RumpunchGirl Posted July 17, 2014 #26 Share Posted July 17, 2014 (edited) Our 1st cruise we drove back to Minnesota from Port Canaveral. We were a family of 5, 2 parents with a 16, 13 and 10 yr. old. We drove an RV from Minneapolis to Atlanta to visit family for a few days. Then drove a whole day to Port Canaveral where we park the vehicle in secure parking area. Took a 4 day cruise and immediately set out for home after. I believe it was about 22 or 23hours of driving. DH and I took turns with the drive. I would think a 9-10 hr drive is doable.:) Edited July 17, 2014 by RumpunchGirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dacsmom Posted July 17, 2014 #27 Share Posted July 17, 2014 we are doing the drive from Ft. Lauderdale to South Carolina in October. I hate the drive back, it seems so much longer than the drive down. Just take breaks and talk about what a fantastic time you had on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 17, 2014 #28 Share Posted July 17, 2014 We often drive back home from FLL to Columbia, SC ... Takes us about 10 hours. Interstate all the way. Going down we always spend a night or two.:) LuLu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelCMTX Posted July 17, 2014 #29 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I pulled an 8hr New Orleans to Fort Worth with no problem, bearing in mind the advice others posted to behave myself and retire at a reasonable hour the last night of the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted July 17, 2014 #30 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Works for me. Have done FLL to Atlanta twice I think. Longer trip was Tampa to Huntsville, Alabama. Hard part about Atlanta traffic is congestion on south side Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearette Posted July 17, 2014 #31 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Honestly it's not much different then our flight home afterwards. 51/2 hours in the air plus two sitting at the airport. If I could drive it in that time I would. Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted July 17, 2014 #32 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Honestly it's not much different then our flight home afterwards. 51/2 hours in the air plus two sitting at the airport. If I could drive it in that time I would. I might be fortunate, but I can sleep on the airplane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerxspeedy Posted July 17, 2014 #33 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Being a "northerner" I would consider yourself very lucky to have the option to drive to any port. You can actually save time and huge amounts of money not having to be on the airlines schedule, hotels, baggage, weighing bags.... Pack and load up as much as you want, bring home as much as you want. No hauling luggage around, no taxi. We love driving 10 hr to NY.... Happy sailing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deptacon Posted July 17, 2014 #34 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Do it all the time. 12 hours to Alabama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted July 17, 2014 #35 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Hi sierra77!!! My Husband and I live in Alabama and we always drive down to FLL and back for our cruises. It is about a 12-13 hour drive for us, but it really isn't that bad if you stop and stretch, etc. Last year we disembarked carrying our own luggage at 5:30. We were in our car and on the road by 6. It really isn't that bad. Plus it beats the outrageous airfare! Ashley Thanks for the information. We've always flown before but Wife and I tentatively decided to drive from North Alabama to FLL for our next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted July 17, 2014 #36 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I would absolutely do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time4u2go Posted July 17, 2014 #37 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Keep in mind that there could be a lot of traffic since you are driving back on Labor Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollon Posted July 17, 2014 #38 Share Posted July 17, 2014 We're from Tenn and we go thru Atlanta on the way to Fll, it can be done, but for us we are always way too tired so we stay in a hotel on the way back, Trying to get luggage out the night before w/ all my kids (4) and husband and trying to do the shows, enjoy last night, we are just tired:( But it can be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m*u*g* Posted July 17, 2014 #39 Share Posted July 17, 2014 For me easy answer...No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funbobby68 Posted July 17, 2014 #40 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I would walk a mile on broken glass to get to the car to drive 12 hours just to be on a cruise Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love2cruiseforfree Posted July 17, 2014 #41 Share Posted July 17, 2014 we have been driving to the Port of Baltimore for several years now. we have a 6 hour drive (not too bad) and actually like it better than flying. we can actually get home by 3:00 - 4:00 in the afternoon, (with a break or two), unpack, do all the laundry, and then just rest. when you add up the hours getting to the airport, sitting around the airport, flying, maybe a lay over, collecting your luggage, driving back from the airport home, it adds up to a lot more than the 6 hour drive we have. also the convenience, stopping when you want, having your own car....etc...you get the picture.... besides...the money saved from driving pays for a another cruise for us.... yay!!! ....would rather be cruising then sitting around a airport any day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted July 17, 2014 #42 Share Posted July 17, 2014 (edited) Every year twice a year we will drive from Toronto, Canada down to Port Canaveral, Tampa or FLL. Between 22 and 26 hours just stopping for gas and food. Off the ship at 10 and on the road for the trip home. We alternate driving and I guess because we've been doing if for the past 10 years we are used to it. One thing that we quickly found out was to not stop for a big sit down meal but to stop more often for lighter snacks. Gas and food down and back for the 4 of us runs between $500 and $600. Airfare would run close to $3000 for the 4 of us. The savings allow us to cruise twice a year instead of once. Edited July 17, 2014 by Ourusualbeach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time4u2go Posted July 17, 2014 #43 Share Posted July 17, 2014 (edited) OP, I just noticed you are doing a 2-day cruise. My answer to your question would be "no". Edited July 17, 2014 by time4u2go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deliver42 Posted July 17, 2014 #44 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I live near Columbia, SC, and always drive home. It takes about 10 hours with stops, and lunch, but I have no problem with it. Just don't over indulge the night before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jreichow1972 Posted July 17, 2014 #45 Share Posted July 17, 2014 We drive 18-20 hours to Fort Lauderdale/Miami from Ohio every cruise and land vacations too. We leave early and drive 12 hours the first day and finish up the rest the next. Like others have said it's not bad if you take breaks. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted July 17, 2014 #46 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Why not as long as you have a couple of drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handbellplayer Posted July 17, 2014 #47 Share Posted July 17, 2014 We have made a 10-hour drive back from PC to NC many times on disembarkation day. Since your kids are older, you should be fine. Of course, I should have mentioned that we drove straight through from NC to Niagara Falls once, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilda Posted July 17, 2014 #48 Share Posted July 17, 2014 You are just coming off of a one week vacation; relaxed, refreshed, and rested. Driving should not be a problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptcellen Posted July 17, 2014 #49 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Are you sure it is only a 9-10 hr drive. We live in Peachtree City, and driving to Port Canaveral takes us anywhere from 8.5 hrs-10 hrs depending on the traffic and we only stop for pit stops. I believe FLL is about 3 hours further. I would think a 12 hr car ride after a cruise is pushing it. Can you stop overnight somewhere along the way home? Ellen:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigque Posted July 17, 2014 #50 Share Posted July 17, 2014 When we drive down to Florida from North Carolina we stay ovenight at the port and rest up all day before driving back the next morning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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