Driving from Southern NH to Orlando FL..

[hikernh30]

Hello everyone!
I will be driving from Southern NH to Orlando December 2014. Any advice on best routes to take and what time to start driving? We will head out Friday. I will also be the sole driver.. Looking to go straight through with maybe a 3 hour side of road nap/food/gas.
Thank you!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Southwest has decent fares from Manchester to Orlando. Are you certain you cannot fly? The drive south is long enough for a solo driver without having to make the return trip north, especially during the unpredictable winter months.

 

[hikernh30]

Southwest has decent fares from Manchester to Orlando. Are you certain you cannot fly? The drive south is long enough for a solo driver without having to make the return trip north, especially during the unpredictable winter months.

Around December, tickets seem to get very pricy.
Plus, I love a good adventure!
We have flown SW both times we went, and I wanted to experience driving. I think my 9 yr. old son would love seeing new places and learning about diff. states!

 

[hikernh30]

I am hoping to just be creative and make it fun on the way home too... And LOTS of coffee.. LOTS. lol

 

[hikernh30]

I would stop at hotel on the way back too... Postpone going back reality a bit.

 

[Buzz2001]

I've driven from CT quite a few times and we've found the best time to leave is like 1/2am. Whether you go through NYC or around, its best to go through when there is less traffic. We travel Rt 95 and usually make a stop to sleep in Kingsland GA. We made it there between 6/7pm, had dinner, sleep and leave for WDW at 6am arriving just before 9am. You would probably have to leave 2 hours early to maintain our schedule

Avoid travel on a holiday. I made that mistake once on Good Friday, added a few hours to the trip.

 

[hikernh30]

Thanks for the tip! I went on Google Maps and did the 'No Tolls' route... Said it would take about 21 hours. I was going to leave at 8pm-ish. Think that may be too early on a Friday night?

 

[zurgandfriend]

I live in MA right near the NH border, I would take I-95 all the way to FL. As always I will recommend that you not stop at South of the Border it's dirty and tacky.

 

[SagamoreBeach]

I live in Boston and had thought about driving at one point for my May 2014 trip, but decided to fly. The drive down would be very fun, but I would be dreading that drive back LOL.

I never minded the drive back UNTIL I hit Connecticut. It just seemed to take forever to get from there to Cape Cod.

 

[SagamoreBeach]

I live in MA right near the NH border, I would take I-95 all the wat to FL. As I will recommend that you not stop at South of the Border it's dirty and tacky.

On no! Not again! South of the Border is a must see at least once. Very tacky - I agree. But it can be loads of fun.

 

[Nemo14]

I live in RI, and you're right, driving through CT on the way home is the worst!

 

[Tinkerbell397]

We live in RI and go to Maryland 1X a month to visit our daughter, son in law and granddaughter. I know you are coming from NH, but we usually leave our house in RI at about 8AM and drive 95 S through Connecticut. Connecticut is a difficult state to gauge....traffic at any time of the day or night for no apparent reason but it is unavoidable. We then take the Tappan Zee (instead of the GW Bridge) and follow 287 to 78. This will bring you down the middle of Pennsylvania though Harrisburg and Gettysburg. We do this to avoid the New Jersey Turnpike, The Garden State Parkway, Baltimore and traffic in the DC area. Timing is everything. After this....not sure where to go. I guess you would have to look at a map and get yourself back to 95 S.
We drove to Florida a few years ago and now I know why God gave people the brains to invent airplanes. It can be grueling for 2 drivers and I would never in a million years do it alone unless I planned to make many stops at various points of interest. I notice that you are going in December.....weather can also be an issue at that time of year. If you are determined to drive, I would drive down in a rented car and fly home. It would be difficult if the exhaustion and fatigue set in during your drive home.....again weather issues. Good luck and enjoy your Disney trip no matter what your decision. Another bit of advise....visit AAA and have a trip-tik made up and tell them that you want to avoid toll roads. Also....be sure you have a smart phone and use the WAZE app.....you can invite family and friends to watch you as you drive so someone always knows where you are.

 

[SagamoreBeach]

We live in RI and go to Maryland 1X a month to visit our daughter, and in law and granddaughter. I know you are coming from NH, but we usually leave our house in RI at e.

Excellent advice! I never thought of flying back. Then again, I only rented a car once to drive down and back. But I just might do that in the future.

 

[HollyAD]

We live in MD and drive to FL a few times a year. Not as far away as you guys but the way to go is to drive at night. Far less traffic but only problem is stopping for food and gas at night. I would suggest stopping at places like Flying J's and Love's as they have good lighting and open 24 hours. There are several up and down I 95. A good place to stop is also Steak and Shake and most are open 24 hours I think. My other advice would to be to stop and get a hotel part of the way down. I am always disappointed when we arrive and I am way too tired to do anything and its a waste of money to be at Disney and tired. To me it is worth it to spend $60-80 on a hotel on the way down to not waste my Disney time. There are some REALLY bad hotels on i 95 so make sure to use trip advisor before choosing one!

 

[Tinkerbell397]

I cannot stress the WAZE app enough. It is basically a GPS but with input from drivers on the same route as you. They and you can mark traffic, road hazards (accidents etc) police etc. You can also email or message your route to friends and family when you begin your trip and they watch as you drive. I use it constantly...especially on long drives. It is a free app and it is very cute!

 

[hikernh30]

Thanks! I plan on packing snacks and eating dinner before we leave. My son will sleep during the night drive. I will definately download that WAZE app.

 

[hikernh30]

I cannot stress the WAZE app enough. It is basically a GPS but with input from drivers on the same route as you. They and you can mark traffic, road hazards (accidents etc) police etc. You can also email or message your route to friends and family when you begin your trip and they watch as you drive. I use it constantly...especially on long drives. It is a free app and it is very cute!

It will not go past 1000 miles.

 

[Chernaboggles]

I never minded the drive back UNTIL I hit Connecticut. It just seemed to take forever to get from there to Cape Cod.

I live in the Poconos area of Pennsylvania (Northeastern PA) and my folks live on Cape Cod. We travel back and forth all the time and have learned to avoid CT entirely by going through western Mass instead (if you're mapping it with google, just add "albany, NY" as a destination between start point and WDW, the real drive will be slightly shorter than whatever it says). t's a bit longer in miles but when you actually drive it comes out even or better on time because of all the CT/NYC traffic and it's much easier on the blood pressure. There are nicer rest areas and it's a much more attractive drive. From Northeastern PA, there are a lot of ways to get down to Washington, DC area and then you're back on the 95 route again.

It depends on where you start from and it won't work for everyone, but don't overlook a western MA route as a work-around.

 

[wdisneyw2000]

We Travel From Near Altoona PA Every Year We go. Yes alot of miles to travel, but your also right make fun out of it. Pack a Cooler of food & snacks. Maybe get the travel DVD players, they work wonders. We take 95 the whole way & sometimes use the 295 or 495 outer loops, seems less traffic on them most of the time. I agree yes South of the Border is Tacky but if you plan on taking pics or do scrapbooks, the son may like the animal statues there, they make great pic ops. Plus it's a experience me atleast once thing lol. Yes we usually have more then 1 driver but i do most of the driving, so i would agree make a stop somewhere if you can make it to the middle of GA get motel or use rest area to sleep a few HRS. It's not a bad trip & definately cheaper driving for us. We also use the I-95 web site for rest area mile markers, food exits, gas prices. Loves & flying J usually have the cheapest gas.

 

[hikernh30]

Thank you!! Think leaving at 8am would be ok? Want to bypass DC/NJ traffic. Was thinking of taking 93S - 495 - 290 - 84 - 91 - 87 .. It kinda keeps going from there. Lol! I will hit 95 after 81. Seems like the 'middle of the road' route on Google Maps & No Tolls.