I-95 experts: Looking for "Pit Stop" en route to HHI

[kahluacream]

Hi DVCers,

Our family will be making the long trek down I-95 to Hilton Head for Spring Break. We'd like to break up the trip so that we don't arrive exhausted. Could anyone suggest a nice "pit stop", about two or three hours north of HHI, where we could spend the night before we finish the last leg of our trip to HHI?

Thanks so much!

 

[JVL1018]

We usually stop in Lumberton, NC-stay at the Fairfield Inn.
It's about 3 1/2 hours to Hilton Head from there.

 

[BroganMc]

You can also do Florence, SC, about 30-60 miles from Lumberton. I'd just avoid the Lake Marion area. Every time we stop there for gas and food, we're always disappointed. If we were campers and fishers it might be different though.

 

[buzz5985]

We have always stayed at the Best Western in Lumberton. Mainly because our dog was traveling with us. The rooms were clean. There is a Walmart nearby for supplies. Pizza delivery. And 1st run movies in the rooms. Stayed there several times.

Janis

 

[Macnjac87]

For our past 3 trips to HH we've always stayed in Santee, SC; about 3 hours from HH. We've always stayed at the Hampton Inn, which is new and clean but this year we are trying the Country Inn & Suites (same exit) I can get a 1BR suite for less than 1 room at the Hampton Inn (3 kids, I need a little more room!) There are plenty of places to choose from to eat dinner too!
Looks like we'll be on I-95 same time as you- Here is a link to a great I-95 website if you don't have this already.

http://www.i95exitguide.com/alert/index.php

 

[BillPA]

Macnjac87
Here is a link to a great I-95 website if you don't have this already.

http://www.i95exitguide.com/alert/index.php

Thanks for the link. It looks like loads of good info.

 

[disneymagic316]

We also stay in Lumberton ,NC at the Fairfield Inn.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

We have stayed at Fairfield Inn in Lumberton as well as Holiday Inn Express in Florence. This year we decided to do the overnight drive leaving Friday and we are going to stay at a Holiday Inn in Bluffton, SC Saturday night before checking in to DVC on Sunday morning. I am just not good in the car anymore and figured that if we drove at night, I could sleep and then switch once we get to Carolinas we could stop for breakfast and I could drive for a bit.

Looks like we will be there same time!!!

 

[pb4ugo]

Dh and I leave central Jersey around 8:30am and arrive at the Day's Inn in Florence, SC [exit 157 last of the 5 Florence exits] around 6pm - that includes two stops for gas and one for lunch. There is also a Ramada Inn and Howard Johnson Express at that exit allong with a couple of local motels at that exit. We get an internet rate of about $47 + tax at the Day's Inn [king bed or two doubles with refrig and hairdryer - sometimes a mivrowave and free hi-speed internet].

The next morning we leave the Inn [we forgo the continental and belgian waffle b-fast there], hit the first Shoney's for b-fast and arrive at the HHI resort about 3 hours later. The exit also offers a Waffle House or a Huddle House and a McDonalds, and gas stations for Kangaroo, Exxon and Phillips.

 

[kahluacream]

Thanks so much for your replies. It looks like the Fairfield Inn in Lumberton is a popular choice! I will definitely look into it.

For those with young children, any suggestions about the best time of day to start on a long drive???? DH and I have never driven so far (10+ hours) with our kids, and we're trying to figure out if it's best to get an early start or to wait until later so that our kids will sleep through most of the drive? If they're asleep, then we won't have to hear, "How many more minutes?" and "Are we there yet?" a million times.

Decisions, Decisions!

 

[kahluacream]

Looks like we will be there same time!!!

I just noticed that our tickers match!! See you in Hilton Head!

 

[OneMoreTry]

We stay at Waltersboro. It may be a little further south than you want, but it's only an hour and a half -- maybe two -- away, which is real nice for the morning you get there. Get up late. Get there about 12 and get your villa. We've always been lucky and not had to wait.

We stay at the Hampton there.

Allearsnet.com has a list of exits and what's there.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

I just noticed that our tickers match!! See you in Hilton Head!

I see that! How old are your kids? We will have a total of 3 kids in our group, 2 7 year olds and a 5 year old.

And as far as what time to leave for drive...last time we drove to HH we left at 6am and it started raining in Maryland and POURED the rest of the way. We thought it would take around 9 hours or so to get to Florence, ended up taking almost 12. It was horrible. Thankfully we have the DVD player, GameBoys, iPods and that is a huge help. Like I said, this time I think we are doing the overnight thing, leaving between 12-2am.

 

[kahluacream]

I see that! How old are your kids? We will have a total of 3 kids in our group, 2 7 year olds and a 5 year old.
.

We have two boys, 3 and 5 (soon to be 6 in April). I'm sure we'll run into you around the resort... Only one more month now!