New Englanders - what does your typical drive down look like?

[DznyRulz]

How is I95 through Richmond while towing a TT? Would it better for me to plan on taking 295 around?

We drove through Richmond on I95 the last three trips we made, the fourth trip is this Saturday for our Disney cruise and week at The Fort. We have not experienced any problems just some slight traffic as you pass the 295 interchange headed south. Of course there is no guarantee on traffic. For instance, on last year's trip it took us almost 4 hours to get to Richmond from our house (we live off I95, exit 166 in VA) when it is usually around 2 hours and once we hit Richmond we flew. There may be some spots through the Richmond area where the road feels a little windy or tight. If that doesn't bother you I'm sure you'd be fine. Taking the 295 bypass adds more than 30 miles but I don't remember the exact number.

 

[wdwbound]

We did the 295 route around Richmond and decided that it was way better than white knuckle driving going through on 95. If it is 30 miles more driving, you really don't notice it at all.

Nancy

 

[bennythepug]

driving down from NH again....this time with out the camper. we are going to tent camp. we figure it will cost to much to tow by April, and it takes longer. no time to spare on April vacation hoping we might get there a little quicker this time

 

[MadFF]

Are there certain times of the day that I95 through Richmond is more crowded? I am very roughly figuring we should be in the area around midday on a Saturday.

P.S. Thanks for the responses!

 

[tiggger1]

I have driven it twice so far ( as a passenger) hubby and his dad used to do it a few times a year because his dad owns 2 houses in Florida. I'm not sure the exact route we do but I think it is the same as dfg02790. We are coming from MA and it will take us 2 days without trailer or 2 1/2 with. But we have 2 kids and we need to stop a lot for potty brakes. The last time we went with the 5th wheel we left the house at 9 am and camped near Kings Dominion. It was a nice park but and took forever to get to.but we couldn't find a RV park..that was open anywhere else. It was pouring and there was construction and a ton of lights. We didn't get into the site until after 9pm..

the next day we left around 8 ish but we stopped in Georgia I think at around 6 pm..so my dd could run around. the next morning we left at 8 again and got to Disney at around 3ish but we had major trailer issues ( the floor of the cab over part of the 5th wheel came apart from the walls.. so we spent an hour at Lowes!

 

[DznyRulz]

Are there certain times of the day that I95 through Richmond is more crowded? I am very roughly figuring we should be in the area around midday on a Saturday.

Like I said, there's no guarantee but it shouldn't be bad. There will be traffic but it should be moving at speed. Of course the earlier you can get through there the better. The worst times are morning or evening rush hour during the week, like every big city. Weekends can be hit or miss. My plan is to be hitting Richmond around noon on Saturday.

 

[seabee]

driving down from NH again....this time with out the camper. we are going to tent camp. we figure it will cost to much to tow by April, and it takes longer. no time to spare on April vacation hoping we might get there a little quicker this time

We are doing the same thing this year. Not tenting, staying at the SOG, but we are driving. We originally had a site at the fort,but it was going to cost too much to tow, I'd rather spend that money on other things during the trip. We took about a 1/2 day less when we drove down without the camper in 2006.

We did find it easier staying at truckstops right off the highway, rather than finding a campground. Quick on and off, we were just sleeping anyway. A lot of people don't like to do this, but for us it worked.

 

[Mountee2003]

coming from ri- we did 84-81-77-26-95 going down. on the way back, we did the same route went up 87 to 90 down 146 (we're from the northern part). if was a great route- very scenic and NO south of the border signs!

and we did it in three legs, staying overnight twice on the way down and had only about 360 miles the last day and we got into MK in the evening.

we stayed in a koa in harrisonburg, va and new green acres in waltersboro, sc going down and two other koas coming back.

have fun

 

[kmccain]

Now you've got me thinking Larry, I wonder what Rte 15 south is like coming down from the Harrisburg, PA area? I saw your suggestion to take 70 over from i-81, and just kept looking north on Rte 15. Lots of historic towns along that route.

We were not planning on arriving at the Fort until Aug 5, so we would have time for one more overnight along the way.

If anyone has traveled south on Rte 15 from Harrisburg, PA area, I would like to know if it's scenic and whether there are any huge hills. Not so worried about going up the hills, just don't want to have to stop on a steep incline or overheat on the way down a long incline.

Hope this isn't too late to help!

We went Rt 15 the last time we went and it wasn't bad. There were a couple of traffic lights but it was a lot better than the traffic on 83 and the hills on 17. I think we would do it again.

 

[WDWFromTheirEyes]

Has anyone ever stopped and done some sort of family activity on the way down or back? Just trying to think of something that could be fun for a 5yr & 3yr old that might give them a break from the truck for a couple of hours.

 

[MadFF]

We always just try to have plenty of toys for them to play with, drawing supplies, etc. Also, portable DVD players can be lifesavers. What can also work really well for showing movies is a laptop, if you can fit it in the truck. A laptop, though, usually requires headphones for any kind of decent sound.

Also, try to buy some new (cheap) toys, and pull them out at various times during the trip as a surprise.

I try to plan a short stop / bathroom break / snack break every couple hours. I have found that if we stop for more than maybe 15 minutes, it just seems to make the drive drag on all that much longer.

Years ago, when our kids were younger, my wife would read books out loud while we drove. I found that was really good even for me, keeping me awake and aware. But even my wife found that she would run out of steam after a couple hours of reading out loud and she would have to take a break. This is how I had the first few Harry Potter books read to me!

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

Years ago, when our kids were younger, my wife would read books out loud while we drove. I found that was really good even for me, keeping me awake and aware. But even my wife found that she would run out of steam after a couple hours of reading out loud and she would have to take a break. This is how I had the first few Harry Potter books read to me!

You might want to try audio books.

 

[jimlin]

We have made a reverse trip of sorts for several years going from Jacksonville to Cape Cod. I know this is slightly off the topic but bear with me. I've done the drive straight thru overnight, drive stopping one night, and drive stopping two nights. I preferred the stopping 2 nights last time coming home. Did 95, Francis Scott Key bridge, Garden St. Parkway, TappanZee bridge and Merrit parkway to 95 again. Pretty much straight north and south, didn't run around 80 or 84. I drive under the limit so traffic isn't bothering me much and we did these trips with and without our popup at that time. You have to try it and develope your own travel style and listen to your body, your mind will say you can drive forever but your body will tell you the truth.

Jim

 

[Murrlene]

Ok, we only come from NY (Near Buffalo) But we drive staright through to Georgia and then get a room. The next day we have about 6 hours to go and then we are there.

I have a 5, 9 & 17 year old who have made this trip several times since babies. We take the DVD player and let them each choose a movie. So, that breaks up the time. We also do alot of reading, like someone else has said, I break out a few new things that are just cheapy little toes, or new books that are just for the ride. My kids love this. I also get audio books at the library, and we take alot of music and share it. I always laugh because our kids think our music is funny. So then we always share stories about the songs from the oldend days as they say. One year my 17 year old took a friend and they played video games. He most generally sleeps and listens to his I-Pod. Because nobody else has a appriciation for his music.

My hubby is a over the road truck driver so he never wants to stop. So when we stop for gas, we all get out and stretch, go potty, eat, switch seats, anything that will give everyone a break.

Our trip takes us 21 hours if we did it straight which we have before kids, so, we need to break things up some way.

I am very blessed because my kids do travel well. I always feel bad for them, but I think with them just knowing they are gonna go visit Mickey makes them get through it.

 

[LarryJ]

We did the 295 route around Richmond and decided that it was way better than white knuckle driving going through on 95. If it is 30 miles more driving, you really don't notice it at all.

Nancy

We also always take the 295 bypass and just for the road it's worth it even tho longer. I-95 thru Richmond is rough unless in the last 6 or 7 years have redone it.

Larry

 

[bennythepug]

anybody ever stop at a waffle house? The closer and closer we get to Florida all you see is the chain resturant - the waffle house. We might actually go in one this time!!
dh is bummed the farther south we go- no dunkin donuts !!!

 

[KristinU]

anybody ever stop at a waffle house? The closer and closer we get to Florida all you see is the chain resturant - the waffle house. We might actually go in one this time!!
dh is bummed the farther south we go- no dunkin donuts !!!

We rode out a severe thunderstorm in a Wafflehouse on our way down once. I'd go back again -just a typical little greasy spoon diner sort of place where you can sit at the counter if you want, or there were maybe 5-6 booths in there. Of course, they have good waffles and tasty hashbrowns!

As for the drive down...now that we have over 2000 towing miles under our belts, we have a much better idea of what works for us, and what we think will work well for us for November. We're planning on the really long first day, then short 2nd day method - shooting for South Carolina for an overnight at the South Point KOA, then down to the Fort the next morning - hoping to get there early afternoon (or sooner if we can get a move on in the a.m.).

We went out to MN this spring with a stop in WI to pick up our camper and day 1 we got up and hit the road around 3 a.m. and drove about 14 hours to overnight in the south Chicago suburbs, then on to MN the next day with our couple-hour stop in WI to pick up our camper. That worked really well. On the way back we stayed over two nights with each day a 7-8 hour dirve...to us, we'd rather just push it the first day and get it done in two.

The only thing we haven't figured out is the way home - getting up and hitting the road at 2 or 3 in the morning isn't a big deal from home, but I certainly don't want to be leaving the Fort at that hour. Any suggestions? We may try reversing it, where the first day is the short one and the second day is the long one. I really like getting started in the wee hours since DS will go back to sleep once we get him in the car and sleeps for a third of the long drive.

 

[seabee]

anybody ever stop at a waffle house? The closer and closer we get to Florida all you see is the chain resturant - the waffle house. We might actually go in one this time!!
dh is bummed the farther south we go- no dunkin donuts !!!

We LOVE the Waffle House. Actually it has become a tradition that on the way down and back we stop(at least once). That is one of the first things my kids say when I say we are going. "Are we going to stop at the Waffle House?" I love the ham and cheese omlet, with hashbrowns and toast. MMMM, can't wait for Oct.!!

 

[Shannone1]

anybody ever stop at a waffle house? The closer and closer we get to Florida all you see is the chain resturant - the waffle house. We might actually go in one this time!!
dh is bummed the farther south we go- no dunkin donuts !!!

We noticed that on our first trip to FL and made a game of counting them at each I-75 exit. We stopped somewhere around 50. We had to try it once just because there were so many of them and we don't have them near us. It was awful. The restaurant/bathrooms were filthy and the food was super greasy. Maybe we just had a bad experience...they can't ALL be that bad, right ??

 

[MadFF]

Shannone, maybe that is all part of the "experience"?

Maybe we'll stop at one on our way down!