Driving to SC with kids

When is the best time to leave NY to drive down to Hilton Head, SC? My girls would be 8, 5 and 2 at the time of the trip. Not too concern with the older 2 but my 2yr old gets very cranky.

For such a long drive, what would be the ideal duration of trip? Is 6 days enough including the driving? We're thinking Sunday-Friday and possibly making a stop on our way back.

Re: Driving to SC with kids

When we drove to Myrtle Beach we left on a Friday evening when DH got out of work. We had planned to drive about half way and stay at a hotel and finish in the morning. But we hit a ton of traffic and decided to just drive through the night. It wound up being perfect. The kids slept until about 6:30am and were awesome. We stayed Saturday to Saturday and left around 11:30am. The kids were awake for most of the ride home. My older DS was great, my younger one (4 at the time) was pretty good, but he was cranky and had a couple minor meltdowns. I wouldn't make the drive unless I could stay a minimum of 5 nights.

Message edited 10/23/2014 12:17:58 PM.

Re: Driving to SC with kids

ITA with the above. I would want to stay at least 5 days to make the drive worth it.

Driving to SC with kids

When we went to NC with our 3 year old twins and 2 your old DS this past summer we left at 4am and we're there by 5:30pm. We stopped for breakfast and lunch and 2 additional stops in between. Our kids were pretty good in the car and took a few naps. Only a few minor meltdowns.

Re: Driving to SC with kids

DH's family lives in South Carolina so we drive and or fly there often.
I agree that leaving like early morning, 4 am is best. That way you stop for meals like normal and you beat most of the traffic getting out of NY and DC.