Seeking I77/79 early Dec. driving tips

[CdnMom2]

Yes, another question about it. Didn't want to hijack cottontail's thread.

IF the weather is good when we go next week during the day, I would like to try this route as you all seem to agree it is a lovely way. Have done I-75 both ways before & have THE book ready to go for trip back (mid-December). An earlier arrival in WDW would be a nice bonus.

BUT, I know nothing about this route. Advice please. Cautions. Good stopping places for eve/food. 4 kids & planning a 2 1/2 day drive (less would be great, but we're not drive-through-the-night people!) Wish there was an "Along" book for this.

TIA!

 

[cslittle999]

We're taking this route on Dec. 2. This will be our third trip to Florida using this route.

I don't remember the details of the first trip. It was just DW and myself pre-kids.

In 2003 it took us around 21 hours of travel time. The first day we drove from Orangeville to Beckley, WV. The second we drove to Jacksonville, FL. On the third day we drove to Orlando and arrived at CBR around 10am.

With the kids being older (DD9, DS7) we are going to drive a little longer each day so we can have more time in WDW. The first day we want to reach Statesville, NC. This should be around 12 to 13 hours. We'll leave around 5am so we should be through the mountains in day light. The second day we will reach Orlando. That should be 9 hours. We're staying offsite near DTD. The next day we'll check into WL.

On the way back we're going to drive to Walterboro, SC on the first day. To Morganstown, WV on the second and then about a six hour drive home.

The first day is the tricky part. There is really nothing between Beckley, WV and Stateville, NC. This is also the most mountainous part of the route too. The view driving down out of VI into NC is amazing. I think you go down 2000 feet in a couple of miles. The drive source after that is easy. We never had bad traffic.

All of the map sites seem to make a mess of the Canadian part of the trip but are accurate once you're over the border. I use http://mappoint.msn.com/ to do the "what if" checking to see how far different cities are. For the actual route I use CAA internet triptik.

The biggest complaint I hear about this route is that the exits are far apart. All that means is you need to plan as you drive but really how often do you stop. Once for gas and lunch plus a couple of bathroom breaks. With the TripTik you know which exits have food and gas and you can plan accordingly. We always have snacks/drinks with us so you can stretch lunch until you find something that you like.

I will warn you about one thing. All of the map sites will take you on US19 between I79 and I77. It does shorten the trip but US 19 is notorious for its speed traps. People have been ticketed for as little as a couple of mph over the limit.

 

[CdnMom2]

That's all such helpful info.
Will try out the MSN site & the CAA TripTik in the morning. Yes, I've been wary of them because of some other times I've tried to use them. Your advice helps.
We leave Dec. 1 so sounds like this route may be doable for us! If the weather is right.

 

[lisaviolet]

Just wanted to add that we have pushed through to Princeton, WV which is between Beckley and Statesville. About a half an hour the other side of Beckley. We have stayed at another place farther down the highway closer to Statesville in desperation but the motel was linked to a strip joint. I can't think of the name of the town/stop...Fancy Top....no that's not it......I can't remember....Fancy something....but it wasn't "fancy"....

EDIT: It's Fancy Gap.

In Beckley we have enjoyed the Microtel the most for the price and room....

Usually, we do Beckley or Princeton for the first night and Savannah, Georgia area on the second. Savannah is nice if you get in early and go down the historic area down by the river. Savannah is a nice short drive for the last day .....5 hours to WDW. It works well for two nights to WDW.

On the way back I have stayed in Lake Norman, NC this side of Charlotte....nice area. I wish we could get there on the first day going down but for us it is just too far.

We have also stopped in Columbia, SC on the way down. A lot of choices at Two Notch road area. But that makes an 8 hour drive to WDW.

As for US 19 it is so true what Chris said.....really watch. I know this is bad but sometimes it is like a car game.....you can clearly see who is going to get caught (and usually they have an Ontario license plate!??!?) and ten miles up there they are pulled over.

Cracker Barrels are pretty good if you want a sitdown. We usually eat at rest stops and plug in a small grill at the stop. They are some fantastic rest stops on this route. Cracker Barrels, that I can remember: Beckley, Lake Norman, NC, Rock Hill, SC (did not enjoy my overnight stay here though), Columbia, SC and Pooler (Savannah), GA. Obviously, there are many more. I'll say it again Savannah by the river is nice for an evening/dinner out.

I just love this drive. It is so beautiful. Just so beautiful....

Have fun.

 

[kellyla]

When we last did this drive in December of 2003 we made it to Mooresville,NC(just outside of Charlotte),about a 12 hour drive.We could have made it farther but we have a NASCAR fan in the family so we had to stop in Race City,USA.We made it here leaving at 3am from Hamilton and driving in snow from Fort Erie to Pittsburgh.The drive through the mountains is wonderful.And yes watch out Summersville on 19.You come down that hill into this town and the speed limit changes immediately.These people pay no property taxes because of the amount of money brought in from speeding tickets. Have a great trip.

 

[mc'smommy]

Yes, another question about it. Didn't want to hijack cottontail's thread.

IF the weather is good when we go next week during the day, I would like to try this route as you all seem to agree it is a lovely way. Have done I-75 both ways before & have THE book ready to go for trip back (mid-December). An earlier arrival in WDW would be a nice bonus.

BUT, I know nothing about this route. Advice please. Cautions. Good stopping places for eve/food. 4 kids & planning a 2 1/2 day drive (less would be great, but we're not drive-through-the-night people!) Wish there was an "Along" book for this.

TIA!

Hello there
I just wanted to let you know my husband actually just drove down to pick up some equipment with the van in Ocala. Using the I70-77 He drove to just outside of Charleston Sc, it took him 14.5 hours, ( 960 miles ) 2 of them in the van..
( no kids )
They left at 2:00 am and arrvied at 4:30Pm and that included a stop at duty free in Ft. Erie.. And the next morning they mossied on into Ocalo before lunch..


He is doing it again next week to go golfing in Santee SC, he loves this route for scenery & convienence, be sure to have your Trip Tik handy...
I think to have a successful driving experience really depends on the time of day you have departed and the weather..

Good luck and drive safe..

 

[Skywalker]

The biggest complaint I hear about this route is that the exits are far apart.

I concur with this. We did this drive in October and though it is a very nice and scenic route, you should really be aware of the exits. We were kind of used to driving I-75 with a million gas stations and hotels every two feet it seems. LOL. Well, this route is quite different. At one point, we were very low on gas but my husband didn't like the prices at the exit so he decided to just drive a little to the next station and hope for a better price. Well, it turned out the next station was like, 45 minutes away with the gas light ominously glowing in our car as we are passing barren mountain road after barren mountain road and it is getting darker and darker! LOL. We wound up getting gas at some rickety dive that was WAY off the highway down some lonely stretch of backroad...felt like I was driving into a horror movie or something.

Anyway, easily avoided if you get a triptik and pay attention to where the gas food and lodging are!

Also, this route has tolls, which were a pain too. Just stuff to be aware of, but really, it is a lovely route.