Has anyone with a long drive (20 hrs or so) driven solo to WDW?

[Donald is #1]

Hi everyone! Have any of you driven solo to WDW when your drive is 20+ hours? (In my case I think that it is about 22 hours) If so did you like it? Also, how many days did you split the drive over?

For some reason, I am thinking about driving from NH to WDW for one of my trips (not sure which one) just for the adventure of it. Of couse this makes no sense because with just me, it is cheaper to fly. But for some reason I am drawn to the idea.

 

[gpmac]

we have driven this far as a family...with my hubby doing all the driving.....we've gone non stop and done a stop for aobut 4-5 hours to sleep a few times.
I would be warry of doing it alone.....just for not having someone there to chat with to keep you awake. People always think they're not that tired - yet in actuality are ready to fall asleep.

 

[PrincessCastMember]

Hey there Donald,

Yes, I have made the long trip to Orlando by myself once. My trip was around 18 hours, a little shorter than yours, and I drove from Chicago to Orlando. For me, I had made this drive a few times before, but always with family or friends. It did make it easier for me though because I knew where I was going. I divided the trip up into two days. The first day I drove from Chicago to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Orlando. This way I went a little more than half way the first day, so the second day seemed so much faster. Personally I really didn't enjoy traveling by myself. I only did it out of necessity, I couldn't find anyone that could get the time off to drive with me. It's a much more enjoyable experience when you can make the trip with someone else. I do recommend making a lot of mix cds or bring a couple of books on tape. One I'd recommend is the Kingdom Keepers on tape. It gets you pumped for Disney Well hope you have a safe trip whether it's by yourself or with someone else

 

[black562]

I went with a friend, but made the whole 14 hour drive myself...not THAT bad. Like they said above, go just a little over halfway the first day, then the next day is quicker. I'm not sure of your route, but Charlotte or Charleston SC would be good as a stopping point.

 

[pdchris]

I don't know why, but when I first read your post, I thought you meant straight thru to Orlando w/o stopping overnight.
Like 'princess' I did a 2 day drive by myself (altho I live in Ludington (NW MI) so add on 4 hours to her trip . I also stopped in Atlanta to stay the night.

Altho, while we're on the topic, my longest non-stop trip was Ludington to Billings, MT.; 26 hours.

 

[Donald is #1]

we have driven this far as a family...with my hubby doing all the driving.....we've gone non stop and done a stop for aobut 4-5 hours to sleep a few times.
I would be warry of doing it alone.....just for not having someone there to chat with to keep you awake. People always think they're not that tired - yet in actuality are ready to fall asleep.

Excellent point! I have driven 6+ hours by myself without any problem, but nothing even at 10 hours.

Hey there Donald,

Yes, I have made the long trip to Orlando by myself once. My trip was around 18 hours, a little shorter than yours, and I drove from Chicago to Orlando. For me, I had made this drive a few times before, but always with family or friends. It did make it easier for me though because I knew where I was going. I divided the trip up into two days. The first day I drove from Chicago to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Orlando. This way I went a little more than half way the first day, so the second day seemed so much faster. Personally I really didn't enjoy traveling by myself. I only did it out of necessity, I couldn't find anyone that could get the time off to drive with me. It's a much more enjoyable experience when you can make the trip with someone else. I do recommend making a lot of mix cds or bring a couple of books on tape. One I'd recommend is the Kingdom Keepers on tape. It gets you pumped for Disney Well hope you have a safe trip whether it's by yourself or with someone else

Excellent point on the music. Luckily, I can play my IPOD through my car stereo. I would definitely divide the drive up into 2 or 3 days. If I had someone with me sharing the driving, then I would probably try 2 days. But by myself, I think that 2 days would be too long each day.

I went with a friend, but made the whole 14 hour drive myself...not THAT bad. Like they said above, go just a little over halfway the first day, then the next day is quicker. I'm not sure of your route, but Charlotte or Charleston SC would be good as a stopping point.

I definitely have to figure out where the stopping points would be. 10 hours would put me about Washington DC. So, maybe 2 hours past Washington? If I split into 3 days, then I think that I would probably stop in Baltimore the first night.

I don't know why, but when I first read your post, I thought you meant straight thru to Orlando w/o stopping overnight.
Like 'princess' I did a 2 day drive by myself (altho I live in Ludington (NW MI) so add on 4 hours to her trip . I also stopped in Atlanta to stay the night.

Altho, while we're on the topic, my longest non-stop trip was Ludington to Billings, MT.; 26 hours.

Hmmm, so your drive is about what my drive would be.


26 hours non-stop? Even with another driver, I couldn't do that unless I drove the first half because I can't seem to sleep in a car.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

I used to do the drive from NJ to WDW a few times a year through the late '80s and early '90s. Then I drove and RX7 and it was just too much fun not to drive. I live in NJ. I'd leave after work and make it down the turnpike and I-95 to someplace south of Richmond, VA. Hitting the DC area late night was more fun than hitting it during the day . . . much less traffic. The next day, I'd get up when I felt like it and drive the rest of the way. Heading down was always more fun than heading home. Now I'm married we usually fly down, but every once in a while we drive using the same strategy. Last time I did the drive was in October 2006. I think we'll do it again this year at the end of September.

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

I made the drive down as the only driver with a 10 year old and 14 year old in the little car with me last August. I really pushed myself and did 16 hours the first day and then I think it was about 5 the second. I really love driving and road trips so it wasn't too bad. I stopped in southern SC on I-95 for a motel, and the drive seemed like nothing the second day.

 

[tawasdave]

I have driven from Northern Michigan solo (except for kids) several times..each time I drive straight through...drive time 20-22 hours...yea its hard...I used to take no Doze...but those made me so jittery..this last time I took those 5 hour energy..they work well and I did not have any jitters...what keeps me going now is XM radio...I can switch to different stuff all the time and even check on the Orlando weather as I drive...before XM I always took books on tape...kept me awake...you can rent books on tape at Cracker Barrel resturants and drop them off at any other Cracker Barrel along the way...good luck..

 

[ANTSS2001]

But for some reason I am drawn to the idea.

if you must!!! Well in my case the last time I drove was when Hurricane jeanne was on her way up and I was on my way down... I drove through rain and wind... and got there in 14 hours since nobody was driving but me and before that with the kids it had taken me 18-20 hours depending on how many times they had to go potty... I try to drive from night to morning so they were asleep!!! But after SWA started flying to PHL... thats it no more driving for me... Goodluck!!!

I used to do the drive from NJ to WDW a few times a year through the late '80s and early '90s. Then I drove and RX7 and it was just too much fun not to drive. I live in NJ. I'd leave after work and make it down the turnpike and I-95 to someplace south of Richmond, VA. Hitting the DC area late night was more fun than hitting it during the day . . . much less traffic. The next day, I'd get up when I felt like it and drive the rest of the way. Heading down was always more fun than heading home. Now I'm married we usually fly down, but every once in a while we drive using the same strategy. Last time I did the drive was in October 2006. I think we'll do it again this year at the end of September.

hey nieghbor where abouts in Joisey??!!

 

[Carrieannew]

Ditto on the solo driving. Even though on my last trip I did have my daughter (10) and then picked up a hitch hiker in VA. But i did all the driving.

Planning to do the same for August. I will probably leave on a Weds night after work and get in 5 or 6 hours driving. Try to get at least 10 the next day and if any left the rest the morning of arrival day friday.

Its coming home that really stinks. But last trip we stopped in VA Beach for the night and that really helped. (also helps that I work for a hotel chain and get great discounts) so we will make a road trip out of it, it just becomes part of the trip.

Good Luck

 

[Donald is #1]

Thanks everyone, you have given me plenty to think about! I did send off for a trip tik just to see where they would recommend stopping each night.

I think that for my December trip, I will probably fly since I have already dedicated all of my vacation this year. But maybe in the next year or 2 I will plan a trip where I drive down and spend my normal 8-10 days at WDW and then take more time driving back with a few sight seeing spots to break up the drive.

 

[Donald is #1]

Well, the trip tik that I sent off for from AAA came yesterday. According to AAA, it is 1345 miles between my house and Orlando. They also say the drive it 20.25 hours. Of course, when I do the math, that time does not inlcude any stops because the average mph is about 66.


Now I can do more plotting. Of course, it may be a couple of years before I decide to drive down, but who knows. Of course, if I hadn't already bought airline tickets for my September trip, that would have been the trip to drive since my sister is going with me.

 

[pdchris]

Well, the trip tik that I sent off for from AAA came yesterday. According to AAA, it is 1345 miles between my house and Orlando. They also say the drive it 20.25 hours. Of course, when I do the math, that time does not inlcude any stops because the average mph is about 66.

Got me beat by 52 miles, Donald. But I would probably still beat you there as I don't have to drive the Boston-NY-D.C. corridor.

 

[ANTSS2001]

Well, the trip tik that I sent off for from AAA came yesterday. According to AAA, it is 1345 miles between my house and Orlando. They also say the drive it 20.25 hours. Of course, when I do the math, that time does not inlcude any stops because the average mph is about 66.


Now I can do more plotting. Of course, it may be a couple of years before I decide to drive down, but who knows. Of course, if I hadn't already bought airline tickets for my September trip, that would have been the trip to drive since my sister is going with me.

well just make sure you dont plan to drive on Dec. 12 there is a dinner you need to go to on Dec. 13

btw when are your Sept dates???

 

[Donald is #1]

well just make sure you dont plan to drive on Dec. 12 there is a dinner you need to go to on Dec. 13

btw when are your Sept dates???

Dec 13th fits in great with my plans. I'll be there from 12/4 until 12/15. Since they changed the ADR window, I haven't really even decided on any plans yet.

I should fully read your post. My Sept dates are 12/12-19, but we will only be at WDW on the 12th. On the 13th, we are leaving for the DVC member cruise.

 

[ols386]

I drove from Indiana to Orlando many years ago when my kids were around 7 & 9 years old, and I was the only adult, so I was the only driver. It was around 20 hours. We drove about 7 hours the first day (evening), and the remainder of 13 hours the next day. It was a long haul, but it really wasn't too bad. I don't know if I could do it again now....I'd probably have to do like 10 hours each day, and even that might be a bit much. Once we arrived at Orlando/WDW, it was GREAT!!! That was their first trip to WDW, and they loved it. My dd26 and I still go to WDW together once in awhile. I'm much more of Disney nut than she is.

 

[xmlguy]

I've driven from So. Cal to Orlando and back 3 times. That's about 15,000 miles. My average speed was about 52 mph. That's about 300 hours on the road.

 

[ANTSS2001]

That's about 15,000 miles. My average speed was about 52 mph. That's about 300 hours on the road.

 

[black562]

Its the best 14 hour drive ever and I'll be making it again this August. Passing through "the other Virginia", North & South Carolina, Georgia and on to Florida!!!