How to survive the car ride home

[Mo-Yo]

We have gone to Disney both ways - via car and via plane.

The plane trip is definately easier - though not as much as you'd think considering airport check in and baggage claim and all that.

Anyway...this year, we (me, DH, DS10, DD8, DD6) are driving again in March from Southern NJ, near Phila (16-17 hours) - probably straight-thru.

It's a financial thing.

There is a lot of info about going south to Orlando, ie where to stop for food, hotels, gas, etc., but not so much about the way home.

Are there any road warriors out there who can give me some advice on when to leave, where a good mid-way goal might be for the way home, you know, survival strategies.

The road there is so much easier than the raod home, isn't it?

 

[Hillbeans]

Hi Mo-Yo -

I've done the drive straight through once from Jacksonville FL to Bradley Beach NJ - We left at 5:30 pm and got home around 8:30 am. We didn't have kids at that point and I have to say that I really didn't enjoy the drive but i'm kind of spoiled with flying there in 2.5 hours.

It's an ok drive, but driving through VA and NC are probably the longest parts of the trip. The drive down is usually fun because of the anticipation of the trip - it's the drive home that's *ugh* hard.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[dsnymomof4]

Oh yes. I totally agree. The drive home is dreadful! We did this in August - for financial reasons as well. We left around 2:00 and got home at 8:00. We drove straight through - just wanted to get home asap (actually is was when the tropical storm was coming up the coast and we tried to beat it home - ended up driving through it in the Carolinas!) Anyway, I vowed never to drive again (I think I also said that after our 2005 drive), but looking at airfare for April, I think we might have to do it again! We alsways drive straight through, but given that time frame, we were probably ready to stop overnight in North Carolina. The one thing we liked about the drive is that we got to stop to eat somewhere we couldn't in NJ - a Sonic drive-in. The kids (and I) thought that was neat. Good luck!

 

[OhMari]

Get a portable dvd player, it will be a lifesaver.

 

[ceopamom3]

from 2.5 hrs north of Philly in PA. We do generally fly now, but we have driven it as recently as last December. We have always driven straight through.

I like to squeeze every last minute of vacation in, but I have found that it is better to leave as early as possible on the last day - 6 a.m. if possible. We don't even eat breakfast until we are on the road a few hours. This would get you home before midnight - and you drive less hours in the dark.

I second the DVD idea - we have a DVD player in our van and it is wonderful .. I have three kids about the same age as yours. We also generally travel with a well stocked cooler accessible to the kids w/ drinks and snacks.

I don't mind the ride down, back is tough.. I think it is tougher on DH and I than the kids - but I would definitely do it again if it meant I could get to Disney! Have a great trip!