Winter in Florida

bigdog · 09-29-2015, 10:03 PM

Thanks Billy Bob about the info on the train, much apprecaited !

I contacted truck broker carriers last year for pricing and got a quote of about
$800 from NH to Tampa/Orlando area.

So all things considered and the cost, 'trucking' the car may be my best option. Definitely would save the drive to D.C. for the train option, then I'd still have to take a plane from there to Tampa. That's got to be another $200
Checking car brokers for pricing again.

I've only driven to FLA once, and that was Mass to Ft Lauderdale, a really longgggggggggg ride ! Swore I'd never do it again.

Anyone know how long it would take to drive from MA to Tampa ?
I figure I could do it in 2 days, with maybe one overnight stop ?
I think I could get to the N Carolina border the first day.

Thoughts?

Newbiesaukee · 09-29-2015, 10:28 PM

You could do it with one stop but it is two long driving days.

bigdog · 09-29-2015, 10:50 PM

Just checked Amtrak Auto train pricing. Wash DC to Sanford FLA

Senior Coach ticket $168
Car cost $244
Total = $412

Trains leave daily at 4:00pm, arrive in FLA 9:00am next day.

Not bad !

8gv · 09-29-2015, 11:09 PM

With quite a few trips from CT to FL under my belt I can say with certainty that the ride down to DC contains about 95% of the white knuckle driving.

South of Richmond the going gets quite easy.

As far as the whole drive goes...

It's about 11 hours from Laconia to Ashland VA and another 15 to Tierra Verde.

For some that is two days. Others will need three. There is no future in falling asleep at the wheel.

upthesaukee · 09-29-2015, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

Just checked Amtrak Auto train pricing. Wash DC to Sanford FLA

Senior Coach ticket $168
Car cost $244
Total = $412

Trains leave daily at 4:00pm, arrive in FLA 9:00am next day.

Not bad !

We have friends who use the auto train annually, and love it. To each their own. We do love train travel, but are not snowbirds. Train travel is very relaxing.

Resident 2B · 09-29-2015, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

Thanks Billy Bob about the info on the train, much apprecaited !

I contacted truck broker carriers last year for pricing and got a quote of about
$800 from NH to Tampa/Orlando area.

So all things considered and the cost, 'trucking' the car may be my best option. Definitely would save the drive to D.C. for the train option, then I'd still have to take a plane from there to Tampa. That's got to be another $200
Checking car brokers for pricing again.

I've only driven to FLA once, and that was Mass to Ft Lauderdale, a really longgggggggggg ride ! Swore I'd never do it again.

Anyone know how long it would take to drive from MA to Tampa ?
I figure I could do it in 2 days, with maybe one overnight stop ?
I think I could get to the N Carolina border the first day.

Thoughts?

I drive from the North Shore to Bradenton, and hour south of Tampa, with our dog. We do it in two days.

I would rather do it in three days, but a second night in a motel with the dog is not something that is appealing to me. For us, it is 1,400 miles and takes 23 or 24 hours. Biggest challenges are DC and NYC. After that, it is a nice ride. Tolls disappear after DC until I get to the Skyway Bridge south of Tampa.

R2B

09-29-2015, 10:28 PM	#2
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,354 Thanks: 949 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	You could do it with one stop but it is two long driving days. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

09-29-2015, 10:03 PM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,451 Thanks: 345 Thanked 123 Times in 97 Posts	Thanks Billy Bob about the info on the train, much apprecaited ! I contacted truck broker carriers last year for pricing and got a quote of about $800 from NH to Tampa/Orlando area. So all things considered and the cost, 'trucking' the car may be my best option. Definitely would save the drive to D.C. for the train option, then I'd still have to take a plane from there to Tampa. That's got to be another $200 Checking car brokers for pricing again. I've only driven to FLA once, and that was Mass to Ft Lauderdale, a really longgggggggggg ride ! Swore I'd never do it again. Anyone know how long it would take to drive from MA to Tampa ? I figure I could do it in 2 days, with maybe one overnight stop ? I think I could get to the N Carolina border the first day. Thoughts?

09-29-2015, 10:50 PM	#3
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,451 Thanks: 345 Thanked 123 Times in 97 Posts	Just checked Amtrak Auto train pricing. Wash DC to Sanford FLA Senior Coach ticket $168 Car cost $244 Total = $412 Trains leave daily at 4:00pm, arrive in FLA 9:00am next day. Not bad !

09-29-2015, 11:09 PM	#4
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,113 Thanks: 64 Thanked 748 Times in 482 Posts	With quite a few trips from CT to FL under my belt I can say with certainty that the ride down to DC contains about 95% of the white knuckle driving. South of Richmond the going gets quite easy. As far as the whole drive goes... It's about 11 hours from Laconia to Ashland VA and another 15 to Tierra Verde. For some that is two days. Others will need three. There is no future in falling asleep at the wheel.

The Following User Says Thank You to 8gv For This Useful Post:
Resident 2B (09-29-2015)