In light of recent events, I have irrationally decided not to fly to Florida/Key West for Christmas/New Years. Will have great travel companion so will not be lonely. So, that leaves me two equally cool choices:

1) Amtrak auto-train from DC area to Orlando (I can stop at Panama Jacks on Card Sound Road for conch fritters), then drive it to Key West.

2) Drive straight there from DC.


Anyone take the auto-train with S2000? They say you need 4 inches clearance, any comment on that one? I've never driven straight to Florida from DC. Since I'm a gunner, how long should I expect it to take?

Any general roadtrip feedback on I95 corridor would be helpful too....

THANKS!!

 

It's about a 22 hour road trip (not counting the time you're pulled over by the local constabulary). You can drive it straight, but you will be a zombie the entire next day. A sleep over midway is highly recommended.

As far as the auto train goes, if I remeber correctly, the ticket for the car will be around $450.

 

Why drive?
Four words : South Of The Border. The Grand Po Bah of highway tourist traps

 

I LOVE SOTB!! Pedro rocks. Almost forgot about that one. Just called Amtak, the auto train is about $1100, not including a cabin. That's insane.

 

Drive to Miami doing 95 mph average, only stopping for gas: 17 hours. Key West, add an extra 4 hours. I drove the entire 17 hours straight, towards the end it started getting a little weird driving after so many hours without sleep and much rest. I did have 3 people with me, in a Land Rover, so I dunno how comfortable it would be in the S2000.

 

drive drive drive!!!! it's the best gift you can give to yourself! leave DC at like midnight, then you'll be driving in the florida sun all day!!!

 

How many SOTB bill boards are there on 95 south? I bet at least 50. I think SOTB invented the tourist trap. They've got a whole theme park now!

 

95 is a major pain in the ass, especially at holidays. I drove that route one too many times, seeing as the ex's parents lived in Tampa and my family was in Virginia.

A lot of people are scared to fly right now (though why, I'm not sure), and 95 gets congested the entire way down even when people ARE flying. One trip from Va Beach to Tampa on a holiday, usually a 14 hour trip, took 19 hours!!! I'd suggest the Auto Train at least one way, just for your sanity.

 

Got here late, nothing left to say. Drive. Pedro is not the only wierd thing you'll see. Take the Richmond bypass. Plan for 1-2 speeding tickets. On lonely stretches at night, throw firecrackers out the top. Or shoot bottlerockets. It'll be a blast.

 

Ya - I agree that my fear of flying is irrational. Hey, at least I can admit it! I also think I'm looking for an excuse to go on a long drive. Although it probably is more of the former than the latter. Richmond bypass is a given (thanks!). The auto-train would be great, but not at $1100. Forget that.

It seems kinda weird to leave at midnight, but I see the benefit. It probably shaves off a considerably amount of time off the trip. Except I can't see the fuzz coming down the road! What do you do, try and stay in bed the whole day before to prepare yourself?

Thanks y'all (practicing for NC/SC/Georgia).