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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / April 2007

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Noob planning a trip from Ottawa to Orlando

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plegault@plic.ca - 10 Apr 2007 03:28 GMT
Please excuse me as I am totally new to RV traveling...

Tech details:
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 HD Laramie, 5.9 Diesel Cummins
Jayco Jay Flight 31BHS trailer (31 feet)

I am planning a trip to Orlando with my wife and three young kids
(3-5-7) from Ottawa, Canada to Orlando, Florida this Summer. I already
booked at Forth Wilderness in Disney World. Now I understand that this
trip will take me about 3-4 days to get there. What I need to know is
any recommendations on where I could stop on the way. Nice camp sites
for my kind of RV and maybe a few things to do for the kids. This is
going to be our longest trip ever, so I really want my family to
enjoy, not only the time in Disney, but the trip all together.

We used to be carebears and camp at the same location year after year.
My wife got tired of it and wanted to start travelling a bit more.
Plus, my oldest daughter has a dance competition in Orlando, so I
figured, why not test this new venture by bringing the RV over there.

Any help, pointers, recommendations are more than appreciated.
Regards,
An innocent Canadian friend who is looking to have a good time
John Andrews - 10 Apr 2007 05:58 GMT
> Please excuse me as I am totally new to RV traveling...
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Regards,
> An innocent Canadian friend who is looking to have a good time

Looks like you will be heading down I-81 to Philadelphia, then
I-95 to Raleigh, Savannah, to Orlando in 4 days of about 300
miles each more or less.  Thats an all day drive, even on the
interstates.

There are few stopping points or camp grounds in metro
Philadelphia.  Make sure you have a destination reserved there.
You might aim for West Chester, west of Philly.  There is a KOA
nearby.  West Chester is a neat old town, with a university.
Send me a private email if you do this and I will give you a
contact there.

I would take a detour over to Ithaca for lunch.  It will add a
couple of hours to your day.  It is a neat university town with
a nice downtown area for shopping and finding lunch.

Consider going south from Philly on US 13 from Wilmington down
to Norfolk and see the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay.  Plan to
stay in Kiptopeke State Park at the tip of the peninsula.  Make
sure you eat blue crabs while in this area. Crabs and beer
heaped on a table covered with newspaper will not be forgotten.
 OK, so the kids don't get beer.  Coke will do.  Onancock is a
neat town about 25 miles south of the Maryland/Virginia border.

Cross the long bridge/tunnel and continue south on US 17 and US
13 to Myrtle Beach.  Reserve a place there.  Lots to choose
from.  Do go to the Huntington Sculpture Garden.  Do not miss
this!  Take your camera.  Plan a half day.

Plan on stopping in Savannah next.  There is a state park just
south of town. http://gastateparks.org/info/skidaway/  Plan to
stay there.  It is a short drive into Savannah from there.  Neat
town to visit.

Next day stop for lunch in St. Augustine.  Visit the old city.
Then make your way to the artificial world of Disney.

Good luck.  Have a great trip.  Don't try to drive too far or
too fast.

John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee
GBinNC - 10 Apr 2007 12:06 GMT
>Any help, pointers, recommendations are more than appreciated.
>Regards,

Strongly recommend you plan to come down I-81 and I-77 and pick up I-95
south of Columbia, SC, if possible. I would do ANYTHING to avoid driving
I-95 down the Phila-SC corridor.

As long as you avoid Charlotte, NC, anywhere near rush hour, you'll be
fine. (That's the only real hangup.) And the scenery is breathtaking in
places, especially around the VA-NC border.

Trust me on this. Do NOT take I-95 down the northeast coast. Go inland
instead, until at least south of Richmond.

GB in NC
HDinNY - 10 Apr 2007 15:19 GMT
>>Any help, pointers, recommendations are more than appreciated.
>>Regards,
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> GB in NC

Good advice GB. An alternate route is the one we use. I-81 to I-66 to 17
to I-95, take I-295 around Richmond. The worst part is the stretch
between 17 and Richmond on I-95.
Hugh
Veliki Pyotr - 10 Apr 2007 15:37 GMT
Thanks for all of your advices.

Here is the new plan:

Day one: Ottawa to Pine Grove KOA (PA) via I-81
Day two: Pine Grove to Natural Bridge KOA (VA) still on I-81
Day three: Natural Bridge to Yemassee KOA (SC) via I-77
Day four: Yemasse to Orlando on I-95

On the way back, I will probably drive over night (sleep during the
day while kids play) and make it in 2 to 2 1/2 runs depending how well
everybody sleeps.

This way should be in car about 6 hours a day more or less an hour
depending on traffic.
GBinNC - 10 Apr 2007 17:27 GMT
>Day three: Natural Bridge to Yemassee KOA (SC) via I-77

Again: Your worst part there will be Charlotte, NC.

Do NOT approach Charlotte from the north between 7 and 9 a.m. Wait north
of Mooresville at a great rest area (MM 39) until 9 before even hitting
the Mooresville area (Exits 36 and 33), if possible (big Super Wal-Mart
at 36, if you need to kill some more time <g>). Congestion usually
begins just south of there.

Your best time to pass through the greater Charlotte area is in
mid-morning to mid-afternoon -- or at night, after 6:30-7pm. Rush hour
hassles can extend up to 40 miles or more in all directions.

LTDT. (Lived there, did that.)

GB in NC
HDinNY - 10 Apr 2007 21:44 GMT
> Thanks for all of your advices.
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> This way should be in car about 6 hours a day more or less an hour
> depending on traffic.

May I suggest a route to Disney? When you get close to Jacksonville, you
encounter 295 around Jacksonville. We take 295 to 17 south to 19 south
and it intersects with 27 south. You can stay on 27 until it intersects
with 195 east. If you're staying at Disney this takes you right to the
entrance.

The "advantage" to this route is the lack of congestion on the 17/19/27
leg. Check it out on the map first. You can get stuck on I-4 for a
loooooong time if there is a backup and they happen regularly.
Hugh
stan.birch@hotmail.com - 10 Apr 2007 19:36 GMT
>I am planning a trip to Orlando with my wife and three young kids
>(3-5-7) from Ottawa, Canada to Orlando, Florida this Summer. I already
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>Regards,
>An innocent Canadian friend who is looking to have a good time
stan.birch@hotmail.com - 10 Apr 2007 20:11 GMT
>I am planning a trip to Orlando with my wife and three young kids
>(3-5-7) from Ottawa, Canada to Orlando, Florida this Summer. I already
>booked at Forth Wilderness in Disney World. Now I understand that this
>trip will take me about 3-4 days to get there. What I need to know is
>any recommendations on where I could stop on the way.

Sheesh!!  What bad advice you've received from a whole bunch of RVers
who've never before made trip . . . And the advice they have offerred
is universally all bad. :-(

Having done the i-75 route dozens of times, to the point where we are
familiar with EVERY overnight stop-off, from Flying Js to Wal-Marts on
an hour-by-hour basis from Toronto to Florida along I-75.

>Nice camp sites for my kind of RV and maybe a few things to do for the kids.
>This is going to be our longest trip ever, so I really want my family to enjoy, not
>only the time in Disney, but the trip all together.

Having already done the kid-thing; and considering how awesome they
turned out to be; you might be amazed at what actutually turns yer
kid'z cranks!!  Really!!

With all of the absolutely boring campground scenarios aside, our kidz
. . .  like from way back around 1972,  *ALWAYS* revelled in spending
an evening in a K-Mart parking lot, with a few dollars in their
pockets to spend as they wished!
JerryD(upstateNY) - 10 Apr 2007 21:16 GMT
stan.birch@hotmail.com wrote: Sheesh!!  What bad advice you've received from
a whole bunch of RVers who've never before made trip . . . And the advice
they have offerred is universally all bad. :-(
Having done the i-75 route dozens of times,<<<<<<<<<<

Your opinion is worthless !!!
You are 400 miles West of where he is, so which route you take is of not
benefit to him.

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

stan.birch@hotmail.com - 11 Apr 2007 00:22 GMT
>stan.birch@hotmail.com wrote: Sheesh!!  What bad advice you've received from
>a whole bunch of RVers who've never before made trip . . . And the advice
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>You are 400 miles West of where he is, so which route you take is of not
>benefit to him.

Hmmm . . . good point; but I'm only about 190 miles west, with the
total distance to Fla being only about half that difference.
HDinNY - 11 Apr 2007 13:12 GMT
snipped
> Hmmm . . . good point; but I'm only about 190 miles west, with the
> total distance to Fla being only about half that difference.

But then you should have warned him about Atlanta. Best time to go
through it is the middle of the night.
Hugh
stan.birch@hotmail.com - 11 Apr 2007 18:16 GMT
>snipped
>> Hmmm . . . good point; but I'm only about 190 miles west, with the
>> total distance to Fla being only about half that difference.

>But then you should have warned him about Atlanta. Best time to go
>through it is the middle of the night.

Actually, other than around 5 pm, Atlanta, isn't all that bad.
Like . . . only a total idiot would attempt to take I-75 through the
centre of Atlanta!! Figuring that most people aren't total idiots;
that would mean that all the smart ones are in one of those endless
by-pass traffic jams. Been there . . . done that. :-(  In recent
years, we've been taking the idiot route right through the centre of
Atlanta; and it's usually a clear shot all the way through!! :-)

As for the OP, I've taken into consideration that:

1. He's somewhat of a newbie at this sort of stuff;

2. He's travelling with at least two or more females.

On point #1: I would figure that for his first multi-day excursion to
the south, although incurring a couple hundred extra miles by choosing
the  I-75 route, it's unquestionably the path of least resistance. On
an hour-by-hour basis, I-75, there's always a place to pull in for the
night on an hour-by-hour basis.

On point #2: i.e travelling with two or more females, will challenge
the capacity of the largest of holding tanks. So, the abundance of
Flying Js along I-75 with their water and dump stations, is a
significant consideration.

Over the years, we've tried the shortest and most direct routes
between Toronto and Tampa; and apart from crappy roads, overnight
boondocking opportunities are severely limited compared to the I-75
corridor. If the OP chooses to do the Corridor, compared to our 60
mile offset, it will cost him an extra couple hundred miles! In
weighing the benefits, for these particular RVer, the s I-75 route
might be the best option.
Veliki Pyotr - 11 Apr 2007 20:29 GMT
Well stan, both of your assumptions are correct. We are noobs and
there will be three ladies and a boy with me. But we have a pretty big
tank under that RV.

I have been considering I-75 in my plans, now with this new
information, it is gaining weight in my decision. But, having done
that route a few years back (Ottawa to Cincinnati), there are a few
uncertainties as far as traffic: Toronto, Detroit-Toledo, Cincinnati,
and Atlanta. The first two are worrying me the most. And the Detroit-
Toledo corridor isn't the safest in the world.

I have also considered travelling by night so the rest of the family
miss most of the waiting in pickup time. The downside is that they
also miss the sight-seeing. Input on safety is appreciated. I mean, is
it safe to travel at night in some States (especially Georgia)?

We could also do both routes. On the way there through I-81 and coming
back through I-75. This could give me an idea for next time.

For whatever it's worth, thank you all of you for giving your opinion
(good or bad). I am just glad to see RVers help each others, and I
can't wait to start this new venture with my family. I guess I can
call that Quality Time!
Frank Tabor - 11 Apr 2007 22:29 GMT
> I have also considered travelling by night so the rest of the family
> miss most of the waiting in pickup time. The downside is that they also
> miss the sight-seeing. Input on safety is appreciated. I mean, is it
> safe to travel at night in some States (especially Georgia)?

Why wouldn't it be?

Signature

Frank Tabor
Q:    What's hard going in and soft and sticky coming out?
A:    Chewing gum.

stan.birch@hotmail.com - 11 Apr 2007 23:52 GMT
>I have been considering I-75 in my plans, now with this new
>information, it is gaining weight in my decision. But, having done
>that route a few years back (Ottawa to Cincinnati), there are a few
>uncertainties as far as traffic: Toronto, Detroit-Toledo, Cincinnati,
>and Atlanta. The first two are worrying me the most. And the Detroit-
>Toledo corridor isn't the safest in the world.

At the outset, you need a couple of guide books:

1. The Wal-Mart Rand McNally mapbook that lists the addresses of all
the Wal-Marts and Sams Club stores in USA and Canada;

2. A Flying J Travel Plaza (truck stop) guide from FlyingJ.com. It's
also a good idea to pick up one of their RV Gas Cards. Although the
cards save you a cent a gallon on gasoline, and 5 cents on propane,
the primary advantage is that the card identifies you at the pump, so
you don't have to go in and prepay before you pump. Nothwithstanding,
that Flying J prices are usually the very best.

Flying J travel plazas welcome overnighting RVers, with a somewhat
more quiet area set aside for RVers, away from the trucks. Pretty much
all of them in the eastern US have RV dump stations.

Toronto sort of stinks, but mostly when heading eastbound during rush
hour (3 - 6pm), along the four mile stretch immediately west of hwy
400. That stretch could cost you 2 hours to do four miles!! :-( Other
than that, no big deal.

As for crossing at Detroit, we don't stop until we reach the Flying J
at Beaverdam (Lima) Ohio.

The easiest way through Cincinnati and Atlanta, is the direct route
through the city. The bypass around either, is less than wonderful.
Around Cincinnati, you could easily disappear into a pothole, and
never be heard from again. In Atlanta, it's just traffic, traffic,
traffic. And BTW, stay out of Morrow, GA. Just stopping your RV in
Morrow will earn you an $800 fine!

After leaving Beaverdam, our next stop of preference is the
Wal-Mart/Sams Club at Knoxville, located on:  

300 Walker Springs Road
Knoxville, TN 37923

You can't see it from the highway, so you have to remember to get off
of I-75 at the 379a exit.  Great spot to provide the women folk with
their shopping-fix. This is one of the biggest Wal-Marts we've ever
visited; and have stuff you can't find anywhere further south. Being
patrolled 24/7, it's quite secure.

>I have also considered travelling by night so the rest of the family
>miss most of the waiting in pickup time. The downside is that they
>also miss the sight-seeing. Input on safety is appreciated. I mean, is
>it safe to travel at night in some States (especially Georgia)?

Whether you travel at night, is a personal travelling-style decision.
Some folk tend to drive an arduous 24/7 until they reach their
destination. Like . . . we once did Atlanta to Toronto in a single
stretch; and that was way back when I was young! After taking two days
to recover from the experience, we never tried that again! :-(

Our current travelling philosophy is that the trip starts from the
very moment we leave home; and each and every day on the road is fully
enjoyed in it's own right. Getting off the road around 4 to 5 pm, and
enjoying the evening, is intrinsic to our chosen style of travelling.

Suwannee River State Park, is inevitably our first stop in Fla; but
come 6:30 pm, it's locked down for the night. So, if you expect to
arrive late, a phone call ahead of time will provide you with the
combination that will enable you to open the gate after hours.

As for travelling safety, I can understand your concern in Detroit;
but Georgia?? Other than the infamous Georgia Police who represent a
greater threat to decent citizens than all of the criminals in the
State; they seem to have been reigned in at least a little bit.
Notwithstanding, Georgia cops are just as sleazy and slimy as cops
anywhere else in North America. Having been stopped by one of those
infamous Georgia cops for speeding ten years ago while my son was
driving; having constantly watched the speed my son had been doing,
i.e. 70 mph instead of 60; the sleazy Georgia cop had ramped it up to
80 mph!!

The only highlight within the Georgia scenario, is that they no longer
toss you in jail for 60 days for speeding while awaiting trial!
GBinNC - 12 Apr 2007 00:00 GMT
>And BTW, stay out of Morrow, GA. Just stopping your RV in
>Morrow will earn you an $800 fine!

Details, please.

Thanks.
GB in NC
stan.birch@hotmail.com - 12 Apr 2007 00:38 GMT
>>And BTW, stay out of Morrow, GA. Just stopping your RV in
>>Morrow will earn you an $800 fine!

>Details, please.

Not that stopping off at Morrow could be considered a legitimate RV
destination; but from the moment you enter town, the local cops will
be following you big-time! The moment you stop anywhere in town, you
can reasonably expect to receive a $800 citation.

While we've heard many reports from RVers who have been royally
screwed by the Georgia constabulary, just try Morrow if you have a
desire to be screwed to death!!
GBinNC - 12 Apr 2007 01:38 GMT
>Not that stopping off at Morrow could be considered a legitimate RV
>destination; but from the moment you enter town, the local cops will
>be following you big-time! The moment you stop anywhere in town, you
>can reasonably expect to receive a $800 citation.

I'm not trying to be difficult, but what would the citation be for?

GB in NC
stan.birch@hotmail.com - 12 Apr 2007 15:57 GMT
>>Not that stopping off at Morrow could be considered a legitimate RV
>>destination; but from the moment you enter town, the local cops will
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>I'm not trying to be difficult, but what would the citation be for?
>GB in NC

I assume it would be for an infraction of an RV parking bylaw. Instead
of a speed trap, Morrow operates a parking trap with hefty fines for
out of state RVs.

The RVer who experienced this, reported it on one of the forums. He
parked his RV in a shopping mall to do some shopping; it wasn't an
overnight kind of scenario. The police had him nailed within minutes
of stopping his rig. That's all I recall about the situation.

It's common knowledge that it's illegal to park a vehicle longer than
20' on Key West streets. But there are a couple towns out west, that
post "No RV Parking" *anywhere* within town/city limits.
John Andrews - 12 Apr 2007 03:45 GMT
>> I have been considering I-75 in my plans, now with this new
>> information, it is gaining weight in my decision. But, having done
[quoted text clipped - 80 lines]
> The only highlight within the Georgia scenario, is that they no longer
> toss you in jail for 60 days for speeding while awaiting trial!

If you go through Atlanta, get in the HOV lane as you approach
the city.  Stay in that lane on I-75 all the way through the
city. It will loop around on of the big tangles at the I-75/I-85
merge.

John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee
stan.birch@hotmail.com - 12 Apr 2007 16:16 GMT
>Other than the infamous Georgia Police who represent a
>greater threat to decent citizens than all of the criminals in the
>State; they seem to have been reigned in at least a little bit.

>The only highlight within the Georgia scenario, is that they no longer
>toss you in jail for 60 days for speeding while awaiting trial!

Guess I spoke too soon on that one! Headline news in Canada this
morning, concerns a young female Canadian Carleton (Ottawa) University
student who was arrested by Brunswick, Georgia Police, strip-searched,
and thrown in jail for running a stop sign while leaving a shopping
plaza!! The reason given for putting her in jail was that she is a
Canadian!!

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070412/strip_search_070412
/20070412?hub=TopStories


So I tangling with the Morrow anti-RV police isn't a good idea for
Canadian targets.
JerryD(upstateNY) - 11 Apr 2007 22:19 GMT
plegault@plic.ca wrote:.... I am planning a trip to Orlando with my wife and
three young kids
(3-5-7) from Ottawa, Canada to Orlando<<<<<<<<<<<<

stan.birch@hotmail.com Wrote......As for the OP, I've taken into
consideration that:
1. He's somewhat of a newbie at this sort of stuff;  2. He's travelling
with at least two or more females.<<<<<

Mapquest says from Ottawa to Toronto is 280 miles and 5 hours.
I can't see how starting you trip by going 280 miles out of your way is the
best way to go.
He could be on interstate 81 in PA, in 5 hours.

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

stan.birch@hotmail.com - 12 Apr 2007 00:46 GMT
>stan.birch@hotmail.com Wrote......As for the OP, I've taken into
>consideration that:
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>I can't see how starting you trip by going 280 miles out of your way is the
>best way to go.  He could be on interstate 81 in PA, in 5 hours.

While it sometimes seems that Ottawa is a mere suburb of my hometown,
its just a tad further away than that.

While you ran the scenario through Mapquest, I ran it through S&T,
with a mere 200 mile penalty!

Sometimes, the shortest distance between two points is . . . .
 
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