That long drive down I95!

[psimon]

I know there are a lot of DVC folks as well as other WDW visitors that drive straight through from the Northeast (as well as from other areas far from WDW) and don't stop until they get to the mouse. My question is for those that make that 15+ hour drive..... what tricks do you use to stay awake during those dark hours in the middle of the night? Obviously, with others in the car sleeping, you aren't going to have the stereo blasting or the windows open.... so what do you use to stay alert? Coffee only works for so long and then even that starts to fade.

All thoughts appreciated!

---Paul in Southern NJ
(Planning for our next adventure during "Jersey Week"!)

 

[dsnymomof4]

We just did this in August and yes, it is a very long, boring drive. D is used to driving at night because of work so he did most of the driving. But it helps if you have someone to switch off driving with. I also bought energy drinks to help pump the caffeine in. It gets really hard in the Carolinas because there is nothing but trees and a long dark road. Even with the kids sleeping, we still play the music. But by all means, if you're feeling really tired, pull over to a rest stop and take a short nap. Even an hour or two will help and won't set you back that far in time. Have a safe trip!

 

[tms295]

Our family drives straight through to Orlando from PA on a regular basis... the best time to travel and make time without traffic is at night obviously... We usually have someone stay awake with the driver for conversation. Also, when the driver starts getting sleepy... pull into a gas station/restuarant/active rest area... and walk around for a few minutes...the lights, people, and activity usually wake you up again.

 

[psimon]

I am planning to switch-off with my wife for the driving. She is not fond of driving at night, though she will, if pressed. We are leaving NJ after school on Friday afternoon (about 2:30). This puts me in DC about 5PM (rush hour, yuck! ) Given we are talking November, it will just about be getting dark. I was planning to get my wife to drive till at least 11PM and the I'll take over. That gives me about the next 6 hours!

I could let my teenager drive, but then we will all be wide awake!

Do those energy drinks work any better than lots of coffee or Vault or Moutain Dew soda? Those drinks are the highest of sodas for caffeine.

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Desnik]

We have done this drive many times! We have tried it all different ways. What works best for us is we leave our house at 3-4AM. DH is use to being up early for work and driving around this time so he does the first leg of driving. The kids and I sleep in the car till around 9am. We eat breakfast in the car which I pack and take with us. We aren't big breakfast eaters so this is fine for us. We stop for gas and potty and stop at a restaurant for lunch and eat dinner in the car(fast food). We stop at some rest stops to let the kids run and stretch. We usually arrive at WDW between 9-10PM. For us driving through the night was too hard and dangerous. It was so hard to fight off being tired and that is so dangerous. Not to mention all the other drivers that you have to watch out for. Also, I do not like stopping in some of those rest stop bathrooms at night, especially with our young kids. Some of them are really bad.
Some tips we have learned to stay alert: Pull over, jump around to wake up. Drink Mt.Dew!! Eat sunflower seeds, listen to talk radio(stimulates the brain), brush your teeth with those brush ups, the mint wakes you up. Try not to dive for too long. DH and I usually drive 3 hours then switch.

I do have to say that last year we flew for the first time and nothing beats it! Yes it was more expensive, DH had to be drugged up to actually get on the plane, but it was great!!LOL

Good luck with the drive and please if you feel you are getting tired, pull over and take a break.

 

[Robert P]

Some really good tips already posted, so here's mine.
While I don't have the whole 15 hours plus to drive, my 'things' are:

Book on tape (or CD) - nothing keeps me as mentally alert as following along with a story while I drive. I have actually waited in the parking lot twice now, upon arrival, to hear the end of a disk (or story itself). Getting into a good story on the drive is a major help. (Note: change the speakers to the front of the car to not disturb the backseat crew as much.)

Running calculations and notes - doing the mileage math in my head helps, as does jotting down driving notes for future trips. Having to change positions and routine, to write things down, always perks me up a bit.

Caffeine - but not at first. As a fall back, sure, but not from mile 1. It really is more of a back-up for me. Same with any 'Stacker' type product. When I have to reach for either of those, I make a quick evaluation about how alert I really am, and try to see if I am getting too tired to drive safely. In that case, I would pull over and either fuel up (noise, activity, lights), or just catch a quick nap.

Those new Listerine mist breath sprayers offer a quick pick me up. Three or four blasts with one of those and I feel like the Reverend Jim character from Taxi.

When we stop for gas, I always walk around, and stretch. A deep, almost 'painful' stretch helps wake me up alot.

The entre car usually sleeps while I drive overnight, but I have no problem waking someone up to talk to me, if I feel my alertness is declining. On occassion, I will let pull over and ask my wife to drive. But, she too is not fond of driving at night, so usually this is a quick fix so I can catch a bit of sleep (an hour, maybe 2), while keeping the car moving towards the Mouse.

And lastly, my super duper tip. Drink everything in the car you can reach! With or without caffeine, if you drink enough, you will have to go to the restroom, and I cannot sleep or get very comfortable if that is the case. It's almost like tricking yourself into stopping for a break, in the very immediate future.

Always be prepared to stop somewhere, as a fall back option. Remember, it's better to get there late than not at all.
Drive safe.
Robert P

 

[minniebeth]

When we drove to Orlando down the east coast, we looked forward to little goals...like Baltimore, Washington, then counted the signs until South of the Border, Jacksonville, and we love the Florida Visitor's Center where we got fresh squeezed orange juice.
South of the Border is kind of cheezy, but can be a fun place to stop and get a break in the action.

 

[ilovegoofy38]

psimon make sure you use the hov lanes once on i-95 in va. it looks like you will have three people in the car.this should speed the trip up little bit

 

[psimon]

psimon make sure you use the hov lanes once on i-95 in va. it looks like you will have three people in the car.this should speed the trip up little bit

Yes, there are 5 of us..... HOV lane.... good idea! Too bad they don't go as far south as the Quantico area of Va. No matter what time of day I go past there, it is ALWAYS backed up. Going to Myrtle Beach last month we passed through there at 8AM on a Saturday, and we still lost 30 minutes sitting in traffic!

Thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[psimon]

Some really good tips already posted, so here's mine.
While I don't have the whole 15 hours plus to drive, my 'things' are:

Book on tape (or CD) - nothing keeps me as mentally alert as following along with a story while I drive. I have actually waited in the parking lot twice now, upon arrival, to hear the end of a disk (or story itself). Getting into a good story on the drive is a major help. (Note: change the speakers to the front of the car to not disturb the backseat crew as much.)

Running calculations and notes - doing the mileage math in my head helps, as does jotting down driving notes for future trips. Having to change positions and routine, to write things down, always perks me up a bit.

Caffeine - but not at first. As a fall back, sure, but not from mile 1. It really is more of a back-up for me. Same with any 'Stacker' type product. When I have to reach for either of those, I make a quick evaluation about how alert I really am, and try to see if I am getting too tired to drive safely. In that case, I would pull over and either fuel up (noise, activity, lights), or just catch a quick nap.

Those new Listerine mist breath sprayers offer a quick pick me up. Three or four blasts with one of those and I feel like the Reverend Jim character from Taxi.

When we stop for gas, I always walk around, and stretch. A deep, almost 'painful' stretch helps wake me up alot.

The entre car usually sleeps while I drive overnight, but I have no problem waking someone up to talk to me, if I feel my alertness is declining. On occassion, I will let pull over and ask my wife to drive. But, she too is not fond of driving at night, so usually this is a quick fix so I can catch a bit of sleep (an hour, maybe 2), while keeping the car moving towards the Mouse.

And lastly, my super duper tip. Drink everything in the car you can reach! With or without caffeine, if you drink enough, you will have to go to the restroom, and I cannot sleep or get very comfortable if that is the case. It's almost like tricking yourself into stopping for a break, in the very immediate future.

Always be prepared to stop somewhere, as a fall back option. Remember, it's better to get there late than not at all.
Drive safe.
Robert P

Great ideas..... thanks!

On the off chance I throw in the towel and decide to sack out for a couple of hours, I'll need to find a "safe" place. Have you done this? Where do you stop that is safe, yet off the road?

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Olaf]

Yes, there are 5 of us..... HOV lane.... good idea! Too bad they don't go as far south as the Quantico area of Va. No matter what time of day I go past there, it is ALWAYS backed up. Going to Myrtle Beach last month we passed through there at 8AM on a Saturday, and we still lost 30 minutes sitting in traffic!

Thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

Imagine having to go through there everyday. All those folks who live in Stafford and Fredricksburg wish the HOV lanes went further as well.

As you get close to the DC area, put your radio at AM 630 for the traffic reports. Remember you always have the option of heading west around the beltway. The new bridge is open now, so it's not such an issue. That old Wilson bridge was a royal pain.

 

[psimon]

Imagine having to go through there everyday. All those folks who live in Stafford and Fredricksburg wish the HOV lanes went further as well.

As you get close to the DC area, put your radio at AM 630 for the traffic reports. Remember you always have the option of heading west around the beltway. The new bridge is open now, so it's not such an issue. That old Wilson bridge was a royal pain.

Usually, coming South, I come down the Balt/Wash Pkwy and stay on 295 into DC. I get off at Howard Ave and take the local streets for a 1/2 mile to I395 South (near L'efant Plaza) and cut off lots of miles. This works great during non rush hours.

I'm thinking this might not be the wisest choice at 5-6PM in DC on a Friday. Which way am I better off.... inner or outer loop (I95 or I495) around DC at that hour? Or should I just stay on I295 and go all the way to the bottom of the belt and get on the inner loop for the couple of miles till it joins back to I95?

thanks....

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Onceler]

I'm thinking this might not be the wisest choice at 5-6PM in DC on a Friday. Which way am I better off.... inner or outer loop (I95 or I495) around DC at that hour? Or should I just stay on I295 and go all the way to the bottom of the belt and get on the inner loop for the couple of miles till it joins back to I95?

At 5pm on a Friday, it is pretty much guaranteed that you will be stuck in traffic no matter which way you go. The worst part will be I-95 south of the Beltway. Using the HOV lanes will help. But the backups often extend well past the end of the HOV.

You might want to consider the Route 301 alternative. It is not as good as it used to be due to an increase in traffic and lights. But you will be able to completely avoid Northern Virginia since you won't rejoin I-95 until you are well south of Fredericksburg. At that time of day it will probably be the safest bet.

 

[Robert P]

Paul,
Depends on where you are when you make the decision. Assuming you get through the first half of the drive okay, there are some very nice rest areas (well lit, some patrolled) in SC, GA, and FL. I am from NC, and I can't recommend any along I95 that come to mind (sorry). I would choose a parking spot closest to the highway, in plain sight of that traffic. Also, another choice may be the 24 hour IHOP type joints, which are generally well lit, and remain busy enough in the wee hours.
If it were me, and this is strictly an opinion, I would find a large truckstop/gas station combo (which often have restaurants attached, especially in N. Va) off a busy exit with many gas stations and food joints. I would get out and stretch, fill up the car, clear my head, and then re-visit the decision between continuing to drive, or catching a nap. If you decide on the nap, stay in a conspicuous area of the parking lot, not in total pitch darkness (maybe even directly under a light) within site of the where the big rigs are parked. Near the front of the building as well.
You are correct about being 'off the road'. I would not recommend roadside sleeping anywhere nowadays, nor would I try an exit ramp. Last ditch, sneak into a decent looking motel parking lot, and park near the front entrance or under some lights there for that quick nap.
Hope some of these opinions may be of help.

I won't tie up the post here with this, but if you want to PM me, I have my trip notes from the I-26 & I-95 intersection in SC, all the way to WDW. It has mileage, and some notes/recommendations along the stretch, that I have made over several years of driving that route.
Travel safely.
Robert P

 

[psimon]

At 5pm on a Friday, it is pretty much guaranteed that you will be stuck in traffic no matter which way you go. The worst part will be I-95 south of the Beltway. Using the HOV lanes will help. But the backups often extend well past the end of the HOV.

You might want to consider the Route 301 alternative. It is not as good as it used to be due to an increase in traffic and lights. But you will be able to completely avoid Northern Virginia since you won't rejoin I-95 until you are well south of Fredericksburg. At that time of day it will probably be the safest bet.

I was considereing 301. In fact, I was considering it all the way through DelMarVa, starting when I get off the Delaware Memorial Bridge! I know its slower through DelMarVa. That part of the route I have taken. Its past Annapolis that I have never been on.

Is 301 like a Rt 1, alternating small towns and then stretchs of nothing, constantly going 35 and 60 mph?

Thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Onceler]

I was considereing 301. In fact, I was considering it all the way through DelMarVa, starting when I get off the Delaware Memorial Bridge! I know its slower through DelMarVa. That part of the route I have taken. Its past Annapolis that I have never been on.

Is 301 like a Rt 1, alternating small towns and then stretchs of nothing, constantly going 35 and 60 mph?

301 is a bit like Route 1. The bad spots are going through Bowie, Maryland and again in Waldorf, Maryland -- a bunch of traffic and lights. There are some other small towns but they're not as bad. Most of the trip, especially south of Waldorf, is pretty open with little traffic (normally) and only occasional lights.

I often commute between DC and NC so I frequently have to decide between the two. As a rough estimate, I would say that Route 301 takes about a 1/2 hour longer than going down I-95. But you can easily lose more than that if you get stuck on I-95.

 

[minniebeth]

Imagine having to go through there everyday. All those folks who live in Stafford and Fredricksburg wish the HOV lanes went further as well.

As you get close to the DC area, put your radio at AM 630 for the traffic reports. Remember you always have the option of heading west around the beltway. The new bridge is open now, so it's not such an issue. That old Wilson bridge was a royal pain.

Stafford.... Used to live there.... miss it!

 

[TyGuy]

Usually, coming South, I come down the Balt/Wash Pkwy and stay on 295 into DC. I get off at Howard Ave and take the local streets for a 1/2 mile to I395 South (near L'efant Plaza) and cut off lots of miles. This works great during non rush hours.

I'm thinking this might not be the wisest choice at 5-6PM in DC on a Friday. Which way am I better off.... inner or outer loop (I95 or I495) around DC at that hour? Or should I just stay on I295 and go all the way to the bottom of the belt and get on the inner loop for the couple of miles till it joins back to I95?

thanks....

---Paul in Southern NJ

I usualy just stay on the Balt/ Wash Pkwy all the way down and pick up 495/95 just east of the Woodrow Wilson bridge. I'm not sure if there is a "good" way through DC at rush hour, but that seems to work best for me.

The last time I did the same drive to WDW we left at the same time you are planning to go. I did most of the driving too. My Brother drove for about 3 hours in SC. The hardest part was near Jacksonville as the sun was coming up. Everyone was sleeping and with the sun in my eyes I found it hard to continue on. I pulled into a rest area just south of Jacksonville and slept for an hour or so before continuing the trip.

The only other thing to remember is with the amount of coffe you end up drinking and the lack of sleep, you are pretty wired that first day in WDW. I eneded up crashing at 8:00pm and woke up the next moring at 4:00 am. That kind of driving can play havic on your system.

 

[psimon]

I usualy just stay on the Balt/ Wash Pkwy all the way down and pick up 495/95 just east of the Woodrow Wilson bridge. I'm not sure if there is a "good" way through DC at rush hour, but that seems to work best for me.

The last time I did the same drive to WDW we left at the same time you are planning to go. I did most of the driving too. My Brother drove for about 3 hours in SC. The hardest part was near Jacksonville as the sun was coming up. Everyone was sleeping and with the sun in my eyes I found it hard to continue on. I pulled into a rest area just south of Jacksonville and slept for an hour or so before continuing the trip.

The only other thing to remember is with the amount of coffe you end up drinking and the lack of sleep, you are pretty wired that first day in WDW. I eneded up crashing at 8:00pm and woke up the next moring at 4:00 am. That kind of driving can play havic on your system.

Considering that we get there on Saturday and we are planning to be in the MK on Sunday and they are open to midnight that night.... it's going to be a very strange weekend!

thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[vonpluto]

Paul,
Are you in a part of SJ that's convenient to the Cape May Ferry? We've found that the time from Ocean City to the NC border is the same as I95 if we take the Ferry(app$30), US 113/13 down the DelMarVa, Bay Bridge($12), and Us 58 from Norfolk to I95 at Emporia. It's the route we've taken for the last eight years and, if the DC area is in the insanity mode, can be quicker.

Just a thought.