Disney World might be the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” but the on-the-ground reality is that the drive along Interstate 95 from Northern Virginia to Orlando stretches 860 miles and takes about 13 hours to complete — and that’s not counting rest stops. With the right attitude, a little planning, and maybe a pot or two of coffee, the journey can be just as fun and memorable as the destination itself. The key is starting the day early, knowing where to stop, and possibly considering an overnight stay along the way.
Everyone in the car, adults and children alike, will benefit from well-timed breaks to stretch the legs and get the oxygen flowing. Think you don’t have time? Consider the benefits. Brief exercise makes drivers more alert and makes tired children sleepy — a win for everyone on long road trips. There are plenty of great places to pull off of I-95 for a little adventure followed by a bite to eat.
Richmond, Virginia
Drive time from Dulles: About 2 hours
This is where Northern Virginia drivers who leave early to get in front of traffic should stop for coffee and breakfast. After 10 a.m., you can pet farm animals and explore the grounds, buildings, and gardens of Maymont Park and its Robins Nature Center, where interactive displays explain the remarkable ecology of the adjoining James River. Eat: The Fancy Biscuit will set you up with a protein-packed buttermilk biscuit that is Southern-mama worthy. 1831 West Cary St., Richmond
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Drive time from Dulles: About 5 hours
Indoor museums are a reliable place to walk in all kinds of weather. The U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum will engage even the youngest visitors with realistic, immersive displays that bring military history to life. Sit down with special forces soldiers in an Afghan hut or visit a Viet Cong prisoner of war camp in South Vietnam’s U Minh Forest. These are experiences that leave lasting impressions. Eat: Huske Hardware Restaurant and Brewery offers a cozy, rustic setting and filling, balanced meals. Try the Angus sirloin tips with Yukon mashed potatoes. 405 Hay St., Fayetteville
Walterboro, South Carolina
Drive time from Dulles: About 7.5 hours
Only three minutes from I-95 in South Carolina Lowcountry, Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary offers a network of boardwalks and hiking trails to bottomland thick with Cypress and Spanish moss. Before leaving, head over to Walterboro airport to check out the Tuskegee Airmen Monument or tour the elegant Bedon-Lucas House Museum, constructed in 1820. Eat: There’s a basket of oysters with a side of snow crab legs with your name on it waiting at the Barrel House Grille. 104 Robertson Blvd., Walterboro
Savannah, Georgia
Drive time from Dulles: About 9 hours
If you’ve never seen Savannah, taking time to walk the historic riverfront is a decision you will never regret. In fact, it’s worth an evening stay at the eye-popping JW Marriott at the Savannah Plant Riverside District, which is as much a geological museum as it is a hotel. Eat: First opened in 1753 as an inn for seafarers, The Pirates’ House, only one block from the river, blends good food with a fascinating historic setting. Try the honey pecan fried chicken or blackened snapper and follow the spiral staircase to treasures upstairs in a gift shop stuffed to the gills with fun pirate memorabilia. 20 E. Broad St., Savannah
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Drive time from Dulles: About 13 hours
It would be regrettable to travel to Florida without visiting at least one ocean beach. Swinging over to Cape Canaveral and, a bit farther south, Cocoa Beach, efficiently checks a lot of boxes and adds only about an hour driving time to the trip. The Kennedy Space Center offers something for everyone, including visits to the launch pads. Nearby is Canaveral National Seashore, 24 miles of undeveloped beach replete with wildlife. Eat: The views from the deck at Coconuts on the Beach will beg you to linger and maybe order that second Mai Tai in a real monkey-shaped coconut container (only if you’re not the driver). Try the island swordfish with ginger glaze and a slice of key lime pie with sauce and whipped cream. Settle with the waiter, and you’ll be in Orlando in about 1 hour 15 minutes. 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Travel newsletter.
