Ever just said... "screw it, I'm driving!"

[ddbowdoin]

So my wife and I are pretty responsible people... while we certainly have our vices we're generally fiscally responsible and the types to over plan and think things through. This has to to do with pretty much every facet of our lives, whether it be saving on groceries or saving for our first home. I'd admit we often live in the future and some times forget to live in the now.

With all that aside my birthday is this weekend and my wife (a teacher) has a few days off in February. We're literally on the verge of just packing the car and driving from Boston. Who else has done this before?

 

[bethymouse]

Do it! Do it! Do it! Seriously though. I have driven 14 hours before w/ my Mom and 2 kids ( adrenaline/caffeine). My hubby and I split the drive 7/7. Do not stop @ South of the Border! I like Cracker Barrels to eat at, but mostly we pack sandwiches and snacks, stop at rest areas, and gas. It's not all that bad! 300$ gas as compared to 800$ flight? Time wise it may be worth it. I'm just not sure how much longer my hubby and I can do the drive. I'm 43. He's 53. We're getting old!

 

[ShookieJones]

Here's my math:

No kids + now + spur of the moment = yes
Yes kids + later + spur of the moment = no effin way

From this very in depth calculation you can see that if you're ever going to do it..now is the time!

I don't mind driving we've done the drive to FL from CT a number of times and in most cases straight through.
If you can't do it straight through and you'll lose a day then maybe it won't be worth it.
personal preference of course. But if you can do the drive, use the math and go for it.

 

[luv]

Do this stuff before you have children. Once you have kids, it gets harder and more expensive. Plus, you have college to pay for and if they are on the smart side, it gets freaking expensive!!!

I know your children's college seems far off, but think about how long it will take you to save up $50-$100K. Suddenly, it won't seem so far away, lol.

Do it now.

 

[Meredith]

A couple of years ago we lived in Florida so we would drive the 2.5 hours and then from the saved money load up on candy

 

[danpam1024]

So my wife and I are pretty responsible people... while we certainly have our vices we're generally fiscally responsible and the types to over plan and think things through. This has to to do with pretty much every facet of our lives, whether it be saving on groceries or saving for our first home. I'd admit we often live in the future and some times forget to live in the now.

With all that aside my birthday is this weekend and my wife (a teacher) has a few days off in February. We're literally on the verge of just packing the car and driving from Boston. Who else has done this before?

LOL I TRIED to do it today- we only have a 3 hour drive- DS said NO! Too many people for the holiday.

 

[luv]

Since the thread got bumped ...

Having recently done the 18 hour (if you never stop, lol) drive, I think I may be getting too old for it. Of course, I was alone. That might make a biggish difference. I only had the cat to talk to...and the cat is not the best at keeping up her end of a conversation. She scratches at her dog carrier, too, which is big enough for her to stand in (I may go cheap, but the cat goes 1st Class!). The drive seemed much longer this time.

Driving back to Orlando may be the last time I drive. I'm thinking planes from now on.

 

[donaldtoo]

Planes only, for us. Roughly, 20 hr. drive vs., roughly, 3 hr. flight. And, we always seem to find a good deal on airfare.
BTW...
I haven't read through this entire thread. Did OP ever go for it...?

 

[SMS55]

In my case it's different because I live in Florida and I only drive 3.5 hours but yes I have done it many times. If the kids have a long weekend, we will do it. I know a lot of people who have done it too. For many people living in Florida going to Disney is not as big a deal as to someone from farther away. It's a way to just get away for a weekend. We always stay at a value resort and if there is no EMH we may just stay at a cheap, clean hotel on 192. It lets us go back again soon.

 

[draybook]

We say that every time we look at airfare. It runs about $900 for the four of us, and that's not including baggage fees. Plus, we like to have the freedom to roam at will and in a hurry, so a rental car is a must. That's another $500 if rented from MCO.

 

[Figgy1]

We say that every time we look at airfare. It runs about $900 for the four of us, and that's not including baggage fees. Plus, we like to have the freedom to roam at will and in a hurry, so a rental car is a must. That's another $500 if rented from MCO.

OUCH! Now I am even happier we're driving!

 

[draybook]

OUCH! Now I am even happier we're driving!

Well, if we weren't so adamant about having the rental car, I would actually consider flying and just using DME/buses. I just saw that we'd be flying AirTran (partnered with Southwest) so our first 2 bags per person are free.

 

[Hot Lava]

I will also put in a word to do this sort of thing when you don't have kids. I wish we had done more like this before we had kids.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

In a word? NO.

My parents and I would always drive down, and usually around the Christmas/New Years holidays. That's a long drive on a good day, coming from NY. And I-95 is just boring. We'd drive a day and a half or so typically and by Savannah I as already clawing at the windows. The only highlight was all the billboards from South of the Border. Heh.

So yeah - I'm all good with driving, thanks!

 

[MissingDisney]

We say that every time we look at airfare. It runs about $900 for the four of us, and that's not including baggage fees. Plus, we like to have the freedom to roam at will and in a hurry, so a rental car is a must. That's another $500 if rented from MCO.

If I could get airfare for $900 for the 4 of us, you'd hear me screaming happiness across the country. Try $2,000. That'll make you consider driving and be happy to do it. And no rental fees as a bonus perk!

 

[draybook]

If I could get airfare for $900 for the 4 of us, you'd hear me screaming happiness across the country. Try $2,000. That'll make you consider driving and be happy to do it. And no rental fees as a bonus perk!

Yeah, but where are you flying from? We're only in Memphis, so the flight is less than 2 hours. I was actually kind of surprised that it was that low, given that Memphis is one of the most expensive airports in the US to fly out of. Or at least it used to be.