Trailering to FL (from VA)

[eponacelt]

I think I might be lucky enough to spend a month in Wellington this coming winter. I’ll be trailering my own horse down, and have the option of either doing it as a 2 day trip with a layover, with me as the sole driver, or making it all in one go (about 16 hours) with a second driver along for the ride. I think there are costs and benefits to both, but would be curious about how others feel. My horse is good on the trailer and hasn’t had loading issues while I’ve had her, but I’ve never made a drive longer than 5 hours with her.

Bonus for recommendations on a good (or warnings about a bad) place to stop overnight near the SC/GA line.

[VaGirl]

I’ve done 2 seasons VA to FL and back. The first time I used commercial haulers both ways and they did straight through. Horse did fine, but we are near the NC line so it was a little shorter trip. Last year I sent my horse down commercial, straight through, but we brought him back ourselves. It was 15 hours with two drivers and it was hard. Traffic can be awful around the GA - SC line. It wasn’t so awful that I wouldn’t do it again, but I’d prefer not to!

[MunchingonHay]

Having driven from Ocala, FL to various states for years (PA, NJ, NY, MA, VT, VA) . I would only do straight through drives with an air ride trailer.

I have also done it with an air ride trailer and still stopped. I feel the horses need an opportunity to rest, even if it is standing still on the trailer for some time, get a good long drink, pee, etc. It is a long haul and they are back there balancing themselves the whole time.

[mmeqcenter]

Neither option sounds like a good idea, honestly.
I’d break up into two days with a second driver.

16 hours will end up being more like 18-20 with the stops you’ll need for a break for yourself as well as the horses.

[Southernboy]

I second that advice. I-95 thru SC, GA, FL is either fast and furious or stop and go. Last time I was on that stretch, I was in a minicooper doing 80-85 in the middle lane with a constant stream of cars passing me on the left. You will be in the right lanes mixing it up with the big trucks. Your second driver needs to have some trailering experience also. Avoid all metro areas during rush hours, especially SAV and JAX.

[eponacelt]

@Southernboy

Your second driver needs to have some trailering experience also.

Really? You think?

My second driver is my husband who is a professional firefighter and probably even better at trailer driving than I am. I wish he could do a multi-day journey with me, but that’s not in the cards. I have to do it myself in 2 days or with him in 1.

[MunchingonHay]

@eponacelt

Really? You think?

There is no reason to be quick. No where in the OP do you state your second driver is your DH. How are we supposed to know your DH is a Pro Firefighter??

[eponacelt]

@MunchingonHay

There is no reason to be quick. No where in the OP do you state your second driver is your DH. How are we supposed to know your DH is a Pro Firefighter??

I don’t, but why would anyone think a horse person would allow a rookie driver to take the wheel of a trailer carrying their most important family member on I-95?

[Southernboy]

My mistake. Most people with a lot of trailering experience don’t ask for help on this forum. I was giving you some basic advice.

24 hours on, then 48 off? I was a firefighter for 12 years. If he has to drive back, that will be tight. Tell your husband his services are greatly appreciated.

[eponacelt]

No, his schedule now is terrible - 24 on, 24 off, 24 on, 24 off, 24 on, then 4 days off. The plan would be for him to fly home, so he’s only driving one direction and leaving me with the truck in FL. We’ll see. Enough time to decide I suppose.

[Dutchmare433]

I drove myself (alone) with 2 horses last year from CT to FL and back. I did it in 3 days. On the way down CT—>VA—>SC—>Wellington.

The horses arrived fresh and rested. In SC the horses stayed at the Florence Horse Center. They have stalls or round pens. Plenty of affordable (really) hotels in Florence!

[eponacelt]

@Dutchmare433

The horses arrived fresh and rested. In SC the horses stayed at the Florence Horse Center. They have stalls or round pens. Plenty of affordable (really) hotels in Florence!

I definitely plan on stopping here on my way home, which will be a 2 day trek. But Florence would make for a pretty short first day and pretty long second day for me, so if we break it in 2, I’ll be looking to stop someplace farther south. I’ve heard there’s a place near Savannah, maybe a little north, but I’m hoping I can get some firsthand accounts of it.