Where to stop from NE Ohio

[Mommyof3boys2017]

I'm obsessively planning our Fall 2022 trip after having to delay due to, ya know, the "great unpleasantness". We have been to DW twice and have driven straight through by leaving at 10pm. It leaves both my hubs and I absolutely exhausted and it wastes the whole day or at least isn't enjoyable for us. We have 3 kids who do well in the car, usually sleep or are on devices. I do not want to drive straight through this trip, I would rather leave at noon and stop somewhere along the way. We aren't scheduled for a park day on arrival and check in for the offsite house is 4 pm. Any suggestions from fellow NE Americans that are crazy like us, and drive would be very welcome! Any areas/places to avoid? We are taking 77 south and going through South Carolina, so not worried about Atlanta, but will hit Charlotte.

 

[Woodview]

Take an overnight Stop ....... For your Safety & Health

AND ENJOY the overnight Stop & a Fresh Drive to Disney

I have no idea of where to stay BUT there Must be good Motels around

Charlotte . Best Western , Days Inn & Others

Try for one that has a Swim Pool & give the Kids a break

 

[LadyBeBop]

Noon is a strange time to start. Why so late? Work? School?

That said, you'll want to get below Charlotte before you stop. But you don't have to get too far below Charlotte. Exit 79, about 15-20 miles south of the border may be good. Assuming you're starting from the Cleveland area, that's about a 8 1/2 hour drive. If you stop for supper, looks like you'll get there between 9 and 9:30. If you can make it to Columbia (about an hour farther south), that's even better. Both Rock Hill and Columbia have your major hotel chains. The next day, it's about a 7 hour drive from Columbia and a 8 hour drive from Rock Hill, excluding stops.

 

[Mommyof3boys2017]

Noon is a strange time to start. Why so late? Work? School?

That said, you'll want to get below Charlotte before you stop. But you don't have to get too far below Charlotte. Exit 79, about 15-20 miles south of the border may be good. Assuming you're starting from the Cleveland area, that's about a 8 1/2 hour drive. If you stop for supper, looks like you'll get there between 9 and 9:30. If you can make it to Columbia (about an hour farther south), that's even better. Both Rock Hill and Columbia have your major hotel chains. The next day, it's about a 7 hour drive from Columbia and a 8 hour drive from Rock Hill, excluding stops.

Thanks for the info! And yeah, leaving so late due to school...the kids will already miss a full week plus 2 more days, I was thinking if we went that half day, it would give me a chance to pack the car, get ready without them home. Haven't locked it down yet though.

 

[DisneyDadBod]

We are doing kind of the same in June. We live in the Akron/Canton area. On the way down we are taking two nights of hotels and then just one on the way back. We are teachers and off in the summer with young kids so we are taking our time.

Charlotte is about perfect. We are huge Hyatt brand people. They have a Hyatt House right off 77 close to the airport. Bigger rooms for relatively same price as anywhere else. They have a pool and free breakfast. We are staying there both times, plus Savanah on the way down for future vacation ideas.

 

[bcuinohio]

We like to drive to Columbia, SC. Might be a little far if leaving at noon. I would try to avoid Charlotte during rush hour.

if you have an EZ-pass be sure to bring it along. You can use it in WV, NC and FL for tolls.
https://www.cfxway.com/e-zpass/

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I'm obsessively planning our Fall 2022 trip after having to delay due to, ya know, the "great unpleasantness". We have been to DW twice and have driven straight through by leaving at 10pm. It leaves both my hubs and I absolutely exhausted and it wastes the whole day or at least isn't enjoyable for us. We have 3 kids who do well in the car, usually sleep or are on devices. I do not want to drive straight through this trip, I would rather leave at noon and stop somewhere along the way. We aren't scheduled for a park day on arrival and check in for the offsite house is 4 pm. Any suggestions from fellow NE Americans that are crazy like us, and drive would be very welcome! Any areas/places to avoid? We are taking 77 south and going through South Carolina, so not worried about Atlanta, but will hit Charlotte.

I would look at a time you want to stop and a couple of hours ahead of that check what is available near where you will be. do not ask why I say this but there is a reason. you plan to drive so many hours and make a ressie there. then an hour after you leave home you sit in traffic for a couple of hours now you have at least 2 more hours than planned