So, umm, has anyone driven from the Maritimes?

[coastgirl]

I know I am insane even to consider this...mapquest says it's 3200 km each way. And we want to go either in December or February. And we have two kids, then 6 and 3. But I'm thinking, if we have to drive, say, to Manchester NH (1100 km each way), well, in for a penny in for a pound. Last summer we did round trip to Boston and have done Calgary-Victoria a couple of times, as well as a memorable round-trip from Tampa Fl to Lafayette Louisiana (2500 km, but pre-kids). Oh, and St John's to Victoria in a 28 ft UHaul, 7600 km, also (clearly) pre-kids.

Nah. Someone talk me out of this!

 

[PhotobearSam]

We have driven twice from Moncton (no kids and we take our time) and once from Ottawa.

It's a nice way for my DH and I to reconnect. We like it but then again, we have over a month off and spend about 35 to 40 days in the states at a time so our own car is a must...

This year we are flying because we only have 23 days and want to be in FLORIDA for 3 weeks.

I don't know if I could do it with kids and on a time crunch.

My parents drove with us as kids and they said NEVER AGAIN....We must have been brats...

I would hesitate in February. The snow can be really bad and then there are places that get snow and people are not ready and drive without winter tires. We have seen some crazy driving over the years.

 

[McKiggan]

Well, I drove Hfx-Orlando 3-4 times during Spring Breaks back when I was in University (long ago). Best time was 33 hours non-stop (yawn).

I would NEVER consider doing it now that I have young children. Even if the kids are really good travellers, the best you could do would be 12-14 hours a day and that would take you 3 days each way.

I remember one trip we spent 4 hours in a ditch waiting for a tow truck because some guy slid into our lane during a light snow storm and we had to drive into the ditch to avoid him. (He kept going on his merry way after forcing us into the ditch).

Do whatever it takes to save the money to fly.

 

[coastgirl]

Yeah, I've recovered now. Dh loves a good road trip, but that's a bit ridiculous. We do want to do the trans Canada drive again one day with the kids, but that will be the event, and we'll take a month, and they'll be old enough to amuse themselves. Thanks for talking some sense into me.

I do think that driving to NH to get a SW fare will satisfy dh's need to drive...and the kids can hold out with dvd's and naps for that long!

 

[dandee00]

DH and I drove from NB in January. But, no kids. I think it would be a long trip and no fun for the kids or the parents.

But DH and I loved it. It took us 4 days and the roads were great. I'm hoping we can do it again really soon. I got hooked.

 

[akalittleeva]

It is possible - we are from the Island and drove 5 years ago with our kids, then 3 (just turned 3) and 5. It was 3 - 10 or 12 hour days each way - we basically drove the I-95. We had planned a stop each afternoon to break up the drive (at zoos/aquariums etc.) but after the first day, realized we didn't need them, so we didn't do them. We had a TV/VCR and lots of movies. I picked up some things at the $ store to pull out when needed (can't remember exactly what I bought) and had lots of snacks. With being an hour ahead of the US East Coast, we were able to get on the road early every morning and stopped at kid friendly places for lunch (McD's with playgrounds etc.) and then stopped at supper and found a place to stay with a pool. It was a nice way to wind down the evening. It went very well - just took a little planning before we left. We loved the drive! But we drive everywhere on vacation - we think it is part of the fun!

We are doing it again this November - the kids will be 8 and 10 then. We are all very excited about the drive! This time we have gameboys/personal dvd players/mp3s (they grow up too fast!!!) I am buying them both a new novel to read and just picked up a couple new movies to give them on the trip and will probably get them a new gameboy game. I also have maps and itineraries for them both to follow along if they want. We are taking a different route this time, going a little more inland and seeing more of the countryside. And on the way back, we are taking the I-95 route with a detour to Washington DC. Can't wait!

I agree with snow being a problem. It may slow you down and could make for dangerous conditions. And it is a 6 day travel commitment...in good weather. Good luck with your decision!

 

[SplashMom]

We're driving in August from Cape Breton!! I am anxious about the drive but we are making it part of our trip. Our kids are older, DD16 and DS19. It was the kids who really wanted to do the drive. We are planning on 4 days down and 3-4 days back. We are staying in WDW for two weeks--7 nights at Pop and 7 nights at AKL. We have flown in the past and I was planning to fly again but we had to cancel our trip in May. Since that meant we would travel in August, we had lots more time so we are opting to drive. It will be a one time thing for us I think!! My husband loves to drive so he will be doing most of the driving. We are planning on a longer first day (12 hours) and shorter days for the next two (8-9 hours). That should give us a shorter drive (4-5 hours) on our final day so hopefully, we won't be too tired. At this point, we are planning to drive down the I-95 because the kids want to see the cities. I am nervous about traffic but we should be doing most of the travel through the weekend (hopefully less traffic without rush hours).

We were in the process of trying to decide where to stay but we really don't want to be tied to a certain place. Would it be a bad idea to just stop when we are tired and try to get a place, or is everything booked? Are there any hotel chains that we should avoid, or any that are always clean and safe? I thought that hotels like Holiday Inn Express would be satisfactory all the way but I have read bad reviews about more southern states. I am not a total germ freak but it would have to be clean and fairly quiet.

If anyone has any advice for me, I would love to have it!! Thanks!

 

[Bea]

We have made that drive a few times . The first time the youngest was 2 1/2 and oldest was 5 . The kids were so good in the car and the older they get the more involved in the planning of the drive they are. We leave hfx at 5:00 am, get into Boston (south) around 3 or 4:00. Get up early (like 4:00) and drive until around Rocky Mount, NC (went to Fayetteville once, it was too far). That 2nd day is a long day but the next day is an easier day, I think around 8-10 hours to Orlando . We all look forward to the Florida Visitors Centre with free orange juice and tons of coupons/booklets to keep us all occupied .

 

[peigirl]

We drove down in June 2003. DDs 7 and 11. We stopped Houlton, Me, somewhere in Southern New Jersey and St Augustines, Fl. I95 most of the way. It took 37 hours (including meal breaks, gas stops and rest stops).

On the way back we went I75 and I 81. We stayed just past Knoxville, Tennesse, Worchester, Mass and then we arrived at my parents house in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia on the third evening. 43 hours this way.

We are doing it again this December. DD14, DD11, and DS1. We are planning I95, I90, I84, I81 and then get back to the I95 somewhere below Washington, DC.

Paula

 

[connorsmom911]

I'm not an expert in any sense of the word, only driven from Ontario, but my parents have travelled a few times through the US to NS (my mom's side of the family is all from there, CB and Yarmouth) and they always take the CAT from Bar Harbour, ME to Yarmouth, NS to cut off a day's driving. It's expensive, you pay for vehicle and each passenger, but it's only 3 hours. I would imagine that would cut off a lot of the drive. They always chose the I77/I79 route to Florida through New Hampshire, the Carolinas and Georgia. Nice drive in April/May, not so sure about winter though as you're travelling a lot through mountains until you get to S. Carolina.

Maybe look at it on a map and see what you think.

 

[Northstar]

I'm not an expert in any sense of the word, only driven from Ontario, but my parents have travelled a few times through the US to NS (my mom's side of the family is all from there, CB and Yarmouth) and they always take the CAT from Bar Harbour, ME to Yarmouth, NS to cut off a day's driving. It's expensive, you pay for vehicle and each passenger, but it's only 3 hours. I would imagine that would cut off a lot of the drive. They always chose the I77/I79 route to Florida through New Hampshire, the Carolinas and Georgia. Nice drive in April/May, not so sure about winter though as you're travelling a lot through mountains until you get to S. Carolina.

Maybe look at it on a map and see what you think.

The Cat from Bar Harbor cuts surprisingly little off the drive if you're heading to Halifax, because you've still got a 3-4 hour drive from Yarmouth. It cuts it down a bit but nowhere near enough for the price. Take the Cat as an experience, not as a shortcut. The Cat from Portland does better at shortening the drive, but it still costs an arm and a leg.

Also, no Cat in the winter. Again, it's not cost-effective as pure transport and so, without tourists, they don't bother to run it except in the summer.


Coastgirl, glad you've come to your senses! Driving to Disney from the Maritimes in WINTER? Spending all that time cooped up in a car when you could be there already? (As you can tell, I hate long distance driving... either as passenger or driver)

 

[tribus121]

We are planning I95, I90, I84, I81 and then get back to the I95 somewhere below Washington, DC.

This is the roure that I have used in the past for me ( Single then ) it was a 2 day drive from Fredericton . leaving at around 2 am I would drive till about Richmond VA then on to Fl Next day . 3 Days back

 

[coastgirl]

3 Days back

This made me smile. Thanks.

 

[coastgirl]

Yeah, I just checked to be sure, to get to Yarmouth from here is 5 hours. I could be at the ME border by then from here. Someday we'll do it for the experience, but having lived in Nf and on Vancouver Is., I don't see ferries as a recreational activity anymore!

 

[Marcy Mouse]

Did you ever look into the auto train. It would cut the drive in half - it leaves from Lorton VA right of the I95 every day at 4pm and arrives the next morning in sanford (45min from orlando). They do have specials like right now kids up to 14 travel free. It includes dinner and breakfast and has movies etc.

I am going Aug 13 with two friends of mine. I'm the only one that can drive a stanard and I didn't want to drive the whole way. This way I get to take my car - I don't fly.

If you go to www.amtrak.com look up Auto Train and all the info is there.

It is about 11 hr from Bangor to Lorton!

If you have any questions I will post a little report when I get back on Aug 24.

Marcy

 

[Marcy Mouse]

For a return trip coach - 3 adults and 1 car standard (I think minivans cost more) it was 531.00 US.

If you do consider it you can go to the orlando magic card website and order the card it's free and when you book with amtrak and you get 20% discount off the auto train.

Marcy

 

[coastgirl]

Wow, that cost is really reasonable. I love train travel myself, have been trying to find an excuse to do it with the kids. Definitely worth looking into. Our two vans are already experienced railroaders--we moved from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia last winter and the vehicles took the train while we flew. Thanks for an interesting idea. We may never do it, but I love the planning and anticipation that's a big part of travel--now I have something truly novel to investigate!

 

[mbb]

We're driving in August from Cape Breton!! ..........
.....If anyone has any advice for me, I would love to have it!! Thanks!

Yep

Pick us up on the way through!!!


We'd love to drive down, but cannot bear to think about driving home!!

Mom and dad have driven it a few times, and are thinking about it again for this winter.

 

[SplashMom]

We'll slow down and you can hop in!! There should be one or two inches of space left for you to squeeze into! Maybe not but at least we can toot our horn and wave as we go by!

 

[lucky winner]

Anybody drive to Bangor and fly from there? Do you go thru St John or Fred??