THE DRIVE ~ I75 to WDW ~ I95,I79,I77 to Toronto

[SandraC]

Hi, I'm trying to figure this driving business out. What do you think about driving I75 to WDW and a different route home, I95, I79, I77? Thanks! Sandra

 

[emmalgin]

I think they are the same distance and would agree different routes. I think I75 will be nicer. I did I95 to South Carolina years ago and found it non-descript, but enjoyed the higher speed limits and easy driving on the highway.

Have fun. We're off at the end of April.....

 

[hockey mom]

We have done it both ways. I-75 is more straightforward, higher limits, and a wee bit boring. We prefer this route because of all the well lit and clean service stations available. I-95 is more scenic through the mountains, but you have to pay way more attention. lots of hills and turns and when the fog rolls in it can get pretty thick.

 

[emmalgin]

Sorry, maybe I have them backwards......

 

[NancyK]

We have driven both ways. I prefer the 79-77 route because it is such a beautiful drive. The mountains are higher and it's not nearly as boring as I-75. But, for a winter trip, I-75 is a better bet - more hotels, gas stations etc. and the weather is usally better than the mountainous route.

 

[Sandiebean]

Does it take the same amount of time going thru the mountains.. as it does the other?

Sandie

 

[hockey mom]

The mountains route is, as some say, a couple of hours shorter. I found though that you had to slow down so much with all the twists and turns that the driving time was about the same. I would never attempt this route in the winter and my sister was delayed 4 hours because of fog in the spring.

 

[Sandiebean]

Hmmmm.. I really wanted to go the more scenic route. I should post separately, and ask who's gone which way, when, and which was better.

Sandie

 

[hockey mom]

Sandibean, the I-95 way is a more scenic route. It is a nice drive. If you are planning a summer trip I would give this way a try. This way is a tad bit shorter also.

 

[Susan-Ontario]

We have driven to WDW many times and have always gone I-75. There are many more hotels, gas stations, etc. It allows for more flexibility in your drive (ie. you don't necessarily have to make hotel reservations). We were travelling in October using the other route and couldn't find a hotel that wasn't full and ended up driving an extra three hours the first day. That isn't so likely to be a problem on I-75. I agree that the other route is much more scenic, however, both my son and I were car sick from one too many turns in the mountains. We probably won't be going that way any time soon. There is the advantage of no tax on clothing in Pennsylvania if your route takes you that way. We got some great buys at the Factory Outlet Mall in Grove City on the way. If you have lots of travel time go both ways. Either way enjoy the drive, don't dread it.

Susan

 

[cottontail]

Hi: We have done both routes. Also we have driven 79 and 77 and 95 to wdw, and home on l-75. You can go to CAA and get your triptik and they will map it out for your way down and back.

We are going in april, my hubby will not drive the 4 hours to windsor, he wants to get in at fort erie 45 min from home, hamilton and get going on our trip. He feels he is going out of his way on l75. He knows he really isn't, he says it just feels like that cause you have to drive for 4 hours before you get to the united states. Also along l75 ohio is a very long state to get thru, I hold the triptik map and it seems like were going thru state after state quickly. But if it was winter we would definitely go l75.

The virginias are so beautiful, I usually have a place figured out where we will stop, and book a hotel with a 6 p.m. hold and sometimes I have another booked about an hour and a half further on, when I know which one we will be at I cancel one and put my credit card on the other. We usually stop by 6 or 7 at night.

Beckley w.v. is about 8 to 9 hours from hamilton, we usually go to charlotte, rock hill in north carolina, once we got to columbia sc.

If you go the 77/79 route there is a rest station just before beckley, that has people working in it with a lookout, it was fantastic, we looked out the window and a train was many feet below and looked like a tiny model train set. I guess it was in a valley, but it was neat to see.

I am also concerned about the fog, cause my hubby will keep on driving and I will end up with a headache worrying. Fun right,

Bye,

Deb.