Summer is the perfect time for family reunions, and if your family is like most big families, you’re probably scattered throughout the U.S. Rather than everyone flying to the reunion destination separately, why not meet up with local relatives and drive to the reunion together? A large group of family members can chip in and rent a van for a fraction of the cost it would take to fly to the location, and you’ll get some additional bonding time out of the trip! With a little bit of planning, you can even make the drive just as memorable and fun as the actual reunion.
When planning your trip, take some time to find unique attractions on or close to the route. For example, if you’re traveling down the East Coast, perhaps from New York or Newark NJ down to South Carolina or Georgia, you can plan to take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT). Most likely, you’ll find the CBBT will be on your way, but even if it isn’t, it’s well worth a detour!
Considered one of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World, the CBBT is truly an amazing feat of engineering. It connects the Delmarva Peninsula (named for Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) with Virginia, and, as its name suggests, goes both over and under the Chesapeake Bay, cutting out 95 miles from the drive between Delaware and Virginia Beach. At 17.6 miles long from shore to shore, the CBBT is believed to be the longest bridge-tunnel in the world.
Not only is the bridge-tunnel itself astonishing, but the view from any spot along the bridge is absolutely breathtaking; at times, all you can see around you is water. It’s literally like driving over the ocean!
Though a major roadway used by literally millions of drivers, the CBBT is a tourist attraction in its own right. There’s actually a gift shop and restaurant in the middle of the bridge-tunnel, on Sea Gull Island (one of four man-made islands along the CBBT), where visitors can stretch their legs, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the beautiful view. Sea Gull Island also features a fishing pier.
There is a $12 one-way toll for the bridge-tunnel, and a discount is offered for round-trips within 24 hours. The CBBT began accepting E-ZPass in November 2007. As with all major roadways, there’s always a possibility that inclement weather may affect your drive, so the CBBT District provides a telephone number (757-331-2960) that drivers may call to check weather and traffic conditions year-round. The CBBT District Police Department also offers a driver assistance program for drivers who may have a phobia of bridges, tunnels, heights, etc., where an employee will drive the individual’s car across for them. The driver should call ahead, if possible, to check availability, as there may be a wait for this service. The phone number for the CBBT District Police Department is 757-331-2960.
So, for your Summer reunion, consider driving a 15 passenger van rental instead of flying to save money and to enjoy some of the beautiful sights and scenery in our beautiful country!
