Driving from NJ to Disney

[Twinkledragon]

Hi Im new to these boards. We are leaving for Disney on Sat and driving down from NJ. We dont need to be at the parks til Monday morning technically but we are hoping to make it there by Sunday evening. We are planning on leaving our home (Central NJ) sometime on Saturday and drive into Savannah to sleep and then leave Sunday from Savannah to go into Jacksonville to hit the zoo for a little bit before heading into Disney later to meet my mom who is flying. We dont have any set time we need to arrive so long as we arrive with enough time to be able to sleep and rest to get into the parks Monday. What time would be the best to leave on Saturday? I know with the weekend there wont be the same rush hour traffic times but Im sure there will still be Saturday beach traffic for day vacationers? We are taking our 3 kids (age 7.4. and 2) so we would prefer to do more night driving but still arrive in Savannah hopefully by midnight to 2 AM the latest so we can sleep a little before heading out the following day. Is it more advisable to leave earlier in the day (before noon) or later in the afternoon? We probably cant leave earlier than around 11 AM Im thinking and can leave anytime after that. My husband wants to sleep in some in the morning so he can be well rested for the drive and we are both night owls so driving more at night is preferable between the kids and my anxiety about traffic. I appreciate the help!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Congrats on your upcoming trip!! I can't help really but just wanted to say enjoy the drive and make some great memories on the road. My family and I traveled to Disney as well as other various east coast locations my whole childhood from CT and I've got some awesome memories and learned a lot from the experiences. Hope your kids will get the same! Enjoy and just prepare for some best laid plans to not always pan out the way you wish as stuff happens. Be open and patient. Have fun!!

 

[Driver]

Hi Im new to these boards. We are leaving for Disney on Sat and driving down from NJ. We dont need to be at the parks til Monday morning technically but we are hoping to make it there by Sunday evening. We are planning on leaving our home (Central NJ) sometime on Saturday and drive into Savannah to sleep and then leave Sunday from Savannah to go into Jacksonville to hit the zoo for a little bit before heading into Disney later to meet my mom who is flying. We dont have any set time we need to arrive so long as we arrive with enough time to be able to sleep and rest to get into the parks Monday. What time would be the best to leave on Saturday? I know with the weekend there wont be the same rush hour traffic times but Im sure there will still be Saturday beach traffic for day vacationers? We are taking our 3 kids (age 7.4. and 2) so we would prefer to do more night driving but still arrive in Savannah hopefully by midnight to 2 AM the latest so we can sleep a little before heading out the following day. Is it more advisable to leave earlier in the day (before noon) or later in the afternoon? We probably cant leave earlier than around 11 AM Im thinking and can leave anytime after that. My husband wants to sleep in some in the morning so he can be well rested for the drive and we are both night owls so driving more at night is preferable between the kids and my anxiety about traffic. I appreciate the help!

I did that run for 14 consecutive yrs. Definitely leave in the am. Your are playing it close IMHO. I'm sure you thought about bathroom, fuel and food breaks. And you are right about lighter weekend traffic, but what about a back up from an accident and/or construction. I'm assuming your taking the 95 corridor have you checked the construction on the states you will pass thru? That's some of the things I would consider if your Savannah arrival is critical. If you have smooth sailing I still think it might be close.

 

[Twinkledragon]

I did that run for 14 consecutive yrs. Definitely leave in the am. Your are playing it close IMHO. I'm sure you thought about bathroom, fuel and food breaks. And you are right about lighter weekend traffic, but what about a back up from an accident and/or construction. I'm assuming your taking the 95 corridor have you checked the construction on the states you will pass thru? That's some of the things I would consider if your Savannah arrival is critical. If you have smooth sailing I still think it might be close.

Thank you for the reply!

What time do you think we should go? Earlier but how much earlier? We don't have to end in Savannah, it's just where we stopped last time so it's familiar to us. Like I said we need to arrive at some point on Sunday night but it's very loose on everything.

I honestly think we will eat in the car and take minimal stops. My son doesn't potty a lot honestly and always has been this way and my daughter's will probably both be in diapers. My 4 year old is trained but not night trained so at some point we have to switch her to diapers especially if she falls asleep so stopping for the bathroom will probably not be as big of an issue

I have traffic anxiety, where can I check 95 construction information?

 

[Driver]

Thank you for the reply!

What time do you think we should go? Earlier but how much earlier? We don't have to end in Savannah, it's just where we stopped last time so it's familiar to us. Like I said we need to arrive at some point on Sunday night but it's very loose on everything.

I honestly think we will eat in the car and take minimal stops. My son doesn't potty a lot honestly and always has been this way and my daughter's will probably both be in diapers. My 4 year old is trained but not night trained so at some point we have to switch her to diapers especially if she falls asleep so stopping for the bathroom will probably not be as big of an issue

I have traffic anxiety, where can I check 95 construction information?

I would shoot for 8 ish leave time. I have a CDL and I am used to running the roads. I am assuming that because you have traffic anxiety your long distance experience is limited. My DW has the same issue so I know what your feeling. I tend to drive hard not everyone can do that. So what I mean is you expect to eat in the car, frankly you need some leg stretching time. Even a seasoned driver will fit this into the trip. As far as construction you can go to the DOT web sites for the states you are traveling for listings of construction on the highways you plan to use. Most construction is closed on weekends but lane changes and closed lanes may still cause a bottleneck. And you could be fine, I'm just responding to your question using my past experience. I still travel up and down the east coast twice a yr. but I've gotten away from using 95 because of the headaches. That being said it is still probably in your best interest to use it especially if your familiar and comfortable with it. The items I mentioned are simply things I consider and I don't mean to scare you. I wish you and your family safe travels. See you in the parks

 

[Twinkledragon]

I would shoot for 8 ish leave time. I have a CDL and I am used to running the roads. I am assuming that because you have traffic anxiety your long distance experience is limited. My DW has the same issue so I know what your feeling. I tend to drive hard not everyone can do that. So what I mean is you expect to eat in the car, frankly you need some leg stretching time. Even a seasoned driver will fit this into the trip. As far as construction you can go to the DOT web sites for the states you are traveling for listings of construction on the highways you plan to use. Most construction is closed on weekends but lane changes and closed lanes may still cause a bottleneck. And you could be fine, I'm just responding to your question using my past experience. I still travel up and down the east coast twice a yr. but I've gotten away from using 95 because of the headaches. That being said it is still probably in your best interest to use it especially if your familiar and comfortable with it. The items I mentioned are simply things I consider and I don't mean to scare you. I wish you and your family safe travels. See you in the parks

We did this trip a few years back when I only had 2 kids but we did it mostly at night leaving around 7 PM on a Friday if I recall. This time because its a Saturday I feel its a little different in knowing what time to drive. Last time we were speeding through the night and we realized we were going to make Disney before our reservation because of how fast we were going which is why we stopped at Savannah and basically just spent the day waiting it out. (and sleeping when our children let it) I would honestly prefer to drive like that through the night but my husband doesnt want to this time. When we go home he drives pretty much the entire night through so he doesnt feel like doing it twice in a span of a week. I dont do well with traffic but because I cant fly this is the alternative I have to live with but I want to make it as fast and painless if I can. Any advice is so appreciated!

 

[Figgy1]

Just my 2 cents having done the drive quite a few times before from just a bit north of you, THE EARLIER THE BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First Baltimore and DC traffic builds during the day so hit them as early as you can. In Virginia you may hit some traffic shore goers and shoppers even in the afternoon, with luck nothing heavy. Once in the Carolinas it should be smooth sailing except for construction if any. During the week we leave between 10pm and midnight and 5 to 6 am on the weekend. Welcome, hope this helps and have a magical trip. ps Try and get to Orlando as early as you can so you can get a good night's sleep, you'll need it so you can be at your first park half an hour before opening at minimum, rope drop is very important

 

[CTC]

I have driven down many, many times from NY. 4 times in the past year = 42 days at Disney, don't ask, we are nuts. Leave at 6 am Sat. You should make it to Savannah around 7 or 8. Virginia traffic is the worst. Right after the Woodrow Wilson Bridge it can become a parking lot. If need be, spend the few extra bucks and take the express routes on 95 provided you have EZ Pass.

Use Google Maps to help you on your way. We find this to be the best. You will be fighting beach traffic as it is a Sat.
BUT, even if you don't get to Savannah. Getting to Santee, SC will still give you plenty of time to get to Jacksonville.

Also, we use the INRIX app to just look at traffic without using if for navigation.

My travel times (not including stops or traffic):
DE: 15 Minutes (but there is construction after DE Memorial Bridge, so this can add an extra 20 minutes)
MD: 2 hours (about 110 miles)
VA: 2:30 (about 172 miles)
NC: 2:45 (about 189 miles)
SC: 2:45 (about 198 miles)
GA: 1.5 hrs (about 110) - Savannah is at exit 99
FL: 3 hours to Disney from the GA border - 2 hours on 95, 1 hour on I4.

ALSO - take the I295 belt around Richmond - times will be posted on 95 telling you if it is worth it or not. Much more pleasant ride than going through Richmond and it is faster. Of course, you may have to contend with VA Beach traffic, so watch out.

Take the I295 belt around Jacksonville (let's say on the way home). You should head towards JAX beaches. Shorter trip and not going through the heart of the city.

Finally, after the DE Memorial Bridge, we often take DE 1 into MIddletwon, DE and get on route 301. We take that over the Cheseapeake Bay Bridge into Annapolis. We then take US 50 into the bottom portion of the beltway. Same travel time as going all on 95, but more relaxing.

Good luck.

 

[Marianm]

We're driving down from the northeast in a few days. We're leaving st 10pm.
HOWEVER- I think you should leave about 4-5am. We did this last time we drove to south Florida and we left about 4:30am, and hit savanna by 5.

 

[yaksplat]

We'd drive from Buffalo, NY to disney. It's a fun trip, but i'd definitely recommend leaving earlier than 11am so you don't have to drive in the dark after a long day of driving when you're tired. We'd leave by 4:30 am, having the car already packed from the night before. We would go until about 7pm, with just quick stops for breakfast lunch and dinner.

I'm not big on making hotel reservations and like to play it by ear based on how tired I am. If I'm completely beat, i don't want to force myself to drive the extra hour to get to the reservation and if i was approaching the hotel but can keep going, i'd rather keep driving.

Make yourself a checklist so you don't forget anything at the last second such as snacks or maybe a child.

 

[macefamily]

My daughter and her boyfriend are leaving this weekend from Pennsylvania for their Disney College Program experience. They also drove down early in June to stay for a week and hit up the new Avatar rides. Yes, they are hardcore.
They left at midnight from PA and had a clear drive right through Washington. That's the bottleneck that you want to avoid at rush hour.
They made the trip in about 17 hours.

 

[zero creativity]

I live just south of D.C. In Virginia and I can say that if you get to this area too late in the day be prepared to hit a wall of traffic. Normal non summer Saturdays can be impassable. The last couple weeks of summer are the worst, plus there's construction going on.
When we drive it is about 8 hrs to savannah and you have at least a few hours on top of that. I would say leave no later then 5-6 am and if you don't have it already download the Waze traffic app.

 

[yensid67]

Twinkledragon, here is my 2 cents...

...I lived in MD and when I worked for Disney I would do the trip home often using I95. My best time would be if I left at midnight I would get there around 6:30PM the next day! This sounds like a long time, but here is what I do...I leave at 12, drive 4 hours and stop, gas up stretch and grab a snack! then I drive another 4 hours and repeat. This way you are getting out of driving straight through. Those little breaks are refreshing and rejuvenate you for the next leg! Also this way if anyone needs to go to the bathroom its only a short wait until the next stop! You can adjust how long you stop for...it may be just a quick gas and go or it could be a meal stop of 30 minutes! but I wouldn't go later than that! Contacting the DOT is a good idea...I may do that before my trip in May 2018! °o°

 

[ajt5027]

I
Finally, after the DE Memorial Bridge, we often take DE 1 into MIddletwon, DE and get on route 301. We take that over the Cheseapeake Bay Bridge into Annapolis. We then take US 50 into the bottom portion of the beltway. Same travel time as going all on 95, but more relaxing.

Good luck.

Philly native who drives down pretty frequently (i.e. once a year). I would agree with CTC here on the 301 route. Check Google Maps or Waze, but if there is traffic around DC this is your best bet. I have left early on Saturday morning and still hit heavy traffic on 495 in DC. I have taken 301 all the way to Ladysmith VA (Ext. 110) and all the way into Richmond because traffic also can back up around around King's Dominon/Ashland. Just check Google maps and do the real-time comparison. If its a matter of minutes I would stick with 301.

As for the 295 around Richmond. Agree with that as well...unless 95 through Richmond is devoid of traffic. If there is no traffic its a straight shot through and could save you some time.

Last time I drove we left at 9pm and drove straight through. No traffic, but also taxing on the sleep schedule.

As long as you don't get held up on 95 in the two areas I mentioned your timeline seems reasonable.

 

[JohnD]

Hi Im new to these boards. We are leaving for Disney on Sat and driving down from NJ. We dont need to be at the parks til Monday morning technically but we are hoping to make it there by Sunday evening. We are planning on leaving our home (Central NJ) sometime on Saturday and drive into Savannah to sleep and then leave Sunday from Savannah to go into Jacksonville to hit the zoo for a little bit before heading into Disney later to meet my mom who is flying. We dont have any set time we need to arrive so long as we arrive with enough time to be able to sleep and rest to get into the parks Monday. What time would be the best to leave on Saturday? I know with the weekend there wont be the same rush hour traffic times but Im sure there will still be Saturday beach traffic for day vacationers? We are taking our 3 kids (age 7.4. and 2) so we would prefer to do more night driving but still arrive in Savannah hopefully by midnight to 2 AM the latest so we can sleep a little before heading out the following day. Is it more advisable to leave earlier in the day (before noon) or later in the afternoon? We probably cant leave earlier than around 11 AM Im thinking and can leave anytime after that. My husband wants to sleep in some in the morning so he can be well rested for the drive and we are both night owls so driving more at night is preferable between the kids and my anxiety about traffic. I appreciate the help!

Since you're doing the zoo in Jax, you will have already passed the northern I-95/I-295 interchange in order to get there. Be mindful that, if you continue south from the zoo, there is a lot of construction from the Fuller Warren Bridge (I-95 bridge over the St. Johns River in downtown Jax) all the way to the southern I-95 / I-295 interchange.

(Another option when leaving the zoo is turning right on US-17 and taking Hecksher Drive to the Dames Point Bridge and take I-295 South (East Beltway) all the way to I-95 South. I would advise this even less. Two lanes in either direction most of the way. Lots of congestion).

 

[JohnD]

Take the I295 belt around Jacksonville (let's say on the way home). You should head towards JAX beaches. Shorter trip and not going through the heart of the city.

I would ordinarily agree with you but construction that way is horrendous, especially between Butler Blvd. and U.S.1. I'd recommend driving I-95 straight through, although there is construction there too past the Fuller Warren Bridge (main I-95 bridge over the St. John's River downtown).

 

[Nj4mwc]

Just my 2 cents having done the drive quite a few times before from just a bit north of you, THE EARLIER THE BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First Baltimore and DC traffic builds during the day so hit them as early as you can. In Virginia you may hit some traffic shore goers and shoppers even in the afternoon, with luck nothing heavy. Once in the Carolinas it should be smooth sailing except for construction if any. During the week we leave between 10pm and midnight and 5 to 6 am on the weekend. Welcome, hope this helps and have a magical trip. ps Try and get to Orlando as early as you can so you can get a good night's sleep, you'll need it so you can be at your first park half an hour before opening at minimum, rope drop is very important

I agree I have driven from jersey and mass many times, I always find Richmond VA, the point you want to pass as early as possible.traffic even on a Saturday between DC and Richmond starts to build up by 0800. I would leave by 0500 so hopefully you can enjoy the evening in Savanah. Also I am a cheap sob but in 95 just south of D.C. Just pay the toll for the express lane

 

[TiggerDad]

Another Virginian here. 95 is a parking lot on Saturdays near DC but especially south to Richmond. If you can't leave NJ until after 11 am, either try 301 or plan to sit for a while going through Virginia. I haven't driven most of 301, so can't tell you what it's like. Since you want to drive at night, you may want to depart later so you hit DC at night. Not sure what that does to the rest of your plans though.

 

[slappy magoo]

Without knowing how well you or your SO drive or how much you like to drive, I can only offer my experiences as an example. Before having kids, my wife (then-GF) and I drove down a few times. I preferred driving during the night after dinner and avoiding most traffic and it was never a problem beyond the obvious exhaustion. The negative about that approach was that, being a big kid, I'd still want to hit the parks after that long of a drive, insufficiently rested, and it would cast a bit of a pallor over the first full day or so. Also as we got older and started having kids, my wife became the kind of person who's not comfortable in the car unless she's driving. Master of her fate and all that.

After our first kid we did the Auto Train, so that's moot considering you want to stop in Jacksonville.

After our second kid, we tried to leave the night before again, after dinner, but with the anticipation that we wouldn't drive straight down, we'd stop in Jacksonville, rest up then drive the final few hours the next day. My wife was still breastfeeding, our oldest didn't sleep well in the car, and we hit horrendous pre-midnight traffic.

Next trip, we finally tried my wife's idea of leaving early in the morning anticipating a stop on i-95 in Savannah. Again, traffic was so awful, even on the weekend, that after 10 hours in the car with minimal stops we weren't even at 350 miles driven. I wound up doing a ridiculously long stretch to make it to our Savannah stopover hotel.

The last time we drove, we finally hit the sweet spot, and we needed a sweet spot because we left after I had to deliver a eulogy for my best friend. It was a Monday night, our original plan was to leave early Tuesday morning, but I was so relieved the memorial had gone well (my best friend had been a circus clown and comedian so there was more of a performance/comedic element than you'd normally expect at a memorial, not just from me but from every one of the many many speakers), I was wide awake. I asked my wife if she wouldn't mind our leaving the middle of the night. We got the kids up to get in the car but they fell right back asleep. My wife was so tired SHE fell fast asleep. I started driving at 1:30 and drove nonstop until nearly 6, DC nearly an hour behind us. We wound up cancelling our overnight hotel, going straight to WDW getting a room at Riverside for the night before our check-in the next day.

So that would be my suggestion - whoever is going to do the first leg of driving, if at all possible, get a nap in during the day. Leave after midnight if the kids can sleep in the car. If you're awake enough, drive as much as you can that first leg and try to get past DC. Usually after that, barring traffic due to an accident or something, sailing is pretty smooth.

 

[Cuzzi91]

I reside in south jersey and just got back home from Disney world. I drove straight thru and I agree with the earlier you leave the better. As long as you leave before 3pm you should be ok. It's also worth mentioning there is a lot of construction going on on I95 which caused delays in both North and South Carolina and the D.C. Area.