New York To Orlando Drivers - More Questions

[diskids2]

How long does it take you to get there? Where do you usually stop? How long do you drive before you stop? How much further is the drive from your stopover location to WDW?

Inquiring Minds Want To Know.

Actually it's just one nervous Westchester County Mom who has never driven before, usually flys, and is now obsessing over our decision to take the family and hoof it (well not really, but you get the point!)

Thanks!

 

[mark & sandra]

Hi diskids2- I driven about 10 times, but that was at least 12 years ago and about 10 times too many. Why in the world would you want to drive all that way with your family in tow? It takes about 18 driving hours to get to Jacksonville and another 3 to Orlando, and that doesn't include stopping for gas, bathroom breaks, food, sleep or breakdowns. Why not just fly. You can get some great rates from either JetBlue from Kennedy Airport, or Southwest from Islip. I drive to a customer of mine on Webster Ave. in New Rochelle in under 40 minutes, and I'm 5 minutes from Islip airport.

 

[Selket]

We live in Maryland near DC so a shorter drive than you but I like stopping just over the GA border because the drive the next day is not bad (5 hours or so depending on how much you stop!). That would be a long drive for you but doable and you'd still be able to get a decent night's sleep and arrive at WDW rested and ready to go.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Hi diskids2, I drove last year to Orlando from NY and it took us about 18 hours total. We left on a weekday (Wednesday) and left in the evening about 6:30PM. Driving through the night was a bit difficult. There were a lot of rest areas along 95, until North Carolina and South Carolina, the rest areas in these states were very spaced out. The road on 95 through South and North Carolina was very dark and were the longest states to drive through. On the way back to NY we left Orlando about 4:00PM and it took us about 23 hours to get back home because of traffic. We had always wanted to do a car trip to Orlando and thought it would save us some cash. It saved us four plane tickets and 10 days of car rental cost but, I personally would not and will not drive to Orlando again. The trip was exhausting and not worth the hassle to me. Since your driving alone (I had a second driver) I would suggest you stop and stay in a hotel along the way that way when you arrive in Orlando you won't feel as exhausted and can make the most of your day. We arrived in the early afternoon and we were too tired to do anything. We went straight to sleep and wasted that first day of arrival. Hope this helps! Have a SAFE trip!

 

[frazzled one]

We've made the trip 3 times from the Syracuse area, when our three daughters were much younger. Five airline tickets would have taken a big bite out of our budget, and I've never liked flying. I also had a lot of anxiety about the likelihood of delays, cancellations, being bumped, etc. I just never wanted to try to keep my kids entertained in an airport!

Our trip, about 1300 miles down 81 and hopscotching through Virginia to 95, took about 24 hours, but the speed limit was lower then and we made frequent stops, much to dh's dismay ( he can time his potty breaks to when the car needs gas, but we females can't). We stopped overnight each time, which we found necessary even with 2 drivers in order to arrive in a somewhat functional state. We usually stopped in the Santee, SC area, though once we got all the way to Kingsland, GA.

We never had a tc/vcr in the car, but I'd put that on the top of my list if I were taking the kids along next time. Even so, they were remarkably good. The last trip, we let them earn quarters for the hotel arcade by awarding them one for every 20 minutes without fussing, fighting, or complaining - and each of them only missed once.

Have a great time!

fraz

 

[crazyme5kids]

I like to drive, and am driving down in Aug., I will be the only driver this time (my husband isn't going down the same time but coming a week later). I look at it as an adventure, and even being stuck in traffic doesn't bother me (what can you do).
I am planning on Leaving early Fri. morning, and arriving sometime Sun. I decided to allow time for detours and stops if something appeals to us.

 

[punkin]

I'll be driving for the second time in August from the DC area. Last time it took me 14 hours (including all stops) I drove down alone with 2 kids. It was easy. I say just do it. If you stop overnight, you should really have no problems

 

[diskids2]

Thanks for all of the advice. The reason we are driving is that my DD age 12 refuses to fly and I don't feel like drugging her (just kidding!). She is still experiencing anxiety over 9/11 as we are very close to the city, my DH works in the city, and she probably was exposed to too much reality for a young child (as everyone was). In fact we were scheduled to go to the world that Thanksgiving and cancelled the trip.

I do have a second driver DH, sorry if my original post wasn't clear. We will stop over, but I'm just not sure where to do it. Do most of you book rooms in advance or just have a list of possibilities and stop when you get tired.

Thanks!

 

[D'AngelosdoDisney]

Leaving Saturday at 3am to do my first drive with my three kids, DD 11, DS 4 and DD 3. I have the Tv/vcr thing and hoping that this will make it pleasant! Going alone because Hubby has to work. Very excited about the drive and see it as adventure. Staying overnight in Santee, SC and continuing on till I get there. Wish me luck!!! By the way, I did this drive once before by myself when my parents lived in Tampa, was very boring alone. I hope to share this with them and have fun.

 

[diskids2]

D'AngelosdoDisney - Good Luck. Let me know how it goes when you get back. I can't wait to hear all about your trip. Let me know where you stayed in Santee and how it was. That is the exit that I have been thinking about.