Looking for a post about driving from Boston area

[mlacreta]

I put in our NH address to Animal Kingdom lodge...does anyone who's driven from this area know if mapquest gives the best directions....sometimes i find depending on where you go they lead you down streets that don't exist!!!

 

[eeyoresmom]

We start our north-of-Boston to WDW road trips around 3 AM, so we get past all the big cities before rush hour, and we end up in the DC area after their rush hour. We do stop on the way down (usually in South Carolina) for an overnight in a motel, and get to WDW mid morning the next day. That way, the kids aren't so cranky from being in the car, and hubby isn't wiped out from driving all night.

If you stop in SC overnight, how do you possibly make it to WDW mid morning the next day? I have driven many times and it's about 3 1/2 to 4 hours from the Florida state line to WDW. Before that you still have to pass through whatever is left of SC and Georgia Do you just stop for a couple of hours for a nap?

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

Mapquest will bring you through the GW bridge in NYC....something you want to avoid. I have never done the drive, but my parents are snowbirds. They drove the GW bridge once and will never ever do it again. I think the tapanzee route is your best route. Do you have AAA or know someone with a AAA membership, they will map it out for you?

Do you have roof racks on your vehicle? You could tie the luggage on top of the van/truck and have room in the van/truck for a cooler for snacks/sandwiches/drinks (not too many drinks - that equals bathroom breaks).

Have fun and drive safely. I think you can do it.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Only take the Tappan Zee if it is rush hour ( it is fairly far out of the way ) George Washington is far faster as long as it's not Monday through Friday rush hour.

 

[cranbiz]

If you hit NYC after 9pm, the GW is usually good and must faster than taking the detour around using the Tappan Zee. I still go that way now when going back north to visit of coming back home.

As long as it is not a NE school vacation week. Did that once, left friday night before the April Vacation week, that was a total disaster.

 

[mlacreta]

yeah..i know this will sound dumb..but what do you consider rush hour..what time span to avoid the GW bridge and go Tappan Zee instead? Would it be the same as around here 7:30-9and 4-6 ish? anywhere else traffic backs up? anyone have any favorite stopping spots for breaks along the way?

Our2Girls&Disney - yes we do have a luggage carrier for the top of the van..that is if DH can find the brackets from the last time he took it off!!!
I did do an online trip tik at AAA and the route was exactly the same as mapquest....except the reccomendation to alter to the Tappan Zee Rt. instead of GW bridge.

 

[mlacreta]

After all this planning to drive......we are flying!!! I have mixed feelings although DH is sooooo thrilled....he was not looking forward to driving! Just saw a Jetblue coupon post on the boards and ended up being able to get RT BOS to MCO for just under $150 each....$900 total....seemed like a good deal..driving would have been about maybe 500-600 anyway. Although I was looking forward to having the car as a choice while we were at THV. Oh well...prob is better all around.

 

[Momof2]

I'm still curious to know what is considered "rush hour" around the GW. And even on 95 in CT leading up to the area where we'd either continue on 95 to the GW or take the route to the Tappan Zee. Thanks.

 

[Robert P]

If you stop in SC overnight, how do you possibly make it to WDW mid morning the next day? I have driven many times and it's about 3 1/2 to 4 hours from the Florida state line to WDW. Before that you still have to pass through whatever is left of SC and Georgia Do you just stop for a couple of hours for a nap?

You'd have to get on the road pretty early in the a.m. to get there mid-morning.

General Info for those interested about the lower part of this drive:

GA/Fl line to WDW is 190 miles (95 to I-4).
SC/GA line to WDW is right about 300 miles.

We usually make it from the Savannah exits (upper GA) to WDW in 4-4.5 hours. From GA/FL line, average time is 2.5 hours. If you don't have other stops, it goes pretty quickly.

 

[*love*2*shop]

we leave in 2-3 hrs for DISNEY from NH ( we live about 40 mins NORTH of Hampton NH on the seacoast)

My hubby is going to drive tonight ( he has had 2 naps already today) and then i will drive a bit when it gets light out...