Drive to Disney?
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westwind77
New member
Driven from the NE to Florida many many times. The drive from the NE to Washington s-u-c-k-s! Once you merge back onto 95 from 495 it is smooth sailing all the way down. Rarely any traffic compared to anything North, and the roads are SO much better. Richmond, Va can be hit or miss so if you want you can take 295 around, all in all does not add much if any time, plus nothing really out there so minimal cars/traffic usually. Never driven the trip with kids or teenagers, but when I was younger we did the trip a number of times with the family (mainly because we did take out time stopping along the way to visit things). You can take it as slow as you want spanning a several days or you can swap with another driver and make it in one shot. I did CT to FL (Orlando) straight once, got very lucky with perfect weather and no road traffic, but not something I would recommend if you are the person who gets sleepy behind a wheel obviously!
These days planes can be annoying, it can take 2 hours to get to an airport (depending where you live), then they want you there 2 hours before, then a 3 hours flight, then half hour for baggage, that is of course with no delays. Driving you could almost be halfway there. Of course you can sleep on a plane though
These days planes can be annoying, it can take 2 hours to get to an airport (depending where you live), then they want you there 2 hours before, then a 3 hours flight, then half hour for baggage, that is of course with no delays. Driving you could almost be halfway there. Of course you can sleep on a plane though
I have been going every year since like 2001. Drive mostly as i stay a while longer than some (2-3 weeks at a time). I drive from south jersey and do it in one shot.
I take off about dinner time or so, get past dc around 9-10pm with normally minimal traffic, and just enjoy the drive from there on out. Best time before kids was 14.5 hours...that was great. was trying to beat my grandmothers drive time on that one.
With the kids, it has taken us about 16 hours with a few extra stops and a longer stop for breakfast so that they can stretch and play. It is definitely that last drive through florida that takes the wind out of you. It seems so long once you hit the border and still have 3-4 hours to go to get to disney or gulf coast region of clearwater....
My advice, leave at night and go straight through. Lounge by the pool all day and nap. be refreshed for day two.
I take off about dinner time or so, get past dc around 9-10pm with normally minimal traffic, and just enjoy the drive from there on out. Best time before kids was 14.5 hours...that was great. was trying to beat my grandmothers drive time on that one.
With the kids, it has taken us about 16 hours with a few extra stops and a longer stop for breakfast so that they can stretch and play. It is definitely that last drive through florida that takes the wind out of you. It seems so long once you hit the border and still have 3-4 hours to go to get to disney or gulf coast region of clearwater....
My advice, leave at night and go straight through. Lounge by the pool all day and nap. be refreshed for day two.
J.A.
Senior Member
I've done it in the 4th Gen and plan on doing it again soon. 19 hours straight down with stops only for gas and eats. Leave at sleep time with two kids, drive over night, stop to get breakfast when they awake, turn on the DVD headrests from then on out. Vehicle drives great lifted and all...best mpg was 19 flat.
While I would love to take a more scenic route than 95 and make stops along the way, but that unfortunately would just be a waste of valuable time and would prefer to spend another day at Disney.
I do a more leisurely pace coming back and make an overnight stop. I think next time I am going to come up to NY via something more inland rather than 95 and wont go over the GWB either...to much traffic no matter what time of day it is (don't have easy pass as I don't want it on the 4R windshield).
While I would love to take a more scenic route than 95 and make stops along the way, but that unfortunately would just be a waste of valuable time and would prefer to spend another day at Disney.
I do a more leisurely pace coming back and make an overnight stop. I think next time I am going to come up to NY via something more inland rather than 95 and wont go over the GWB either...to much traffic no matter what time of day it is (don't have easy pass as I don't want it on the 4R windshield).
bergs
New member
Not sure where you are in NY but the Tappanzee Bridge (Rte 287) is the only way I get to and from NH. GWB, Lincoln Tunnel, Cross Bronx, none of it worth the risk of being caught in traffic. The last time I drove 95 straight up it took 8hrs to get from from Philly, Pa to Springfield, Ma. Even at 11pm there was traffic all the way up. I vowed to never again go that route.
JohnnyT - I will call it right now....the worst part of your trip is going to be travelling across the state of Florida. I did a fly-n-buy for a motorcycle that was in St Pete a few years ago. I tell everyone that the best part about Florida is the sign that says "Welcome to Georgia".
Best of luck in your travels!
simple
Senior Member
As a guy who has driven across the country twice and halfway another half dozen times, I would fly. Driving can get really old, the 4runners seats aren't all that comfortable for longer drives, and the kids may not react well to 6-12 hours a day in the back. Also gas wise and hotels and stops on the way may be close to if not more expensive than plane tickets though I haven't looked at all. Plus there's your and your families time, if you equate that to money at all. Personally, I'd fly. Spend the extra however many days you were doing to drive there and back at universal studios or San Diego.
Also, I hit a deer in PA from CA to VA. I was lucky and had very, very light damage.
Also, I hit a deer in PA from CA to VA. I was lucky and had very, very light damage.
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NJshadow93
New member
I made the trip with my family twice, the second time being a few years ago. I was the kid in the back seat and it wasn't in a 4runner. But it was a long drive. Especially when you're on a flat, straight, yet narrow highway, and the GPS says 345 miles until next turn...ugh... Would definitely rather fly in the future, unless I get to drive. We did sleep in North Carolina both times, leaving Jersey around 9 am IIRC.
JohnnyT
New member
I've heard this before but even more so the fact that once you are passed DC and Richmond it's pretty clear sailing. These are the areas I feel are key to get through during off-hours. I learned this when we went to the Outer banks a few years ago.
I would definitely drive instead of flying. I am a big fan of road trips so that is just my opinion. If you were flying out to the west coast to California or southwest to Arizona for example then I would say fly since it too long of a drive especially with kids along for the ride. You have more flexability driving to travel at your own pace, stop when you want to and see the sights along the way. Plan ahead to travel through areas from Philadelphia down through DC very early in the morning to avoid morning traffic if you are leaving on a weekday. Like other said once you clear DC and you are in Virginia it is a much smoother ride from there on.
It was never worth driving to me. It only makes sense if you spend a couple of weeks down there. You'll be spending 4 days driving (2 each way)... or 2 extremely long days driving (1 each way). Almost did it 4 years ago. Was going to take 3 weeks vacation down there...but had to cut it to 1 week due to other plans. Was thinking about bringing the pop-up and staying at the Wilderness resort.
Aquabear
New member
Some good advice above. I am going to Disney/Keys area for 19 days this summer with 2 kids and def driving. Bring busy stuff for them ipod/music, PSP or other electronic games, maybe IPAD or bring DVD's an have them watch movies on ur laptop while u drive with headphones of course. I got a book "51 road games for kids", I can't wait to use it on them for this trip and Acadia Ntnl Park - looking at lic plates from diff states. Oh yeah, IF South of the border is open you can stop there JUST for the sake of stopping there but it was a DUMP or JOKE when I did years ago but seeing the signs are fun! Don't stay too many minutes there. And keep a tight eye on ur kids an 4Runner when at the rest area/gas station, don't leave either one for a long period of time and hide all GPS an etc... when you do go into restrooms- don't be a statistic.
Have fun!!!!!
Have fun!!!!!
I make the drive from DC to Orlando several times a year. The drive is never fun. Now with kids we usually leave late afternoon and drive half way. That adds another $100 to the cost to spend the night in the hotel, but I don't think my kids or my ears could handle driving straight through. I prefer to fly and with gas prices, if I can get a $150-200 flight, it doesn't cost much more.
Once you get south of Richmond it is boring. There is really nothing until you get to Jacksonville.
Once you get south of Richmond it is boring. There is really nothing until you get to Jacksonville.
bertbennett
New member
Did it this time last year, My drive was much shorter than yours though. I only had to drive from Atlanta to Orlando. It was a good drive, the beauty of the four runner is you can lay the seat down and throw a mattress or mattress topper in there and have somewhere for the non driver to sleep. Well thats what me and the wife did, except she bailed on her driving part.....It's a good road trip vehicle though. Even with the v8
JohnnyT
New member
Interesting variety in the responses. Seems about half and half. Ultimately, its up to the wife.
The kids are 14 and 18 and are both pretty level headed and will get lost in their handhelds most of the time with games, movies, etc. One can drive at least a third of the way and he may find it interesting. No little ones anymore.
Interesting call. Normally I'd never think of this and its not about saving money (and it may not really save any) but I like the idea of total independence from the bedlam, unpredictability, and lack of control that NY/NJ airports and airlines can bring for a change when a drive is doable.
Keep the responses coming and thanks for the ones received so far.
The kids are 14 and 18 and are both pretty level headed and will get lost in their handhelds most of the time with games, movies, etc. One can drive at least a third of the way and he may find it interesting. No little ones anymore.
Interesting call. Normally I'd never think of this and its not about saving money (and it may not really save any) but I like the idea of total independence from the bedlam, unpredictability, and lack of control that NY/NJ airports and airlines can bring for a change when a drive is doable.
Keep the responses coming and thanks for the ones received so far.
Colemanfu
New member
Local 411
The Mouse House and all it's amenities are fun. Nice time of year for the water parks as well. That's the tropical rain season so expect a 30 min shower every afternoon -100% humidity and 90'+.
My rig has been all the way to Boston (Disney too ha). I would guess a 14 hour trip?
I just did 800 mile trip last week. Dayton to Augusta GA in sic hours. I love to road trip in my rig - not sure about having two teenagers in the back while doing it :naughty:
The Mouse House and all it's amenities are fun. Nice time of year for the water parks as well. That's the tropical rain season so expect a 30 min shower every afternoon -100% humidity and 90'+.
My rig has been all the way to Boston (Disney too ha). I would guess a 14 hour trip?
I just did 800 mile trip last week. Dayton to Augusta GA in sic hours. I love to road trip in my rig - not sure about having two teenagers in the back while doing it :naughty:
nysimonsez
New member
Wife and I are thinking/planning to take our 4th gen and drive from CT to Disney in November with our 2 kids, 4 and 2 months (well he'll be 9 months in Nov). We'll always enjoyed long road trips even with our older son when he was younger. We've done 3 trips to Toronto, 2 trips to Maine (Acadia), and a number of 300+ mile trips, but this will be our longest. We flew down last year and airfare wasn't bad (compared to cost to drive), plus rental. We wanted to do something different than flying down again.
We plan to take it leisurely and spend a night along the way to break up the drive. Not looking to rush to get down there, since with 2 kids we know we won't get to do everything anyway. And it gives us flexibility; we can bring anything we want (and what the 4R can hold), no need to rent or take along 2 car seats and strollers. More importantly, when we get down there, we have a car to use that we (and the kids) are familiar and comfortable in.
I know driving long distance is not for everyone, but we enjoy it and usually choose to drive than fly (when feasible). JohnnyT, interested to hear your feedback once you come back from your trip.
We plan to take it leisurely and spend a night along the way to break up the drive. Not looking to rush to get down there, since with 2 kids we know we won't get to do everything anyway. And it gives us flexibility; we can bring anything we want (and what the 4R can hold), no need to rent or take along 2 car seats and strollers. More importantly, when we get down there, we have a car to use that we (and the kids) are familiar and comfortable in.
I know driving long distance is not for everyone, but we enjoy it and usually choose to drive than fly (when feasible). JohnnyT, interested to hear your feedback once you come back from your trip.
