Just got back!!

[marksommerville]

Did the drive from PA to WDW and just got back today?

If anyone has any questions, let meknow and I will try to answer them as best I can!!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi Marksommerville,


How long did it take you to get there?

Did you have little ones with you? Did you drive straight thru?
Did you go to WDW? Stay at the park? How long was your trip?

Just curious, did it cost you a fortune for gas & tolls? Did it even out with airfare? Next time will you fly or drive?

Last but no least did you have fun?

Thanks for the info

Patricia

 

[marksommerville]

It took us about 16 hours total, split over 2 days.

We left at 3:30am and was in Brunswick, GA at 4:30pm. That includes 2 x 1 hour stops for breakfast and lunch.

We wanted to get past DC before rush hour and that was great. The roads going down were very, very quiet. I tried to stay between 10-15 mph over the posted speed limit. MD - 55/65, VA - 55/65, NC, SC, GA - 65/70 so we were making good time.

If you have a radar detector - use it. We were lit up 4 times and had the early warning.

We then had an easy 3 - 3.5 hour ride to Pop Century.

No tolls for us, but we used 3 tanks of gas, so figure about $90-$100 for gas and 75 for hotel.

Not as much as a flight, but make sure you have something to keep the kids occupied. We had the portable VCR - recommend it highly, and coloring books.

I would not mind driving again, because when it was time to leave, no need to pack, just chuck it all in the van, not like a flight.

Plus with the van we had the luxury of having a vehicle there, if we needed it.

 

[kerry34]

When you got down to Jacksonville, did you stay on 95 or did you go around by taking 295? When we went down last year the AAA triptik had us get off 95 and on 295 around the city and then back on 95 again and it seemed to take so much longer. Also I think everybody else was doing the same thing as us because we were stuck in traffic on 295. I am wondering which road is the right one to take for our trip in a few weeks.

 

[marksommerville]

We stayed on 95.

The main reason was that it was a Saturday and it was only 10am ish.

I think it would be different had it beena weekday and/or rush hour.

We had no problems thru Jacksonville.

 

[cranbiz]

If you plan around Jax, you can stay on 95. At rush hour, you may be better on 295. The problem with 295 is the construction at the end south of Jax. It is longer to go 295, but if you are able to avoid the traffic mess that happens at rush hour, then you will save time. Rush hour in the afternoon runs from about 3-6, haven't been there during the morning so I can't give you any times, but would figure it to be from 6-9.

 

[kerry34]

Thanks very much for that info. We are planning on getting to Jacksonville way before 3pm. So I dont think we will have much trouble if we stay on that road. I really didnt want to go the other way again.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

If you have a radar detector - use it. We were lit up 4 times and had the early warning.

Just a little warning -- radar detectors are illegal to use in Virginia. From what I've read online, your best bet is to unplug them and put them in your trunk or where no one in the car can access it, otherwise you can be fined and have your detector confiscated.

 

[marksommerville]

Just a little warning -- radar detectors are illegal to use in Virginia. From what I've read online, your best bet is to unplug them and put them in your trunk or where no one in the car can access it, otherwise you can be fined and have your detector confiscated.

I had thought that too, but when we drove into VA there were no signs telling us that Radar Detectors were illegal.

I know they used to have those signs, but i did not see any on this trip.

All i used to do was put a hat over the detector on the dash board, with the
bill end facing toward the driver so that there was a clear line of sight out of the back of the hat for the detection.

Thanks for that link tho'

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

You're welcome.

I know I've seen the signs myself in the past but I haven't driven much outside of VA lately. If traffic along the DC beltway is heavy I could see how the signs could be easily missed. Maybe some people on here that cross the VA border regularly can answer.