Philly to Orlando

[tmatthews]

has anyone driven from Philadelphia to Orlando? If so, how long did it take you and are there any good places/attractions to stop? We will be visiting over Easter vacation. Do you have a favorite route?
Thanks!

 

[luvthatduke]

You might want to ask this on the Transportation Board...
And do a search, as there's usually great info about
driving from the North East down to WDW.
I have info that says it takes anywhere from
17 to 20 hours to drive from Philly, depending on time of day, etc.
Have a safe trip!

 

[CherCrazy]

Hi... Greetings from South Jersey!!

We have done the drive several times over the years...with 4 kids packed in the van! Whew!

We would usually leave around 5 - 6pm ... after work so my DH didn't lose a day's pay ... then drive south on 95 till about 11pm or so. That usually got us just into NC before we got too tired.

Next morning, up and out early, depending on traffic in Jacksonville we would get to WDW around dinner time.

We drove home straight from WDW one time. It took us 16 hours. That was hard.

Places to stop...there are so many detours you could take...Washington DC, numerous battlefields, Williamsburg, South of the Border, Savannah, Charleston, Atlanta, ... one of our favorites was St. Augustine, the kids really remember that stop. They also enjoyed Kennedy Space Center and Gatorland in Kissimmee (although I'm getting off subject...sorry ) If you belong to AAA, you might want to stop in and get some of the tour books that they publish, free with your membership. They list every little tourist attraction in every state along with restaurants and hotel listings.

 

[dmaz]

From central NJ, not far from Six Flags - 17 hrs with stops.

 

[3mickeys&me]

I have done this several times growing up. 4 kids in a car and My parents both driving, we have done both, stopping for the night and driving straight through.

Its much easier driving and stopping over night especially with little kids. It is a very tiring drive for all. We would pack snacks and drinks for the car and only stop for bathroom breaks or gas. Also big meals like dinners.

My dh isn't into the driving thing so we fly everytime now. Its much easier for us and gives us more time in the WORLD!!

We are also in South Jersey.

 

[dijojosh]

We drove last year. We left early we left early morning 5am, stopped at South of the border (quirky little place) We made it to Savannah (we got stuck in traffic from people heading to the beach in North Carolina. We stayed overnight in Savannah and we were in Disney at around 1pm the next day. We pretty much took I-95 all the way.If you leave early enough or late enough you can miss the Maryland, DC traffic.

 

[disney52676]

South Of the Border was one of my favorite places to stop. it is only open at certain times though. we were passing through too early and everything was closed, so we got pictures near all of the huge animal statues.
From,
Heidi
Haley
Samantha
disney52676@yahoo.com

 

[judben821]

We've done that drive many times - it takes us roughly 16 1/2 hours. We just go straight down 95. We leave after work at around 6:00 pm and drive straight through. People tell us we're crazy for doing this, but it has always worked out for us. DH does most of the driving, but I help out as well. We each try to get a least 2 hours sleep. The great thing is the kids sleep for the majority of the trip.

We typically arrive between 10:00 and 11:00 the next morning. We just take it easy that first day - hanging out at the pool, maybe a water park. And then we all go to bed early that night.

It's worked great for us.

 

[luvthatduke]

judben821, we're gonna do the straight-thru drive also.
I'm assuming your room's not ready when you arrive,
do you find it difficult to "hang out" - even if it's
at a water park, until your room's ready?
I was thinking it might be easier for us to arrive
early afternoon so we won't have too much of a wait for our room.
Just curious...

 

[judben821]

luvthatduke - sorry I didn't reply sooner. We've acutally never had a problem getting our room right away. We usually go, however, during slower times - mid September or early May. I think it would be hard if we couldn't get a room right away - I know I just have to get my shower after that all night car drive!

 

[java]

We are just north of you in NJ and it takes us 16 hours. We take the PA TPK south to 95(to avoid some of the traffic) We also talk the beltway WEST going down you avoid DC traffic then we take 95 to 295(?) it loops around the viginia stuff and never have traffic there. Then 95 south all the way down. We also leave after work on Friday. We are traveling with little people so we have to stop more often. We will probably take until Sunday to get there. It depends on how fast we drive through VA. The nightmare of the trip for us is always NC and SC they go on forever. The only Big advice I can give is to make reservations for a hotel along your route. The worst thing is driving an driving and trying to find a hotel and they are all full. Some of the better ones we have found are the Fairfield Inns. Also the newer are nicer. Good luck and happy trails.

 

[luvthatduke]

luvthatduke - sorry I didn't reply sooner. We've acutally never had a problem getting our room right away. We usually go, however, during slower times - mid September or early May. I think it would be hard if we couldn't get a room right away - I know I just have to get my shower after that all night car drive!

No problem - thanks for the input .
I know what you mean about the shower, LOL!