For those folks driving!

[cmonroe]

We are headed to Disney from Boston on April 14th and driving for the second time. We will take 81 to 84 and so forth as it was an awesome trip last year. Anyone else headed down around that time?
Jen

Pieps,

I would love to say yes, but we are not. We took that route last year from Boston. May I ask if you have family with you, what ages are they and where and how much you stopped? I'd like to compare it to our trip.

Thanks.

 

[Drcell01]

We are planning on leaving Syracuse, NY at 7 pm on Apr. 16th and driving straight through (DW and I will take shifts) and plan on checking in at hotel by 3pm on Sunday. We have done this drive many times but never straight through.

 

[java]

Trying to decide where to stop. We have 2 small children(one very small) and 2 older preteens. We are giving ourselves a head start on day one and plan on leaving around 4PM from western NJ. I was thinking on stopping around Roanoke Rapids NC- but should we go a little further? We have done this trip about 5 times now. Oh and we also drove to MiamiYes MIAMI for a long weekend wedding.(it was my brother and we had a newborn then too)

 

[Mac and Us]

We're leaving on Friday 4/1. We (sister & I) drove straight through about 10 years ago. We drove a car and had my brother in law to be and 2 neices (ages 9 & 13). This time we will be in a motorhome and it will be DH, DD(3) and myself.

We are starting at noon on Friday. We had planned to stop for a few hours around Fredericksburg, VA but we're now talking about driving through the night to make it easier for our DD. We are going to try taking shifts so we won't be totally exhausted when we get there.

The trip is approx. 1500 miles and 26 hours according to the Good Sam Trip Planner. That doesn't include stops for gas, and stretching.

If we can pull this off we hope to arrive around 5pm on Saturday.

 

[ChrisNif]

Trying to decide where to stop. We have 2 small children(one very small) and 2 older preteens. We are giving ourselves a head start on day one and plan on leaving around 4PM from western NJ. I was thinking on stopping around Roanoke Rapids NC- but should we go a little further? We have done this trip about 5 times now. Oh and we also drove to MiamiYes MIAMI for a long weekend wedding.(it was my brother and we had a newborn then too)

Glad to see another NJ'er who is willing to drive

I'm in eastern NJ, between Toms River and Manahawkin, and always drive straight through. I dont really take shifts, i normally let everyone sleep because once im in the world it like i get hit by lightening, and even after a 15-16 hour drive overnight, im ready to rock after a shower and we're normally in the parks till close the first night.

Your in Western NJ so just for timing i'd put you just a tad north of trenton. You should be able to hit 295 quite easily and its a straight shot from there. If you do plan on stopping I'd say your right on for a 4pm leaving if your figuring on stopping between 10 and 11pm, but if your kids can sleep in the car and you and your other half can drive at night, i would be more or less inclined to push through the night and wake them to the superise of breakfast near daytona, and the news "we'll see mickey before lunch time"

Just my suggestion as this is how i handled my recent trip in december, and how i plan on handling my next "family" trip in december of this year. My next trip is in a few days right after my wedding, and i plan on leaving monday the 18th at about 9pm and getting to disney for lunch.

Good Luck and enjoy your trip.

Chris

 

[ChrisNif]

We are planning on leaving Syracuse, NY at 7 pm on Apr. 16th and driving straight through (DW and I will take shifts) and plan on checking in at hotel by 3pm on Sunday. We have done this drive many times but never straight through.

Good luck,

I drove up to rochester from here once and figuring the hour from syracuse to rochester off the trip and the overlaps off the trip you've probably got about a 18-20 hour drive ahead of you, I dont see 3pm sunday being any kind of problem to make unless you hit some major traffic incident which is doubtful.

I dont know exactally which direction you would go (from south jersey to there i know i could have taken 5 different ways, so im sure there are quite a few ways down from there) but i wish you the best of luck.

My only tips i can give you from my experience of straight thru driving, try to leave a bit earlier, i never get tired until its like 4am no matter what time i leave, and when i do get tired i have to stop driving (try to plan gasoline around your body helps) walk around, get something to drink and munch and then im normally good. This 4am "break" keeps me good till breakfast, and im normally in disney a few hours after breakfast when i drive down.

Enjoy your trip

Chris

 

[kerry34]

We are headed to Disney from Boston on April 14th and driving for the second time. We will take 81 to 84 and so forth as it was an awesome trip last year. Anyone else headed down around that time?
Jen

We are leaving the same day from Central Mass. Planning on heading out with my gang (DH, Mom, and 5 very excited children) around 3am. Have a great trip.

 

[java]

I would love to drive straight through but...I am breastfeeding(sorry if TMI) and that means plenty of night time feedings that we would be stopping for.
I really wanted to post to say Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!!!!
Bring on the band......

Glad to see another NJ'er who is willing to drive

I'm in eastern NJ, between Toms River and Manahawkin, and always drive straight through. I dont really take shifts, i normally let everyone sleep because once im in the world it like i get hit by lightening, and even after a 15-16 hour drive overnight, im ready to rock after a shower and we're normally in the parks till close the first night.

Your in Western NJ so just for timing i'd put you just a tad north of trenton. You should be able to hit 295 quite easily and its a straight shot from there. If you do plan on stopping I'd say your right on for a 4pm leaving if your figuring on stopping between 10 and 11pm, but if your kids can sleep in the car and you and your other half can drive at night, i would be more or less inclined to push through the night and wake them to the superise of breakfast near daytona, and the news "we'll see mickey before lunch time"

Just my suggestion as this is how i handled my recent trip in december, and how i plan on handling my next "family" trip in december of this year. My next trip is in a few days right after my wedding, and i plan on leaving monday the 18th at about 9pm and getting to disney for lunch.

Good Luck and enjoy your trip.

Chris

 

[cmonroe]

I would love to drive straight through but...I am breastfeeding(sorry if TMI) and that means plenty of night time feedings that we would be stopping for.
I really wanted to post to say Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!!!!
Bring on the band......

Java, we ran into the same issue. Our DS was 7mo on our trip. Daytime feedings slowed the trip down a bit. But you have to to what you have to do!

 

[jenr812]

I would love to drive straight through but...I am breastfeeding(sorry if TMI) and that means plenty of night time feedings that we would be stopping for.
I really wanted to post to say Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!!!!
Bring on the band......

When I was nursing, I used to hang over the carseat to nurse Not terribly comfy, but it helped!

 

[cmonroe]

When I was nursing, I used to hang over the carseat to nurse Not terribly comfy, but it helped!

Ouch!!!!

 

[wooly5]

We're planning on driving to Disney from Boston. We'd like to leave June 24th(ish) and return by July 5th(ish). We've got a two week window - but would rather make it shorter. This will be a total suprise to our kids, who get out of school on the 23rd.

We've got three kids and would like to stop at various places along the way - spending only 4-5 nights at Disney. We'll be traveling in our SUV and we all, including my kids, love to drive. I'd like the trip to be a more leisurly and scenic one rather than rushing to get down and back. Also, my parents will be down there from the 26th - 1st and we'd like to suprise them.

Does anyone have any suggestions? How far is Virginia Beach off of 95? I was also thinking of the furniture outlets and North Carolina.

We're Vacation Club members - so stoping at Hilton Head would be nice before getting to Disney. If I remember right, that's only 5 hours away from Orlando, correct?

I'm terrible at timing things! I've been sitting here for two days reading posts, maps, etc. and can't get myself organized.

I hope some of you may find this fun to plan our trip.

Thanks.

 

[areno79]

VA Beach is a nice detour if you got a couple extra days, but I would suggest Richmond or Williamsburg. Busch Gardens or King's Domininion are great places to stop at on the way down to Florida Don't forget a stop at the beach...what about a couple of days in Daytona or Cocoa Beach?

 

[ChrisNif]

I totally agree with the poster above,
A detour to virginia beach is nice, but williamsburg is a very choice destination.
We live in NJ and have annual passes to busch gardens and disney, but not great adventure (which is only 30 minutes from my front door...hmmm) I highly suggest the area. I would also recommend you stop in north carolina at JR's which is a huge store with lots of sales always...you cant miss it the signs are almost as frequent as SOtB. I also recommend the russel stouffer (sp) chocolate outlet just north of JR's...Cant remember the exit number 197 or something off 95...
Dont foreget you can stop off in DC for a day and see some museums too or the balitmore aquarium if thats your thing. There is a nice "wild animal" park in virginia beach too, i just forget the name of the place.

Honestly, if i stopped everywhere that i wanted to on teh way to disney, it'd take me 2 weeks to drive

Chris

 

[wooly5]

Thanks for both your posts.

My kids are 10 and (2) 8yr. olds. We'd rather not do any more amusement type things, since we're going to Disney. We also have the issue of traveling during the July 4th week - which is concerning. My first thought is to do a beach - be it Myrtle or Virginia. But I'm open to all suggestions. South of the Border looks fun as well. We'd like to be at Disney for a Sunday night stay (the 26th) and leave Friday afteronon.

Also, we're planning on driving TO DISNEY down 95 since we'll be leaving early Friday morning - probably around 4 or 5am. The weekend traffic shouldn't be that bad. The trip home is another issue. I don't want to drive up 95 during the holiday week. Any suggestions?

 

[cranbiz]

What are your plans going down? Are you going to go straight thru or are you stopping for the night?

From MA, I usually leave aroung 5PM and drive thru arriving in the Orlando area mid afternoon. I would do that on Thursday instead of 5am Friday if your plans are to make Orlando your first destination. That way, driving at night, you make better time . We normally stop at SotB for breakfast at about 8am. We have missed all of the traffic in NYC and DC. At 5am you run the risk of DC rush hour on Friday afternoon.

 

[langin]

To Wooly5

We are driving down in August from New Brunswick, Canada (we border on Maine) with my 12 yr old and twins 9 yrs old (all boys) for our first WDW trip. On the way we will just want to get there, but on the way back we want to stretch it and stop a few times, we would like to spend the day in DC and visit the museums.

Does anyone have any suggestions where else we could stop?

 

[wooly5]

Yes, our plan is to drive to Orlando with only 1 stop, but on the way back, making it more of a second vacation.

I'd love to leave at 5pm - but since my husband and I work all day long, I think we'll be too exhausted to do that. How long do you think would it take us to get from Boston, past the DC area? We thought by leaving around 4am, we'd be more rested and the kids would be able to enjoy the ride.

I don't know - maybe I'll have to rethink the 5pm thing.

Thanks.

Nancy

 

[langin]

We are leaving our home in NB Canada around 4:00 pm and are hoping to drive at least 24 hours with kids sleeping through the night, with a few breaks to eat and etc.. (my DH works night shifts so he'll be ok to drive through) We are hoping to get as far south as SC or even GA then stop for the night so our drive will be much shorter the next day!

We've never done it before so I think we have to have a "wait & see" attitude and try to be relaxed about it but be well prepared and informed.

Wish us luck!

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

Boy, I thought we had a long drive coming from Raleigh, NC. We leave at about 9/10 pm and drive straight through and arrive around 6/7 am. DH and I take turns driving while the kids DS6, DS3 and DD1 sleep. When we stop it is for gas, potty breaks, and to switch drivers all in one stop.
This is the dance you do if you have had one too many cokes during your drive time.LOL