Driving to Florida

My sister bought a Condo in Florida. I plan on driving in August with my twin 10 year old boys. I am probably crazy but I can't afford the airfare. Any suggestions? I plan on stopping along the way and staying overnight. I plan on it taking 2 days to get there. We have a DVD player in the car. I am a little nervous driving by myself but I really want to go. I live in New York. How much do you think it will cost in gas and tolls? If you have any advice I will gladly take it.
TIA

Re: Driving to Florida

I would plan to leave your home early in the am...before 5am to miss morning commuter traffic. You want to be in a safe hotel room by 7pm since its just the three of you. I drive with my dh and we do stop later but I must admit we have ended up in some really shady areas for bathroom stops. You do not want to be there alone...we did not even want to be there together! You do not want to be checking in to a hotel late at night. If you choose wisely you can probably get a decent hotel for under $80. Next morning I would get up early and drive until you are at your sisters no matter how late.

OK look online and print some good license plate games for the kids, also a map with the states. My son loves tracking the states we travel through. Bring along some paper, pencils, etc.

We always eat breakfast and lunch in the car on the way. It gives the kids something to do other than complain. By dinner we usually need to stretch so we generally eat in a restaurant.

We play movies the whole way and occasionally books on tape or listen to music.

Where does your sister live. Orlando is only about 17 hours without traffic. My brother leaves at 3am and arrives around midnight. Good luck. I think you will be fine. I think my we estimated the cost of gas and tolls to be about 250 or less. Jersey is cheap for gas and you will find a few other cheaper areas.

Re: Driving to Florida

We're driving down to Florida next April to save money instead of flying...I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Based on advice I received on the parenting board, we are planning to leave around 4am, drive until the dinner time, get a hotel, then start early again the next morning (6 or 7ish) and finish the trip. We are heading to West Palm Beach, so we think it will be about 20-22 hours total.

Re: Driving to Florida

If I was you I would leave at 4, stop in Jersey and pump gas (cheaper and filling your tank in LI) and get breakftast. Stop for lunch after you pass DC. Stop for the night n SC. Usually when we do that drive at that time we stop in a hotel cant remember the name but it include breakfast and they offer an onsite dinner buffet pretty good and good price. Usually that trip including food for 2 is $400 roundtrip. Coming back I would leave around 11 and stop for the night in North carolina. Bring lots of snacks and new toys that they can play in car.

Re: Driving to Florida

If I was you I would leave at 4, stop in Jersey and pump gas (cheaper and filling your tank in LI) and get breakftast. Stop for lunch after you pass DC. Stop for the night n SC. Usually when we do that drive at that time we stop in a hotel cant remember the name but it include breakfast and they offer an onsite dinner buffet pretty good and good price. Usually that trip including food for 2 is $400 roundtrip. Coming back I would leave around 11 and stop for the night in North carolina. Bring lots of snacks and new toys that they can play in car.