March Break Florida Trip Survival Guide

The forecast says winter’s almost over, but for most of us, that’s not enough. We want short pants and tank tops and we want them now!

Which is why thousands of people will be departing this week for the sunny beaches of Florida, as March Break begins.

If you’re planning on catching a plane, be aware that getting there definitely won’t be half the fun.

More than 93,000 people are expected at Pearson International Airport during the great getaway and equally raucous return next week. So no matter when you get to the new terminal, expect big crowds.

But those driving down to the hopefully sunny south face challenges of their own.

It’s not only expensive to book the trip and the hotel room, but keeping the car filled with gas over those thousands of kilometres promises to be a challenge, too.

It starts before you even get to the border. Gas prices in the GTA are hovering around the $1.03 mark. If you can wait until you get to the U.S., things improve a bit.

The cost of a fill-up in Buffalo is the equivalent of 84 cents a litre. Get past Cincinnati and you’ll only be shelling out 81 cents. Knoxville is a big bargain at just 76 cents a squirt. It’s back up to that 84 cent mark by Orlando, but it’s still better than home.

And when it comes to taking a badly needed break, most seem ready to put up with the expense.

“It’s one of those things where people are concerned but at the same time they need that R&R,” relates Edyta Zdancewicz of the CAA. “And they’re going anyways.”

Calculating all that in, which is cheaper – flying or driving?

A plane will run you about $828 round trip, taxes included.

Doing the same journey in a car will cost you about $250 round trip to drive from here to Florida, plus a couple of nights at a hotel and food – adding roughly another $500 to the tab. That’s $750, slightly cheaper.

And you can take more people in a car for the money and stop wherever you want.

What do you need to know as you go? Here’s our Florida drive survival guide.

Get ready

Since you’re driving, you’re not faced with same restrictions you’d find on board a plane. That means you can take the sun tan lotion and the toothpaste with you!

You’re also not yet required to have a passport to head south of the border by car, but it’s a good idea to have it with you just in case.

Other vitals people often forget: sunglasses, radio or iPod, their bathing suit and a book for the beach.

Also take along a few jackets for differing weather conditions because sometimes the Sunshine State doesn’t live up to its name.

How to get there

The CAA has three recommended routes:

I-75 from Detroit, Michigan directly to Florida.

Kilometres from Toronto: approximately 2,150
Pros and Cons: You’ll encounter mountains as you get further south, but chances of  running into snow are slimmer.

I-79 and I-77

Kilometres from Toronto: approximately 1,900
Pros: Shortest route and most scenic.
Cons: Possible heavy snowfall and fog through mountainous terrain.

I-95

Kilometres from Toronto: approximately 2,280
Pros & Cons: Winter conditions common through mountainous regions.

How far to go

The CAA recommends a maximum of about 800 kilometres a day per driver, with 15 minute breaks every two hours.

Fatigue can kill and you won’t get there faster if you wind up in a hospital.

And if you have kids with you, those breaks may need to be more frequent.

Speaking of which:

Driving With Kids

It’s a special treat to have youngsters in the back seat. Here’s some advice on how to ensure they don’t wind up vacating your vacation:

-Plan some breaks along the way. Let the little ones get out and run off some of that energy.

-Tell your child exactly how long the trip will take. Answer that “are we there yet” question precisely. Rather than replying “soon” try giving your child a more concrete answer.

-Give your child a map. Circle your starting point and where you will end up. Let your child play “navigator” and tell you what city or town you will pass next.

-Put aside some special toys that are rarely played with and are soft and safe as travel toys. Try a special blanket for the car, books, a sleep friend, and a tape deck with sing-along tapes. For older children you may want to look for travel games or activities.

-Play some road games. For example, ask your child to look for certain license plates, vehicle types, buildings, trees, people, and so on. Whatever you do, stop playing while it’s still fun. There’s nothing entertaining about playing a game that has just gone on for too long.

Money Exchange

You’ll have to exchange your loonies for the good old Yankee dollar. Remember to factor in the difference.

At present one Canuck buck is worth about 84 cents U.S. And remember to take some cash. Exchange rates on credit cards are often higher.

Gas Pains

So how much gas will it cost you to make the trip? A lot depends on your route and how many scenic stops you plan to make.

The American Automobile Association has a fuel cost calculator you can use to see how much the entire sojourn will run – but it only starts once you hit the U.S.
 
It calculates the journey based on the roads you’re taking and the model and make of the car you’re driving.

If you were to go through Buffalo driving to Miami in a 2004 Ford Focus, it estimates it would set you back $260 for a round trip.

The same trip in the same car going from Detroit will pull $250 from your wallet.

Remember the calculations are in miles, gallons and U.S. funds, but you get a pretty good idea of the cost. To try the calculator for yourself, click here

Beware of Speed Traps

There’s a reason all those movies use the stereotype of the southern sheriff waiting behind that 25 miles-an-hour sign. The CAA is warning drivers of some especially bad speed traps.

The towns of Waldo and Lawtey in northern Florida are notorious ticket takers. You pass the cities if you’re going on Route 10 – a shortcut from I-95 to the I-75. 

For Lawtey, with its population of 700, it’s a big business. An AAA survey claims the tiny town derives almost 70 percent of its municipal income from traffic tickets.

Waldo is almost as bad at 30 percent.

Construction

They’re almost as annoying as those cops with their ticket books. Click here to see where the work you’ll want to avoid is going on.

Factor in the Time Change

If you’re leaving Friday or Saturday, remember the time change comes early this year. We lose an hour starting Sunday morning at 2am (which immediately becomes 3am). Change your home clocks and timer lights before you go.

Sources courtesy: CAA & AAA