For those folks driving!

[disney-inspired]

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...

my niece will still be rear-facing in her car seat but that means we can stuff a lot of stuff behind the seat.

 

[Original Amber]

Why is your toddler niece facing backwards? Infants are supposed to face forward at six months.

 

[bluezy]

Why is your toddler niece facing backwards? Infants are supposed to face forward at six months.

Infants are to be rear facing for at least one year. Longer is better. Ideally they stay rear-facing until they have outgrown the rear-facing height and/or weight limits for their convertible car seat. Rear-facing is significantly safer than forward facing.

Kudos to disney-inspired's family for keeping that little girl rear-facing into her toddler years!

 

[disney-inspired]

Why is your toddler niece facing backwards? Infants are supposed to face forward at six months.

Definitely not. There is no need for her to seat face forward at such a young age. It is strongly recommended that children stay rear-facing up until they reach the correct height/weight and/or 2 years of age for their safety. She just got upgraded to a new car seat and she'll stay rear-facing until she grows out of it.

Infants are to be rear facing for at least one year. Longer is better. Ideally they stay rear-facing until they have outgrown the rear-facing height and/or weight limits for their convertible car seat. Rear-facing is significantly safer than forward facing.

Kudos to disney-inspired's family for keeping that little girl rear-facing into her toddler years!

Exactly!

 

[CherylA]

Just back from a R/T drive from Connecticut last week. We left CT at 4am on Saturday, drove to Manning, SC; stayed at the Baymont Inn, ate at Mariachi’s (and loved it). We were in Manning by 6pm. Next day we left by 7 am. Stopped more often, ate lunch sitting in the restaurant as opposed to while driving, took our time in general, got to Disney at 2:30 pm. For the trip down I wouldn’t do anything differently. Perfect trip down with virtually no traffic.

On the way home we left Disney about 10:30 am stopped for a sit down dinner at a Fatz in Florence, SC then stayed overnight at a Days Inn in Fayetteville, NC (got there about 9:30pm) Next morning left at 7:30 am for the rest of the drive home. Got home to the New Haven area of CT about 9:30 pm. The last day of driving was tough. We hit significant traffic jams outside of Washington DC and from NJ through NY City. If I could do it over again I would try something different for day 2 of the way home. Day 1 to Fayetteville was fine but we need to figure out a way to not hit so much traffic in DC and NJ/NY. Maybe if we hit DC about 7pm on a weeknight (which would have put us at NY about 11pm and home at midnight) or if we stopped for the night just before DC and then got on the road for 4am (either making day 1 of the return trip really long or stopping overnight twice) So for anyone coming from a similar area just some things to think about.

 

[nono]

Next morning left at 7:30 am for the rest of the drive home. Got home to the New Haven area of CT about 9:30 pm. The last day of driving was tough. We hit significant traffic jams outside of Washington DC and from NJ through NY City. If I could do it over again I would try something different for day 2 of the way home. Day 1 to Fayetteville was fine but we need to figure out a way to not hit so much traffic in DC and NJ/NY.

If you can leave Fayetteville around 6:45 a.m., without a huge traffic snag, you could make the 2:45 Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which would have you arriving in Cape May, NJ at 4:15 p.m. This route and timing would land you at the NJ/NY border* of the Garden State Parkway around 7 p.m. (assuming no traffic jams, and just driving the speed limit - ). In the winter I wouldn't do it as there are so few ferries per day, but April - October...it's something you might want to try once to see if you like it.

*Obviously only if you need to avoid the GWB, but you'll have a couple hours to decide which bridge to take on this route..

 

[CherylA]

If you can leave Fayetteville around 6:45 a.m., without a huge traffic snag, you could make the 2:45 Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which would have you arriving in Cape May, NJ at 4:15 p.m. This route and timing would land you at the NJ/NY border* of the Garden State Parkway around 7 p.m. (assuming no traffic jams, and just driving the speed limit - ). In the winter I wouldn't do it as there are so few ferries per day, but April - October...it's something you might want to try once to see if you like it.

*Obviously only if you need to avoid the GWB, but you'll have a couple hours to decide which bridge to take on this route..

I didn't even know this existed. What a cool idea. I will look into it, thank-you!

Edited to add that I looked up where it is and I think its too far out of the way to make it worth it. It actually adds mileage (and drive time) to our trip even though we'd be on the ferry part of the time. Cool idea though.

Putting these here mostly for myself for our next drive. Here's what I would like to do for the return trip:
Saturday morning leave Disney (hope to be on the road about 10am) and drive to Amelia Island, FL (about a 3 hour drive, 195 miles) and spend the afternoon (and night) there. Sun AM leave northern FL and drive to Woodbridge, VA near the Potomic mills mall (about a 9 hr drive, 673 miles, spend the night there). Monday have a leisurely breakfast and then leave Woodbridge about 10AM and drive home (334 miles, approx. 5.5 hrs), should avoid all rush hour Monday traffic and be home about 4pm. Means keeping the kids out of school for a day but I think its worth it.

 

[thepops]

The other option would be to catch the AutoTrain in Sanford (4PM) and you get into Lorton VA (Near Woodbridge) about 9am. Get to eat diner and sleep on the train and ready to go the next morning

 

[wdw4lif]

We've always driven as there's 5 of us and it's a lot more affordable for us. Not to mention my fear of flying LOL! We're driving from Iowa and doing it in 2 days. We were hoping to make it through Atlanta, but it would be on a Friday and would put us going through there at about 6pm. Not cool. So I'm thinking stopping BEFORE we get to Atlanta, getting up early and taking off. I don't know when the best times are to go through Atlanta. Nor do I know any good places to stop around there for hotel. I want a safe place, but not wanting to spend $200 per night either. Any tips?
Here's our route:
I-74 E
I-55 S
I-64 E
I-57 S
I-75 S

 

[CherylA]

The other option would be to catch the AutoTrain in Sanford (4PM) and you get into Lorton VA (Near Woodbridge) about 9am. Get to eat diner and sleep on the train and ready to go the next morning

Love the autotrain, have actually done it a few times. So expensive though especially for 4 of us and I don't do well in coach. Cant sleep sitting in a seat so I like to get the deluxe accommodations (a tiny little room but at least I can sleep laying down!) I love the experience but hate the price! Ends up being cheaper to fly!

 

[Original Amber]

Here's our route:
I-74 E
I-55 S
I-64 E
I-57 S
I-75 S

I suggest you stay on 74 until either 57 (Champaign) or 65 (Indianapolis). Whichever way you go, you will then take 24 to 75.

Three years ago we drove to Indy and then down, spending the night in Chattanooga. When we go home next month, I plan on spending the night in Chattanooga and driving up Illinois. Going home last time, and going down this time include a side trip to Huntsville, AL to the Rocket Center and Scottsboro, AL to the Unclaimed Baggage Center.

 

[java]

Driving again! About a month away now. Starting to plan and freaking out a bit. Just DD and I are driving. Everyone else is flying down later. YIKES!

 

[Original Amber]

We're now a month and a day from WDW and four weeks from the Rocket Center in Huntsville. YIPPEE!

 

[PrincessMom4]

Been a while since being on here...LOL... Need some driving help. Where can I find those coupons that each state offers for hotel "deals" other than when you actual drive through that particular state?? We are looking to get a reasonable deal on a hotel stay as we are a larger family of 6. Thanks all Is

 

[Original Amber]

Been a while since being on here...LOL... Need some driving help. Where can I find those coupons that each state offers for hotel "deals" other than when you actual drive through that particular state?? We are looking to get a reasonable deal on a hotel stay as we are a larger family of 6. Thanks all Is

I think you would be better off making reservations before you leave home. We're five and we have a reservation for the trip home. We can cancel as late as 4:00pm on the day of the reservation.

 

[CherylA]

Been a while since being on here...LOL... Need some driving help. Where can I find those coupons that each state offers for hotel "deals" other than when you actual drive through that particular state?? We are looking to get a reasonable deal on a hotel stay as we are a larger family of 6. Thanks all Is

Most of those coupon books are for reservations made same day. I agree with the PP that you should make a reservation you can live with and when you pick up the coupon books if you can find something better then cancel the other. Where are you thinking of stopping?

 

[Thumper1066]

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.

Two days at least. And I take it from your background your mom may not be a spring chicken. Al-bet from an active athletic family. You both need to take a walk about every 90 min to 2:00, hydrate and circulate. Your vacation will be more the better for the prevention. I envy the time you and your mom are soon going to have together. A real roadtrip....!

 

[flafan]

Hi Everyone,

I was hoping someone could give me some hotel suggestions that are off the highway Rte77 near The Charlotte NC area, does not have to be Charlotte but we are looking for a safe area with easy access off the highway we are arriving around 10pm and I get so nervous about safety. We usually drive 95 all the way to Florida but we are trying a new route this time just a little nervous thats all.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated

Thanks All

 

[CookieGVB]

I live in NJ and looked into taking the Cape May Ferry. As far as I can tell, it doesn't cut much off the distance, and yet takes an hour and a half. I'm puzzled - what do people feel is the benefit of taking the ferry?

 

[nono]

I live in NJ and looked into taking the Cape May Ferry. As far as I can tell, it doesn't cut much off the distance, and yet takes an hour and a half. I'm puzzled - what do people feel is the benefit of taking the ferry?

If you want to travel during regular business hours, it might be something to consider...to avoid Baltimore/Washington tie ups. If you are going through in the middle of the night, it's not going to work. If you don't hit any traffic at all when you go through Baltimore or DC, then that's the faster and better route.

Also, for folks from New England and certain parts of Canada, it provides a 90 minute nap, and again, no snarls around Baltimore/DC. There's a lot of plates from Quebec and northern NE on there regularly.

If you like a variety of roads, it could be for you. That seems to be the thing for folks from northern NJ who choose it. They seem to be majority one driver, and prefer the variety of the GSP, then boat, then back roads, US Routes, before joining up again with I-95 south of Richmond.

For me, I live close to it...it's our way of getting anywhere south, as it takes almost 2 hours to get up and around. I don't think it's for everyone.