We took the auto train for the first time this past spring break. If you book early enough, you might find a decent deal. We took the train down but drove back. For 1k, we got 2 bedrooms on the train (for 5 people), dinner and breakfast are included, and we have our car with us. It was a good experience. We started the drive back on Friday and traffic was bad getting out of FL. We spent the night just north of Savannah and Saturday's drive was easy.

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like most people who do the drive don't do overnight? I can't see making the drive with no overnight stop.

Personally, I prefer to do FL (or ME) in a single day. Stopping wastes two days.

It sounds like most people who do the drive don't do overnight? I can't see making the drive with no overnight stop.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just did that for spring break. We were in Orlando by 8pm with generous breaks. Totally doable. Left at 5am.

Wow - you were driving at high speed...

Please just stay in the right lane and stop clogging up traffic for the rest of us.

VA drivers on 95 are notorious for clogging up the left-lane.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The worst part is the stretch between DC and Richmond. Always.

We’ve done this a few times and it sucked but was doable.

Yeah. Who cares about the 11+ hours after that?

Hard pass.

The fact that a grown adult can’t handle this is someways scary. No one is suggesting that you do this as a daily commute.

Also, for those suggesting a stop overnight, don’t do it.

It’s a financial preference. I could “handle” living in a tiny apartment with my family, but instead I can afford a house so that’s what I do. Same with plane tickets to Florida. Nothing to do with “handling” it.

PP here and was was responding to the OP and the person who said “Who care about the 11+ hours after that.

OP said they don’t have the financial ability to fly.

And my point is 11+ hours past Richmond isn’t that big of a deal. If it is what needs to be done. It isn’t torturous and something a grown adult should be able to deal.

And a lot of times there are other logistics involved that have nothing to with finances but time. Flying isn’t always the best solution.

Getting there felt long but manageable. Coming home was miserable. We drove thru the night with minimal stops but it still felt much longer and struggling to stay awake.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just did that for spring break. We were in Orlando by 8pm with generous breaks. Totally doable. Left at 5am.

Wow - you were driving at high speed...

No but I live in VA and we were strategic with our stops.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just did that for spring break. We were in Orlando by 8pm with generous breaks. Totally doable. Left at 5am.

Wow - you were driving at high speed...

NP - that's 15 hour on the road for a 12.5 hour drive. Not fast at all. And leaving super early like PP is key to doing it in one day.

OP, we did this drive once and that was enough. I thought it was good for the kids to actually see how big the country is (what does 1000 miles even mean?) and they were taking flying for granted. When I was a kid we drove everywhere, Florida included. Bickering in the back seat. Mom yelling from the front seat. Hotels, snacks, being incredibly bored. I don't need to do that EVERY trip with my own kids, but I wanted them to experience it once. They definitely appreciate flying now

Anonymous wrote:Getting through SC is the worst!!! But a trip to Orlando in one shot is very doable.

??? Driving through SC is by far the most relaxing part of this trip, which I have made many, many times. Has it been a long time since you drove this? Virginia - traffic nightmare almost any time of day; NC - one long construction site with a lower speed limit; SC - pretty empty and relaxing; GA - more lanes, so pretty good, but more traffic; FL - people driving like idiots at extremely high speeds.

Anonymous wrote:We just did that for spring break. We were in Orlando by 8pm with generous breaks. Totally doable. Left at 5am.

Wow - you were driving at high speed...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The worst part is the stretch between DC and Richmond. Always.

We’ve done this a few times and it sucked but was doable.

Yeah. Who cares about the 11+ hours after that?

Hard pass.

The fact that a grown adult can’t handle this is someways scary. No one is suggesting that you do this as a daily commute.

Also, for those suggesting a stop overnight, don’t do it.

It’s a financial preference. I could “handle” living in a tiny apartment with my family, but instead I can afford a house so that’s what I do. Same with plane tickets to Florida. Nothing to do with “handling” it.

It’s a lot of driving. Especially if you are the one doing it.

Anonymous wrote:The worst part is the stretch between DC and Richmond. Always.

We’ve done this a few times and it sucked but was doable.

+1

Yup. It’s the worst.

We do this drive occasionally. One Easter week/spring break was 20 hours of driving! Otherwise it’s manageable. We always stop overnight on the way there but drive straight through on the way back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The worst part is the stretch between DC and Richmond. Always.

We’ve done this a few times and it sucked but was doable.

Yeah. Who cares about the 11+ hours after that?

Hard pass.

The fact that a grown adult can’t handle this is someways scary. No one is suggesting that you do this as a daily commute.

Also, for those suggesting a stop overnight, don’t do it.