First time Driving

[tractorm3]

So my wife and I have booked our dream WDW vaca. 9 days 8 nights at a deluxe studio room at the Poly. We have had to downgrade/cancel this hotel several times due to budget and family matters. This will most likely be our last trip with out kids as well.

To cut cost of flying from NH we are tossing the idea of driving from New Hampshire. Figuring a total 24 hour trip. Check in Thursday oct 20th, we where thinking of leaving Tues Oct 18th at night. we would alternate driving with tanks of gas. The back of my truck is big enough we can nap as the other drives. We are hoping to hit FL by late weds, stay at a friends and check in first thing.

If gas AVG was $3/gal we would save $500 total which can really go a long way here.

Any advice for first time drivers?

 

[bsiev1977]

So my wife and I have booked our dream WDW vaca. 9 days 8 nights at a deluxe studio room at the Poly. We have had to downgrade/cancel this hotel several times due to budget and family matters. This will most likely be our last trip with out kids as well.

To cut cost of flying from NH we are tossing the idea of driving from New Hampshire. Figuring a total 24 hour trip. Check in Thursday oct 20th, we where thinking of leaving Tues Oct 18th at night. we would alternate driving with tanks of gas. The back of my truck is big enough we can nap as the other drives. We are hoping to hit FL by late weds, stay at a friends and check in first thing.

If gas AVG was $3/gal we would save $500 total which can really go a long way here.

Any advice for first time drivers?

I've driven to Disney twice, from New Jersey and from Pennsylvania. Once you hit I-95 it's pretty much straight down until you hit I-4 on Florida.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Any advice for first time drivers?

FLY !!!

I can't imagine driving all that way to save a few hundred dollars. Surely you'll be craving sleep when you arrive at Disney, rather than stepping off the aircraft looking forward to a fun filled "dream WDW vacation"

And then the prospect of that same long drive back :-(

 

[steviej]

I've driven to Disney twice, from New Jersey and from Pennsylvania. Once you hit I-95 it's pretty much straight down until you hit I-4 on Florida.

If you don't mind my asking, where in NJ? I'm from Bergen County and my wife and I were thinking about driving down next year to save some dough. Was the money you saved worth it?

 

[Second Star to the Right]

I've driven from CT (more along the Mass. border) to FL over a dozen times, and it takes about 19 hours on average. We only drove because my mom doesn't like flying, so it was the only option for the family. I have to mimic Captain Hook's sentiments above, and would highly encourage paying the extra money to fly. The sheer exhaustion can be overwhelming, and you should factor in the cost for food, coffee, and TOLLS along the way. I emphasize the toll portion because it can be easily overlooked. Even if you have an EZ-pass already, the amount can add up quickly. The George Washington bridge in NY was $15 last time I went through.

However, the drive itself can be an adventure on it's own. SO, if driving turns out to be the best option I think you have it correct to leave at night as you stated. This will help you avoid rush hour traffic in NY, and might also work out timing-wise to avoid traffic in Washington, DC. Those are the two worst spots along the trip. From there, it's just a straight shot down 95 (plus side here is the gas gets significantly cheaper in VA/SC/GA).

One advantage will be that you will have a car on-site, so if you plan on doing anything off-property, that makes it much more convenient. However, I would also look into if you have to pay to park at Poly. If you weren't planning on renting a car, you can take the DME and save on that expense as well.

Good luck with your decision!

PS - watch for speed traps in GA and NC. At one point the speed limit goes from 70 mph to 55 mph in the blink of an eye and the cops are more than happy to give out-of-staters a nice fat speeding ticket. I speak from experience....$398 later.

 

[bsiev1977]

If you don't mind my asking, where in NJ? I'm from Bergen County and my wife and I were thinking about driving down next year to save some dough. Was the money you saved worth it?

I was living in Morris County at that time. My personal preference is I'd pay to fly if the decision was entirely up to me.

 

[steviej]

I was living in Morris County at that time. My personal preference is I'd pay to fly if the decision was entirely up to me.

I totally understand that. But unfortunately for my wife, she married 1 of the cheapest people on the planet LOL.

And tbh, the 2 ways I've done the drive was on a big charter bus on an hs trip, and the 2nd time was coming back from my cp

So I've never driven down there in a car, just me or 1 or 2 people for a vacation.

So I'd be willing to give it a shot to save a few hundred bucks

 

[bsiev1977]

I totally understand that. But unfortunately for my wife, she married 1 of the cheapest people on the planet LOL.

And tbh, the 2 ways I've done the drive was on a big charter bus on an hs trip, and the 2nd time was coming back from my cp

So I've never driven down there in a car, just me or 1 or 2 people for a vacation.

So I'd be willing to give it a shot to save a few hundred bucks

Fair enough. From Jersey it's mostly a straight shot down 95 until you're in Florida. You just want to plan around when you'll hit the DC area.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We drove from Maine our last two trips. We had had it dealing with the airlines and problems we had flying. It was worth it for us to do it that way and future trips we will continue driving. Be sure to stop occasionally to walk around, stretch out and dont over do it. Total time driving for us was just under 24 hrs. Broke it up into 3 days down, 2 days back. It isnt a bad drive, in NY we went Tappan zee bridge instead of the Geo. Washington which made it easier the second time. Driving VA southward watch for deer & bears in the road, especially if driving at dusk. Watch your gas because theres stretches on 95 that are long without convenient stations. When you cross into FL youre thinking of Disney and its still a long ways off. Get on rte 295 S to go around Jacksonville, it will save you time & traffic delays. Then it hooks back up to 95. I - 4 FL is long and boring, ongoing construction too.

 

[steviej]

Fair enough. From Jersey it's mostly a straight shot down 95 until you're in Florida. You just want to plan around when you'll hit the DC area.

Yeah. And we literally live 10 minutes off 95, so what we kicked around doing was hitting the road at around 6 after we get outta work and drop off the dog. Pack the car and do an oil change the night before. Hit the road, load up on candy and coffee. She would drive till it got dark, then I'd take over. She'd sleep in the late hours then take back over once the sun came up. 1 straight run, factoring in stops for bathroom breaks only (for food, we'd get stuff we could eat in the car), hopefully 17 hours. Get to FL around 10 am, get the room, knock out, get up, Disney, we're here, and park it!

 

[Nemo14]

I totally understand that. But unfortunately for my wife, she married 1 of the cheapest people on the planet LOL.

And tbh, the 2 ways I've done the drive was on a big charter bus on an hs trip, and the 2nd time was coming back from my cp

So I've never driven down there in a car, just me or 1 or 2 people for a vacation.

So I'd be willing to give it a shot to save a few hundred bucks

We've driven there several times from RI, but our policy was there had to be one person awake with the driver at all times. The drive down isn't bad once you get past DC if you're taking I-95. The thing is after that it's pretty boring, and easy to fall asleep at the wheel. Going home is worse because you usually hit the worst traffic when you're the most tired. We found that taking I-84 to I-81 through most of VA, then I-77 to Columbia,SC then I-26 back to I-95 might be longer, but generally takes less time because the traffic is much faster.

If it's just 2 people though, and you're only going to WDW, you really don't save a lot by driving - especially if you shop around for airfare. I don't know where in NH you are, but look into flying out of Manchester, Boston, or Providence. Good luck!

 

[Figgy1]

If you don't mind my asking, where in NJ? I'm from Bergen County and my wife and I were thinking about driving down next year to save some dough. Was the money you saved worth it?

To us it is. If gas stays close to where it is now it will cost us a family of 4 about 350 round trip including 2 nights of lodging(one each way)

 

[steviej]

We've driven there several times from RI, but our policy was there had to be one person awake with the driver at all times. The drive down isn't bad once you get past DC if you're taking I-9. The thing is after that it's pretty boring, and easy to fall asleep at the wheel. Going home is worse because you usually hit the worst traffic when you're the most tired. We found that taking I-84 to I-81 through most of VA, then I-77 to Columbia,SC then I-26 back to I-95 might be longer, but generally takes less time because the traffic is much faster.

If it's just 2 people though, and you're only going to WDW, you really don't save a lot by driving - especially if you shop around for airfare. I don't know where in NH you are, but look into flying out of Manchester, Boston, or Providence. Good luck!

Appreciate it, but I'm in NJ. And usually, for airfare, we pay $250 each. Someone here the other day said they drive from MI in a minivan and they use premium gas and pay $300 round trip. I have a nissan sentra and she has a chevy trax.

 

[Second Star to the Right]

We've driven there several times from RI, but our policy was there had to be one person awake with the driver at all times. The drive down isn't bad once you get past DC if you're taking I-95. The thing is after that it's pretty boring, and easy to fall asleep at the wheel. Going home is worse because you usually hit the worst traffic when you're the most tired. We found that taking I-84 to I-81 through most of VA, then I-77 to Columbia,SC then I-26 back to I-95 might be longer, but generally takes less time because the traffic is much faster.

If it's just 2 people though, and you're only going to WDW, you really don't save a lot by driving - especially if you shop around for airfare. I don't know where in NH you are, but look into flying out of Manchester, Boston, or Providence. Good luck!

Beware of this route as I-81 has had a ton of construction as of late. I highly encourage downloading the Waze app as it gives you real-time information from drivers along the same route. Google Maps is pretty reliable, but I find Waze gives quicker updates since it's coming directly from drivers. Also, it lets you know when there are cops along the route

 

[tractorm3]

Thanks for the insight all.

We fly a particular airline because for lack of better words im huge. Im 6'5 and just over 400 lbs. Not all airlines are comfortable, or will even allow a guy my size to travel. So looking at the airlines we know will work will be 900 round trip for us two. Which, would be the most we EVER paid for a trip. I agree the fatigue can be an issue and dont want to loose a single day because we are tired. We are going to keep our eyes open as it gets closer and as they try and fill the last seats get it cheap but if we can get to WDW the night before check in, use that to rest and hit the poly early.
The ride home we will absolutley stop probably just before DC.

 

[Kathy T]

We drive from NJ all the time. Beware of traffic around Fredricksburg, VA... No matter when we get in that area, we always hit traffic! We have taken 301 from Delaware past Richmond and have had success avoiding 95 traffic, although it is a longer route. The drive home is definitely worse than the drive down, as there is no anticipation of Disney, but you'll survive.

 

[steviej]

We drive from NJ all the time. Beware of traffic around Fredricksburg, VA... No matter when we get in that area, we always hit traffic! We have taken 301 from Delaware past Richmond and have had success avoiding 95 traffic, although it is a longer route. The drive home is definitely worse than the drive down, as there is no anticipation of Disney, but you'll survive.

Do you guys stop or do you do 1 straight run?

 

[Superpocky]

We drive from northern Virginia.

Try to avoid driving during the rush hours (any hour, when the sun is out, even on weekends!) around Washington DC. It can be really bad especially between Baltimore and Richmond. We don't jump on 95 until after we pass Fredricksburg, VA because of the traffic. Once you are out of Richmond it's a breeze! Just don't speed!

 

[DisDadWoz]

While we are from outside of Chicago where it is about a 19-20 hour drive we normally do not fly when its our family of four since the ticket prices are so high. However, if just the two of us then the cost savings really isn't there. The bad part of driving for us is really the traffic to get around Chicago and then getting around Atlanta. The rest always "seems" to be smooth sailing. When we went in March the cost savings after one night hotel stop plus expenses was still in the $400 range so that went to food and merchandise!

 

[Notorious KAT]

Do you guys stop or do you do 1 straight run?

We usually do a stop in South Carolina on the way down, but have driven straight through coming home out of the sheer longing to be home.

We are going in August and are going to try driving through the night in one straight shot. We'll see how that goes!

Edit: Apparently, I have two different accounts on here, because this is not the same username!