Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Would love to hear preferred routes to TV. My friends swear By I-75, but someone recently recommended 77. Would like to hear other drivers' recommendations. We need to stop for two overnights in "pet friendly" accommodations. ;D

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

'barefoot' - we're close - I'm from Buffalo suburbs.. when I go visit relatives in NC or friends in Myrtle Beach, I drive right down the thruway 90 inNYS to 79 , thru Pittsburgh, WV, shift to rt 19 for 60 miles to 77 I believe (dont have the trusty mapout), and can go right down to Charlotte, NC. Havent traveled past that point yet but I imagine, point to Atlanta and come down into Florida! will check it out. The 79/77 trip is fast with alot of the time spent in75 mph ranges.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

ripwho:
How is the airport out of Buffalo ? I am trying to get some Canadian friends to fly out of Buffalo rather than TO ( Toronto) If you can believe it they haven't heard of TV.
:dontknow: :dontknow:

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

barefoot,

We leave from Erie, PA.

• I-79 south, into West Virginia
• Take U.S. Route 19 toward Summersville
• Continue to Beckley

This far is about six hours for me, probably nine for you.

Beckley is a nice place to stop anyhow. Many restaurants, and if you have time, especially stop to see Tamarack. A wonderful collection of West Virginia artists, and a super place for breakfast in the morning before you push off to continue south. I love stopping here. The restaurant is run by Greenbriar, a regionally hooty-toot resort where you can spend a lot of money and time. The restaurant at Tamarack is very reasonable, though. And I love the breakfast there.

• Take I-77 out of Beckley.

• Take I-77 through Charlotte and Columbia

• Take I-26 out of the south side of Columbia

• Take I-26 to I-95

• Take I-95 to Jacksonville.

• Get I-295 on north of Jacksonville

• Go to I-10 West

• I-10 to Florida Rote 301. (I truly hate 301 because of the varying speeds and speed traps. It is eash to make a mistake because of the numerous change in speed limits.)
  Take 301 to 441 in Ocala and you are within shooting distance of TV.

It is 21 to 23 hours from Toronto. Unless you drive like a Canadian, then the entire trip will take you just under four hours from Toronto. ;D

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Get a Garmin it'll get ya there. No arguing with the wife, and you don't have to get out and ask for directions. If I were going I-95 out of Jacksonville I would continue south on I 95 to Daytona exit there going west to Deland and on to the Villages. Garmins route, works like a charm.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

'barefoot' - Buffalo/Niagara Airport is OK!! Being from NYC I was used to JFK and LaG but BUF airport is quite busy... try Southwest - I booked a flight from BUF to Orlando last april for $160 RT.. Jetblue also goes to Orl and Tampa but thru JFK (you also got Directv in front of your seat)...

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

barefoot

We have used the I-75 route and the I-79/I-77/I-95 route over the many years we have been coming to Florida. Both are good but the second one is harder driving as there are more mountains. We drive straight thru and the second route is actually faster but we have not yet taken it to TV. We leave on Saturday morning and we may try the second route this time so I can report back to you how it goes.

We close on our house in less than a week so I am really starting to get excited.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Bama .. what is a Garmin and how do you get one? I assume it's a map or GPS of some sort? Sounds like a type of gerbil.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

We've used either 75 or 85/77 from Atlanta to Cleveland and back. On one occasion, we had to stop overnight on 77 and had some trouble finding a pet friendly motel. We lucked out in Beckley, W. Virginia. I'm sorry I don't remember the name but it's about a mile or so east off 77 on the right hand side. Pick up the hotel/motel coupon booklet at the W.VA. welcome center and it shouldn't be too hard to Identify the place.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

There are two hotel chains that are pet-friendly. If I recall, one is Red Roof Inn. I totally forgot the second chain, but it's one of the better known chains. I guess you just need to contact RRI and others to see if they allow pets. GOOD LUCK, and have a safe trip!

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Tony, thanks so much for the GREAT detailed information. We are leaving Monday for TV!!! :2excited: :hot:
and I've just gone over your instructions with map in hand.
Question: Why not take 301 when you are north of Jackonsville, instead of 295 and I-10 West to 301??

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

I travel I -75 to the TV...it is a straight shot for me and no problems...Pet Friendly places to stay...I highly recommend the Jameson Inn Hotel...go on line for locations...www.Jamesoninn.com...on the way down I stay at the one on the otherside of Atlanta in Perry, Georgia...on the way back I stay at the one in Knoxville...very clean and breakfast every morning...I try and make reservations so I know I have a room...especially in Knoxville...location for the Jameson's Inn are normally very handy right off the highway and nice restaurants located around with gas stations near by...they are a a lot nicer than the Red Roof Inn by far...hope this helps you out...I am a dog owner as you can tell...

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Most will tell you to avoid 301....it is notorious for it's speed traps and hence a very slow trip from Jax to TV...can make good time on I-10 and then I-75..I drove it a couple weeks ago and it took me 21/2 hours.
Have a safe trip down!!

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Have a safe trip to TV, Barefoot!

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

barefoot - I noticed you never got an answer on the Garmin. Garmin is a manufacturer of GPS devices. They work great for getting you where you want to go. However, I think you have detailed enough directions to get you there anyway. Good luck and have a safe trip. :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

If you have AAA, they'll help you find pet-friendly hotels/motels. Another great site to check for specific areas as www.petswelcome.com. It has a great list of pet-friendly accommodations. I used it to travel with 3 cats from California to here.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Thanks for all the input, and for the good wishes. ;D You guys are great. I spent 3 hours with a map this morning trying to figure out our route .. We took I-75 last time from Canada. I'm thinking this time we will try 79/77 .. and I got lots of good ideas from this post on that. Of course "He Who Drives" will make the final decision.

I've never heard of Jameson Inns, I'll check them out. Even pet-friendly motels balk at two dogs .. our 70 lb dog is the size of a small pony. Luckily our small dog fits in a shoe box so we don't have to worry about him. (Just kidding pet lovers, I don't really carry him in a shoe box).

I am beyond excited trying to get ready for this trip. Only 5 days to go and we finally get to see our Villa for the very first time, (a resale which we bought sight unseen in April). Hope we like it!

:hot: :2excited: :hot:

I've already "met" our next door neighbour on-line through TOTV .. what a great site! :bigthumbsup:

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

hey barefoot

My husband and I used the 79/77 route coming down to TV from Toronto last week and the trip went very well. We have taken the I-75 route many times also and both are good. Let me know if you have any questions and I will be glad to answer if I can. Sorry do not have dog so can not help you with pet friendly hotels.

I just got hooked up to the internet today and I am really looking forward to catching up with all the info on talk of the villages. looking forward to meeting you here in TV

Have a great trip.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Hi Barefoot, have to tell you what a small world TV can be. We went golfing and then lunch with friends of ours today. During lunch I was telling Linda and Bob, who are from Prince Edward Island, about this couple on TOTV that purchased a CYV sight on seen in Belvedere. I couldn't believe it when Linda said it was her and I think the lady's name was Heather, that checked out your new home for you prior to your purchasing it!

Good Luck with your new villa and :welcome:

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Happy Villager ... What a hoot, of course it was Linda and Heather that saw my Villa!! It is truly a small world. I haven't met Linda and Bob in person yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

I even met my next door neighbour on line through TOTV, I haven't met her in person yet, but she is really great.

Mom2five - you're in TV already .. good for you. I'll be there next week. See you then!

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Barefoot & Family, Have a safe trip. We will be down next week, Wednesday. Maybe we will run into you at town square.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

barefoot, we always take I 75, no problems. Have a safe trip we'll keep an eye out for you, our friends live on the same street you do, I'll watch for the Ontario plates or you pm me your address.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Thank you everyone for the advice and good wishes. I really appreciate it. :bigthumbsup:

Golfnut, I've PM'ed you our address twice. Or you can look for our house sign:
Barefoot At Last on the post.

We've decided to take 79/77 this time as we took I-75 last time. We've booked a Red Roof Hotel in Statesville, N.C., I'm hoping that is half-way. They seem quite pet friendly - no charge for pets. I've found some hotels that advertise themselves as pet friendly actually charge $75 per dog per night!!! That is nutty.

See y'all soon. Wish I could bottle some of this excitement for later!! :hot: :hot:

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

What A Hoot that's one of Linda's favorite comments. Is that a Canadian thing?

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

re What a Hoot. It may be Canadian also, but it is definitely southern.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

:welcome:
AS FOR PET FRIENDLY ACCOMADATIONS. WE HAVE ALWASY FOUND THE BEST WESTERNS TO BE PET FRIENDLY W/ OUT QUESTIONS SOME OF THEM CHARGE A SMALL FEE. BUT FOR THE MOST PART THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD.

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Thanks again for the good wishes and all the great information on routes and hotels. ;D
I'm not sure if the expression "What a hoot" is Canadian, I wasn't even aware I said it! Probably comes from the time I lived in the wild with wolves. No, that wasn't me, that was a book I read.

Today is my last stab at packing for the next six months, bringing both summer and winter clothes. And doing the myriad of details that always crop up at the last minute.
We are hoping to pack the car tonight and pull out of the driveway 5 am tomorrow; and be in TV Tuesday night. Brutus and Biggin have their dog bowls packed and are waiting in the driveway; they understand what packing suitcases means, and they're determined not to stay behind.

It's a great feeling to be driving to TV as home owners (nevermind we haven't seen our new home yet, everyone should have a few surprises in life).

See y'all shortly.
:hot: :2excited: :hot:
Barefoot

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Barefoot...well, your departure date has finally arrived; Have a safe journey down here; Must be exciting to have 6 months of beautiful Florida weather and Villages living ahead of you. Now, you've got to make a vow to stay connected to TOTV once you get here. Seems like some folks fall off the board once they arrive....must be all the house fix up chores and fun they are having.

See you at Brusters on Nov 2!!! 8)

Re: Driving to TV from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 

Villages 07 ..... I've noticed myself that people disappear off the board. :dontknow: Even the most avid posters reach TV and their new homes, and it's like they fall into an abyss, and are never heard from again.

As you know, we have to totally furnish our Villa, so our life will be Walmart, garage sales and Bargains and Treasures for a while. Then, in desperation, we'll probably go to Southern Lifestyles and order everything.

However I do plan to continue my love affair with TOTV, once I get hooked up to cable and buy a computer. I've had so much fun on the site, and met such great people.

See you at Brusters for sure! ;D ;D