we are coming from New York.. My husband wants to drive straight through.
We live in northern NJ (Bergen County, about 6 miles from the GWB). We have driven a few times, most recently was Feb (5th-13th). DH was always dead set against the drive because he thought it would just be too long and the kids wouldn't do well. He now says that driving is the only way to go and he will never pay to fly again! The kids usually do great with the drive (especially now that they are older) and i think driving is part of the fun.
We have driven straight through and stopped over, honestly I prefer straight through with a majority of the driving done during the night. Driving during the night really cuts down on the "are we there yet?" from the kids and it just makes the trip more relaxing.
What works for us is leaving around dinner time/ early evening. DH usually works that day so he starts off the drive and drives until he gets tired, around midnight or so. I try to sleep as much as possible during the day that we leave so I am well rested and ready to take over when DH gets tired. The kids don't like to wear their pj's in the car because they don't like anyone seeing them like that when we make bathroom breaks etc. They usually wear comfy clothes like sweats and t-shirts. We always have a cooler packed with drinks and we make sure to pack snacks (goldfish, granola bars, cookies, chips, fruit, mini cereal boxes, etc.). A portable DVD player is a life saver! We also have some travel games, magazines (i can read in the car DD13 can't it makes her nauseous), and i-pods are great too so there is no fight over the radio stations, oh and their nintendo DS's. When DH decides he is tired we usually stop for gas and a bathroom break, then I take over. DH pops in the earplugs and I pop in my i-pod (only 1 earbud so i can hear emergency vehicles etc.). I make sure my i-pod is loaded with some of my favorite up beat tunes. Everyone sleeps while I drive (I am more of a night person so it doesn't bother me at all). By the time the kids wake up we are ready to stop for breakfast. Earplugs are wonderful for the passenger especially when the passenger is trying to nap while the kids are awake.
Just remember that if you are tired PULL OVER AND REST, we have done this a couple of times if necessary, even if it was just for an hour or two. Many, many people pull over to nap at the rest areas, we have never had a problem.
One thing we did when the kids were younger was try to stop for meals at fast food places that have a "playplace" so that the kids could burn off a little energy for about 20-30minutes after they ate. We also bring a football or frisbee to toss around for a few minutes when we stop at rest areas for bathroom breaks. i know it doesn't sound like much but, 15 minutes out of the car running around does a world of good for everyone. Good Luck!!
** A great book to get is called "Drive I-95", it's and exit by exit guide that lets you know basically what is at each exit (restaurants, hotels, gas, etc.) on the way down 95. We bought it in Barnes & Noble a few years ago and have used it ever since. I know some people say that some of the places at the exits are closed due to the economy but, we always try to pick exits that list a variety of things so we have never had an issue.
** Just in case you were wondering about cost. On our last trip in Feb. it cost us about $300-$350 round trip for gas and tolls(we also did a little driving around the orlando area). We drive a minivan (at the time it was only 6 months old). Gas is cheaper now, I think it was almost $3.00 a gal. when we went, maybe a little less.
We always stop at the first 7-11 we see (I looooove me some Slurpees...an Icee just won't do it for me!) and then again usually in St. Augustine.
) It's not so bad driving there it's the drive home that kills us. There are 6 of us so i pack plenty of snacks, movies and each child has a mp3 player. We don't rush going either way and stop at almost every rest area.
Each trip kept getting longer and longer. It was eating up the time we could spend with the Mouse. Unless the cost of airfare gets to the point I can't come up with the money I don't see us driving again. Fortunately DH agrees. He has no desire to drive either.
