How do you prepare for the long drive to WDW?

[jrsharp21]

We will be driving from the Houston area to WDW for Spring Break. It appears to be about a 15 hour drive. We are leaving around dinner time and I really want to drive straight through so we are there the next morning. For those who have made the long drive to WDW, how do you condition yourself for the drive? When we drove from Cali to Houston we did 16 hours in one day and I drank a handful of 5 hour energy drinks along with several Rock Stars. It helped out but I am not a big fan of taking in that much caffiene in that short of time.

 

[maxiesmom]

I won't drive more than 12 hours in one day. By then everyone is usually sick of being in the car and need a break anyway. Can you not break it down into 2 more manageable days?

We have made the drive from my home in Grand Rapids, MI to Gatlinburg, TN more than a few times. And that is just over a 12 hour trip. What works best for us is to leave after work, and then drive 5 or 6 hours. Hit a hotel for the night, and then finish up the drive bright and early the next day. You can usually get great deals on hotels by looking in those rest area booklets.

I think if I just pushed through and drank a lot of caffeine to keep me going I would crash hard the next day.

 

[jrsharp21]

Not too worried about the next day crash. The day after I drover 30 hours to Texas I went and played golf for 36 holes with no problem.

It is possible we could break up the drive, but I would rather push through and get there sooner to enjoy the parks longer.

 

[jakenjess]

How many drivers? My DH and I just take turns driving while the other one sleeps, and we do the 24-hour drive in a straight shot. If you can sneak in a nap during the day before you leave that may help, too. We don't drink anything other than coffee and Coke, and not too much of that, otherwise we wouldn't be able to nap as well. Safe travels!