driving down to Florida to save $ ?

This is totally something that I've called other people crazy for doing...and for the record, I haven't drove down to Florida since I was a kid and my parents drove. I remember it being a pain..

but what are your thoughts? anyone do this as a grown up? may have children with us..young children.

I'm scared.

basically....is it worth it?? flight prices that week are nearly 1k per person!

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

If you are driving take the car train. Loads by Virginia? DC. Let's out right next to Disney.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

We've done it twice on our own - no children with us. Cost us about $300 in gas round trip I think, not including tolls and stopping for food. Maybe all that was $500 total? It took us about 18- 20 hours driving straight through. We left at like 2 in the afternoon so that we get to the hotel at a reasonable time to check in for the day. If driving with children, you could leave at bedtime and drive all night.

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I've done it with dh twice and absolutely hated every second. The second time we had to do it because we were stuck in florida after the horrible snow storms Jan 2014 when there were no flights going up!

It's boring, your back starts killing you, truckers are insane (no offense to all truckers, my dad was one, but they are in a hurry so sometimes caution is out the window). Did I mention boring?

But to op, the cost of flying can def be prohibitive.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I have never seen $1k ticked to FL. Have you searched all the airports.

I have driven once as an adult and with no kids and I would rather not go. It's a waste of 4 days. So you are better or searching a day before and after etc.

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I haven't, but my sister has with four kids. She refuses to fly due to anxiety. They say it's not so bad. They stop overnight usually in North Carolina. I'm considering it for our next trip because airfare for four people is insane, even if you get a good deal.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I got stuck with dd last year. Flights were crazy $$ it wasn't terrible. We stopped in SC overnight. I packed tons of snacks and the iPad for dd and she was fine. I'd do it again.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I did with my parents probably 25 times. They have 5 kids and it was the only way we could afford to go. It was not awful, but if I had the money, I would fly.

We stopped as far south as possible (SC or GA). On the way back, my parents drove through the night to get home.

Message edited 12/9/2015 7:35:36 PM.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

We drove straight through. I couldn't do it again without stopping 1-2 times. It wasn't terrible but it was not something I look forward to doing again!

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

We have driven several times at love it

We leave at 11pm and go straight through. We have done it in 15 hours

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

The flights are insanely expensive over Christmas break, if that is what you are looking at. Even President's Week is a joke! I've been looking at both this past week. With that said, you couldn't pay me to drive to FL. No way, no how! I would rather take the train...but like another poster said, that's $$$. But, at least you can get up and walk around. We took Amtrak to DC over Thanksgiving, and it was enjoyable. Well, more enjoyable than sitting in the car.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

This is so funny that you posted this because I am actually doing this Friday with my dh and my dd. My dd is only 5 months old so I'm super nervous about it. But we couldn't afford to go with the airfare prices. So I guess I'll let you know how it goes. We plan on leaving around 7:30 Friday night, around my dd bedtime and drive as much as we can overnight. And then we will just take it as we go and make stops when needed. Wish me luck, lol!

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I drove from FL to NY. Loooooong drive ( I had to drive I had my dog with me). I don't know if I could do it again lol.

I've done the auto train from VA to FL. It was fun. You sleep most of it since it's overnight.

I vote for whatever is cheaper.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

Thanks all!


Yes - the prices I saw (for presidents week) were like $700 pp round trip (not including fees, taxes, etc). I've looked at different air lines, different airports, no luck.

Looks like we will be driving. But that's ok - too expensive! I think we will be ok. I hope.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

President's week books up 11 months before.
I'm adding this to my notebook to show DH why I won't do it. My mantra was always, "you couldn't pay me to drive down". I'll leave 21 hours later and meet you in Florida

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I booked flights down to disney for 4 people at $203/rt.

You couldn't pay me to drive with my kids. I'd need xanex the second I pull out of my driveway.

driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I would never.

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

DH & I have done it the last two years. First time our kids were 10months & 4yo. We gave ourselves two nights to stop there & back. It was kinda hard w/ the baby, but not awful. We paid for four hotel rooms though, so it wasn't thar cheap. This year our girls were 5 & just shy of 2, it was defin easier. I was also 9wks pregnant. We drove to NC which is about the halfway point & stopped for the night near Fort Bragg. Then to GA the next day & stayed on Saint Simon island (kinda out of the way, but we had to extra time & dh has been there before). Coming home we did one overnight in NC again. We pack lots of snacks & food for the first days lunch in a cooler. Dvd player is a must. Each kid got to bring a small bag w/ toys they picked. I got a lot of new coloring things to keep them busy also. We drive from early morning until just about dinner time. Then we check into the hotel & go to dinner. DH won't drive on 95 at night w/ the kids bc the trucks are kinda crazy at night down there trying to make good time. PM if you have any questions. We are planning to do it again next year this time w/ all 3 kids, 6yo, 3yo, & almost 1yo. People always say we are nuts!

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

Hubs and I have done this a few years in a row now. He isn't a great flyer, so driving was the way to go. It will def save you $$ for expensive flying weeks...but it is not for everyone. We leave before rush hour traffic and since I don't care for driving much, hubs usually does MOST of the driving. We try to get to Savannah, GA and stay there and then finish up in the AM. It works for us. But it's uncomfortable and boring, as a pp stated. On our last trip, we started counting how many times we heard the same song on the radio over and over

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

Thanks all!


Yes - the prices I saw (for presidents week) were like $700 pp round trip (not including fees, taxes, etc). I've looked at different air lines, different airports, no luck.

Looks like we will be driving. But that's ok - too expensive! I think we will be ok. I hope.

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

We have also done it quite a few times now. We leave between 3:00-4:00 am and usually make it to Georgia. Last time we didn't make it to Georgia just because we took our time and my kids were 5 and 2 and needed to get out and stretch a little. So we stopped in South Carolina not far from Georgia. It saved us tons of money. We packed our breakfast and lunch and did great with timing.

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I would do it if it was that expensive to fly. Or if possible maybe one person can drive and the other take the kids on the plane and meet there? I am in the same dilemma sort of except we are going to SC in the summer and tickets are expensive for the week we want to go. I am thinking of driving down w/ my parents and having my DH go on the plane w/ the kids to save money on a ticket.

Re: driving down to Florida to save $ ?

I have a number of times (even by myself). Total miles were 1k. I/we would drive 10-12hrs day 1, stop for the night, sleep in and continue on the next day. I loved it.

The worst part is getting off the island and the DC area.

ETA: I would only advise driving if you are going for longer than a week.

Message edited 12/10/2015 10:47:22 AM.