I will be driving from a little north of Chicago, I need some assistance...

[Surfinpiratee]

I NEED HELPPP!

I will (hopefully) be making my first trip to Disney world in January! (I've been to Disney land when I was like, 9. I'm 21 now)

It will just be my boyfriend and I, and we will be driving. From what I've seen, it's like a 17-19 hour drive.

We will be leaving around 6pm Sunday, so most of the driving will be over night. I'd prefer to just drive straight down, aside from the obvious stretching, gas, and potty stops. If we leave around 6pm Sunday that will put us in Disney around 1pm Monday (roughly). I'd rather not stop to sleep, we only have a limited time there, and that would just take up more time. IF we do stop to sleep, i'd prefer to do it on the way home.

Anyway, it's a little overwhelming thinking about this (I do love vacation planning though!) I'm planning on surprising him a couple months ahead of time. But anyway, I was just asking for some assistance from those who make that drive? Any places to stop? Do you guys just drive straight down?


Thanks in advance!!

 

[faindrops27]

We are driving for the first time straight through from Long Island, NY in Sept. Just to let you know there is a thread for long distance drivers

To be honest I wish I was flying but my husband is set on driving..He loves road tripping, I love flying but he says he will do most of the driving so.. I guess I shall not complain.


Anyway, here is the link.. Good luck on your travels.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3124884

 

[LonandChaCha]

I NEED HELPPP!

I will (hopefully) be making my first trip to Disney world in January! (I've been to Disney land when I was like, 9. I'm 21 now)

It will just be my boyfriend and I, and we will be driving. From what I've seen, it's like a 17-19 hour drive.

We will be leaving around 6pm Sunday, so most of the driving will be over night. I'd prefer to just drive straight down, aside from the obvious stretching, gas, and potty stops. If we leave around 6pm Sunday that will put us in Disney around 1pm Monday (roughly). I'd rather not stop to sleep, we only have a limited time there, and that would just take up more time. IF we do stop to sleep, i'd prefer to do it on the way home.

Anyway, it's a little overwhelming thinking about this (I do love vacation planning though!) I'm planning on surprising him a couple months ahead of time. But anyway, I was just asking for some assistance from those who make that drive? Any places to stop? Do you guys just drive straight down?


Thanks in advance!!

Well, I thought I would help you out since I've made this exact trip minus the distance/time from Chicago to Springfield.
It is a long drive and if you drive straight thru with small breaks from Springfield, it will take you about 17 hours, I am not sure how you can make it in 17 from Chicago...
If you decide to stop to sleep, try to get past Atlanta. This makes the drive the next morning way less congested, especially for you going through there on Monday morning.
Keep in mind that a small sleep break, even for five hours, might be best to keep you both safe and be rested for your actual vacation!! Best of luck!!

 

[LonandChaCha]

I NEED HELPPP!

I will (hopefully) be making my first trip to Disney world in January! (I've been to Disney land when I was like, 9. I'm 21 now)

It will just be my boyfriend and I, and we will be driving. From what I've seen, it's like a 17-19 hour drive.

We will be leaving around 6pm Sunday, so most of the driving will be over night. I'd prefer to just drive straight down, aside from the obvious stretching, gas, and potty stops. If we leave around 6pm Sunday that will put us in Disney around 1pm Monday (roughly). I'd rather not stop to sleep, we only have a limited time there, and that would just take up more time. IF we do stop to sleep, i'd prefer to do it on the way home.

Anyway, it's a little overwhelming thinking about this (I do love vacation planning though!) I'm planning on surprising him a couple months ahead of time. But anyway, I was just asking for some assistance from those who make that drive? Any places to stop? Do you guys just drive straight down?


Thanks in advance!!

Two more things to share:
1) Don't forget to keep in mind the snow/ice that is possible in northern and central Illinois during January. This could really hinder your time efficiencies.
2) My DH and I have been the WDW twice without kids. You and your boyfriend will move way more quickly through the park by yourselves!!! so don't get hung up on your limited time there. We were just there alone in February without our girls and we zipped through MK.

 

[maxiesmom]

In addition to the likely bad weather, don't forget to add in stops. Mapquest shows from Chicago to WDW closer to the 19 hour end of your estimate. With stops added in it is probably closer to 21 hours.

I think you should plan the trip in as if you will stop on the way down. Just in case the roads are bad, and you need a break. That way you won't be disappointed by having to stop, and happier if you make it without stopping. Though I have to say I think it is a bad idea to not stop, with only 2 drivers, and such a long drive. Being up roughly 24 hours and driving is a bad combination.

 

[hearts8701]

My husband and I ( we are in our very late 60's) we drive 3 times a year from the o'hare area mostly during the winter months we drive past Macon on the way down before stopping at a rest stop for few hours please do not think once you get out of Illinois your weather will be great one time we hit a bad ice storm in Tennessee in January with road shut downs for over 18 hours : ( with good weather and traffic our driving time is about 18 hours on the way home we drive straight thru leaving about 5 AM arriving home in time to catch the 10 PM news

 

[stargazertechie]

It's going to take you closer to 21-22 from north of the city. It normally takes us a solid 20 from NW Indiana (Exit 26 off of 80/94).

Tips- plan your drive to avoid Indy, Nashville, and Atlanta during rush hour. If you can get through Atlanta between 11:30PM and 2:00 AM, even better.


Anticipate hazardous road conditions between Nashville and Chattanooga. Fog, sleet, and black ice can make the drive treacherous.

I'd also recommend trying to get on the road closer to 3:00 PM on Sunday. You should have no issues going down, since the weekenders coming back from MI/IN will be headed in the opposite direction.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Being up roughly 24 hours and driving is a bad combination.

I agree...not a good idea.

When we drive it's 20 driving hours. So it ends up being about 22-23 hrs on the road when you factor in traffic and stops. We usually leave home at 3am and drive until 9pm then stop for the night and it leaves us a short second day drive.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I know someone who drives straight through to Florida every year, but I would never do so. A drive straight through seems way too unpleasant and dangerous (from being too tired).

I would break the drive into two parts, so that neither day is too exhausting or too long. Spend a night in a reasonably priced hotel along the Interstate, such as a Fairfield Inn by Marriott or Hampton Inn by Hilton -- ideally with a guaranteed reservation.

By the way, depending on where you are in the Chicago area, you may want to consider driving south through Illinois on I-57 to I-24, instead I-65 through Indiana. It's a few more miles, but if you can avoid the heavy traffic through Chicago's south suburbs and Gary, Indiana, you could save time and have a more pleasant trip.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Driving tired equals driving impaired:

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/about-this-show/tired-vs-drunk-driving.htm

Facts and Stats:

http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/

It's bad enough to drive drowsy. But driving under severe sleep depravation can be very dangerous. If you say up all night at a party, and you nod off while sitting in a chair, it's not a big deal. But if you nod off while driving, it can be deadly (or you may be lucky and just wind up with your car stuck in muddy ditch).

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I've done the drive from Chicago to WDW 3 times now, it it is 21-24 hours with minimal stops. Once was on a bus so their we're no bathroom breaks, just 3 30 minute stops to allow us to get food and the bus to fill up, and it was still 22 hours.

I understand the desire to just get there, but consider stopping, at least for a few hours at a rest stop. Around Atlanta is a good place. That last leg when you cross in to FL is miserable. Not much to see and just a straight flat road ahead of you. If you are already tired, it is an easy stretch to fall asleep on.

 

[Traveliz]

I do Central IL to Orlando several times a year and straight through. You would be different on different interstates to start but would end up on my same route in Southern IL.

I do not drive overnight but rather start super early (3 am) as I once read and it seems to bear true for me that it's better to start out early and end closer to when you are typically going to bed that to be driving during regular sleeping hours.

I typically make it in about 16-17-18 hours depending on traffic but let me say Southern IL and Southern GA are sooooooooooo boring and usually by Southern GA I am ready to be done!. If I do stop it's South of Macon as the next morning is a quick and easy drive. I do have a condo though so once I get to my destination I don't have to worry about checking in, dragging luggage to some unknown room etc and I think that makes it easier.

Liz

 

[Surfinpiratee]

By the way, depending on where you are in the Chicago area, you may want to consider driving south through Illinois on I-57 to I-24, instead I-65 through Indiana. It's a few more miles, but if you can avoid the heavy traffic through Chicago's south suburbs and Gary, Indiana, you could save time and have a more pleasant trip.

OOO! Thanks for that tip! Thank you for all of the suggestions. We will be switching off driving every 4 hours or so, so we will be able to sleep, also we will be stopping every 4 hours or so. If for whatever reason we do get very tired we will obviously stop and sleep somewhere.

Also, we kind of changed our driving plan. Instead of leaving at 5pm and driving over night, we will be leaving sometime very early Sunday morning, after getting a good night's sleep. Then get to Disney at night so we can go straight to sleep

 

[Surfinpiratee]

I do Central IL to Orlando several times a year and straight through. You would be different on different interstates to start but would end up on my same route in Southern IL.

I do not drive overnight but rather start super early (3 am) as I once read and it seems to bear true for me that it's better to start out early and end closer to when you are typically going to bed that to be driving during regular sleeping hours.

I typically make it in about 16-17-18 hours depending on traffic but let me say Southern IL and Southern GA are sooooooooooo boring and usually by Southern GA I am ready to be done!. If I do stop it's South of Macon as the next morning is a quick and easy drive. I do have a condo though so once I get to my destination I don't have to worry about checking in, dragging luggage to some unknown room etc and I think that makes it easier.

Liz

That's what I'm planning on doing now! Lol. So if I get to Disney around 10pm, will my room still be reserved? I know sometimes they'll give your room away if you're not there by a certain time. I'm staying at a Disney resort

 

[dancin Disney style]

OOO! Thanks for that tip! Thank you for all of the suggestions. We will be switching off driving every 4 hours or so, so we will be able to sleep, also we will be stopping every 4 hours or so. If for whatever reason we do get very tired we will obviously stop and sleep somewhere.

Also, we kind of changed our driving plan. Instead of leaving at 5pm and driving over night, we will be leaving sometime very early Sunday morning, after getting a good night's sleep. Then get to Disney at night so we can go straight to sleep

Here's what we do.....
DH goes to bed by 9pm and sleeps until 2-2:30am. He's had a good 5+ hours of sleep and is feeling great. I stay up while he's sleeping, getting the car packed and finishing the last few things before leaving. We leave the house by 3am. I stay awake for the next hour until we reach the US border(we live in Canada) then after we cross I'm awake for another 10 minutes to make sure we are on the right highway and then I'm out cold for about 3 hours. At this point DH wants a coffee and pee break. So we stop, gas up, get coffee etc and switch drivers. After this we stop only for gas and to pee...we bring all our food and drinks in a cooler. Switching drivers whenever....DH does about 70% of the drive. I don't know how he just keeps on going but he does.

 

[dancin Disney style]

That's what I'm planning on doing now! Lol. So if I get to Disney around 10pm, will my room still be reserved? I know sometimes they'll give your room away if you're not there by a certain time. I'm staying at a Disney resort

10pm is totally fine. For piece of mind call them and have them note on your ressie that you will be arriving late...after ----pm.

 

[Traveliz]

That's what I'm planning on doing now! Lol. So if I get to Disney around 10pm, will my room still be reserved? I know sometimes they'll give your room away if you're not there by a certain time. I'm staying at a Disney resort

They keep it til 6 the next morning for you so you are good.

Liz

 

[cemeb4dk]

I live in the western burbs, and I would adjust your time your leaving. To either about 230pm or about 9:30 pm, if your going straight thru. Reason being you have to think about Atlanta traffic on a Monday morning, and Atlanta is about 12-13 hours. If you plan on stopping leave as early as you can Sunday say 7 or 8 am, and then drive to Fl/Ga border or so and you can sleep and then be only a 3-3 1/2 hour drive to the world and be ready for the full day of park fun

On a side note, if you drive straight thru, which we do, while you might be awake once you get there and do the parks, because your on an excitement high, but it will catch up to you in the next day after or so.

 

[rt2dz]

I haven't driven Chicago to Disney since I was a kid, but we do drive (road trip) all the time for 15-24 hours. If time is important, we will go straight through. One sleeps while the other drives. No one should ever drive if they think they are starting to get sleepy.

However, since the point of a road trip, IMO, is to have a good time v. make good time, stopping is preferred. But since I don't like to set in stone stops, I don't suggest making plans in advance. You may find you get tired before you reach your stop. You may find that you can keep going for a few more hours. You might decide to make a slight detour to check out something interesting. Or hit something that requires you to detour.

I have some great road trip apps I want to recommend. Hotel Tonight. It's like a Priceline, but deeper discounts on very last minute stops. I also like using road side, trip it, road tripper, and where to go.

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