"For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only!" (IV)

[OKW Lover]

Spend the night in Fayetteville, NC (hotel suggestions?).

We stay at Marriott properties because we have "status" with their frequent stayer program. In March we stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Fayetteville but must say we weren't impressed. This particular property was probably at the low end of our experience at this chain.

 

[dvczerfs]

Everyone needs to do San Antonio and the Alamo at least once. The river walk is awesome and the Alamo is interesting. John Wayne fought there.

I think we have someone here who is knowledgeable on the subject.........

 

[dvczerfs]

Wow, I have been a lurker on the Dis for years and just read around but ever found this thread.

My family (RangerPooh and our 4 kids) have done the drive 2900+ miles each way 3 times now (normally put about 7000-8000 miles on the van all told each trip) and will be doing it again this December.

We drive from Pullman, WA. to Orlando. We normally go the southern route one way- (Pullman, Boise, Vegas or Salt Lake, Albuquerque, Dallas, New Orleans, Orlando) and then the northern route home (Orlando, somewhere in NC, up through DC, over through Ohio and into Chicago, then catch 94/90 through the Dakotas home). I think we hold the longest drive record!

Having done this drive several times, we are looking for new routes and new cool places to stop with the kids. We are really (really....) clueless on places to stop and see cool stuff as we cross Texas. Any hints?

I am going to read through all the other pages of this thread to see what wisdom we can glean from you all.

now that's some driving!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

The plan:


Leave Southern CT approx 3am on Tues Aug 13. Spend the night in Fayetteville, NC (hotel suggestions?). Leave early morning for afternoon arrival to Daytona Beach on Wed Aug 14. Beach day Thursday Aug 15. Depart early Friday, August 16 to arrive at Pop Century for a 7 night stay.

Thoughts on Fayetteville? Daytona? We've never been to Daytona...... I personally would rather get to Disney earlier but DH would like to see the race track and have a beach day.

ETA- Planning the 95 route- living on the edge, I know.

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we hit the Hampton inns. not the cheapest but so far, knock on wood, have not hit a bad one.

 

[DisMom1981]

we hit the Hampton inns. not the cheapest but so far, knock on wood, have not hit a bad one.

Hampton Inn does look like the best price/accommodation choice for Fayettville anyway.

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[DisMom1981]

Is Fayettville a good place for a stop for the night? If leaving from southern Connecticut?

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[dvczerfs]

Is Fayettville a good place for a stop for the night? If leaving from southern Connecticut?

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as far as a location? just as safe as any other. the way I figure out where im stopping, if im stopping is the time of day we leave. we like to stop around 6-7pm. we take showers and hit the hay. we wake up around 2-3 am and finish the drive. i know how long it takes me to get from one point to another on the trip so its a little easier for me to figure it out.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Is Fayettville a good place for a stop for the night? If leaving from southern Connecticut?

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We drive from southern CT also but I don't plan where we're going to stop. You never know if you're going to hit traffic and be delayed or if you're going to be doing great and want to keep driving. I just figure out when we're done for the day and then decide where to stop. We usually stay at a wingate or Marriott. We've never had a bad stay yet. We look for an exit that has a restaurant and hotel we like.

Have fun!

We're here- going to eat breakfast, get ready, go to AAA to get DD's friend's AP and then maybe head to a park. We might see if we can check in early to our resort first.

 

[Goofygirl17]

We're at a Comfort Inn right now. Was the nicest we could find in 192 last night.

 

[DisMom1981]

We drive from southern CT also but I don't plan where we're going to stop. You never know if you're going to hit traffic and be delayed or if you're going to be doing great and want to keep driving. I just figure out when we're done for the day and then decide where to stop. We usually stay at a wingate or Marriott. We've never had a bad stay yet. We look for an exit that has a restaurant and hotel we like.

Have fun!

We're here- going to eat breakfast, get ready, go to AAA to get DD's friend's AP and then maybe head to a park. We might see if we can check in early to our resort first.

Enjoy your stay! Thanks for the updates about the trip down. I think we are going to stick with 95 and hope for the best.

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[DisMom1981]

as far as a location? just as safe as any other. the way I figure out where im stopping, if im stopping is the time of day we leave. we like to stop around 6-7pm. we take showers and hit the hay. we wake up around 2-3 am and finish the drive. i know how long it takes me to get from one point to another on the trip so its a little easier for me to figure it out.

This seems like a good idea. We have changed our plan with a goal of getting to Fayetteville or further lol. Yesterday we learned and taught the kids how to use the wireless headphones to the DVD player so we could use the radio for us. What a divine invention!! I hope the kids will be good! I wish we were leaving right now!

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[blondietink]

Wow, I have been a lurker on the Dis for years and just read around but ever found this thread.

My family (RangerPooh and our 4 kids) have done the drive 2900+ miles each way 3 times now (normally put about 7000-8000 miles on the van all told each trip) and will be doing it again this December.

We drive from Pullman, WA. to Orlando. We normally go the southern route one way- (Pullman, Boise, Vegas or Salt Lake, Albuquerque, Dallas, New Orleans, Orlando) and then the northern route home (Orlando, somewhere in NC, up through DC, over through Ohio and into Chicago, then catch 94/90 through the Dakotas home). I think we hold the longest drive record!

Having done this drive several times, we are looking for new routes and new cool places to stop with the kids. We are really (really....) clueless on places to stop and see cool stuff as we cross Texas. Any hints?

I am going to read through all the other pages of this thread to see what wisdom we can glean from you all.

What about going around Atlanta, up through Chattanooga (very nice scenery), and Memphis, then heading either west to St. Louis or northwest toward Chicago? Or going up the west side of Florida getting off 75 (not an expressway, but a very untraveled 2 lane road), head towards Tallahassee, then to Montgomery, Al, Birmingham, Memphis, etc? Or, they way we head home usually, up 95 to Charleston, catch 26 to Columbia, north on 77 through Charlotte, then through West Virginia. Some very nice scenery around there also. Lots of different options to vary your route. On one of our trips out west we took the Nebraska route instead of the Dakotas and liked it. The one I would not recommend is the Kansas route. I thought we would never get out of Kansas after leaving Denver, as that part of Colorado and Kansas all looks alike. All we saw for hours and hours was wheat and corn.

 

[dvczerfs]

This seems like a good idea. We have changed our plan with a goal of getting to Fayetteville or further lol. Yesterday we learned and taught the kids how to use the wireless headphones to the DVD player so we could use the radio for us. What a divine invention!! I hope the kids will be good! I wish we were leaving right now!

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I make a resi every trip. I spent more then once trying to find a hotel. with Hampton, if you find yourself not as far as you thought or made better time then you thought, just call and move your resi, they don't charge you. I only had to do it one time.

 

[DisMom1981]

I make a resi every trip. I spent more then once trying to find a hotel. with Hampton, if you find yourself not as far as you thought or made better time then you thought, just call and move your resi, they don't charge you. I only had to do it one time.

Ok thanks. Definitely don't want to be desperate for a room just to try to make it another hour.

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[PolarWSU]

What about going around Atlanta, up through Chattanooga (very nice scenery), and Memphis, then heading either west to St. Louis or northwest toward Chicago? Or going up the west side of Florida getting off 75 (not an expressway, but a very untraveled 2 lane road), head towards Tallahassee, then to Montgomery, Al, Birmingham, Memphis, etc? Or, they way we head home usually, up 95 to Charleston, catch 26 to Columbia, north on 77 through Charlotte, then through West Virginia. Some very nice scenery around there also. Lots of different options to vary your route. On one of our trips out west we took the Nebraska route instead of the Dakotas and liked it. The one I would not recommend is the Kansas route. I thought we would never get out of Kansas after leaving Denver, as that part of Colorado and Kansas all looks alike. All we saw for hours and hours was wheat and corn.

Thanks! You know, I hadnt really thought of adding Atlanta as a stop. My kids would totally geek on the Atlanta Aquarium. Great route ideas! I will check them out. Will be nice to have something different to look at this time.

 

[joyride]

Left Mooresville NC at 9:50 this morning. Finally got to Kissimmee at 7:45 tonight! Sat in traffic at the border of SC and GA forever on 95. Took about 1 1/2 hours to go about 10 miles. Then we went through torrential downpours for pretty much all of GA and Fl. Tough driving... But we're here!

Hi, did you take long between SC and GA because of construction ? Or just traffic ?

 

[ddluvsdisney]

The plan:

Leave Southern CT approx 3am on Tues Aug 13. Spend the night in Fayetteville, NC (hotel suggestions?). Leave early morning for afternoon arrival to Daytona Beach on Wed Aug 14. Beach day Thursday Aug 15. Depart early Friday, August 16 to arrive at Pop Century for a 7 night stay.

Thoughts on Fayetteville? Daytona? We've never been to Daytona...... I personally would rather get to Disney earlier but DH would like to see the race track and have a beach day.

ETA- Planning the 95 route- living on the edge, I know.

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We've stayed at the Holiday Inn Fayetteville 2x. The first time, just b/c Hampton inn was full Holiday inn right next door) the second time about 2 weeks ago b/c they are pet friendly. Nice place. Very easy on/off I 95.

We also went to Daytona beach last Monday for the first time, didn't stay over just drove there for the day. We really enjoyed it! The kids loved the water- no seaweed and rocks like back home. And the best part they could use boogy boards. I know that probably sounds crazy to some, but our beach back home doesn't allow them b/c of rip currents. They had a blast!! The best part is driving on the beach and not lugging stuff a half mile. HTH.

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[DisMom1981]

We've stayed at the Holiday Inn Fayetteville 2x. The first time, just b/c Hampton inn was full Holiday inn right next door) the second time about 2 weeks ago b/c they are pet friendly. Nice place. Very easy on/off I 95.

We also went to Daytona beach last Monday for the first time, didn't stay over just drove there for the day. We really enjoyed it! The kids loved the water- no seaweed and rocks like back home. And the best part they could use boogy boards. I know that probably sounds crazy to some, but our beach back home doesn't allow them b/c of rip currents. They had a blast!! The best part is driving on the beach and not lugging stuff a half mile. HTH.

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Great info. Thank you! Love the clean beach- we get a lot of rocks and seaweed on the LI Sound. Looks like we'll be heading to Daytona.

pp: I asked about the track tour . DH says there are basic half hour tours of the track for $16 adult and kids free. There is also a hardcore $189 tour that is like 3 hrs long which he wasn't even considering.

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[Goofygirl17]

Hi, did you take long between SC and GA because of construction ? Or just traffic ?

I don't know what caused the traffic because we never saw evidence of an accident or construction. The road was soaked though when we finally got moving and later we went through some horrendous downpours so maybe that's what caused it. That was the only real traffic we hit and it was on 95.

 

[dvczerfs]

I don't know what caused the traffic because we never saw evidence of an accident or construction. The road was soaked though when we finally got moving and later we went through some horrendous downpours so maybe that's what caused it. That was the only real traffic we hit and it was on 95.

glad you made it safely. I hate driving in the rain much less flooding rain.