Winston Salem to Disney World

[Clifton Tesh]

We are trying to decide whether we fly or drive. Flying is obviously faster but more expensive.

Driving is cheaper, longer, and more tiring.

But if I've added it all up correctly, we would get there at the same time either way.

Driving I don't have to deal with TSA, worry about overweight luggage, no delayed flights, etc...
And if I'm not mistaken, you get free parking at the parks as long as you're staying on resort.

Here's my real question:
Anyone live in the Winston Salem NC area that drives? I am trying to figure out the actual time it takes with restroom breaks, fuel stops, and food stops.

Our plan is to leave here around 7 or 8pm (after the wedding).

If we fly, we are going to Raleigh and staying at a hotel until our 730am flight comes in.

If we drive, I plan on stopping somewhere around the GA/SC line and grabbing a hotel room, waking up around 7 or 8 and then finishing the trip.

Either way, if I've timed everything correctly, we will be showing up at the resort around 11am-Noon.

 

[dmetcalfrn]

We live in Thomasville near 85. Usually takes us about 9-10 hours. Depends on traffic. Our best driving times are when we leave at 4 am and get there between 1-2pm. We have kids that usually sleep the morning hours and we usually stop for breakfast, bathroom and gas mid morning and then bathroom stops as needed.

 

[OKW Lover]

Looking at google maps it should be less than 10 hours, perhaps only 8hrs and 45 minutes. Of course it depends on just where in the W-S area you are and your driving style. Driving style refers to just how fast you are comfortable going (i.e. speed limit? 5mph over? 10?) and how brief you want to make the fuel/food stop (gas station food? McDonalds? Cracker Barrel?).

 

[Robert P]

We are trying to decide whether we fly or drive. Flying is obviously faster but more expensive.

Driving is cheaper, longer, and more tiring.

But if I've added it all up correctly, we would get there at the same time either way.

Driving I don't have to deal with TSA, worry about overweight luggage, no delayed flights, etc...
And if I'm not mistaken, you get free parking at the parks as long as you're staying on resort.

Here's my real question:
Anyone live in the Winston Salem NC area that drives? I am trying to figure out the actual time it takes with restroom breaks, fuel stops, and food stops.

Our plan is to leave here around 7 or 8pm (after the wedding).

If we fly, we are going to Raleigh and staying at a hotel until our 730am flight comes in.

If we drive, I plan on stopping somewhere around the GA/SC line and grabbing a hotel room, waking up around 7 or 8 and then finishing the trip.

Either way, if I've timed everything correctly, we will be showing up at the resort around 11am-Noon.

I drive from Mocksville. It's 602 miles from the Farmington Road exit (174) on I-40. From Winston, you have a shorter drive going down 77, rather than cutting across 40 to 95. Over the last 15 drives, I'd say average time for us is 8.75 hours. That's no restaurant sit down meals. It's fast food, eat in the car, stopping 2 times (maybe 3) for gas and restroom breaks. That usually allows for some Charlotte traffic, which you could avoid based on departure time.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Well here's the skinny:

We are getting married in Boonville on April 2nd.

The ceremony starts at 4pm and we are estimating the reception to be finished by 8pm.

If we drive:

We are going to hop in the car and catch 77 out in Jonesville/Elkin.

Google maps says 9 hours and 23 minutes, which seemed about right to me, but I know January-December tends to be road construction season on 95 in Georgia so I figured there would be some delays.

But if you've averaged a little less than 9 hours on your trips, Google must be about spot on.

Which in that case, would put me getting there about noon which would be about the same if we flew and rode the ME.

Thanks for the data I definitely believe we will be driving.

 

[Robert P]

The distance from the NC/SC line on 77 to the Epcot resorts exit is 532 miles. The 8.75 avg. is a conservative estimate. If we don't have any Charlotte area backup, we've done it twice now in 8 hours flat. The traffic issues on the drive are Charlotte, NC and Jacksonville, FL. But you could beltline around Jacksonville instead of going through on 95, if there was a traffic problem you saw in advance on an app.

I've done the same fly vs. drive comparisons, flying out of CLT. It's a min. of 6 hours for us if we fly (getting there ahead, flight time, luggage time, then whatever method to WDW property), versus the 8+ if we drive. I can't justify the cost and convenience difference for only 2+ hours each way.

Whatever you decide, travel safe!

 

[Clifton Tesh]

The distance from the NC/SC line on 77 to the Epcot resorts exit is 532 miles. The 8.75 avg. is a conservative estimate. If we don't have any Charlotte area backup, we've done it twice now in 8 hours flat. The traffic issues on the drive are Charlotte, NC and Jacksonville, FL. But you could beltline around Jacksonville instead of going through on 95, if there was a traffic problem you saw in advance on an app.

I've done the same fly vs. drive comparisons, flying out of CLT. It's a min. of 6 hours for us if we fly (getting there ahead, flight time, luggage time, then whatever method to WDW property), versus the 8+ if we drive. I can't justify the cost and convenience difference for only 2+ hours each way.

Whatever you decide, travel safe!

That's my whole thing. $600 roundtrip to save an hour or two, or $100 in gas (as low as prices are now) and not having the stress of dealing with TSA, potentially lost baggage, possibility of stuff being confiscated, etc...

Driving will be long and tedious, but well worth it