MN to WDW any helpful tips!?

[nellyru]

We are really looking forward to our first WDW roadtrip

And I want to make sure I get all the info I can before we take off!

We've talked about driving straight through, but decided with 3 kiddos it would probably be best to stop and rest sometime on the way there.

So any tips on which way to go?
what time to leave?
Where to eat?
Best potty stops!?
And where to stop over night??

Or just any other tips too would be greatly appreciated!!!

Love these boards!

 

[zulaya]

Hi there!

We considered driving this last time, but given the distance and the fact that we, too, have kids and would stop for the night somewhere, it was almost a wash when we figured in the cost for food and such for my teens.

Anyway, our original plan was to leave around 5am and try and make it to Chattanooga, TN. Stay the night there and then get up for another long driving day.

I don't have the route handy anymore, but if you do a search here on the Transportation Board, you can find my original post asking about the same thing. Someone posted the highway numbers they take on this trip.

 

[nellyru]

Hi there!

We considered driving this last time, but given the distance and the fact that we, too, have kids and would stop for the night somewhere, it was almost a wash when we figured in the cost for food and such for my teens.

Anyway, our original plan was to leave around 5am and try and make it to Chattanooga, TN. Stay the night there and then get up for another long driving day.

I don't have the route handy anymore, but if you do a search here on the Transportation Board, you can find my original post asking about the same thing. Someone posted the highway numbers they take on this trip.

Thanks!

It actually ends up being much cheaper for us to drive. Plus we are actually looking forward to the road-trip!!
We are just crazy like that!!

 

[mortimor]

We have driven from central Minnesota two times this year. We went straight through there and back both times. It ran from 26 to 29 hours each way. We had 3 adults and two small children (9 and 4) in a mini-van. We brought plenty of movies and each child has their own dvd player. Two of the adults took turns driving. We had thought about stopping on the way back, but we left late afternoon and would have only been able to drive for 6-7 hours before checking in, then factor in an early check out, it was not worth the time or money to stop.

We drove through Wisconsin and Illinois (avoid Chicago) and time going through Atlanta to NOT be there during rush hour and use the bypass. If you want to make the best time, stay on the interstates. Best rest stops we found were at the beginning of each state. They seemed to be more elaborate and had the most information. It seemed to work out well for stops at each state to break up the boredom. Gas fills were the only other stops. Another heads up, Illinois is a very long and boring drive especially on the way back.

The kids did an awesome job. We kept them entertained with a new toy/surprise to open as we entered each new state. It is amazing that a dollar toy can keep them behaving and waiting for the next one. DVD players are a must.

Our next two trips we will be flying down, but I am sure we will be driving again on the Christas trip.

 

[nellyru]

Mortimor- Thank you so much for all your helpful tips!!

My husband and I did put driving straight through on the table, so it's good to hear others experience!

The Dollar Store will be a for sure thing to hit up before we leave!

 

[magicaldisney]

All I can say is.....YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!!! More power to you for driving!!