Drive Down I-95

[3BratsToDisney]

We did the drive last year from NJ to Disney and will be doing it again since it wasn't as bad as we thought! Last time we stayed overnight in SC on the way down and returning we stayed near Fayetville NC, which the hotel was awful won't be staying near that area again this year! So aside from that what are some of your favorite stops/rest areas/things to see and do/where to eat on the drive?

 

[wdwstateofmind]

Man...we've never stopped overnight but have tried to stop places...we usually just took turns driving...we too drive from Jersey (at least used to, you couldn't pay me to do it anymore). We always made sure to have fun with billboards once we get past Delaware as they need to be every 5 feet and some of them are stupid as can be...but as far as stops I can highly recommend Savannah, GA...it was super clean, everyone was friendly, and the food (at least dinner, I don't do southern breakfasts) was awesome...as for anything else, unfortunately, 95 doesn't go through many big cities that are worth anything from about Wash. D.C./Richmond all the way until Jacksonville, then it's another 4-5 hours of nothing until the I-4 corridor...it also doesn't go through any cool national parks or anything either...even in VA & NC you'd have to drive a little bit to get to the good Smokies or Blue Ridge Parkway (which I highly recommend if you have the time)...

 

[emcclay]

Stopped at a Red Roof Inn in Fayetteville, NC which was absolutely fine. When I moved down here, I took the AutoTrain. Couldn't bear to drive through boring NC/SC/GA again..

 

[englanddg]

We did the drive last year from NJ to Disney and will be doing it again since it wasn't as bad as we thought! Last time we stayed overnight in SC on the way down and returning we stayed near Fayetville NC, which the hotel was awful won't be staying near that area again this year! So aside from that what are some of your favorite stops/rest areas/things to see and do/where to eat on the drive?

I know the drive quite well, having not only lived and worked all around that area, but also doing the drive up to NYC many times, so I'd love to chime in on some of my favorite things along the way to see and do.

If you stayed in SC on the way down, you probably stayed in Florence, SC, as that's pretty much the only "city" on 95 until you get to the GA line. I hate Florence...but it has a few redeeming features. It's where 95 and 20 meet.

I'd steer clear of Fayetteville, and stay in Lumberton. It's a much better little city. Many Fayetteville hotels...um...well, lets just say Bragg is an Infantry camp, and leave it at that shall we?

Anyhow...things to do...and see

Of course, stopping at South of the Border, at least once is a fun diversion!

In VA, I always make it a point to stop at one of the WaWas around Richmond and get a sandwich.

There is an outlet mall between Savannah and Brunswick in Darian, GA that is a good place to stop for a bite to eat and some last minute discount shopping.

Brunswick, GA is home to a very interesting side jaunt...Jekyll Island. Some interesting beaches there (including Driftwood Beach, which has petrified trees that floated across the Atlantic from Spain), and the Club is fun to walk around. Restaurants there are all decent, but breakfast / lunch / dinner at the Club is awesome. At night they also generally have live bands that play on the wharf (which is a convenient walk from the hotel). While it's on the steeper side price wise, there are other more reasonably priced hotels on the island (like the Holiday Inn). If you can make it this far, this may be an interesting place to crash for the night before finishing your journey. Bit more unique than just doing a hotel on the interstate...and the place is steeped in history.

http://www.jekyllclub.com/

All I can think of right now...

 

[wdwstateofmind]

Stopped at a Red Roof Inn in Fayetteville, NC which was absolutely fine. When I moved down here, I took the AutoTrain. Couldn't bear to drive through boring NC/SC/GA again..

NC/SC/GA = the most painful 8 or so hours of driving (not so much GA as the interstate becomes three lanes and a bit scenic..but the highway in SC, seems in SC every 50 ft. there is a seam across the cement highway producing the most unbearable thunking noise for the entire span in the state...

 

[emcclay]

NC/SC/GA = the most painful 8 or so hours of driving (not so much GA as the interstate becomes three lanes and a bit scenic..but the highway in SC, seems in SC every 50 ft. there is a seam across the cement highway producing the most unbearable thunking noise for the entire span in the state...

Extremely painful. Unless you have someone who doesn't mind the drive and you can nap.

 

[Clamman73]

Hmmmm, yeah, 95 is just a grin and bear it kind of drive...From NY I stayed in Lumberton overnight and on the way back up in Chester, VA. From leaving Lumberton it was was still pretty quick to get to the FL border b/c it's not that far from the SC border. I think I waited to get gas just across the border in SC and then the last exit in GA just before you hit the FL border b/c the gas should be cheaper than in FL - FYI.

In Chester, there's a bunch of areas to go the eat - eg Chipotle

I drove this past time since I was going to be in FL for two weeks at Disney and parents, but debating what's the most cost effective since I can get a flight from JKF, LGA or ISP for around $90 - $120 one-way, but the car rental for a two week period kind of puts a kink in it for me...

 

[wdwstateofmind]

Hmmmm, yeah, 95 is just a grin and bear it kind of drive...From NY I stayed in Lumberton overnight and on the way back up in Chester, VA. From leaving Lumberton it was was still pretty quick to get to the FL border b/c it's not that far from the SC border. I think I waited to get gas just across the border in SC and then the last exit in GA just before you hit the FL border b/c the gas should be cheaper than in FL - FYI.

In Chester, there's a bunch of areas to go the eat - eg Chipotle

I drove this past time since I was going to be in FL for two weeks at Disney and parents, but debating what's the most cost effective since I can get a flight from JKF, LGA or ISP for around $90 - $120 one-way, but the car rental for a two week period kind of puts a kink in it for me...

I haven't flown since factoring how much gas cost on top of the rental...it's tempting with how cheap the rental is, but people forget the $200 - $400 they'll spend on gas...

 

[Susan Savia]

We always drive from VA and stay over in Santee, SC. We make an hour long stop in Daytona Beach then it's right on thru to our resort.

 

[MarkandAmy]

Driving from Upstate NY, we always plan time to stop at South of the Border. Much if it is so cheesy, but its a great place to stretch your legs and get the kids out of the car for a bit.

 

[bsiev1977]

We always drive from VA and stay over in Santee, SC. We make an hour long stop in Daytona Beach then it's right on thru to our resort.

Santee is where I stopped with family on our drive from PA a couple years ago.

 

[bsiev1977]

Driving from Upstate NY, we always plan time to stop at South of the Border. Much if it is so cheesy, but its a great place to stretch your legs and get the kids out of the car for a bit.

Like you said, South of the Border is a decent spot for a stop, but what a hideous tourist trap the place is.

 

[englanddg]

Like you said, South of the Border is a decent spot for a stop, but what a hideous tourist trap the place is.

That's why it's such a great place to stop! For the gaudiness!

 

[MaryJaneP]

Another vote for Savanah down, Lumberton return. No sightseeing, just sleep and drive.

 

[RKSteel]

Last Aug, we drove down from Long Island. Stopped in Florence, SC, which was about 11.5 hrs w/ a breakfast stop, then its about 7hrs WDW. On the way back, we stopped in Glen Allen, VA, just north of Richmond, pushed it a little further on the return to have a shorter trip the next day.

I look for exits with Cracker Barrels, then see if there are any Courtyard hotels so I can use my points.

 

[WLBound]

Last time we made this drive we stopped in Florence for the night (from PA that was about a twelve hour drive with stops). The remaining seven and a half hours the next day seemed to last forever because we were anxious to get there. This time we will be stopping in Savannah for the night. We'd rather push a little further the first day. We took the Autotrain home last time and are still considering it this trip. Otherwise we'll probably stop somewhere in VA for the night.

 

[brifraz]

We've done the I95 thing from Northern Maryland many (many, many) times in my life. Ever since I was a kid.

We don't stop overnight very often. We just trade off driving and take 1-2 hour breaks in rest areas. Used to be afraid to sleep in the car in a rest area, but we got over that a couple trips ago.

When we did stay overnight, we were big fans of Richmond Hill, Georgia. Not a huge town, but lots of hotels and restaurants.

A couple years ago we bought this book: http://www.drivei95.com/ and we have loved it and used it more times than I can possible count. It is a great tool if you find yourself spending too many hours on I95.

 

[HollyAD]

We drive from MD a few times a year to Florida. We don't usually stop overnight anymore.I work night shift so I have no problem driving overnight. But there is always a back up plan to stop somewhere. I discover a few hotels with decent tripadvisor ratings and hotels.com ratings in Kingsland, GA. They were also MUCH cheaper than the other more popular exits. I have also stopped for gas in Santee and it's a cute little place. As far as stops for gas I try to pick a "travel center." They tend to have cleaner bathrooms. For examples...Flying J's and Love's. I have never stopped at a "bad" one so far. I just appreciate a clean place to get a drink and use the bathroom! Oh and I forgot to mention my fav fast food on the road, Steak and Shake!

 

[steviej]

I'm a die hard KISS fan, so I went to Myrtle Beach and went to the kiss coffeehouse

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

We did the drive last year from NJ to Disney and will be doing it again since it wasn't as bad as we thought! Last time we stayed overnight in SC on the way down and returning we stayed near Fayetville NC, which the hotel was awful won't be staying near that area again this year! So aside from that what are some of your favorite stops/rest areas/things to see and do/where to eat on the drive?

When my son was little, we made this drive every year. The first leg of the trip, we would try to go as far as Daytona Beach, so the 2nd leg of the trip wasn't so bad. On the way back, we'd stay an hour or so south of Virginia Beach. We have stayed in Manning, SC a few times too. A stop at J&Rs was imperative!! Only once did we ever stop at South of the Border and ran like hell back to our car LOL I actually used to love that drive. We did drive straight thru a few times. Got to Orlando a bit passed midnight.