Have you driven Seattle to DL??

[ORMom2Four]

It looks like Priceline has a "name your own price" for Redding, CA. That's the best way to get hotel rooms really cheap. You'll need to bid closer to the time you leave, but you can normally get each room for $40-50 (we always need to get 2 rooms because of the # of kids we have).

 

[tink2dw]

We went to DL twice with friends in their van. 1st trip was straight thru, in the car at 4am, only stopping for potty breaks. Very unpleasant.

2nd trip going down, we stopped at an Olive Oil Store and stayed in a Best Western Hotel with free hot breakfast. And on the way back we stopped at the Jelly Belly factory and took the tour and bought big bags of less than perfect looking but great tasting jelly bellies!!

Kids need heathly snacks, string cheese, Special K Breakfast bars, free koolaide water bottle flaver packs, or the 30 calorie ones, Go-GURT tubes
http://www.yoplait.com/products_gogurt.aspx

 

[8gr8mouseketeers]

We are a few hours north of Seattle and have driven it twice. We actually did not stop for the night either trip. We figured it would be easier on the kids to sleep for part of the drive, but it was definately harder on mom and dad. If we did it again (we've flown our last 3 trips), we'd stop for the night. We have 6 kids, btw.

If you are at all thinking of flying, check out jetblue. They fly from seatac to long beach, and we've gotten flights for as low as $59 each way. Also, Allegiant air has flights from Bellingham to LAX for $37 each way often. The flights are only on certain days of the week, so it may not work for you, but something you might want to look into.

 

[8timesblessed]

We usually stay at the Bestwestern Hilltop Inn(Redding) and have not had a problem with 5 in the room. We love their hot breakfast before heading out to LA.

Jack

I looked at this one but it didn't get great reviews on Tripadvisor so I skipped it.

 

[Amommy21]

Yes, we have done it twice. It's for SURE a 2 day drive each way.

We usually take 3 days one way because we can't resist theRedwood Forest and driving down the California Coast. Totally worth it! The kids will LOVE the drive through trees! And it's sooo beautiful. We also do the Golden Gate Bridge, but don't really stop in the city.

The two day leg we just stay on the 5, and stay in Redding as our halfway. It's still two FULL long days.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I looked at this one but it didn't get great reviews on Tripadvisor so I skipped it.

Never had a problem in 15 plus times, the place is always packed.

Jack

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I live 3 hrs further away from you in BC. We tend to be a little less comando when it comes to our drive down, and usually do it in 3 1/2 days and take the I-5. DH usually has a union meeting that day, so afterwards we cross the border, do a major food stock up at Costco, and try to make Tacoma the first night. The second day we make it to Medford, the third day to Santa Nella, and finally to DL around 2pm the following day.

 

[50sjayne]

Thanks for the info. We were planning to stop in Redding but when I tried to find hotels that would work for our family I couldn't even find ones that would allow me to input 5 people per room, it kept telling me there was no availability. So then I thought we might plan to leave here around noon and travel to Eugene, OR and stop and visit a friend for dinner, let the kids get out and run around and then driving through the night and have DH and I just keep switching off driving. I think it's a 20 hour drive or so. We were thinking if we did it through the night they might not have to go potty as often. Then we would arrive in Anaheim on Sunday late afternoon and would just rest and not do Disney but enjoy the hotel etc. We will be at HOJO for 7 nights and plan to do 5 days in Disney and 1 day at Universal Studios so figured we could have a rest day or two. I just wasn't sure I wanted to get everyone out for one night and pack again. If we do stop I plan to just pack an overnight bag that we pull out but then it seems like you never know about the safety of the belongings you leave in your car. So then it was back to thinking of just driving straight through and having a rest day.

We plan to have DVD's and DSi's and such things for the car and lots of snacks etc.

So now what do you think?

What's the good Holiday Inn you like to stop at?

We have done the trip many times from Eugene. We always drive at night leaving around 4pm and getting to Disneyland in time for the gates opening.(15-16 hours depending on breaks) I actually did the trip one time with my daughter-(I was the only driver) in 14 & 1/2 hours even through noon traffic (which was an awful tortuous crawl). This was to see Bowie though at what is now the Honda Center, so I was motivated lol. Night driving is easier on the car and everyone sleeps making it a much more pleasant drive. The last time was hard on me though- I was so excited I hadn't slept the night before and couldn't sleep all night for the drive so I was exhausted. We hadn't been for nearly 10 years. Got there in time for Magic morning though and slept a few hours after checking into HOJO while husband and son hit the park. Getting through the Siskiyous before dark is a huge consideration for us, they can be very scary at night. The Grapevine was also an issue for us last year in late March. Very foggy. We broke up the trip coming back with a stay in Sacramento to visit with relatives and eat at the Squeeze Inn, (a burger joint featured on triple d) and we were relatively disappointed with how short the trip back was. Seemed a waste to stop and we probably won't do that again soon.

 

[eandesmom]

I've done it several times, we always stopped in Medford.

For me, 4 days of driving isn't worth it if we shop our flights well enough, that's 4 precious vacation days we really don't have to spend in the car. We have the Alaska Airlines kids fly free package for our upcoming trip in April.

 

[sdaughs]

I am so excited for this drive, we are leaving in 4 weeks and going from newport, OR to DL....

So a few ?'s

we are taking 101 on our way home and want to do the redwoods and drive through the big tree, is that clearly visable on 101? or do you have to wonder to find it?
I really don't want tto get lost.....

and the Golden Gate Brige, is there a place to take pictures, pull over, whatever?????

any other must see's??

THanks

 

[sasywtch]

I am so excited for this drive, we are leaving in 4 weeks and going from newport, OR to DL....

So a few ?'s

we are taking 101 on our way home and want to do the redwoods and drive through the big tree, is that clearly visable on 101? or do you have to wonder to find it?
I really don't want tto get lost.....

and the Golden Gate Brige, is there a place to take pictures, pull over, whatever?????

any other must see's??

THanks

I stopped somewhere on the Marin side of the Golden Gate to take pictures, not familiar with the area so it must be clearly marked for me to see it. Don't forget to drive down Lombard St. I've also been known to pull over to the side of the street, my passenger jump out and quickly buy a loaf of sourdough and jump back in the car (darned parking is $$$ for just a few minutes in SF on the wharf).

For the PP--Squeeze Inn just moved to a bigger location.

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

When I used to go from Tacoma to DLR, I would stop over for a night in Cannon Beach, OR. It was a good long drive, and it is a fun are to spend the afternoon. Have a great trip!

 

[50sjayne]

I stopped somewhere on the Marin side of the Golden Gate to take pictures, not familiar with the area so it must be clearly marked for me to see it. Don't forget to drive down Lombard St. I've also been known to pull over to the side of the street, my passenger jump out and quickly buy a loaf of sourdough and jump back in the car (darned parking is $$$ for just a few minutes in SF on the wharf).

For the PP--Squeeze Inn just moved to a bigger location.

Ah yeah I heard that they were moving to a bigger place, it's fairly close by though right?

 

[2lilprincess]

I am so excited for this drive, we are leaving in 4 weeks and going from newport, OR to DL....

So a few ?'s

we are taking 101 on our way home and want to do the redwoods and drive through the big tree, is that clearly visable on 101? or do you have to wonder to find it?
I really don't want tto get lost.....

and the Golden Gate Brige, is there a place to take pictures, pull over, whatever?????

any other must see's??

THanks

We did this drive last year, but in reverse. We drove through the Redwoods and down 101 into SF and then to DL. Everything is clearly marked. There are lots of places to stop in the Redwoods. Also, there is the Golden Gate Park just pass the toll booths (after you cross the bridge) that has great views of the bridge and bay. Great place to take pics.

 

[splash5]

We live in Longview (about 3 hours south of Seattle). We have driven to Disneyland (it's about a 17 hour drive). As others have posted, we split it into 2 days. The first day we drive down to Stockton (about 11 hours) and then drive the next day about 6-7 hours. We've done this twice so far, and will be doing it again on spring break (Mar. 27-April 3rd). I was always about getting there quickly (flying) and my husband said it should be more about the journey. We are 3 people traveling (myself, DH and DS 15 years old). Airfare was up to $300 pp and it is usually around $189 pp, so we opted to drive. This saves us the cost of a rental car or a shuttle to the hotels and is still cheaper (even with hotel stay and extra day) then flying.

 

[FlameGirl]

We live in Longview (about 3 hours south of Seattle).

Heh. I must drive fast.

 

[pixleyyy]

good info.. We are traveling in March, and are driving from Newport, Oregon (about 2.5 hours south of portland). This will be our first time doing this, and I am super excited.

So from the sounds of things, our plan which is to drive from Newport to about Sacramento the 1st day, and the rest EARLY the 2nd day, that is reasonable?????

we have our car dvd players, as well as the kids DsI's, and there ipods, so I think they will be ok! they are 11 and 9.

Any other suggestions???

HUGS

*waving hi* Newport is where I grew up.

 

[reynmagsmom]

hey splash5 we are neighbors i'm in Kelso

 

[d1gitman]

Have I driven Seattle to DL?

No.

 

[splash5]

hey splash5 we are neighbors i'm in Kelso

Well hello- I am waving!