Should we drive all night?

[**Tinker*Bell*7**]

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[DisneyMommyMichelle]

go for it and have fun! we're driving straight through from CHICAGO! DH will be working half a day and then the kids and i will be at home. We will head over and pick him up and We will take off from there. I will drive the first shift, since my mommy is coming over that morning ot watch the kids and i will sleep in LATE!!! then i will drive as long as i can and DH will take over We will most likely switch one more time. We are also going to be stopping every 3 hours thugh. Have fun!!

 

[Slsguy]

I agree with the poster's suggesting the low fair airlines - With Gas prices they way they are these days, dirving just isn't as much a $$ saver as it used to be. Sure it save's some $$ but when you add the millage and wear and tear on your car on top of gas (not to mention peace of mind for the safty) just not as big a savings allot of people think.

FYI - I got $120 RT from NH to Orlando on SW for August...

Just my 2 cents....

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

My vote is for NOT doing it for reasons already stated. I think it is far too dangerous to drive all night like that, especially after working. It would be a wonderful surprise but not at all worth the risk.

I think the idea of driving 1/2 way and stopping is a good one. We always have tons of fun doing that, McDonalds and a swimming pool make for a good time. Then they can be even more excited for the remainder of the trip. Maybe you could put together a disney goodie bag to give them the next morning with coloring books etc and some brochures to look at. I would be glad to pick some up and send them to you. Everyone would be much more rested and have LOTS more fun. I don't know about you but I can't stay up all night and feel good the next day like I used to.

 

[manning]

If you are going to drive all night you better be well rested. You and your co-pilot.

On my last trip I couldn't get to sleep the night before. Got up tired and 2 hours down the the road I fell asleep and went into the median. Good thing the wife was awake. Her shout woke me up and I was able to recover.

When you fall asleep, you don't know it. The last thing I remember was I was switching lanes to pass. Then off the road. It happened that fast.

Think about it. when you lay your head on the pillow, do you remember falling asleep?

 

[skoi]

We've driven overnight from SE Pennsylvania but don't make as good time as everyone else. Wow- 16 hours from NE PA? I'm impressed. How did you do it?
However dh always sleeps for at least six hours before the drive, which is his normal night's sleep. I hate to do this- because I don't sleep well because I'm too busy worrying if he's awake.

Also- you can't count on the kids sleeping. Our dd 12 can't sleep in the car. She just drifts in and out over the course of the trip. This year, we're doing the autotrain because we're making a few stops in FL. Next time, if the fares on SW remain as low as I'm seeing, we might fly.

Have a good trip.

 

[lovesmurfs]

As a college student (way back when) I didn't think I had a problem with drowsiness, either, until I was startled by a horrible sound at 3:00 a.m., by the sound of my Mitstubishi rubbing up against a metal barrier on the right side of the road. I was on I-77 in the mountains of West Virginia, and had over $1,000 of damage (in 1990 $) to the car. Could have been worse -- 20 yd later was a concrete barrier, and 20 yards after that....nothing but mountains. (Did I mention that I had crossed 3 lanes of traffic to get there? It was pitch black in the days before cell phones -- no one stopped). I don't take chances any more.

I go with the majority -- do what you need to do, but do try to get some sleep before you all take off.