So, umm, has anyone driven from the Maritimes?

[tribus121]

Through St John it is shorter crosing at Calis , Through Fredericton crosing at Houlton the road is better & you can actualy make better time .

 

[langin]

and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, it was fun! 3 days on the way and 2 days on the way back (12 hr day and then a 23 hr day). It really does need to be well plannned but have some flexibility for whatever might come up. I would be a little concerned about going in the winter though, I would only do all day driving , no nights!

 

[Debbie]

Langin!
I always wondered how that trip went!

 

[mbb]

and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, it was fun! 3 days on the way and 2 days on the way back (12 hr day and then a 23 hr day). It really does need to be well plannned but have some flexibility for whatever might come up. I would be a little concerned about going in the winter though, I would only do all day driving , no nights!

Oh, langin...you are our Canadian Board hero
I cannot imagine stringing Driving/August/Florida/No AC/ and Fun together in the same sentence!!

Nice to hear from you again, my friend

 

[SplashMom]

We are doing the drive but I can't imagine no AC! Did you find August unbearably hot? That is one of the major concerns I have. August is not really my choice of months but it is the only available time the family can go. My son goes off to university in September and if we don't go in August, we'll have to wait until next spring since he still wants to come along!! I can't possibly wait that long! Hopefully, August will be OK as long as we pace ourselves. We will be in WDW for 14 nights so there is lots of time.

 

[langin]

Hi there,
Canadian Board Hero, WOW, I'd have to go with crazy, about 20 minutes into the drive, I felt a sheer panic like "What was I thinking?" but it was all good!

Answering some ???
Yes, we did stop a lot because of the no AC and lots of drinking water to stop from dehydrating.
We did stay on the I95 all the way down, it was easiest and except for NYC, not that bad! One of my twins did have some heat exhaustion (nausea) once in SC because he feel asleep and grabbed a fleece blanket from the back, we were stopped for at least 2 hrs and he woke up so hot! Maine is very long and dark and dull, and the Carolinas feel like you are driving through the prairies, again nothing to look at!
We stayed at the DoubleTree in Downtown Disney and we really liked it, so close, very clean, friendly,we only paid 79.00 per night with free breakfast , a great deal! 2 dbl beds and a small kitchenette with Dining table , fridge, microwave, and dbl sleeper sofa, 3 tvs (one in the bathroom).
My Dh wasn't that thrilled about going, thought it was just for the kids but he's now obsessed with going again. We'll go when we have a new van (with AC, LOL)
August was mreally hot and humid but to tell you the truth, I found it as humid as it is here at home (Moncton area) but with a lot more places with AC to duck into. We went mid to late August and according to others the crowds were great, the longest wait for a ride was 20 minutes for RnRC and that was only once, otherwise it was 10 minutes tops!
Thanks to everyone who wish us well and for all the great advice

Ginette

 

[pooksma]

Im getting that DISMeet itch again...

 

[SplashMom]

Thanks for your answers!! I am starting to get really excited, even about the drive! Our van is new and the AC works (I'm not as brave as you!). We are going to take our time going down--4 or 5 days depending on stops. We have 5 days before we check into Pop and we want to see a few things on the way. We will probably come directly home (3 days) because our son has to check into university residence on Labour Day. That will give me three days to do laundry and pack him . Lots of time! But it's worth 14 nights in WDW!!

 

[dandee00]

SplashMom
4 or 5 days will give you lots of time to get to WDW and see a few things along the way. Hopefully 14 nights in WDW will be enough!!!

When we drove in January, we started using the AC in South Carolina. DH can't stand the heat. I hate the cold, so I was grateful I had my winter parka. And yes I had it on as we drove through South Carolina...we must have looked ridiculous.

Langin
My DH kept saying the trip to WDW was for me. Guess who wants to go back to Florida? He insists we stay on Disney property...and maybe spend a day at Animal Kingdom.

I'm waiting to hear him say "maybe we should get a 4 day pass so we can do all those things we liked". Yep, we did WDW for me alright.

 

[U2FanHfx]

Hi Splashmom, fellow Caper here.

We are flying there at the end of August but in the last 2 years have flown/gone down in the start of August. All I can say is watch out for the heat! It is sooooo hot. We stay cool by using dri-fit/coolmax clothing and our trusty CamelBak water bladders. An afternoon break is also a good idea.

I would also think if I was driving that I would take something to 'blind' the sun from my legs coming in the windows. I find it easy to burn and much hotter in the sun.

We just became DVC members and are thinking about driving a few times and would love to hear your report when you get back.

Regs,

CJM

 

[SplashMom]

I plan on keeping a detailed log book so I will do a complete trip report when we return. Thanks for the tips about the heat! We will definitely be avoiding anything in the middle of the day--sleep or swim breaks will be a must! Good idea about the sun coming in the vehicle. Our van windows are tinted but it could still get quite hot. We'll look for some of those shades--the one's with pictures of Mickey on them!!

 

[akalittleeva]

SplashMom - I'd be interesting in hearing how much your gas cost for the trip - we are driving down in November from PEI.

 

[SplashMom]

I'll let you know our gas totals!

 

[akalittleeva]

Thanks!

 

[peigirl]

I will be looking forward to your post also to see your gas totals and where you stopped.

Littleeva, where on the island are you? We are in Stratford

Paula

 

[akalittleeva]

Summerside...

We won't be driving the I-95 route going down (but will be on the way back) - dh wants to do the one that goes through the Blue Ridge Mtns - I think it is one with I-81? He's the navigator, I'm the planner. Last time, we just drove until we were ready to stop, but this year we just happen to be travelling on the 2 long weekends (Veterans Day and Th'giving), so we've made our hotels ressies for along the way already (on a different trip elsewhere, we didn't book on a holiday weekend and ended up sleeping in our car - don't want that to happen this time!) First night we'll be in Southington, Ct (hopefully), the next night, Roanoke, Va, then Kingsland, Ga - dh and ds want to spend a little time in Charlotte, NC, so that will slow us down that day, otherwise we'd have made it - oh well, we ended up adding a day at WDW in the end, so I can't complain. On the way home - I - 95 - first night - Fredericksburg, Va - we did it last time - long way! Then we are going to spend a half day in Washington, DC, driving to Auburn, Ma for the night and then home. Can't wait!!!

 

[sandraB]

I have never driven as an adult (I am a big wimp!), but drove a few times as a kid from NB.

We always stopped in DC.....everything is free! The zoo, the air and space mus. etc...... It was always a nice break in the drive!


We always fly now.....I think all those drives as a kid have me traumatized!

We used to live in DC, and it is a fun city to see.....but don't stay in a hotel around there.....We stayed just before (near philly), and then after sightseeing keep driving and stop in Virginia...Cheaper.


My only word of advice...if you don't want to see DC, then there is a paralled route through Delaware that totally bypasses the DC beltway (which can have unreal traffic jams....talking hours!) It is kinda scenic too...you see the cheasapeake bay.


Have fun!
Sandi

 

[akalittleeva]

I was so surprised when I first found out that it was all free - amazing! Unfortunately, the Modern History part of the Museum will be closed when we are there - we really wanted to do that, but have decided to check out the zoo instead. we have no intention of staying in DC, though - just passing through. We're hoping it won't be too busy for driving, we are going the day after Th'giving and plan to arrive early - we are styaing in Fredericksburg, VA the night before. Dh has driven in Boston and Manhattan before, so he should be OK. Really looking forward to it.