I-95 Spring Break?

[Olaf]

Anyone ever done this? We'll be traveling from DC to WDW. I have a feeling it's going to be terrible. We're planning on leaving on the evening of April 7 return April 16. The price of a airplane ticket is horrible this year.

 

[Nite0wl71]

I don't know how crowded it will be, but after spending the weekend looking for decent airfare we might drive also. We have driven before but we really wanted to fly this time. We would also leave on April 7th.

 

[JaneH]

yes, we left from College Park on Good Friday at noon - first 50 miles around the Springfield bypass took 3 hours! after that it was fine, just long. We had to stop at hotels both ways. My dh is not good at time management. When I drove the boys alone to South Carolina last spring we left at 3am - much better

 

[rbork]

We drive to WDW from Marland. Last trip was a Spring Breaker too. We leave at 2am! (14.5hours w/ stops) Drive down was great! HOWEVER, we didn't plan on the "Snow Bird" traffic coming home. Left WDW at 9am. Solid back up from Daytona split all the way thru Georgia. Finally stopped for dinner at 9pm in North Carolina! Recharged and were home around 3am.
Still, we opted to drive this May again! Cheaper to drive by 500$.

 

[Olaf]

What day did you leave Bork? We're planning on leaving Easter Sunday.

Plane tickets will runs us $1250. DH wants to fly, but I hate spending so much money on tickets, and I like having my car.

Don't you just love the Mixing Bowl at Springfield, Jane?

 

[JaneH]

I don't know how people handle the traffic day in and day out - I work only 2 miles (if that) from my home and my children's school is only 1/2 mile from my office. I think I work and live in a little bubble..... within our traffic nightmare of an area

 

[rbork]

I think we left on a Thursday before Easter and came back on a Sat or Sun.? I should have picked better travel days I suppose. I was at the mercy of the school system. lol.
We did fly one time previously, stayed on Disney property and took advantage of disney transportation which worked out fine at that time.
Good Luck and do whats right for you.

 

[Hef4545]

We have driven many times. During the more popular times of year such as School Breaks and Major Holidays, it is best to reserve your hotel room if you intend to stop over during your drive. As many hotels as there are off of I95, you would never expect to have trouble finding one when you decide to stop. We almost slept in our car one Christmas Eve. The best stays will book up quickly. Most will want a credit card to reserve, but if you cancel prior to 6:00pm, there is no charge. If you are not sure where you might be by a certain time, this gives you some flexibility. Have a great trip!

 

[JudithM]

Hef4545 is so right ... if you plan to stop overnight, then reserve a room ahead of time. We learned that lesson driving down the weekend after Easter on year. Most of the hotels were already booked for the night by the time we decided to stop for the night.

 

[crzy4dsny]

I was driving to Disney at the end of spring break when everyone else was driving north. The northbound traffic was horrible. It was backed up from Georgia thru North Carolina. At some points it was a dead stop. This was during the middle of the day. I would suggest driving at night to avoid delays if possible.

Driving from New York is out for me now. With the price of gas so high it just isn't worth it. When the gas goes back down to around $1.60 I'll drive again.

 

[localdriver]

I was driving to Disney at the end of spring break when everyone else was driving north. The northbound traffic was horrible. It was backed up from Georgia thru North Carolina. At some points it was a dead stop. This was during the middle of the day. I would suggest driving at night to avoid delays if possible.

Driving from New York is out for me now. With the price of gas so high it just isn't worth it. When the gas goes back down to around $1.60 I'll drive again.

Don't hold your breath!!

 

[Olaf]

Thanks for all your input. I think I've decided to bite the bullet and purchase tickets. The "parking lot" description is what did it for me. Thanks again.