we are thinking of driving straight through from Maine. 24hr drive

[ecpool]

We will only be stopping for the neccesities. Has anyone done this? If so how did it go? Was it worth it to have more time in Florida?

 

[CarolA]

{Pulling on flame proof suit)

Studies show that drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.

Is the danger to yourself worth the extra hours?

A few years ago I posted a story about a local college football player who lost several family members in an accident... they were driving through the night to get to his game and the driver fell asleep. It can happen to you too! There will now be a parade of posters telling me I am wrong and they can do it. I am sure the driver of the car on it's way to the game thought so too.... (No drugs, alchol or other cars were involved!)

 

[BigTigger]

I agree with Carol. I have done the straight through twice from central MA to central FL and both times had to stop for a power nap in the Carolinas. This was despite having 8-9 hours sleep before leaving. The grind of driving for that long tires you in ways you would not imagine. Even if you get through the drive, you will need at least a full day to recover from it. We tried the two driver rotation the second time, but what happens is the second driver can't just sleep the whole time and they aren't fully recharged to take over while you sleep. Professional drivers have mandatory limits to how much time they can spend on the road in a 24 hour period and it is less that half of the available hours.

What does work is for the driver to sleep from noon to 8 pm on departure day. Leave between 8 pm and 9 pm, and you will clear DC/southern Virginia by first light. Get a hotel in the North Carolina area and sleep/relax for 6-8 hours and then get back on the road and finish the drive by late that night.

 

[JonS99]

We always drive straight thru, piece of cake, last time I did it solo going to the Keys, which took me 23 hours.. Left at 5:00P, was down there by dinner the next day..

If you avoid everything that COULD be a danger you would never leave the house, and that COULD kill you because it COULD burn down..

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, if you're awake, alert, and driving perfectly for the entire 23 or whatever hours - without benefit of drugs, including caffeine, I suppose... but it's one thing to 'never leave the house' based on what COULD happen - and an entirely different issue to INTENTIONALLY take action proven to be dangerous to more than just oneself.

 

[wee-haggis]

I doesn't matter how good of a driver you are.Anyone driving 24 hrs non stop is bound to be drowsy.
One question I have for you is,how long are you going to be in WDW?
The reason I ask ,is because if its a week or less,driving is probably not the way to go (not just because of the 24 hr drive...but the fact that you are zonked for the next day as well.....to catch up with your sleep ).
Have you done the dollars and cents calculation for driving (and the expenses associated with this...gas,food,hotel-if you decide to break it up ....and the incalculable wear and tear on your engine?). Also take into account the wear and tear on your head and body .
And....compare this to perhaps getting a reasonable price flight and rental car (or perhaps use ME).
I know what I would choose......but ,then again that just my personal choice and humble opinion.

 

[carmiedog]

We always drive straight thru, piece of cake, last time I did it solo going to the Keys, which took me 23 hours.. Left at 5:00P, was down there by dinner the next day..

If you avoid everything that COULD be a danger you would never leave the house, and that COULD kill you because it COULD burn down..

If you're not concerned about what COULD kill you, what about all the other people on the road you potentially put in danger? Driving safely is about a lot more people than just yourself.

I've know two cars that have been in accidents due to drowsiness. One, driving by himself, went off the road and into a small pond. The other, group of 5 college kids, were all killed.

OP - how many adults are in the vehicle for taking shifts? Even so, just being stuck in a car that long can wear you out. I sleep when dh is driving but it is definitely not a restful sleep!

I would try to find some other way than driving straight through. If you still decide to do so, please be careful!

 

[heidia]

Do you have more than one driver??? I can't imagine driving for 24 hours straight. We were going to drive down over 2.5 days from New Brunswick and came to the conclusion that even though we'd stop for TWO NIGHTS on the way it'd still be an exhausting drive.

So glad we're flying now!

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I drive down 24 hours straight myself as the only driver. My DH can't do it. I can stay awake for 24+ hours without drowsiness. In my life I am often required to go 2+ days with out sleep and I can do it without any type of medications over the counter or otherwise. Each person is different.

 

[QT Pooh]

Yes, i have done it both by myself and with another driver. It's definitely easier with another driver!! (duh) The worst part is the eye fatigue...as long as you're able to rest your eyes for a while either by closing them or by putting a cool compress on them, you should be all set. Your body can certainly go 24 hours without sleep...but the strain on the eyes is another thing. Make sure you change drivers more often at night!!

 

[Ham Ham]

We've driven straight through from Toronto to WDW. Left Wednesday at 5:00 PM arrived at Pop Thursday at 6:00 PM.

My wife and I took turns driving while the other one slept a couple of hours.
Weather was good, light traffic and lucky no deer jumping in front of our mini-van.

Driving is one of the most dangerous things you'll ever do. Whether it's going to the store for groceries, driving crosss town for dinner or on holiday.

Don't know if we will ever drive over night and do the drive non stop thing again.

Next time may try leaving in the after noon. Drive till midnight. Get a room grab 6 hours of sleep then complete the drive arriving late in the evening



There are enough distractions and dangers already while driving, cell phones, ipods, radio, black berrys, computer, weather, folks watching television kids, eating, personal grooming, excessive speed, alcohol, drugs prescription and non prescription, GPS,fatigue, inexperience, the other guy, poorly maintained vehicles, poor sense of direction and route planning, etc.......

People driving too long with out a break is just another problem among many on the road.

Each person needs to evaluate what their comfort level is and go with that. Hopefully if you feel drowsy you'll pull off the road and get some sleep.

Here's a little info on driving distractions & driving while tired.

http://www.safety.com/articles/driving-while-tired.html

click on image for another link.

 

[baileybelle]

Hi fellow Mainer! We're from Biddeford and have driven to WDW 3 times. We usually stop overnight, but last year we decided to drive down straight thru.

We left (5 adults in a mini-van) at 6pm on a Tuesday and arrived at WDW the next day, Wednesday, at 5pm. We stopped along the way for stretching, bathroom breaks, and a picnic lunch we brought with us. It was an extremely exhausting drive! My DH and I took turns driving. After a good nights sleep, we were fine the next day. The worst part of driving is the trip home. It seems to take forever!!!!

If you plan on being at WDW for a couple of weeks, go ahead and drive. Less than that, Fly.

This year we're flying Airtran from Portland. It's costing us each $277. round trip and only 3.5 hours to get there.

 

[leahjade]

Let us all know when you will be traveling so we can stay off I-95 during that time. It's ridiculous to pick people's lives at risk to save the cost of a cheap hotel room to sleep in overnight. If you have children of your own driving along, that is negligent in my eyes. Not to mention you'll have to sleep for 8 hours when you get to WDW so you'll have the energy to go to the parks or else the kids will be raring to go and you'll be so tired and grouchy. What a vacation that would be.

 

[auntie]

I'd be surprised if you can really make it from Maine to Orlando in just 24 hours. We've done it from Long Island and it takes us a good 21 to 23 hours. We've gone to Maine, and it takes us a good 6 hours to get there.
In anycase..it's a LONG drive to do without a stop. Even with two people. Especially on the way back. We did drive through once on the way home..and will NEVER do it again. It is dangerous. Your drowsy, and just plan worn out. We did wind up stopping for a few hours(as we were actually only about 4 hours from home..we didn't get a hotel at that point.) It was silly. When we drive down, We leave at around 5 am, we go more than half way..and stop around Florence SC. Stop at round 3 to 4 in the afternoon. Get a hotel, with a nice pool. Get a decent dinner, and a good nights sleep. Then start again the next day to arrive at Disney, by late afternoon. We make the travel part of the trip, so it's not so burdensome. We may drive this summer, just my husband and myself. We actually like the drive. The kids want no part of it..they aren't going, if we don't fly. Which is exactly why we just might drive!

 

[the Fidge]

You know I am sure if you asked me that when I was 21 I would certainly think of course it can be done! I also believed alot of other things that the laws of gravity have proven me wrong about!

Anyway, DH and I do alot of heavy driving. We both have to cover many miles for work. We DO NOT do a straight run anywhere. I guess the sad realty is a real eye opener. I will share with you a scene my family and I saw on our way down.

A minivan that had just crashedand all over the road we could see bags from Disney and Universal and sadly it had just evidently happened shortly before as the ambulances had not yet arrived. I could see a young boys sneaker and I will not share the rest........ There was no need for the ambulance. I was very disturbed as well as my family I followed up to learn what happened.

Well it was a family that was driving straight back up without stopping. Sadly, no one survived that wreck to enjoy to wonderful memories that they were creating on vacation. The fact was the father dosed off and that was the end.

I try to teach my child to be responsible and I can't do that if I am acting irresponsible myself by wrecklessly driving . How would I drive wrecklessly well if I try to drive beyond the suggested limits. ANother poster here displayed a link worth reading. The I95 site also has information as well.

Take the extra time your life , mine or my childs may depend on it! Thanks!

 

[JonS99]

If you're not concerned about what COULD kill you, what about all the other people on the road you potentially put in danger? Driving safely is about a lot more people than just yourself.

I drive safer during the 20th-24th hour than 75% of the people on the road, amazing how people on an internet message board can determine if someone can handle a long drive..

 

[JonS99]

Let us all know when you will be traveling so we can stay off I-95 during that time. It's ridiculous to pick people's lives at risk to save the cost of a cheap hotel room to sleep in overnight. If you have children of your own driving along, that is negligent in my eyes. Not to mention you'll have to sleep for 8 hours when you get to WDW so you'll have the energy to go to the parks or else the kids will be raring to go and you'll be so tired and grouchy. What a vacation that would be.

Last time we did it, we left home at noon, arrived at WDW at 8:00A the next morning after I drove 20 straight hours, checked into the resort and were at MK by 9:30A, where we stayed until close..

Was not tired during the drive, put nobody into danger and wasn't tired after we got to WDW.. So be careful before you judge people, sounds like I am just a little bit "tougher" than you perhaps???

 

[kaytieeldr]

And I drive better than anybody else in the entire state of Massachusetts... in MY opinion.

By that 20th hour, your (anyone's, not necessarily one specific poster) your reaction times are far slower than they would be if you're well-rested, or even moderately rested. Plus, one's perception of one's abilities in general is dulled BY that very lack of sleep.

Again, PLEASE let us know when you're going - so we can all stay safely away from your route.

 

[JonS99]

Maybe we should also gripe and complain about anyone over the age of 50 ever driving because tests have shown that reaction speed etc decreases once a person hits that age..

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

would you be kind and please pick me and my dh up so we can go. we will gladly pitch in for the gas money...thanks..........