Flydrive of East Coast USA ending in Florida

[HarrogateMum]

Thinking of doing the big Disney trip next year with our children who will by then be 8, 8 and 6..but would quite like to take in more than just theme parks whilst there.

One idea that DH had was to fly into somewhere like Washington DC and spend a week driving down to Orlando seeing various sights as we go.

Not being the USA expert, I have little idea of what is nice to see and do along this route other than some of the spectacular looking beaches of the Virginias and Carolinas!

Has anyone ever done a flydrive like this and if so what would you recommend, or if you have visited Maryland/Virginias/Carolinas/Georgia etc, do you have must sees that we could detour to? Any ideas gratefully received and many thanks in advance!

no-one? hello?!

We did Florida to new Orleans but not with children. Took us best part of 3 weeks was hot, exhausting but amazing.

I would not do it with children! 4hrs a day in a car on very straight empty roads is a long time.

I'm sure you know this but America is massive and the speed limits make for slow progress.

I grew up in Canada and we drove to Disney florida a few times ....it is a dull drive for kids , very long.

I can't remember the route we took but I imagine it was the quickest highway route. I do remember stopping in Kentucky as we were all desperate to go to the first KFC this was in the 70's though.

The beaches on the gulf coast are nice and closer to the disney parks. We used to stay in the Siesta Keys.

not much help..sorry

Washington south lots of pine trees very dull. Chesapeake bridge is beautiful, but I'd spend your time doing Florida in a more relaxed way, not in the car.

I've done the West coast. LA-San Deigo - across the desert to Vegas (flew over Grand Canyon) and up highway one to San Francisco. Utterly amazing, but no way would DCs appreciate it.

It is all helpful! The distance would be about 800 miles from Washington poss to Orlando...so in a week there would be no more than 150 miles in a day...which I figured was do-able?

I typed out a huge response and then lost it :(

You can do as many hours a day as you like. Roads are not a problem. 150 miles is 3+ hours on the road before you faff about on eating, finding your accommodation and attractions (so maybe say 4 hours). Are you willing to drive this much?

As for places en route -

Washington - you could easily spend 2 - 3 days
Williamsburg, VA - for a taste of Colonial life.
Norfolk, VA and area - home of the US Navy
North Carolina - beach resorts
South Carolina and Georgia - ante-bellum towns and plantations
Florida - Cape Canaveral space Center, before turning inland to Orlando.

Don't think 8,8 and 6 would get Williamsburg. DD was 2.5 and quite happy to run about anywhere.

Trouble with the USA is you can do 100 miles of exactly the same scenery, it can get dull.

DF lived in LA for a year and says if you do the main West Coast road rather than highway one It's orange groves. Fun to someone form the uk at first, but after 100 miles the novelty wears off.