sazcc

(Apologies in advance for long post and I may have asked something similar last year but a) I can't find the thread and b) I've got some new questions so please bear with me. Thanks!!)

Hi guys

so scenario is 5-6 adults and 1 toddler traveling from UK next June/July to hire vehicle at NYC airport and drive to see family in Ohio (have done this (and many other in USA) roadtrip several times, we like to have a car). Stay in Ohio approx 7 days.

(Looong) Drive to Key West- keen for ideas for potential route suggestions and nice stop overs (over 2-3 days) I am aware of various issues of toddlers travelling etc etc so that aside am keen to hear suggestions- had thought Savannah, Georgia as possible stop? Have read that Atlanta during rush hour is big trouble? Any/ all advice very welcome- ultimately want quickest route and know can't stop over for long periods so will see little anyway but still...

So my questions in the main are....
1. Suggestions for vehicle rental to carry 6-7 people and approx 4 suitcases ONE WAY (pick up NYC drop off Florida). We only want ONE vehicle and are experienced roadtrippers/ large van drivers.

2. Suggestions for quick/ nice stopovers and route ideas Ohio- Florida.

3. Reasonable self catering with parking ideas in down-town Key West?

Many MANY thanks in advance, you guys have been hugely helpful to me in the last and hope you can be again
Sarah

nytraveler

For cars you need to search the agencies at the airport and see who has what king of large vehicle. I'm not sure a 9 person van will do - for 7 adults plus a baby seat plus luggage. I think you need to make sure that they such vehicles in their fleet - and expect a large drop off charge.

You can look at Priceline but I think you will get a better deal renting in the UK since your rates will include tax and insurance - which rates h.ere don't. But check out vehicles before deciding on a company

flpab

http://www.compass-realty.com/exec/s...umanannex.html

Truman annex has parking and this is a lovely area in Key West. Once you park the car you won't need it. There might be some other agency's that rent in this area also but try them.

flpab

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...t/truman-annex

Some of these even have bikes that you can use. Eaton bikes are very close by you and they rent bikes and will even drop them off for you. Fausto's is the best grocery close by you with two locations but you will also see a Publix grocery store on your way into Key West.

Ackislander

Most people would take I-75 to Naples, Fl, then US 41 across the Everglades, then down the Keys to KW.

This route doesn't go anywhere very interesting, though there are interesting side trips possible (Smoky Mountain National Park, Savannah or Charleston, Disney, etc). But each of these would be an overnight excursion. If you have driven the M1, M4 or M 25, Atlanta will be similar or easier.

You will get a much better rate, as nytraveler says, hiring your car from the UK than we can get here.

I would think you might be best off leaving it in either Miami or Orlando and flying from their, but you might find going over the border to Georgia and flying from Savannah would be better. I think JetBlue is flying from Savannah now as well as Orlando to JFK.

It is going to be hot as hell, so plan to stop early enough for everyone to have a swim before dinner. Also, there are tropical thunderstorms almost every afternoon in Florida, but the sun comes out again.

Dave_Ohio

The folks above gave you good advice.

We drove from NE Ohio to Key West and back in two weeks, a year ago last January. It was a long drive, one which I don't think I would enjoy doing in summer.

We took the eastern route down, following I-77 to Columbia SC, then I-26 to I-95. We stayed a couple of nights in Savannah, and met up with friends on St. Simons Island for a long weekend. Heading south, we toured St Augustine FL (interesting historic city) and stayed near there, then drove to and stayed near Miami/Florida City (consider a day trip visit into Everglades Natl Park if possible). To the Keys from there, then back north along the Gulf side, via Tarpon Springs (quaint sponge fishing port). We picked up I-75 in GA and headed back to Ohio. Did I mention that it was a long drive? About 3000 miles (ca. 5000 km) round trip. Fortunately for you, you aren't planning to drive round trip.

Good luck and have fun!

LBloom

I also live in Ohio and would second Dave's choice. A lot of places to stop along the way.

Where in Ohio will you be starting from? A "tip" we do when needing to rent a car: you can save A LOT with airport taxes by renting your car from a location in the city. There are Enterprise, Avis, etc. locations in a lot of cities and over the course of 2 weeks, this could save $$. Do check the one way drop off fee, that will be hefty. Someone upthread mentioned Priceline, I don't believe they do one way, but you can check. Good Luck!

Gretchen

Hotwire "might" do one way rentals.

tomfuller

Would you consider taking a train to Cleveland (or Cincinnati if closer) and renting your big van there?
Good luck on not having a big drop off charge from whatever company you choose.

Dave_Ohio

I just looked up sazcc's profile. In a post from last summer, she indicates that they will be driving from New York (JFK) to visit relatives in the New Philadelphia area. That would suggest they'll start out the Florida portion of the trip on I-77.

For our trips down I-77 from farther north, we have often stopped at Marietta OH (gasoline and fast food), Beckley WV (gasoline, and Tamarack shops offer good meals), Bland VA (nice rest area with tables for picnicking), and Wytheville VA (usually find good gas prices). Driving time overall from New Philadelphia OH to Charleston SC or Savannah GA might be about 12 hours with stops, give or take an hour, unless there's construction or other delays. A few times when we departed late, we have overnighted in a budget motel in Beckley WV or near Carowind Park SC, just south of Charlotte NC at US-21.

flpab

I live south of Daytona and it takes us seven hours to get to KW. Get an early and you ail be there in time for check in. Seven mile bridge is a great stop in the keys.

Gretchen

Tamarack is a tourist place of overpriced but VERY good WVA crafts. It is hard to get in and out of and the gas prices there are the turnpike prices--high.
Charleston,WVA, to Charlotte is 5 hours. Charlotte to Charleston SC is 3.5 hours.

sazcc

Everyone thanks so much for your very valuable input!!

Sorry yrs I should have said its New Philadelphia Ohio where family live.

The more I read and research, the more I'm wondering if folks think it would make more sense for us to *try* (depends on USA destinations from Belfast/ Dublin that fly non stop as I hate flying!!) to fly to a destination as close to midway between Ohio and Florida and rent van (or 2 cars if it seems more realistic) so that we can pick up/ drop off at same destination?

Nice top about car rental from city location- will look into this!

tomfuller

Which inland cities can you fly to from your home airport?
Pittsburgh PA or Cincinati OH might work for you.

sazcc

Very few inland cities unfortunately!!

I know for sure we can fly to Orlando (who can't eh!?) so what about this....

Fly in and out of Orlando - pick up rental car(s) somewhere away from airport to try and reduce $$ and drive to New Philadelphia Ohio to see family for 7 days

THEN

Drive New Philadelphia to Key west with suggested stopovers in this thread above, leaving relatively short (I know this will still be 6-7hrs ish) return to Orlando to fly home?

The pros to this suggestion are that we "know" Orlando a little and have already roadtripped around Florida in 2012 so have reserved confidence in trying to save some money by picking up car at an alternative to the airport.

Also this means there's no hefty one way drop off fee?

I understand Orlando to New Philadelphia, OH will be a long drive - keen for any/ all suggestions and guidance on this?

Bare in mind we will have maximum 16 days for entire trip and want no less than 7 days in Ohio (to be there over 4th July)

Thanks again guys!!

tomfuller

Any chance you can find a flight to Pittsburgh or Cleveland?
Either of them is about 2 hours from New Philadelphia.
If you are stuck with flying to NYC, take a connecting flight to CLE or PGH or take a train (Pennsylvanian to PGH or Lake Shore Limited to CLE).

sazcc

Tom- we've flown NYC to Pittsburgh before but we need a car at new phila you see- so it's kinda just easier to fly in and out of same airport (and just one flight for me who hates flying!!) and drive.

In theory we could fly to NYC then connect to Pittsburgh and hire a car there but then we'd have to drive back up to Pittsburgh from key west to drop off car and fly back to NYC then connect to fly home.....

I'm thinking flight to somewhere like Orlando (or somewhere slightly more in between OH and FL if we can get it) and driving to each destination would be easier?

Gretchen

I think you can fly to Pittsburgh per others' suggestions. It makes ZERO sense to fly somewhere in between and do the backtracking--it is a LONG way. Key West is forever away.
The very best thing would be to fly to Key West or Miami. Drive to KW, back to Miami and then fly to Pittsburgh and do your family visit. Rent a car there for a RT to the airport to NewPhil.
A one way drop off is going to eat you alive, particularly on a sort of unusual and large vehicle.
If you fly (just get some tranquilizer) two legs, you will maximize your time at both places, and even possibly save money, although flights for that number will be dear.

sazcc

Thanks Gretchen.

Ok so taking onboard is this what you are suggesting:

Fly dublin- Miami and pick up rental car (keen to drive down 7 mile bridge as loved being able to stop off at areas and craft shops- the one with the big insect outside??? Name escapes me)

Stay key west approx 5-7 days

Drive back to Miami and fly to Pittsburgh

Rent another car at Pittsburgh and drive to see family in Ohio for 7 days.

Return to Pittsburgh and fly to Miami or NYC to return home to Ireland.

So 4 flights and 2 separate car rentals....

I completely see how your advice shaves off wasted time on the roads but for someone who hates flying and given that we'll have a toddler in tow my feeling is that this is pretty hassley?

A return flight to one airport and one entire car rental then driving to both detonations seems easier in my mind?

That said- (even if you think we are MAD!!) could people advice suggested route from Orlando to new phila Ohio and then new Phila to key west?
Different stop overs?

Many thanks again
Sarah

Gretchen

From Orlando you are looking at least an 8 hour drive to KW and a 12+ hour drive to NewPhil. Think about that with a toddler, plus the others in the car. Think about stopping for a meal and gas for a large vehicle--and don't forget that is twice.
That just does not seem easier my mind, and it takes at least 5 days from your trip, crammed in a small space.
And in any case, you might be better off with renting two cars rather than the one large vehicle where everyone has to go everywhere at the same time.