In Florida, particularly at the bustling rest stop on the Florida-Georgia border, travelers pause to reflect on what these journeys mean to them. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has forecasted that approximately 81 million individuals will travel at least 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving week. This surge would mark a new record, with Orlando standing out as the top domestic destination.

The holiday season is not just about the destination but also about the experiences and connections made along the way. Despite the long drives and crowded cars, the effort is driven by a desire to connect with loved ones.

Kevin Loebel, who is journeying from Ohio to Orlando with his wife and their five children, shares, “It’s memories that we’re always going to have. There might be fighting and arguing going on, but with these trips, I used to do it all the time when I was a kid with my dad.” Their ultimate destination is the magical Universal Studios, a place where family memories are sure to be forged.

“It’s memories that we’re always going to have. might be fighting and arguing going on, but with these trips, I used to do it all the time when I was a kid with my dad,” said Kevin Loebel, who, together with his wife, packed their five kids into their car, driving from Ohio to Orlando. Their main destination is Universal Studios.

“It’s about 15 and a half hours,” said Loebel. 

He said they usually stay at home but decided to mix it up this year.

However, those miles look different for every family on the road.

Christine Reeves is also heading to Orlando from her home near West Palm Beach, heading to Disney Springs. 

Before that, they stopped at Amelia Island in Nassau County, then Savannah, all with a golden retriever in the back seat.

“This is by far the longest we’ve traveled with her. My husband and two kids shoved into this car,” said Reeves. 

To pass the time, Christine says they keep things fun. “We listen to Harry Potter audiobooks.”

For others, the miles stack up even more, like Joseph McNeil driving his sister from Maryland to Melbourne, “it’s like 13 hours.”

He said on this long journey, they enjoy the simple moments together. “So I’m with my sister, so we talk to each other, we got music, we got podcasts… we are trapped in the car together, so we can’t do anything else but talk to each other or sleep.”

He said in the end,  It’s not the miles that matter but the memories made along the way.

The travelers said the key to a successful trip is taking breaks and not speeding.

And a reminder, a new law that took effect October 1 makes it illegal to block, cover, or obscure any part of your license plate. It could now land you in jail. 

The Florida Tax Collector’s office recommends keeping your plate clean and visible.