Boston to Orlando with kids

[StrickFam]

Hello! We are planning to go from Boston to Orlando in early March. We are looking for a safe, cheap hotel in the Northern North Carolina area (about halfway point). Any tips would be appreciated as this is our first road trip with the kids (age 2 and 4). Thanks:)

[Webmaster]

Our I-95 hotel recommendations for northern North Carolina...

Exit 173 (Roanoke Rapids, NC) - Jameson Inn and Sleep Inn.
Exit 171 (Roanoke Rapids, NC) - Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Express
Here's a link for more info about these Roanoke Rapids hotels:
http://rez.i95exitguide.com/city/?refid ... 3000013230

Exit 138 (Battleboro, NC) - Candlewood Suites, Country Inn and Suites, and Holiday Inn
Here's a link for more info about these Battleboro hotels:
http://rez.i95exitguide.com/city/?refid ... 3000012816

There are quite a few other choices at these exits, but these are our choices... clean, safe and reasonably priced for what you get.

[bostonboy]

I-95 @ NC-46 Exit 176, Roanoke Rapids, NC - Best Western (actually it's in Weldon). But it may have reverted to a Day's Inn..., haven't been there in years. Continental breakfast, and if you get a room in the back, it's quiet.

Trust the site's ratings... Haven't been there in around 8 years -- and I know things change, but we often stayed there. Check to see.

One more thing -- MAKE AN ADVANCE RESERVATION.... anywhere. If you are traveling in March - especially on a weekend - don't "wing it".

I live north of Boston (30 miles) and when I traveled to my in-laws in Charlotte County, FL, we liked this area -- it was a little less than half-way in distance, but more than halfway in point of time.

[I95driver]

If you're traveling on a weekend you might want to look in downtown Richmond,VA... often can get really good rates on the weekend, maybe a few bucks more than a usual roadside motel but you'll get a much nicer "stayover".

Also while northern, NC is the mathematical "halfway point" keep in mind the travel times are not equal... North of DC there is usual NE traffic so you'll probably average 50 mph on a good day, but south of DC there is nothing but trees so you'll probably average 70 mph.

Personally I break that drive up by staying in downtown DC, but that's just because I like to visit DC and walk around the monuments... also I'm driving to more N FLA so that second leg from DC to FLA isn't as long.

[bostonboy]

Agreed - halfway in distance is not necessarily halfway in TIME.

The original poster did not give a time frame -- but assuming that they are going to Disney / Kissimmee-St. Cloud, yes, Emporia-Roanoke Rapids puts them over half-way there. If they are on a one-week-plus-long-weekend jaunt, they may not have time to sightsee along the way. Two weeks? Yes.

If you only have ten days, with two drivers -- and you're probably younger if you have a 2 and 4 year old -- you can make it in two days of solid driving.

The good news about that is that, yes, it's all trees (actually - open fields, etc.) once you're beyond Richmond.

The bad news is that there's not much to see right off of I-95 between Richmond and Jacksonville, because it's all trees and open fields. The Big Road is the Big Road, and that's the attraction on a Florida drive.

One thing about a two-day drive, only stopping for overnights, dining, bio-breaks, gas, and to let the adults stretch their legs and the kids run around -- if you get the bulk of the "worst of the drive" behind you on the first day, you'll arrive at your destination more refreshed.

Also -- I always used to think, during those drives -- "any mile I drive today, is one more that I *DON'T* have to drive tomorrow." There were times when I drove down, planning to stop at Roanoke Rapids but realized I could make it to Gold Rock... made one reservation and cancelled my first.

If you are going in March -- above all -- DO NOT TRAVEL WITHOUT RESERVING A ROOM. First of all, you have a destination in mind, and above all - peace of mind that you'll have a place to stay.

[paga1498]

All of the recommendations in this thread are good. Have been up and down 95 on family vacations for 30 years. There are much cheaper accomodations but do not do it, you may get lucky but likely not. With kids 2 and 4 safety and cleanliness is so worth the extra 25 or 35 per night. Have a great time!