Thinking about driving from Baltimore to WDW...tips?

[jessa07]

We're considering driving instead of flying for a possible March trip. We've never done the drive from here (we moved from Michigan about a year ago). Does anybody have any tips/tricks to share? Do you drive straight through or stop? I know all about the DC traffic, unfortunately

 

[oneprincessjo]

We always drive from Pennsylvania. We typically leave around 7pm, as close to my toddler's bedtime as possible, so she will sleep all or most of the night. We always stop off at exit 3 in Georgia (the last exit before Florida) and check into the Hampton around 9 in the morning and rest up for the day and go to bed early and finish the drive the following morning, about 4 hours or so. You can definitely drive straight through and get there by noon, assuming you leave around 7pm the night before. The only thing is you run the risk of your room not being ready and desperately wanting to rest your head. There are many people who do the drive straight through and hit the ground running as soon as they arrive in Disney. With the extra adrenaline and excitement that may be the way to go too.

 

[nono]

Get to bed early. Get up early and get ahead of DC traffic. If you have 2 or more drivers, one shot is totally possible.

We have 2 drivers and do one short and one longer day usually, because our kids enjoy the ride and journey. (For real)

I like doing the straight shot, but that is also because my husband sleeps well while I am driving the early morning hours. Otherwise, I would probably feel differently.

 

[jessa07]

I like doing the straight shot, but that is also because my husband sleeps well while I am driving the early morning hours. Otherwise, I would probably feel differently.

Our "problem" is that I don't do so great driving when I'm tired. DH doesn't have an issue driving through the night, but I would. I'm wondering if maybe driving *most* of the way one day and then a short drive in the AM would be best.

 

[pieface]

I drove non stop from Baltimore since I'm used to driving long distances but when I arrived I was beat. I agree with the above but I suggest leaving around 3 am and beating that awful DC traffic. Drive down to Georgia and take a break and get some sleep. The next morning you can finish the drive and be some what refreshed. Coming home I would drive straight through and crash into bed as soon as you get home your going to need it.

 

[OKW Lover]

Looks like that's a bit over 13 hours of actual driving time. Add in time for food and gas stops and you're looking at over 14 hours on the road for one shot. Certainly doable. The question is "is that something you really want to do?"

I would prefer your second option, to drive most of the way (say to Savannah, or even all the way to Jacksonville) in one day leaving a short drive the next day. You can find some very good hotels (at prices that are cheaper than Disney area) to stay in and get a good night's sleep before making the short drive the next morning. You'll arrive fresh and ready to hit the parks.

Savannah to WDW is about 5 hours. Jacksonville to WDW is about 2.5 hours.

 

[Donnainnj]

Our "problem" is that I don't do so great driving when I'm tired. DH doesn't have an issue driving through the night, but I would. I'm wondering if maybe driving *most* of the way one day and then a short drive in the AM would be best.

I am the same way, and that works for us from NJ. We start out early (around 5:30am) and make it to around Darien, Georgia, spend the night and do a short second day. You guys would end up with an even shorter second day.
Donna

 

[SteveMouse]

The Autotrain (Lorton to Sanford) is an option for at least one way travel. Your car goes in a vehicle transport car and you ride in a passenger train. (generally 4p-8a the next day, if it runs on time). While not necessarily perfect, depending on when you go you MIGHT find a deal. It saves driving, including mileage and gas. Since it's overnight, you don't have to pay (again) for lodging- dinner and breakfast are included in your rate. The car cost is something like 230ish, the per-person rate varies. My mother paid about $100 just before Memorial Day. Depending on what you drive, you're talking about $100-$130 in gas, $100 in hotel.......

Amtrak's site is www.amtrak.com.

 

[nono]

Our "problem" is that I don't do so great driving when I'm tired. DH doesn't have an issue driving through the night, but I would. I'm wondering if maybe driving *most* of the way one day and then a short drive in the AM would be best.

Eh, it's not a problem! The fact that you know this is great! Don't worry about being like anybody else - find what works for your crew.

My family actually looks forward to the road time. We enjoy the conversation, silly games, audiobooks,stopping at new places...and we find when we arrive at WDW, we're already a day into vacation-mode by taking the "slow boat" way.

You will have a blast! Enjoy!!

 

[vicki_c]

We do it every time we go to FL! We do stop for the night now most times but that's mainly because we usually are stuck leaving in the evening after work and just can't drive straight through. We try very hard to get just into SC (and it's late by then, midnight or after) and stop for the night. The next day we get on the road as soon as we grab breakfast at the hotel and arrive at Disney in the late afternoon.

We've also driven straight through leaving around 6 am on a Saturday but it was the week before Easter and traffic was horrendous and it took us way too many extra hours. I would do it again though and just hope for better luck or at a different time of year.

We're very used to driving to FL though, we used to live there, my husband's family lives there, plus we do Disney often. We used to drive straight through from Buffalo when we lived there (and of course I was 10 years younger too - more stamina, I think).

 

[TinkPirateMom]

We drove from South Jersey last November. It worked out better than I expected and now we plan to drive down for our next trip as well. DH slept for several hours during the day while I was at work. We left home at 7pm. The kids watched a movie and we drove until we got past DC. Then we stopped for gas and a bathroom break. I changed my son into jammies to signify that it was time to sleep, no more movies. He fell asleep shortly after that (we had my Mom take him out and tire him out during the day). From about 11pm on both kids slept and I dozed off and on. I would wake up to see where we were and jot it down in my journal then fall back asleep. Next thing I knew, it was 6:40am and we were at the Florida Welcome Center. We stopped for a bathroom break. DH said he was fine. We drove to St. Augustine and stopped at a Cracker Barrel for breakfast. After we ate, DH said he was done. I had slept most of the night so I drove the next few hours and we were in Wilderness Lodge at around 11:30am.

The way home was a little bit rougher because DH didn't sleep during the day so we did stop at a Hampton Inn (nice and clean) in Florence, SC.

 

[bdcp]

I was going to suggest the auto train also since OP lives in Baltimore. We have taken it 4 times and will be doing our 5th trip in Nov. While,not as cheap as driving, it's letting someone else do the driving while relaxing on a train, having dinner and breakfast provided and not having to drive. I love to drive, but I hate driving on I-95. We drove from Columbia MD in 1989 and I said never again. It's just a long trip and not all that fun. The train is part of our vacation and to me very relaxing.

Although now our youngest DS has thrown a wrench in the works. He and his wife moved to NC so we have decided we will take the auto train down and probably drive back and stop at their place on our trip after this one, which will probably be fall 2014 for a cruise.

 

[atwmommy]

I find the autotrain to be reasonable as long as you book far enough in advance! We are leaving for first trip in two weeks.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

The most important thing is to be flexible. If you get tired stop earlier than planned instead of driving impaired. I think a long day, stop, and then a short day is best. But we have stopped earlier than planned if tired.

We drive from PA, I do all the driving. This year we will take the autotrain back.

If you get up very early you can beat DC traffic and possibly get there in one day or stop and have a short second day.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Leave 3am and you will be there by 6pm. Eat dinner, relax, go to bed and be ready for the parks in the morning . We drive from MD.

 

[jessa07]

The Autotrain (Lorton to Sanford) is an option for at least one way travel. Your car goes in a vehicle transport car and you ride in a passenger train. (generally 4p-8a the next day, if it runs on time). While not necessarily perfect, depending on when you go you MIGHT find a deal. It saves driving, including mileage and gas. Since it's overnight, you don't have to pay (again) for lodging- dinner and breakfast are included in your rate. The car cost is something like 230ish, the per-person rate varies. My mother paid about $100 just before Memorial Day. Depending on what you drive, you're talking about $100-$130 in gas, $100 in hotel.......

Amtrak's site is www.amtrak.com.

Every time I quote the Autotrain, it is no cheaper than flying, sometimes more expensive. Am I doing something wrong? I mean, I am not married to the idea of having my own car down there.