The only hang up about going is driving

steviej

steviej

Well-Known Member
My parents who are DVC members are staying at the Polynesian Bungalows from 9/8-9/18. They invited my wife and I to go with them. Flights are a little too much out of our way right now. So if we go, we will probably do the drive from North NJ. IDK, I've done the drive 2 times, and after the 2nd time, I said never again. But I think I'd rather drive then not go at all. Plus, it'd be 11 days, so it's not like it's not worth it.

Has anyone done the drive from the tri-state area? Can you provide a realistic cost please for just gas and tolls? We'd be going straight thru, no stopping for the night. And we'll either be in a VW Jetta or a Nissan Sentra
 
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ekutchey

ekutchey

Active Member
We always drive down straight through from Michigan so it is a different drive but about the same distance/time at approximately 17.5 hours. We have a mini van and usually spend btw $300-350 round trip for fuel. However when we drove my husbands GTI down (trip just us with our son) we spend $275-$315 not much cheaper but we run premium in this vehicle so that makes a difference.

We like to drive and pull over into a rest area late at night that is well lit and busy for a quick 1-2 hour nap, just enough to recharge for the rest of the ride. Now we prefer to travel mid-afternoon through the early morning. So we usually leave around 1:00 pm and with stops/our rest we arrive at the mouse around 9:00 am. This usually gets us through the major cities ahead of or after rush hours. The only thing to be aware of is Atlanta Braves games we once got caught as a game was ending.

Side note I say go for it!! Especially with things paid for and covered.
 
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JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
We drove from Maine on our last trip and will be driving again this Nov., a bit further that you. It really isnt that bad of a drive when you can figure out getting around the heavily congested areas. We used the fastpass to fly through the tolls which helped. I used the trip calculators and found them to be pretty accurate on figuring on the costs. We took 3 days to drive down, two to get back and spent 10 days on property. This year we're going for 14. Considering the opportunity being given to you, Id say fill the car up with some good Disney tunes and snacks and GOOOOOOO.
 
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allgiggles

allgiggles

Well-Known Member
We've made the drive from Southeast PA 6 times in the last 14 years. We split it up over 2 days because we prefer to arrive well-rested rather than exhausted from making a 16 hour drive (not including bathroom and meal stops). We drive about 13-14 hours (including stops) the first day and usually stop for the night in Savannah, GA around 7:00 p.m. We have dinner and get a good night's sleep and then hit the road by 7:30 or so in the morning and we're at Disney by noon. We usually drop our luggage in the room and head to Epcot.

We drive a minivan and get a little over 20 mpg. The travel costs from our trip last month were $255 for gas, $21 in tolls (using EZPass), and $264 for 2 hotel nights (Comfort Suites & Holiday Inn Express & Suites -- a standard hotel room would cost less)...so a little under $550 (for 5 people).

Have you tried breaking up the trip over 2 days? I'm just asking because as much as I don't mind making that drive (actually, I'm just the co-pilot, DH chooses to do all of the driving), I would not be a happy camper if we tried to do it all in one day. By the time we get to Savannah, I'm definitely ready for a nice long break from the car as are my husband and kids. We make a long lunch stop (30-45 minutes usually) and stop every 2 hours or so for a bathroom break and some stretching, but staying at a hotel over night does wonders for us both physically and emotionally. It's worth the money for the hotel room to us as it allows us to start our vacation at Disney World in a good state of mind. Our oldest son did the drive straight through one time -- he and his fiance took turns driving. They thought it would save them so much time over stopping for the night. In reality, they ended being ready to go to the parks at about the same time as when we break up the drive over 2 days. They left home around 6:00 a.m. and got to Disney a little before midnight. After taking everything to their room and finally getting settled, it was after 1:30 until they got to bed and they were exhausted. They set the alarm for 7:30 but were both still tired so they ended up sleeping until about 10:00. They didn't get to a park until around noon that day...and they were still tired and ended up making it a short day. They decided that it wasn't worth making the trip in one day anymore. I know it works for some people, but I think some people really need that break in the drive.
 
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MickeyMomV

MickeyMomV

Well-Known Member
maflynn said:
To me time is money and spending 2+ days driving down and then another 2+ days heading home is not what I'd consider a good use of my time :)
:p
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Sounds like it is only 17 hours each way with no overnight stops.

I would drive for sure. Sounds like all you have to pay for is tickets and gas money, which from what people have said is about $350. I can't think of any reason not to do it.
 
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PhotoDave219

PhotoDave219

Well-Known Member
steviej said:
My parents who are DVC members are staying at the Polynesian Bungalows from 9/8-9/18. They invited my wife and I to go with them. Flights are a little too much out of our way right now. So if we go, we will probably do the drive from North NJ. IDK, I've done the drive 2 times, and after the 2nd time, I said never again. But I think I'd rather drive then not go at all. Plus, it'd be 11 days, so it's not like it's not worth it.

Has anyone done the drive from the tri-state area? Can you provide a realistic cost please for just gas and tolls? We'd be going straight thru, no stopping for the night. And we'll either be in a VW Jetta or a Nissan Sentra
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Well, I did Orlando to NoVa last January. 14 hours. Stopped twice for gas, once for McD. Getting past DC will be your biggest issue, IMO. You have a small window between Morning & afternoon rush hour. If you have the ability, try to do it in the overnight.

There are no tolls south of DC. Guessing 3 tanks of gas, probably $60-75 for gas. $4 dollar toll in Baltimore Tunnel. (each Way). $4 Delaware toll (both ways). $4 Maryland toll. (only northbound). Plus whatever the DelMemBr & NJ charges.

The drive is a witch BUT the crowds should be at a really low level. SO IMO, go for it.
 
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wdisneyw2000

wdisneyw2000

Active Member
I agree with Dreamer 3 we drive from Central PA every Year in a Mini VAn as well & Gas should cost roughly 300 this year. We stop in GA usually with a 8,5, & 2 Y/o. with that offer i'd jump on it as well. Heck just to go to WDW i'd be there. We love it there.
 
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zurgandfriend

zurgandfriend

Well-Known Member
First I have to agree, Disney and food, don't think just drive. The drive can be fun. For 6 years running I drove my DS up to Canada for hockey camp. We always had a great time, my DW would research about points of interest along the way etc. In 1959 my father drove my mother, sister and myself from Boston to California and back in the old Desoto. I will remember that trip forever. Just remember one thing No "South of the Border!"
 
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DiSnEyF@n

DiSnEyF@n

Well-Known Member
steviej said:
My parents who are DVC members are staying at the Polynesian Bungalows from 9/8-9/18. They invited my wife and I to go with them. Flights are a little too much out of our way right now. So if we go, we will probably do the drive from North NJ. IDK, I've done the drive 2 times, and after the 2nd time, I said never again. But I think I'd rather drive then not go at all. Plus, it'd be 11 days, so it's not like it's not worth it.

Has anyone done the drive from the tri-state area? Can you provide a realistic cost please for just gas and tolls? We'd be going straight thru, no stopping for the night. And we'll either be in a VW Jetta or a Nissan Sentra
Click to expand...

I would say roughly between $300-$400 for gas and tolls.
 
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