Is it a good idea to drive from Houston to Florida for a 8 day vacation ?|152269

Houston to Florida is a 1000 miles - is it a good idea to travel that far with a car - and stay around 8 days for disney and orlando parks and Kennedy space center ?

Any advise on what are the suggestions to make it a great holiday.

Thanks!

We have done it between Chicago and Disney World and it worked out well. The conveniance and cost savings of having your own car on vacation is well worth it.

Because the one way distance for us is 1150 miles, we didn_t drive it in one day. We spent overnight in Chattanooga Tennessee, which is approximately the half-way mark. For you, Pensacola Florida is about half-way.

Stay in lodging that has a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals purchased in local grocery stores. This is a whole lot cheaper than eating in restaurants. Also stay at lodging at the attraction you expect to use the most because if they provide transportation within that attraction, it will be free for guests. You will only need your car to visit other attractions and the grocery stores.

Search the internet for coupons for the attractions you plan on visiting. Check with travel agents for discounts on accommodations and attractions.

Have your vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic at least two weeks before you leave. This will give them time to fix any major problems they find. Check the air inflation on all of your tires. If you have a full-size spare tire in the trunk (like I do), don_t forget to check it also.

Also consider joining a motor club to provide towing and roadside assistance in case you have vehicle problems. Some motor clubs also offer free maps and travel directions (including detours for construction on the routes you plan on taking). Some motor clubs also offer coupons or discounts for attractions, restaurants, lodging and stores. Search the internet for these motor clubs and choose the one that has the benefits you are interested in.

see the first answer above for some very good suggestions.

I-10 is a comfortable interstate,,, best bet is to follow I-10 to Lake City, Florida where you will pick up I-75 south to the turnpike and on into Orlando.

I_d choose Mobil Alabama over Pensacola as my half way lay over. Pensacola is best experienced from the interstate, not as an overnight stay. ( I just finished a construction project there last year and found it somewhat stuffy in dealing with travelers, whereas Mobil is quite friendly ) Mobil also has some attractions you may find interesting,,, Bellingrath Gardens and the USS Alabama park come to mind quickly.

Do not be suckered in by the huge number of bill boards touting _free_ or highly discounted tickets for the Orlando attractions. Save the aggravation you will encounter at those places for dealing with traffic in Orlando.

Be prepared for some really crappy attitudes just about everywhere in Orlando,,, the city that depends on tourism for the bulk of it_s livelihood despises tourists and is generally not bashful about letting you know it.

The space center is very nice, you need a full day to travel there, see what you want to see and travel back to Orlando,,, though it_s not a super long day and it is worth the trip in my opinion.

In Orlando, if your budget will allow it, stay at a resort on Disney property,,, getting around is very easy with the built in transportation available and getting off property to see other attractions is quite simple as well. If you cannot stand the idea of staying in Disney, or your budget will not go that expense, locate something in Kissimmee and just avoid driving during the peak hours.

I_m not a Florida native, it is my home state now and I am quite ashamed of some of the attitudes presented to tourists here. BUT,,, it is worth the trip whether you have children or not. Just be prepared is all I am saying.

You_ll spend half as much time traveling as you did visiting. Figure at least 2 days each way. Unless you want to sightsee via car, I don_t recommend it. It can be tiring and put wear _ tear on the car. How about trying Greyhound and maybe getting a companion ticket at 50% off? I think you can still hop off at different points along the way with Greyhound.