driving from new york city to boca raton,fl

Old Nov 19th, 2010, 12:46 PM
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driving from new york city to boca raton,fl

I'm driving down to boca in the early part of january. I'd like to know where and when to stop,
what place to stay and eat..And about how long it will take.thanks donnyC.
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Old Nov 19th, 2010, 12:55 PM
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It can take as little as 2 days with only 1 overnight if you want and there are 2 drivers or as long as you want. I hope you're going to stay for a while. Otherwise, it's really not worth it. Best advice is start very early each day.

Advice I got here
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-ny-to-fla.cfm

Trip report
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm
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Old Nov 19th, 2010, 12:57 PM
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How long do you want it to take? Have you looked at mapquest to see how long the drive is and then thought about how long you want to drive each day?

I know people who go from the NY area to south Florida

This is not a trip report
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Old Nov 19th, 2010, 01:10 PM
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mclaurie has it correct - many people to this in 2d/1 overnight. I know some people who actually drive straight through with 3 drivers, stopping only for gas, food when the cooler runs empty, and bio breaks.

Driving time is about 22-24hrs or so. When I do a long drive like this I like to get a very early start on the first day and push more than half way, which would put you somewhere in SC for a hotel.
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Old Nov 19th, 2010, 01:55 PM
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I95exitguide.com is a useful resource.

I make the drive from Boston to either GA or NC several times/year - so some basic tips. No matter what route you take, something is always going on in central NJ and then again in Baltimore Washington so that it will take you longer than any mapping program will indicate to get you thru these areas. There is often a maddening delay between around Fredericksburg, VA as well - this appears to be just volume, but just when you think you have successfully escaped DC, you hit this.

Once you get into NC/SC the traffic really opens up but road narrows. There are lots of big scary trucks. Also far fewer services - fuel, food, hotels. I also find this stretch dangerous after dark since road is narrower, not well lit, and sleep-inducing since it is so boring. Be careful, since this will likely be at end of a long day for you.

Hotels along this stretch can be a little sketchy - probably not dangerous in reality, just sketchy looking. Many are motel-type with no inside corridor.

And there is no iced coffee south of about Richmond - nor any Dunkin Donuts - a definite cultural deficit.
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Old Nov 19th, 2010, 04:58 PM
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While in college my brother and 3 friends routinely drove straight through - to visit grandparents of one in Palm Beach for spring break. But that was 4 drivers used to going sleepless.

How many are you? How old? How much time do you have for the entire trip?
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Old Nov 20th, 2010, 03:21 AM
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I thought everyone had to stop at South of the Border...e gads, they even have a website now:


http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/
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Old Nov 20th, 2010, 03:25 AM
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How many miles is it to South of the Border?
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Old Nov 20th, 2010, 04:41 AM
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J62 asks -How many miles is it to South of the Border?

Answer - it depends on where you are starting from. SOB is located on Highway 301 in Dillion, South Carolina which is just south of the NC/SC border, hence the name.

It's one of the oldest tourist traps in the south. We stopped there once for gas and drinks way back in 1950 when I was in the 1st grade.
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Old Nov 20th, 2010, 06:06 AM
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Another attraction was the fireworks for sale...illegal in other states.

http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/shopping/




Even back then, everyone realized how tacky it was--but that was the attraction. You could not escape their billboards along the highway, either.

I put it in the class of Wall Drugs...just chock-a-block with great gift items:


http://www.walldrug.com/p-1478-jackalope-bank.aspx


Does Stuckey's still exist? As I recall, you got a free box of gooey candy when you filled your tank...
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Old Nov 20th, 2010, 06:47 AM
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Yes, there are quite a few Stuckey's around the south.
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Old Nov 20th, 2010, 10:37 AM
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If you want to make it a tourist trip, consider going down the Garden State and taking the Cape May ferry to Lewes DE then down the delmarva with a stop at Chincoteague and then over the Bay Bridge. You could then do a stop at Williamsburgh and up to Richmond where you could pick up 95, or continue south on 17 and stop in Wilmington, NC, Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA and then back to 95.

Have a great trip in any case.
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Old Nov 20th, 2010, 10:55 AM
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Yes, there are about a zillion Stuckey's - but suggest you avoid them if you value your arteries.
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Old Nov 20th, 2010, 12:12 PM
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Stop at a Cracker Barrel-they are much better than Stuckey's.
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Old Dec 7th, 2010, 08:42 AM
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thanks everyone you have been very helpful.
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