Talk to me about the drive from Ontario

[canadianmom2three]

We ususally do a super long drive day on the first day, and then the second day is a short drive. My DH has it all timed out so that we avoid all traffic in major cities by leaving our house at 4 a.m., and we try to drive with minimal stops until 10 or 11 p.m. then we are up and there the next day by around noon. We make it in about 18-20 hours but we live right on the US border. We are used to driving emuch farther south to visit the grandparents, so Disney is like a short drive for us

The kids LOVE the along I75 book now that they are older, and they have their own things that they look out for in terms of landmarks etc. Of course with all the technology they drive goes much quicker. When they were younger I used to print off their own copies of maps with major points on them so that they could kind of follow along where we were at. I also got a great tip about buying little trinkets from the dollar store and wrapping them, then the kids got to reach into the treat bag and unwrap one every so often. They were just little junky things like window clings to decorate the car windows, packets of gum, little travel lights etc. but they loved that!!

 

[abridgel]

I'll be doing the drive in November from just outside of Toronto - here is what I was thinking

Leave around 7-8pm and drive through to 7-8am - stop for breakfast.

Where is a good place to stop 12 or so hours in where an 18 month old and a 3.5 year old can play stretch their legs and tire themselves out for say another 5-6 hour drive.

After breakfast/play leave maybe 10-11am and try to get in at least 4-6 hours. Any suggestions where this will put us? Preferable a decent hotel where the kids can once again tire themselves out (any indoor water parks)?

Call it a day at this point than sleep the night and finish off the rest of the drive (3-4 more hours?) the next day and end up in Port Canaveral for the cruise.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[RatherDrive]

If you go the I77/79 route, 11-12 hours will put you in Charlotte NC. A big city with lots of options for you. Jacksonville FL is another 6 hours past Charlotte, then Port Canaveral is 3 hours from Jacksonville. Depending on how the traffic/weather is you should be able to do the drive from Toronto in 21-22 hours. We have done the drive, from just east of Toronto, in 20-21 hours. We rarely stop except of gas and food breaks, even when the kids were little. We found that they preferred stay on the road and only stop for the night and get out to use the hotel pool to blow off steam. You should be able to stop in a rest area and let your kids run around for a bit.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Has anyone here drove from the Kingston/Ottawa area? Do you take 81 to 77 to 95?? We are going in August and are considering the drive. Any tips? TIA!!

 

[RatherDrive]

Has anyone here drove from the Kingston/Ottawa area? Do you take 81 to 77 to 95?? We are going in August and are considering the drive. Any tips? TIA!!

We have friends who travel from Syracuse and usually took the I95 route the whole way. They would go through Washington and curse the traffic. They tried the I81 to I77 to I95 last summer and loved it. They said the drive through the mountains was spectacular. They have decided that this route is for them. They told me that when they mapped it out, it was a bit longer than the I95 route, but it was definitely quicker once the traffic delays were factored in.

We drove through Washington once but it was to take the Auto Train out of Lorton VA, just south of Washington on the I95. Personally I would avoid Washington since I tend to like the routes that don't take me through large metropolitan cities. That said, Washington would make a great stop for a couple of days to check out everything the city has to offer.

 

[bankr63]

Has anyone here drove from the Kingston/Ottawa area? Do you take 81 to 77 to 95?? We are going in August and are considering the drive. Any tips? TIA!!

Two other options from 81 that avoid Washington, you can turn down 66 and cut across on 17 to 95. 17 is a bit slow because there are a handful of traffic lights (2 lane). Or you can cut down at 64 to meet 95 at Richmond VA. In August shouldn't be a problem, but if travelling in winter months having a plan B and C can help avoid weather.

BTW - if there is time on the drive down, do the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah Park. Adds a couple of hours to the trip, but the scenery is incredible. it is a 105 mile drive across the top of the Shenandoah Range; speed limit is 55 mph in the park, so without stopping it's a couple of hours. But you will stop for pictures many times. It was the highlight of the drive on our trip this March (well the Luray Caverns were really cool too...)

 

[KingstonGirl77]

My question is similar to crazyfordisney2000.

We are leaving for Disney in 10 days. My husband really wants to try a different route down instead of the same 'ol 81/83/95/4. We are leaving from Kingston but would absolutely consider crossing at Buffalo or somewhere else. We have friends that take 75 even though they depart from Kingston and say they make up the time difference on 75 due to traffic and speed limit (True?). I see so many of you recommending 77/79. That would not be far off our start point and sounds like it is scenic. Any advice would be greatly appreciated to help us decide and weigh pros/cons. We probably need to decide soon We are also considering coming home whichever route comes in second place just to give it a shot. Thanks!!

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

e are leaving for Disney in 10 days. My husband really wants to try a different route down instead of the same 'ol 81/83/95/4. We are leaving from Kingston but would absolutely consider crossing at Buffalo or somewhere else. We have friends that take 75 even though they depart from Kingston and say they make up the time difference on 75 due to traffic and speed limit (True?). I see so many of you recommending 77/79. That would not be far off our start point and sounds like it is scenic. Any advice would be greatly appreciated to help us decide and weigh pros/cons. We probably need to decide soon We are also considering coming home whichever route comes in second place just to give it a shot. Thanks!!/QUOTE]

So you have driven before!! How long does it take you, without stops? Any advice on what time and what route we should take to go through Washington area?

I'm waiting to see the answers on your question too!

 

[KingstonGirl77]

It has been 6 years since we drove down. Last time we left Kingston at 5am and made it to Florence, SC around 7pm. Day 2 we left around 6am and arrived in Orlando area at 3pm. With it being so long ago I can't recall amount of time for stops but in general we don't stop long just gas and food as needed.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Thanks!! That's what I wanted, a guideline to start!! Have a fantastic trip!!