Help talking husband into driving.....

[themacfive]

I'd appreciate any/all advice on how to convince husband to drive (from Lowell, Ma) to WDW this year instead of flying. This will be our 12th year in a row vacationing at WDW. We've always flown, and flown with excellent rates (such as SWA $49). But, this year I'd really like to drive. I'm am an excellent packer/planner, so I think of it as a challenge. I know my viewpoints on driving (cost, own car, ability to bring so much more such as food, beer and the experience of seeing other states). We are a family of 5 (kids are 14,12,7)and have a minivan, so I know we'd be comfortable. I'd love tips from anyone who has make this trip on ideas and also fun places to stop. I though if I had little stops of fun on the way, they'd look forward to each stop, not just the WDW. In fact, my sons want to stop in Philly to run up those steps like Rocky did - anyone ever do that?

Thanks for any information!

 

[corinascot]

Is money a factor? You could always estimate the dollar amount you'd save by driving. We also like the flexibility of driving. On our trip to WDW in June we decided to stay an extra night. No problem. We wouldn't have done that if we had air reservations. We drive from the Cleveland area. Last year we stopped for a couple days at the Golden Isles in Ga (Jekyll, St. Simon's). You could also stop in Charleston, Savannah, DC, Richmond,Philadelphia. I did run up the steps at the museum in Philladelphia, but it was MANY years ago. The traffic in that town is always awful when I've been there, so you'd have to add a great deal of time for a stop, as you would in any large city. We stopped at Okefenokee Swamp once for an afternoon. We always have a good time on our long drives to FL. and elsewhere.

 

[themacfive]

Thanks! I think I need to have a definate plan of route, with all stops to totally convince him. The money factor plays a big roll, of course. Anyone know what a good half way point is from Boston to WdW???

 

[dwkwootton]

We just drove down 2 weeks ago and took the AutoTrain home, arriving yesterday for the snowstorm! I would drive again in a heartbeat. We went from Phila to DW in 15 1/2 hours and, to us, it was a pleasure. We didn't rush, we did the speed limit, and were in charge of our timetable (which was shorter than we expected!) We stopped every few hours for maybe 5 or 10 minutes to stretch our legs. We had packed a great picnic lunch so that we would not have to take the time to stop for meals but eat as we drove, listening to music, enjoying the scenery, and having the time to really have great conversations. We stopped for the night in South Carolina, had a nice dinner at Cracker Barrel, and were at Old Key West by noon the next day. I got great advice here on the boards for avoiding traffic problems in Wash DC which worked great ... you really do want to plan ahead for that one ... the only possible drawback to driving for us will be snow from now on. I wish we had driven on our past trips!

 

[Jacksmom99]

Hi from Norton! We drive every year and the first year was really the most fun. We took our time and stopped to see the sights along the way. The first night we stopped near DC and went to see the Washington Monument and walked around. DS was only 2 and didn't really appreciate it, but DH and I had fun. However, the drive took us 3 days doing this leisurely pace. Now we leave in the early am (like 3 or 4) and drive to Lumberton, NC. It is near the NC/SC border. The drive to Orlando, with only bathroom and rest breaks really takes about two 12 hour days. So, unless you have extra vacation time, don't plan on much site seeing. For us, it really isn't any cheaper to drive as I have to take unpaid days off from summer school in order for us to drive. Those missed days would just about pay for our plane tickets! That being said, I like to drive because I can pack as much as I want and still have room to bring the stroller, the pack-n-play, the golf clubs for DH, and of course all the groceries. We are driving in Feb because the airfair was so ridiculous, but are flying in August for the first time. Oh, on the return trip we always stay around Chester, VA, it's about half way. Avoid Petersburg, VA if you can we've stayed at two different hotels there and both were gross! And, the Days Inn in Cheter is DISGUSTING also. Go with a Fairfield, Hampton Inn, or Holiday Inn and you should be OK. We've done the drive 4 times with our 5th coming up in Feb. Please feel free to ask if you have anymore questions. BTW, my SIL lives in Lowell and my brother is in Dracut.

Kim

 

[NUHuskies#1]

We're driving this summer for the first time as a family as well. DH and I made the trip a long time ago and want to thank Jacksmom for the great suggestions!

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm with your husband. The drive *to* a vacation is often "fun" (for small values of "fun"), but the drive home never, ever is. We drove from MI to the outer banks last year---a shorter drive than you are facing---and it would take quite a bit to get me to do it again.

I'd take the plane even if it cost more (and it probably doesn't). According to the IRS, it costs roughly $1 per three miles to drive, not including lodging costs (it's actually a bit more, but that's a nice round number). AAA estimates it's a shade over 1350 miles from Lowell to WDW. That's $900 in mileage costs for the round trip. Compare that to the cost of airfare + rental car/towncar, and it's closer to break even than you might think.

 

[themacfive]

Thanks for your advice!

 

[themacfive]

Thanks! I really appreciate your help! I really like the idea of being able to pack anything and everything I want. I especially needed the advice of where to stop and not to stop, thanks!

 

[lomillerin]

49.00 round trip- how and when is this possible? I have never seen such a rate

 

[themacfive]

SWA offers it a lot ($49 each way)!

 

[simzac]

Sorry, no help here, I would rather fly.

 

[crzy4dsny]

I'm with your husband. The drive *to* a vacation is often "fun" (for small values of "fun"), but the drive home never, ever is. We drove from MI to the outer banks last year---a shorter drive than you are facing---and it would take quite a bit to get me to do it again.

I'd take the plane even if it cost more (and it probably doesn't). According to the IRS, it costs roughly $1 per three miles to drive, not including lodging costs (it's actually a bit more, but that's a nice round number). AAA estimates it's a shade over 1350 miles from Lowell to WDW. That's $900 in mileage costs for the round trip. Compare that to the cost of airfare + rental car/towncar, and it's closer to break even than you might think.

Thats just what the government says you can use for tax purposes. There is no way it will cost you $900 to drive your car to Disney.

 

[ebarj1098]

We drive from WI. This year we'll bring a DVD player for the car! We also are planning 300 round trip for gas plus2 motel stops for under 50 each. Even if we make it 4 stops (2 there, 2 back) it still is 500 RT. This WAY beats 220 RT per person for 4 of us on airfare!

 

[Lewisc]

How much of the driving will you be doing and what's the furthest you've driven for previous vacations? Prehaps he doesn't want to get to Disney tired from doing that much driving? How long is your trip? If you're only going to be taking a week off you'll be spending too much time on the road. Certainly if you were going for 3-4 weeks driving would make more sense.
When are you going? Driving during the winter months and you run the risk of bad weather.

Are you leasing your van? If so will the trip put you over your mileage allowance?

crzy4dsny--The government figure includes an allowance for your car. If OP owns the minivan, doesn't have to worry about going over a lease allowance, the government figure will probably exceed their out of pocket expenses. If the van has a fair amount of miles then one breakdown on the road will get the cost up there pretty quick.

 

[cranbiz]

We have driven to FL many more times than flying (although I'll admit we have flown alot this year)

We live in Carver and it's around 1300 miles to Orlando. This past year I have driven twice and have another driving trip scheduled for late March. I normally drive straight thru, but make stops along the way as necessary. I have done the stop mid way (usually Fredericksburg) If I'm alone, but if I have another driver or 2 we just go for it. If you have the extra time go for it as there is so much to see and do along the way. I have heard that there is a Disney outlet in VA that is just off of Rt 95 that is worth visiting.

I say go for it.

 

[capegrenier]

This year will be our 4th driving trip to disney. All of our trips have been in Feb or Dec. If you are going for less than a week and a half driving may not be an option for you. It is a whole day (if going straight through) and then some resting time to deprogram from the drive. The flexibility of driving is nice though, you are able to stop at any place that you want and the money that is saved is a bonus. Also if the weather looks bad you can leave early or just stay another day.
Good luck, Kate

 

[Brian Noble]

Thats just what the government says you can use for tax purposes. There is no way it will cost you $900 to drive your car to Disney.

Yes, because the government is overly fond of allowing you to deduct more than your actual costs, right?

These are not out of pocket expenses (which is just gas), they include depreciation, maintenance, etc.

 

[Lewisc]

Yes, because the government is overly fond of allowing you to deduct more than your actual costs, right?

These are not out of pocket expenses (which is just gas), they include depreciation, maintenance, etc.

The government allowance overstates the actual, incremental costs of driving. Insurance and depreciation are probably the 2 largest auto expenses. Neither is really applicable to a person taking a trip, those expenses are fixed. The trip costs are basically gas, tolls and an oil change. I'd add in the cost of food and the hotel for a night. You could pro-rate the cost of tires and brakes and figure maybe 10% of the cost of a brake job and a set of tires.

Do the arithmetic if you're paying by mile (lease). If you have a high mileage car and are worrying about it braking down don't even consider it.

 

[Okiemom]

I guess if you have the extra time, If might be an option. But personally for my family, I would rather fly. Kids don't get as tired, don't have to unload and reload car at each hotel stop. With the rates you are able to get, I would rather fly.