My parents always stopped in Beaufort, SC on their way to Florida. It's where the Big Chill and Prince of Tides were filmed. It's a gorgeous place and the loved the inn where they stayed.

So with 12 people that are all tweens or older, you're going to need at least 3 or 4 hotel rooms if you stop for the night.
If you're trying to stop at a popular place during a busy travel time it could be hard to find a hotel with that many vacant rooms same day/at the last minute.
Since everyone is reasonably old enough to handle a drive, I'd just try to power through. I'd leave earlier than 6 am though.

Anonymous wrote:there is the auto train from lorton to orlando

Which is crazy expensive

OP, I would play it by ear. Your stop if you make one does not need to be a destination, just something clean, safe, and comfortable right off the highway. You can find it on the way if you decide you need to stop. Just see how you are feeling and make a game day decision.

When I was a kid my parents routinely did a 17-hr drive with no stops. They would pull off at a rest area and sleep for a few hours, then finish in the morning. That was insane, but they had no money, and that's what they did.

As an adult, I've routinely down 8 hrs as a day trip, and I think 10 would be fine. 13 is a lot, but it's entirely possible. But again, I say, don't decide now. Just see how it's going.

My sister does it. But she loves driving and doesn't mind long road trips.

I would never ever drive that far in one day. It would be hellish for me.

1) That sounds horrible
2) If you insist on doing one day I’d leave at 4am, not 6am.
3) If you do two days, I’d just find a nice hotel that’s right off the highway on your way.

I’ve driven cross-country multiple times. My longest days were 10 hours and that was about all I could handle. 13 hours on Google Maps will be about 15 hours in reality. That’s sounds terrible to me.

Anonymous wrote:So that’s two cars? Will you need to/insist on caravanning close together, or is this more like “Everyone get on the road at 5am and we’ll see you at 123 Main St. in Tampa at the end”? Because the thought of managing 12 people and two cars over one day of bathroom and food stops, let alone two, makes me want to scream. And then run for the airport or auto train.

We can caravan without issues. The “kids” are tweens/teens/young adults. We pack drinks and snacks and usually stop for gas/bathroom breaks and grab lunch for the car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have done it many times. It’s painful. You’re leaving a bit later than we would. Honestly we prefer to stop but usually don’t. strategies for driving include packing snacks, quick stops and meals you can eat in the car. Also Bring things to entertain you and portable chargers for your devices unless you have enough ports for everyone.

It will be a sucky day but it’s one day.

Thx.

When you stop, where do you stop?

When we stay overnight we prefer around Florence SC. When we plow through stops are dictated by bathroom needs.

So that’s two cars? Will you need to/insist on caravanning close together, or is this more like “Everyone get on the road at 5am and we’ll see you at 123 Main St. in Tampa at the end”? Because the thought of managing 12 people and two cars over one day of bathroom and food stops, let alone two, makes me want to scream. And then run for the airport or auto train.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you just fly? I always throw up on long car rides and would not be able to do this.

Two cars, 12 people, and we need the cars to get to multiple destinations. Flying isn’t an option.

We’ve done long drives before, but 10 or 11 hours per Mapquest (plus stops) is our max—and it’s not fun.

I’m lobbying to break up the trip, but I need a destination for the stop. Last time we stopped in Savannah and everyone was annoyed since it ended up being a bit out of the way and we hit traffic the next day on the way to Tampa (so we arrived later than anticipated).

I’d like to stay someplace on the way but a bit further past Savannah. Is that Jacksonville? Someplace else?

Oh good lord I would never attempt it in one day with 12!!! people. In fact Savannah is probably perfect and you shouldn't aim too high and end up with 11 cranky travelers who still need to drive another 3 hours.

We drove from northern va to Orlando fl before, we left after school dismissal drove 4-5 hours then stayed at NC for the night, then next day continued to drive and arrived Orlando at night. If you don’t have young kids it would take less time.

Anonymous wrote:this is PP, I stay at nice hotels
I drive to 30A and stop and spend the night at The Inn at Serenbe.

Cute! Too bad it is out of our way and adds too much time.

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you just fly? I always throw up on long car rides and would not be able to do this.

Two cars, 12 people, and we need the cars to get to multiple destinations. Flying isn’t an option.

We’ve done long drives before, but 10 or 11 hours per Mapquest (plus stops) is our max—and it’s not fun.

I’m lobbying to break up the trip, but I need a destination for the stop. Last time we stopped in Savannah and everyone was annoyed since it ended up being a bit out of the way and we hit traffic the next day on the way to Tampa (so we arrived later than anticipated).

I’d like to stay someplace on the way but a bit further past Savannah. Is that Jacksonville? Someplace else?

Why don’t you just fly? I always throw up on long car rides and would not be able to do this.

this is PP, I stay at nice hotels
I drive to 30A and stop and spend the night at The Inn at Serenbe.