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

[zebrastreyepz]

Just curious, does anyone drive from the Des Moines, IA area to WDW? If so, do you take the St. Louis - Nashville - Atlanta route or do you take the St. Louis, Memphis - Montgomery, AL route? I have driven both.

I come from Tulsa but go through Memphis. We used to go the Atlanta route and switched to going through Alabama and staying in Dothan for the night.

So much less stress for me avoiding Atlanta and 75 as much as possible.

 

[tguz]

I come from Tulsa but go through Memphis. We used to go the Atlanta route and switched to going through Alabama and staying in Dothan for the night.

So much less stress for me avoiding Atlanta and 75 as much as possible.

We now drive the Memphis - Alabama route also. We get to Ozark, AL which is 25 miles from Dothan. The stress of stop and go traffic on the interstate to get through Atlanta is too much.

 

[justreading]

How are accommodations in Darien, GA? I'd like to stop south of Savannah and it seems to be slim pickings for hotels.

I've stayed in a Hampton Inn in Brunswick Ga. It may have been several years ago but it was fine. That's about 30 min past Darien. Now I stay at Hampton inn in Walterboro, GA. Would highly recommend that location but that's a bit before Savannah.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Happy Thanksgiving !!!

 

[pwdebbie]

On the road in the morning, inland route. First stop, Mooresville, SC, for the night. My solo adventure begins . . .

 

[pwdebbie]

I wanted to update that my solo drive from PA went very well. I stayed in HIE in Mooresville, NC. It was okay, sufficient but outdated. I would probably stay somewhere else next time. Then I stayed in HIE in Kingsland, GA, and felt like I was staying in an upscale hotel, beautiful property, everything well-maintained, great staff. I would definitely stay there again. I arrived Sunday in the early afternoon at Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower. I took a detour to the coast before cutting back to 95 and I took 417 (toll road) instead of I4.

 

[deedeew80]

Hi all! We are headed back home to NJ from our week at Disney! We plan on stopping about halfway, in Fayetteville, NC. Any hotels that are recommended and ones to avoid? Thanks!

 

[mickey916]

Hi all! We are headed back home to NJ from our week at Disney! We plan on stopping about halfway, in Fayetteville, NC. Any hotels that are recommended and ones to avoid? Thanks!

I see no one answered your question but I'm curious where you ended up staying. We are driving down from MA right after Easter. Last time we stayed in Santee, SC and it took us 16 hours to get there. Thinking of staying in Fayetteville, NC to shorten that first leg a bit but nervous about where to stay.

 

[hmsTigger]

We always stay at Hamptom Inn's along I 95 Never had a bad experience
We tend to stay away from Fayetteville due so may exits but it is likely ok too
There is also Lumberton, Florence, Manning, We've also stayed in Santee, Walterboro.
I don't think you can go wrong with a well know hotel chain.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I see no one answered your question but I'm curious where you ended up staying. We are driving down from MA right after Easter. Last time we stayed in Santee, SC and it took us 16 hours to get there. Thinking of staying in Fayetteville, NC to shorten that first leg a bit but nervous about where to stay.

I think we may have stayed in a Hampton Inn in Fayetteville. It seemed to be the halfway point for us when we drove with the boys.
You could Google it and see the reviews. I’m sure you already do that.

 

[deedeew80]

I see no one answered your question but I'm curious where you ended up staying. We are driving down from MA right after Easter. Last time we stayed in Santee, SC and it took us 16 hours to get there. Thinking of staying in Fayetteville, NC to shorten that first leg a bit but nervous about where to stay.

Hi! We actually ended up staying at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Fayetteville. I got a great deal on Priceline. The hotel was great! Very clean, quiet, comfy beds. They offered free breakfast too, which was your typical hotel breakfast. I would definitely stay here again.

 

[mickey916]

Hi! We actually ended up staying at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Fayetteville. I got a great deal on Priceline. The hotel was great! Very clean, quiet, comfy beds. They offered free breakfast too, which was your typical hotel breakfast. I would definitely stay here again.

Thank you so much! I will look into that!

 

[mickey916]

So as I looked at the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express, I noticed that there is a new Springhill Suites in that same area of Fayetteville that gets great reviews and is about the same $. We tend to go to Marriotts due to DH's Bonvoy status so I booked that one. Glad to hear others have stayed in the area with no issues. Thanks for the advice!

 

[pens4821]

I know it’s a couple hours away from Fayetteville, but if anyone is looking for a cheap good place to stay the Econo Lodge in Walterboro fits the bill. I think we paid 60ish dollars with tax in March. The flooring was redone throughout, fresh paint, and it seemed as if the bathroom counter was new. The exterior of the hotel was also well kept and had plants all around.

The bathtub wasn’t updated though which seemed to not fit with the rest of the room. Although the flooring in the bathroom was new. This will surely be a stop for us on the way down when driving.

 

[hmsTigger]

We Like the area around Walterboro Several hotels just off the exit. Crackle Barrel is there too. Easy on Easy off I-95 for gas as well.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

In Florida now and just heard on news that I-4 Express lanes are starting Dynamic pricing on Monday.

 

[dvczerfs]

In Florida now and just heard on news that I-4 Express lanes are starting Dynamic pricing on Monday.

Hi dd ! I’m working Thursday and Friday. I start at 2:45. You know where to find me. lol. After that, I have the next five days off!! They give me vacation, I’m gonna use it. lol. I can tell you where we are not going on vacation. Lol. We are heading to Pennsylvania for a few days. No, not driving. lol. For 40 some years I drove to Florida to vacation. Now I fly 1200 miles to Pennsylvania. lol.
Are you the one who brought this cold weather?

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Hi dd ! I’m working Thursday and Friday. I start at 2:45. You know where to find me. lol. After that, I have the next five days off!! They give me vacation, I’m gonna use it. lol. I can tell you where we are not going on vacation. Lol. We are heading to Pennsylvania for a few days. No, not driving. lol. For 40 some years I drove to Florida to vacation. Now I fly 1200 miles to Pennsylvania. lol.
Are you the one who brought this cold weather?

Sorry about the cold weather!! Believe me I wish it had been a little warmer!
Enjoy your vacation Dave and bring lots of layers!
I’m so sorry I forgot to message you. We were visiting with friends in Cape Coral for a couple days and only made it to Epcot once. When we walked in my DH said do you want to check if he’s working? I went over but of course you weren’t. We are heading home today. I will be back in April for longer and will definitely message you.

 

[dvczerfs]

Sorry about the cold weather!! Believe me I wish it had been a little warmer!
Enjoy your vacation Dave and bring lots of layers!
I’m so sorry I forgot to message you. We were visiting with friends in Cape Coral for a couple days and only made it to Epcot once. When we walked in my DH said do you want to check if he’s working? I went over but of course you weren’t. We are heading home today. I will be back in April for longer and will definitely message you.

I’m off Tuesday, Wednesday. I work nights most days. Let me know, maybe I’ll be at work for a change. lol.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I’m off Tuesday, Wednesday. I work nights most days. Let me know, maybe I’ll be at work for a change. lol.

Perfect! And I thought you worked mostly days.