breaking up the trip on the way home by stopping off in Disneys HH, then in D.C. so each leg is only roughly 6 hrs..

 

[crazelion]

We will be leaving Huntsville, AL on 18 June 2015. We must stop in Alanta, GA around noon, local time, to pick up someone who is coming in on Greyhound. Any and all help is appreciated.
Our trip back will begin on 25 June 2015 with a possible/probable overnight in Chattanooga, TN.

I ask the person to be route to Chattanooga, TN Greyhound station it is cleaner and much safer then Atlanta, Ga Greyhound. Greyhound in Atlanta is locate in a very bad neighborhood. It also next to a strip club and jail. The greyhound probably want run on time. So add time to your trip. The ticket can be reissue for 20.00 dollars.

 

[Original Amber]

I ask the person to be route to Chattanooga, TN Greyhound station it is cleaner and much safer then Atlanta, Ga Greyhound. Greyhound in Atlanta is locate in a very bad neighborhood. It also next to a strip club and jail. The greyhound probably want run on time. So add time to your trip. The ticket can be reissue for 20.00 dollars.

We just recently decided to pick him up in Chattanooga. Thanks for the info about the stations. Although, he might prefer being next to a strip club . . ..

I hate that they charge $17 for me to buy someone a ticket. I need to check out the station here in town.

 

[crazelion]

We just recently decided to pick him up in Chattanooga. Thanks for the info about the stations. Although, he might prefer being next to a strip club . . ..

I hate that they charge $17 for me to buy someone a ticket. I need to check out the station here in town.

If is a print at home ticket he must have id and the print out with him. if will call agent pick up make sure don't print out

 

[edk35]

We just got back a week ago from a 9 night stay. We drove again from MD. The last time we flew was in March 2013. What was awesome this trip.... GAS PRICES. We spent 120 dollars LESS on gas than our Aug. trip in 2014.

 

[disney-inspired]

I'm semi-excited for our drive down in September. The only thing I'm worried about is our rental car. I want to make sure we fit comfortably (3 adults, 1 toddler) with all of our luggage (probably 3 suitcases/duffle bags, baby bag, stroller etc).

From my experience, there is no way to guarantee what kind of car you get until you pick it up. They always say "similar to xyz make model". I have a free week rental with Hertz so would like to use that and not put the mileage on my sister's car.

 

[nono]

disney-inspired, a smaller duffel can go in the floor space in front of the toddler seat, and provide much needed comfort for a child whose feet don't hit the floor...