NFT: Road Trip - NJ to FL

I drove from NYC to Naples, FL in a rental car and it was great not to have to worry about the car's long-term health.

A couple of years later I drove from LI to South Carolina in my own car, and it was never the same after the long trip.

and have always rented a car. I didn't want the wear and tear on my vehicles.

I just did this.

Get about 9-10 hours of sleep and leave NJ around 6pm and drive through the night.

Stop for gas in emporia VA and ridgleand SC

Good luck !

One of my least-favorite interstate routes. Pines trees and more pine trees.

Some rental places will bump the price soon for the long Thanksgiving week -w/e.
If you have the AAA card or some other discount card with the 10-15% discount use the discount and go up in class for the vehicles 'toys'.
Hit the DC Beltway as early as possible(by 7 am)..its like people from NE taking the Tappan Zee to avoid rt. 95 thru NYC.
Have Fun. Go safely.

I do this drive every year in my own car. It’s not that long a trip, about 1200 miles and I do it in 2,days. I take the NJ turnpike and go straight down 95. Other than accidents or construction, the big problem is usually DC. Going south, you can time it up beat rush hour. Going home is tougher because rush hour starts early & ends late. We usually stay in or around Florence SC.

Left. Straight. On like that a while.

Any questions?

in June and again in September to evacuate Hurricane Irma. I drive a 2016 Tahoe. Two labs, a wife and daughter on both trips and my vehicle is no worse for wear. About 6000 extra miles, but the trip is not one that is rough on a vehicle. Cruise control most of the trip. Very little stop and go traffic. Been doing the trip since I was a boy and it hasn’t gotten any more exciting. Monotony is your biggest enemy. Stay alert.

In comment 13685306 Samiam said:

Quote:

I do this drive every year in my own car. It’s not that long a trip, about 1200 miles and I do it in 2,days. I take the NJ turnpike and go straight down 95. Other than accidents or construction, the big problem is usually DC. Going south, you can time it up beat rush hour. Going home is tougher because rush hour starts early & ends late. We usually stay in or around Florence SC.

that's my advice, avoid DC during rush hour at all costs.

Take the Autotrain to Sanford, FL.

Ride the rails!