Charlotte NC to WDW - Driving?

[CoffeeJedi]

Charlotte NC -> WDW

I'm kicking around the idea of saving airfare and driving for our trip in September. Google maps puts the time at 10 hours, but a coworker said that he's done it in about 7 hours.

Has anyone ever made the trip from Charlotte North Carolina to Walt Disney World by car? About how long does it take? I'm not against long drives, i once drove 18 hours straight from PA to spend only 2 days at WDW, then drive back after the weekend, but i want a good idea of how long it takes before i plan.
Thanks!

 

[NCState]

I'm in Johnston County right on I-95. We usually leave at 3:15 am and drive all the way down with 2-3 quick stops and reach POP by 12:15 pm.

 

[Dagger]

Hey Jedi, that's awesome!

Is your wife a WDW fanatic? My fiance has yet to go so I don't really know yet (well, get this idiotic story...when he was 18 and had just graduated HS, he and his friends found some 99$ round trip tickets to Orlando out of a smaller airport near Cleveland and thought it'd be cool to take a trip. They actually went to WDW, got on the monorail and took it to the Contemporary where they got out, ordered drinks, were SERVED underage, and then got back on and left because they were too poor to go in.....o.....m....g....)

Anyway, I'm hoping he will love it and will be hooked instantly. He is the same age as you and will probably be amazed at the creative and innovative aspects of it more than anything.

I also see that you came from PA so we've both made it about half way to Florida, huh? We are honestly still considering going the distance!!! I used to live in Tampa, Miami and Boca Raton for the majority of my childhood and now that I have a child I want to get down there so she can be spoiled with Disney trips a couple times a year!

 

[Deaclaw]

the 8 hour estimate is about right. It is 535 miles from my home to Orlando but I now have 3 small kids and the stops really kill your time. I'd also tell you to check with AAA about road construction which can be a killer. the 77-26-95-4 is the best route IMHO

 

[CoffeeJedi]

Is your wife a WDW fanatic? My fiance has yet to go so I don't really know yet

She went once as a kid, but doesn't remember alot. I think she'll be most interested in World Showcase. I'm hoping i can get her down next year. She'll be taking classes at UNC this fall, and she has a chronic pain condition that we're struggling with, so this year she doesn't want to push herself too hard.
Ideally, next year, i'd rather skip the Carrowinds passes and get season passes to WDW and go down 3 or 4 times, but i don't get much vacation time (i'm a "consultant" at my job), so we'll see.

 

[Dagger]

Same here about the time off...it's a shame too because with the value resorts I know we could wing it 2-3 times a year if I could just stay out of Target and other stores you can drop 100$ in every day, but he can't get any time off!

I bet your wife will love it...once you go Disney, you never go back :lol:

 

[MomofKatie]

We made the trip last fall in about 9 and a half hours- left at around 3:30 am, and pulled in to the Pop parking lot at 1 pm. We stopped for gas and potty breaks, and had a lunch break of around 45 mins in Ocala.

Next January, it will be just DD and me, and we will try not to make any long stops. We are hoping to do the trip an about 9 hours overall. We like to start really early- 3 to 3:30 am, and get there in time to do something fun in the afternoon and evening.

 

[MHSJAX]

I would at a vote to the 8hr time frame. And if it is daylight when you get to Sanford the 417 greenway has been a good option. We live in the worst part of the drive- Jax - So I can say for sure to take the I-295 bypass near the airport exits around town. Alot of construction has been finished on that route. Good Luck, enjoy your trip. P.s. It is nice having a car option while you are at WDW.