Whats the farthest anyone drives to visit WDW?

[Goofy52]

We live in Ohio. We drive everytime we visit WDW. We usually drive 12-14hrs the 1st night and then finish up the next day and arrive at WDW around 10am-11amish. We always take I-77 too.

 

[ZerasPride]

This is our first time driving and I'm a little concerned. DH and I are definitely directionally challenged. We're doing the I-77 to I-95 route as well. It seems pretty straightforward so as long as we don't run into any complicated detours or a lot of construction, I think we'll be fine. We plan to spend a few days in Hilton Head (we're DVC members) then off to OKW. You really drive each trip? When I tell people we are driving this time, I usually get weird stares and inquiries about why we're not flying.

Do you have any tips to share with a fellow Buckeye? I am really excited and can't wait to get there. It will be nice to have our own car.

 

[GEM]

We drive from Arkansas and it ends up taking us about 20 hours. We usually drive straight through, but we are both young with no kids, so it's pretty easy. We actually enjoy the road trip! I'm sure lots of people drive much farther.

 

[peachgirl]

We drove from Oklahoma straight thru...about 24 hrs. We rented a mini van and took turns driving so it wasn't bad at all. Driving straight through isn't for everyone, but we actually enjoy it. We're flying this time and I know it's crazy, but I'm gonna miss those 2 am stops at gas stations in the middle of nowhere!

 

[stevepete]

It is 24 driving hours from our home to WDW. We tried driving stright thru once, never again. By the end of our drive, we were seeing things

 

[KimOhio]

we are outside of youngstown OH we drive straight thru DD usaully starts getting tired around Jacksonville that is when I take over always afraid I am going to miss the bypass LOL we went yesterday to pick up our driving route from AAA there is alot of construction she just kept stamping and stamping construction seems like every page LOL

 

[mouseclick1]

21 hours for us from the Detroit suburbs.

 

[Goofy52]

If you have children brings lots of snacks and games to keep them occupied. We're 23,21,18 and are going w/our parents. It takes us about 18hrs. and this is our 5th trip DRIVING to WDW. It nice having your own car and if you're staying at a home-away-from home its nice being able to bring a lot of the food instead of paying outragous prices at Disney. We usually sleep a lot and listen to your cds and play hand-held games, we play cards. The time goes by. By the 10th hour on the 1st day I'm ready for a hotel!!!
I hope all of the construction is finished by the 2nd week of December because thats when we're going to OKW!!

 

[lisajl]

Hey, this thread is just what I was looking for!

We have not been to WDW for 13 years.

We need help getting there.
Not sure how long it will take, where to stay etc.
Any help would be appreciated.

We will be traveling with three kids....a 17 year old, an 8 and 5 year old also.

This is gonna be fun! We are already picking up things for the boys to do on the way.
My daughter is old enough to amuse herself with her CD player.
Any thoughts on the drive everyone...anyone?
Lisajl

 

[Wildcard]

When I was much younger our family of 6 used to drive down to WDW from MN every year.

 

[burnsoc]

I'm not sure how long you would be on I-95 coming from Ohio, but for folks in the northeast I recommend checking out www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm It's a great site and they sell a book that lists all restaurants and hotels at every exit. My DW and I found it to be worth every penny.

 

[lisajl]

burnsoc,
Thanks for the info.
I will look into that. We are trying to finalize everything, this should help a great deal.
Lisajl

 

[bobcat]

Another Ohio driver here!!! We've driven three out of the past 4 years, most recently in August. It's such an easy drive, just long.

lisa we usually stop around Kingsland, Ga right before we enter Florida. That's about a 12 hour drive from central Ohio with stops. We have a picnic lunch on the way down and eat at a restaurant for dinner, finally stoping for the night around 10 pm. Ga has the cheapest gas so fill up before you leave the state. There are also a lot of hotels here and you can get a discount book at the gas station that will usually have the best prices. The next day it is about a 4 hour drive, depending on traffic, to WDW. Take the outerbelt around Jacksonville. Driving through Jacksonville gives me a headache and AAA triptics usually show going straight through. The outerbelt was stress free.

 

[The Duchess]

This year will be our second trip (DH, DS, me and my parents)driving down from Southeastern Massachusetts. Originally planned to stay first night in Fredericksburg, VA but with what is going on down there, we are rerouting around and staying in Emporia, VA first night....figuring about a 10-12 hour drive. Staying in Savannah, GA second night about 8-9 hours. From Savannah, about another 6-7 hours to WDW.
Last trip we took two cars but we've rented a Ford Excursion this time so we will only have one car.
DS is four and we amassing all sorts of diversions for him...car tv, Gameboy, laptop, lots of maps and activity books.
Also try www.interstate4U.com for travel info including construction, mileage and listing or all exits and rest areas.

 

[Two Eeyores]

We've driven several times from about 50 miles north of Philly.... We highly recommend switching drivers every hour. It may seem like too short a time..... we used to think so! We used to drive 2 - 3 hours at a time or more if we felt like it.... Once we started switching every hour we couldn't believe it.... it's amazing how much better you feel... not so fatigued.

 

[lisajl]

Bobcat,
Thanks for the help. We are in Delaware...so in Central Ohio also.
I almost have everything ready for the trip, then it dawned on me...need to know where to stop on the way.

That helps a lot! Will take your advice and stop around there.
Not sure how the kids will fare, but if we make enough pit stops we should make it to GA the first day.
Lisajl

 

[Goofy52]

We also live in Central Ohio and I think my parents plan on stopping in Kingsland,GA when we go in December. That drive is usually about 12-14hrs. Then "only" 4hrs. the next day!! We've also stayed in Brunswick,GA the past few times we've drove to WDW. I just hope the weather is nice and no snow storms in December!!!

 

[momof2OH]

Hi...were from Northern Ohio and we returned last week from our trip. We did the same route as most of you are doing. I-77 to I-26 over to 1-95 then 1-4. There was quit a bit of construction thorughout the whole trip. Some of it wasn't even listed on our AAA trip-ticket. Most of it wasn't too bad though. Hope everyone has safe trips!!

 

[ncligs]

I give all you "buckeyes" a lot of credit for driving. My wife and I won't drive anywhere longer than 5-6 hrs max. So we fly down for now, maybe when we retire(5 yrs) and have a lot more free time we will break up the trip and drive 7-8 hrs per day.
We tried it once and said never again. We were so wiped out the 1st day at WDW, then on the return you are wiped out the last day, and usually the first day back at work.
We are lucky enough that most times it is just the 2 of us, so we just fly down and rent a car.

 

[lisajl]

Hi ncligs,

Thanks for giving us credit but, we are just trying to save money!!!
It is sooooo expensive for the five of us to fly, it is ridiculous!
Not to mention, we are going to Savannah, also.

We always have fun on our road trips.
We went to the UP of Mi. a year ago.
Our boys had so much fun! They saw a moose crossing sign, and kept their eyes peeled the rest of the trip looking for one!!!

We never saw one. Now, they want to go back again, just to see a moose!
I doubt we will see a moose crossing sign on the way to Fl., but maybe an alligator???
Lisajl