Pittsburgh to Disney

[spalady]

We are planning to drive down to Disney this August and would like to stop over 2 nights on our way down. Where would be a good place to stop with a 15 and 12 yr old ~ ya know something we could do or see.

 

[michvin]

We have done the drive from the Philly area to Florida and back and visa versa several times. We have driven straight through all but one time...and the one time we did stay overnight felt like it took forever to get the FL...and that was when we moved from PA to FL. Unless you have something you really want to see driving down, I would just go straight through. We usually leave around 6 or 7 pm and go straight down. Pack a few thermoses of coffee and some light snacky foods. Also, have taken a power nap halfway through at a rest stop for about an hour around 3am.

If you find you must stop (2 nites seems like a lot of money and time to get down there though...) I would try...Charlotte, NC. I have not been there (its on my list of places to see) but I have heard it is a wonderful city with lots to do. Your second stop should be Savannah, GA (fabulous) or St. Augustine, FL.

Good Luck!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

We have done the straight through trip before (a little north of you) and it didn't work that well for me. Part of the problem is I tend to need to drive (can't rest when someone else is driving). I think this next time we are going to stop in Savannah. Orlando does not seem too far from there. Like the PP said, unless there is a reason for two stops, I'd only do one.

 

[spalady]

ya maybe we should only do 1 night. I have always wanted to go to savannah ga so maybe we will check into that. thanks

 

[MikeKV]

We have done the drive from the Philly area to Florida and back and visa versa several times. We have driven straight through all but one time...and the one time we did stay overnight felt like it took forever to get the FL...and that was when we moved from PA to FL. Unless you have something you really want to see driving down, I would just go straight through. We usually leave around 6 or 7 pm and go straight down. Pack a few thermoses of coffee and some light snacky foods. Also, have taken a power nap halfway through at a rest stop for about an hour around 3am.

If you find you must stop (2 nites seems like a lot of money and time to get down there though...) I would try...Charlotte, NC. I have not been there (its on my list of places to see) but I have heard it is a wonderful city with lots to do. Your second stop should be Savannah, GA (fabulous) or St. Augustine, FL.

Good Luck!

While you're right that Charlotte is a very nice city (I went to college outside of Charlotte) its not really that close to 95. If you don't mind driving a couple hours off 95 then try it otherwise I'd look for other cities that are a bit closer to 95 especially with kids.

With that said I used to drive to Charleston, SC from Maryland every summer. We used to stop for a night in Lumberton, NC. It was not really much for kids but it did have a decent selection of hotels to choose from.

 

[logansmummy]

Hi! We are from Pittsburgh Too!!!! We usually drive straight through, however, we have drove down w/ alot of extra time and we stopped in Rock Hill South Carolina(lovely) and Savannah! We loved both very much! Have a great time whatever you decide.

 

[DisneySoccerScouts]

Hi, we are from Uniontown, just a bit south of you and while we have driven straight through, we have also done the leisurely travel and see some stuff drive. Our traditional stops, because we usually pull our trailer are Wytheville, Va (many national parks) and Point South, SC (lowland country jump point). However, when we don't have our trailer we tend to drive farther the first day to Statesville or Charlotte, have a nice dinner and then the next day to Savannah - awesome city, expecially if your girl is a girl scout (and even if not), or you could also try Tybee Island (east of Savannah), nice quiet beach city with great lighthouse, or St. Augustine (another great tourist city don't forget the San Marcos monument) We have loved all of those. All of the Ga south cities give you lots of Mickey time the last day as you get there pretty early in the day.
BTW, ITA with logansmummy!
FYI, for those of you trying to give stops when coming from PIT you don't hit 95 until the I26 junction down in SC, so you do go through Charlotte (while on 77) and Columbia (at 77 to 26 jct). You will not hit Lumberton as that is too far north on 95, although I agree it was a nice stop city, but without much to do.
Oh, and don't forget to watch your speed on 19 (in WV)through the towns - major speed traps, but well worth the shortcut in time even with the slower town speeds.

 

[logansmummy]

We are from Hopewell Twp., it is 3 exits past or before the Pittsburgh International Airport........depends which way on 60 you go. Have a great trip, be safe, I feel for ya when you drive through WV I swear it takes forever!!! We just don't drive anymore, I have Panic Attacks once we hit 95 & I-4, I stress my husband out so bad, its not his fault, a couple years back I witnessed 2 horrific accidents, one on 95 and the other I-4, then after I had gotten back home, 20/20 did a report on Interstates and I-4 was rated the most Deadly Interstate???????? So I constantly stress down there. Thank goodness Disney is so Magical and HAPPY HAPPY Hope you all have a wonderful great time!!! I can't wait to go, May is just so beautiful, and Epcot w/ the flower festival, its great.

 

[Mandychelle79]

We are about an hour north of the Burgh and we normally leave around 4 or 5 am and stop just north of the Florida Border. Last trip we left at 7 pm and stopped in Jacksonville around 8 am. Checked into room at 2 pm.

 

[aquaticmom]

An hour north of the Burgh also, about 2 miles from Prime Outlets. We leave in 4 days, yahoo!!! But we're flying.