Has Anyone Driven Straight Through??

[lovelyk68]

We just drove straight through from Disney to Michigan. I do agree with CarolA that it is tough to drive through the night. We left at 5:00 am and arrived back at 12:30 pm. That way, we adults had six hours of sleep and the kids still slept some in the car. Good luck!

 

[cranbiz]

I drive frequently from MA to Deltona (about 45 minutes NE of Disney). I always drive straight thru but normally have two of three drivers.

Last trip I had two going down but just myself going back. I made it from Deltona to Fredericksburg before pulling over for a couple of hours sleep, I would have most likely been able to go further if I left earlier in the day but to maximize my FL time I left at 6pm. I try to do the majority of my driving at night, less traffic and I usually make much better time.

If you are well rested before leaving and take breaks when needed (not just gas stops) You will most likely be fine, however only you will know what your limits are.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[madhouserobey]

got to love the suburban there is nothing like filling mind (99) 45 gallons have the bigger gas tank. nov 2003 orlando to baltimore 14hrs and 15 mins i have a lead foot. will you be taking 58 across to 95 or taking 64 to 95 or 460 to 295 to 95

 

[owtrbnks]

Well, let's see. According to Mr. McNally it's 992 miles from Pittsburgh and 999 from Phily. Since you only stop to pee, you must get great gas mileage! 13 hours to WDW means you would have to AVERAGE OVER 76 MPH not including potty stops (more like 80+ MPH). Like CarolA says - hope you don't crash and kill somebody! Glad that we fly!

 

[duck_adoo]

We're leaving on 8/19 from Rhode Island driving down, and staying at POR through 8/27 too!! I was thinking about writing WDW or Bust on the back windshield..but maybe I'll put duckadoo instead! We're stopping overnight though. We drove straight through to Atlanta in 2003 and we were wiped out! For us, I'd rather get a good night's sleep and arrive in better shape than we did last time. WHen I'm tired..we'll lets just say I"m not the most pleasant person We've requested Ab since they'll be 5 of us.

 

[Wickedmom75]

I am taking 58 and catching 95 from Emporia. Don't really have a lead foot and won't go more than 10 miles over so I will be in the slow lane while everyone passes me I wanted to put going to see the mouse but then the kids would read it and I would be busted. I am hoping they are eithere asleep or so totally involved in a movie that they won't notice the wecome to florida sign (yeah right!!!!!! ) My only fear is that we will end up on the shocker thread!!!

 

[PattnFmly]

I've driven straight through twice (but not with kids yet!). Had two drivers both times and left approximately 6am both times. The non-driver actually pushed the seat back and slept when it wasn't their turn to drive, we didn't talk much. We also maximized drive time by eating from the cooler in the car, (pre-made sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, cut up fruit) only stopping to switch drivers when we needed a gas or potty break. The best trip of the two got us to Orlando in just under 23 hours. We had time to stop for a big breakfast and visit friends before actually getting to WDW. Then, after check-in, we just set up our tent/campsite in Ft Wilderness ate at Trails End, went swimming to relax then went to bed early! Slept like a log, but was ready and rarin' to go the next morning!

 

[disneydreamer98]

I live in Michigan and we drove straight through all the time when I was growing up. At the time I lived in Northern Michigan and it was a 24 hour drive. My Mom and Dad always did all the driving themselves. This last trip that we just took in June consisted of myself, My DH, our 2 DS 5 yrs and 9 mos and my Mom. I now live in a Northern suburb of Detroit and although we weren't planning on it, we ended up driving straight through on the way down. My Mom and I did all the driving. I guess it was just the adreneline and excitement that kept us going because we didn't even leave here until 4:30 in the afternoon after DH finished with work! With potty breaks, a good break for breakfast as well as a stop at the Disney Welcome Center in Oscala, FL we arrived at WDW at 1 o'clock the next afternoon! 21 hours in all!

 

[Wickedmom75]

Yeah I fugure Adrenaline will keep me awake for the trip down . It is the ride back up where I am sure I will be exhausted we have plans to stay with my inlaws If I am too tired to drive on the way back they live in north carolina , it is about 5-6 hours from home there so we can crash and then get up early the next morning and be on the road home if we have to. I am so excited I am bouncing

 

[LBKB]

We are from Michigan too and we always drive straight through on the way down (just can't wait to get there). Husband and I take turns driving but I do most of it because I am no good with direction and I love driving (driving is my job) Hubby hates driving. On the way back we usually get a room half way as the anticipation is gone and really no reason to push to get home. It's not bad at all.