What time will we get to POP

[cricket429]

We are driving from the Buffalo area and plan to leave in middle of night, drive all day and stop for the night somewhere in SC. If we get up early the next morning and leave by say by 6:00 am, what time do you estimate we will arrive at POP. I know this is kinda vague but just looking for some sort of estimate.
Thanks

 

[McKeeFamily3]

We drive down from the Erie PA area. We stop in Columbia SC (coming down I 77 then pick up I 26 on the way out of SC) Takes about 8 hours from there.
IT's a great drive, one of the best parts of the vacation. Enjoy it!

 

[cricket429]

Where do you stay in Columbia? Was hoping to get far enough the first day so the 2nd days driving was not more than 5 hours. Thats probably wishful thinking.

 

[McKeeFamily3]

Don't remember the exit # but right off of I 77 outside of Colulmbia is a stip called 2 Notch Road. We stay at the Holiday Inn there. Good service, clean and quiet. If you do a search you'll find alot of hotels on this road. There are also some good chain resturaunts to have dinner right along the same strip. I do not recommend the Ramada. Got smoking rooms when we requested non and we had to take the crib we requested up to the room ourselves. They said they were short staffed. Baby was tired and didn't want to take the time to fight with the manager. All around bad service and not very clean.

If you only want to be 5 hours out when you stop you'd have to get to Georgia. That is a verrrry looong drive. Doable if you don't have small children. I would never do it with my kids even though they are a bit older now. I think they'd kill eachother before we made it that far

Let me know if you have any other questions

 

[cricket429]

Well, we only have one so she would have to argue with herself lol. She is 5 and that is the reason we are leaving about 1:00 am. I'm fairly confident we can make it at least to SC/GA border. Just wanted to be at POP no later than 1 or 2 in the afternoon so we can rest up and maybe do DTD in the evening. Plus I heard the earlier in the day you get to your resort, the better your chances of getting your room preferences.

 

[localdriver]

Try mapquest, from your stopping point to Orlando. That would give you a pretty good idea of the avg time involved.

 

[cricket429]

Thanks, I'll do that. Do you happen to know what cities are near the SC/GA border off 95? Want to get pretty much through SC first day. I figured I could check some places out online and then I would have info and pricing before we arrive.

 

[localdriver]

Hardeeville SC comes to mind. Estimated time to Orlando from there is 4.5 to 5hrs. About 290 miles.

Hope you enjoy your trip!!

 

[cricket429]

Thank you very much, local.

 

[alwaysmom]

We leave from about 50 miles south of you, usually around 4 am taking the same route as Mckeefamily3 and can comfortably make it Brunswick, GA (just before the Fla. border) around 8 pm. Alot of hotel choices, etc. Leaving about 4 hours to WDW in the morning. We take a small detour and head to Flagler Beach in morning to let the kids run around, then it's off to Disney.

We really don't push, we try to take a relaxing trip stopping when we need. DH does all of the driving. Kids have a TV and supply of movies so there usually fine the whole trip.

Smiles!

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

 

[cricket429]

Alwaysmom, how many times have you made the trip? This is our first time and DH will be doing most of the driving but you've made me feel more comfortable with the fact that we can get that far the first day. Where in Brunswick did you stay if you dont mind me asking? Any information and suggestions are greatly appreciated especially from someone who is so close to home.

 

[alwaysmom]

DH drives everywhere, he will not fly (although I came pretty close to convincing him this trip, but airfare costs so much more). This will be our 3rd trip going straight to disney with the kids, but DH has driven many times to Fla, his dad lives there.

There are 6 or 7 hotels to choose from, they are right off the exit at Brunswick. I think it was Days Inn or Comfort Inn (AAA rates) that we stayed in last time - not great, but OK. If I recall correctly there was Hampton Inn, Red Roof Inn, Holiday Inn, Best Western to name some.

If your going the same route 79 to 77, watch your speed in WV especially from Summerville to Beckley, it's strickly enforced. We do prefer going this route, it seems quicker. I stay up all night loading the car and getting everything done, wake up DH and DS's 7 & 9 (oldest DS is in college at UB and can't come) then I usually fall asleep outside Erie until WV.

The biggest advice I can give is.....don't push yourself, if your tired - stop. Brunswick is about a 16 hour or so drive. Stay relaxed and enjoy yourself and above all have a great trip.

I wish April would get here. We too are staying at POP and are really excited.

Smiles!

:thewave: :thewave:

 

[cricket429]

Thanks, I will show DH the routes you take. We plan on leaving around 1:00am so maybe we can be in Brunswick at dinnertime. I appreciate all of your responses.