Stopping points
 

Driving from NYC to Villages. Can anyone recommend good lodgings around a half way point. And what would be a good halfway point.

florence, south carolina is probably gonna put you just a bit more than halfway to your destination. takes us about 8 hrs from the jersey shore. a shorter distance from nyc might be around lumberton, north carolina?

Fayetteville, North Carolina. There are even some 'pet friendly' lodgings (although I sneaked in our cat and she was very well behaved at the Hampton Inn).

May I suggest that you stay a bit flexible. As you know, the I-95 corridor from NYC to Fredricksburg, VA can be reasonable or outrageous. The harder it is, the sooner you should stop. I personally would not drive that route except on Sunday or, if you're ok driving at night, starting no earlier than 7:00 pm on a weekday. If things are bad, stop at one of the Fredricksburg exits. There are lots of mid range comfy hotels at each of them. Good luck, stay safe, and remember - getting here is WORTH IT!!!

Thank you

We drive from Connecticut, and always stay at the Hampton Inn right off I-95 in Fayetteville. It's about 12 hours to there from where we are--close to the RI border. It's about 8 hours the next day to get to The Villages. Looking forward to our next trip. Hopefully, that one will be a one-way drive!

Driving
 

Have you considered the Amtrak Auto Train.Five hour ride from NYC to Lorton Va.Nice relaxing over night ride(Meals included)to Sanford Florida,you are then about an hour and a half from the Villages.Go on line to Amtrak.com and then click on Auto Train.

We do the same thing
 

My parents traveled from LI to FL years ago and told us Fayetteville, NC was the approximate midpoint so that is we always stay and it works out very well. We also like the Hampton Inn and it is right next door to Rudy Tuesdays. Enjoy your trip.