Tips for driving from NE to WDW

[NYtonowhere]

We will be leaving from southern CT, so most likely driving 95 all the way down. We will have 2 days to get down, we could even leave a Friday night but not too sure the ILS like driving in the dark. The 2 times I've driven down (well dad driving). We used to leave at 4am and atleast miss NYC traffic, but I don't remember much else of the trip. What do you all do driving down from up here?!

 

[snowmedic]

I live in Northern Vt. When we go down to the Fort, ( coming up in 32 days ) we usually leave out at 4:30 in the afternoon traveling down I-87. By leaving at that time we will miss big city traffic. That puts us driving through NY at 10pm, and then Baltimore, Washington DC, (which to me is the worst ) at about 2:30 a.m. then from there the drive is not that bad. When we get down into Florida, we go right by I-4 and head down to Cocoa and take the toll road over to Disney. It is 10 minutes longer, but we don't sit in traffic if there is any on I-4. There is a WallyWorld Supercenter before you get to the toll road to get supplies before heading over to the Fort.

Have a great trip!

 

[cruising spud]

We live in Pennsylvania, so we don't have to deal with the New York traffic, but the Washington DC/Baltimore traffic is congested and slow. Try to hit that area late at night/into the early hours of the morning. And, the traffic is just as busy on a Saturday and Sunday.

 

[jjbmk144]

We lived near Albany, NY and would leave around 2:30am to beat traffic around NY city. We'd travel I-87 to the Garden State to the NJ Turnpike. Once over the Delaware Memorial Bridge we would get off onto US 301 south to get out of the Baltimore Washington rat race then take route 50 and enter the beltway around DC and head south and get on I-95 south. We would take I-4 from Daytona Beach to WDW, but I like the idea already given about taking the Beachline to I-429 (Greenway), toll roads, to beat the heavy traffic. The first night out we would drive to South of the Border, get going again the next day at 5am, and that would bring us into Fort Wilderness around 1:30pm.

Take Care

 

[my3princes]

We live in mid Vermont. We left at 3 pm on a Sunday and drove straight through. We had no traffic on the way down. Hit NYC around 9 pm and the DC area during the night. Not too much construction either. Unfortunately we were not that lucky on the drive back. We timed DC well, but from south of NYC all the way to MA the traffic was bumper to bumper. What should have been 6 hours was 11 hours. Horrible. Timing is everything.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

We live on the NY/PA border (about 1200 miles from WDW). We traveled with a dog and TT, so we took it slow. Left here around 2:00 m on Friday 8/28. Hit the DC area around 8 pm and no traffic problems (it's usually a 5 hour trip but we hit construction on I 81 and stopped for dinner). We spent the night at the KOA outside of Fredericksburg. After a good nights rest, we drove through to the KOA in Kingsland GA, right at the FL border (all I 95). We got in early enough for dinner and time to relax. Left around 8:30 am, got to FW around 11 am and got right into our site. We did take I 4; no traffic problems other than a heavy rainstorm.

On the way home, Google maps took us on 417 rather than I 4. I think we spent about $25 in tolls and it took a lot longer to get back to Kingsland where we were spending the night again. It was pouring rain, so we were stuck with what Google maps was telling us because you could barely see the road much less figure out where you were. We spent the next night at the KOA in Enfield NC which was right off I 95. We took the route 17 way around the DC area as it was the Sunday of Labor Day weekend around noon. That was a very pretty drive and hooked us back to I 81. No traffic problems at all the whole way home.

We have driven straight through and it was a nightmare. Taking our time, stopping along the way and relaxing is what helped to make this an enjoyable trip as far as driving goes.

 

[KristinU]

We also live in Connecticut, howdy neighbor!

The way we like to go down to FL and other points south is swing out 84 to catch 81 in Scranton then down past Harrisburg then pick up 17 to cut over to 95 just north of Richmond. That route adds on miles but not time, and certainly helps with sanity. That also skips a lot of tolls.

We've done this route a few different ways timing-wise and it is usually about the same, so it is nice to have a route where you don't have to plan around traffic times. Richmond is the only city to worry about and we've never hit it at rush hour.

We have family in Raleigh, so our timing usually has us stopping for a few extra hours for a meal and a visit somewhere around the area.

The last couple of trips south we've left after school/work and made it to the Wilkes-Barre area and overnighted at a Wal-Mart there in Hazel Township. Then the next night we hit somewhere around the Raleigh area. We've had good experience a couple of times with the RV Resort at Carolina Crossing - they have a $25 or $30 express overnight rate where you just pay in an envelope when you get there - no reservations. Then the next night we usually stay at the GA/FL border, we've done the KOA (Jacksonville North) a few times and recently tried the other independent CG at that same exit - Country Oaks. No pool or waffles like at the KOA, but it was nice and I liked the landscape a little better - a little more natural and fun for our dogs to sniff. Somebody gave me a tip to try the BBQ place across the street next time.

Anyway, after that it is about 3 hours to get to Mickey's house the next morning!

 

[jbrostek]

I95 down is not horrible if you hit the right areas at the right time for traffic. Also keep in mind that you cannot use the tunnels in Baltimore, the have a propane restriction and you have to take the beltway around towards Towson, MD or you can go east and take the Key Bridge to get around. I95 around DC is not bad, but south of DC even on a Saturday you want to be south of Quantico by 10-11AM as the backups start heading towards the Mall and a lane reduction. I would also recommend taking I295 around the east side of Richmond vs. going through the city. I95 in Richmond has a few sharp turns, a LOT more traffic and a lot more bumps and transitions compared to I295. From there southbound for us is just ticking off the miles. We leave from Northern VA and leave around 8-9am, as long as we are south of Quanitco by that time we don't have any major traffic issues.

I95 south of DC does not really lighten back up till late evening on Saturdays.

 

[joedplumber]

We leave Fridays from Fairfield County at 4am and drive 95 until Brunswick GA. Usually arrive around 9pm. The next morning we hit the road between 7am and 8am and arrive at Disney at Noon. Love the drive...

 

[parrothead64]

I just went to Myrtle Beach and back and all I have to say is I used WAZE app and it was great. Never saw DC and it rerouted itself when I used Francis Scott Key Bridge around Baltimore, knowing I couldn't use the tunnels. Never sat in traffic and made it one of the fastest trips down and back that I ever took to MB.

 

[NYtonowhere]

We leave Fridays from Fairfield County at 4am and drive 95 until Brunswick GA. Usually arrive around 9pm. The next morning we hit the road between 7am and 8am and arrive at Disney at Noon. Love the drive...

Yes we are leaving Fairfield County too! Good to know we can get that far, do you drive through Baltimore and DC? I like the idea of going through Delaware and skipping them.

 

[joedplumber]

Yes we are leaving Fairfield County too! Good to know we can get that far, do you drive through Baltimore and DC? I like the idea of going through Delaware and skipping them.

Yes, we take the harbor tunnel (895) in Baltimore to the Baltimore Washington Parkway (295). From there we hop on 495S around DC! Typically we are in the DC area around 9:30am/10:00am and the DC rush hour is ended. Safe travels...

 

[jbrostek]

Joe - You know that propane restriction applies to both the Ft. McHenry and Harbor tunnels?

 

[joedplumber]

Joe - You know that propane restriction applies to both the Ft. McHenry and Harbor tunnels?

Yes. Not hauling propane drive down in a Honda Pilot. Does the OP have propane?

 

[jbrostek]

Good point, can't always assume talking RV since tent and cabin users also frequent here. I tend to side with RV based information rather then give an RV owner bad info and cause them grief.

 

[KristinU]

Yep, good point, I also assume RV. If I was just in a passenger vehicle I'd probably time it right and fly straight down 95. Then again, some of those rest areas in the NYC area are not my cup of tea and might push me to drive out of the way to avoid them

 

[WorldWacky]

We live on the NY/PA border (about 1200 miles from WDW). We traveled with a dog and TT, so we took it slow. Left here around 2:00 m on Friday 8/28. Hit the DC area around 8 pm and no traffic problems (it's usually a 5 hour trip but we hit construction on I 81 and stopped for dinner). We spent the night at the KOA outside of Fredericksburg. After a good nights rest, we drove through to the KOA in Kingsland GA, right at the FL border (all I 95). We got in early enough for dinner and time to relax. Left around 8:30 am, got to FW around 11 am and got right into our site. We did take I 4; no traffic problems other than a heavy rainstorm.

On the way home, Google maps took us on 417 rather than I 4. I think we spent about $25 in tolls and it took a lot longer to get back to Kingsland where we were spending the night again. It was pouring rain, so we were stuck with what Google maps was telling us because you could barely see the road much less figure out where you were. We spent the next night at the KOA in Enfield NC which was right off I 95. We took the route 17 way around the DC area as it was the Sunday of Labor Day weekend around noon. That was a very pretty drive and hooked us back to I 81. No traffic problems at all the whole way home.

We have driven straight through and it was a nightmare. Taking our time, stopping along the way and relaxing is what helped to make this an enjoyable trip as far as driving goes.

We plan on doing something similar to you. It'll be our first trip down to the Fort and we're coming from Long Island with the camper. We've decided the best course of action for us will be to take our time and plan two stops-one near Ashland, VA and one more near Jacksonville.
I'm loving all tips on this thread. We don't typically use the tunnels in MD, but the propane restriction is good info to have so thank you everyone for sharing your routes.

 

[jbrostek]

Ashland from LI would probably be a good stopping point. If for some reason you make good time, about an hour and a half south of Richmond are a few other good campgrounds for overnight stops. From either point Jacksonville I think is on the radar though from Ashland which is only an hour to an hour and a half south of me I don't know if I would have the stamina to make it that far south. I would likely end up stopping at the Savannah South KOA.

 

[NYtonowhere]

Joe - You know that propane restriction applies to both the Ft. McHenry and Harbor tunnels?

I know nothing about RVs I'm sure my ILs do but what does that mean? Where on an RV is there propane? for the gas stove? I don't really know what kind of stove it is...but for whatever reason i think its gas.

 

[KristinU]

I know nothing about RVs I'm sure my ILs do but what does that mean? Where on an RV is there propane? for the gas stove? I don't really know what kind of stove it is...but for whatever reason i think its gas.

RVs have propane for cooking, hot water, heat, and refrigerator (for the most part...some are starting to have residential fridges and an inverter to convert battery power while not plugged in to "shore power" aka a power outlet somewhere...and there are a few coaches that are electric only, but I digress) ANYWAY, on a pop-up or travel trailer the propane will be on the trailer tongue, on a 5th wheel or motorhome it is somewhere in a compartment or under the chassis.