First Drive to CP

I just got my liscense 2 weeks ago. I hope my parents will let me drive to CP this year during the summer.

Did anyone else drive to CP their first year of getting their liscense?

Right here! Well ok I got my liscense in October of 05 but I wasnt able to drive to CP then.....as I wasnt experienced enough....or something like that. But I drove on every trip in 06.

It really comes down to how confident you are with your driving skills, as well as how your friends feel (if you're taking any). One or 2 trips should take care of that though. My first actual trip was last April to the SP center, and the drive back from opening day (being the first time to drive back from a day of CP) was a bit of a scare. I was soo bushed that I had to have one of my friends drive the remainder of the way home as I could barely keep my eyes open and on the road. But now it's no problem since I got use to it after about the 2nd trip...with the help of pepsi.:)

Yes I drove to CP my first year of licensure. Let me give you a few tips of advice.

1. Get off of Rt. 2 at Rye Beach, hang a right off the exit and then a left at the light by the Shell station. Follow the signs to CP and take the chausee up. Yes, it is a slower speed limit and will take you a few minutes longer (going straight down Cleveland Rd. is 55 for a few miles), but the traffic going in is usually way less than going up 250 by Thirsty Pony.
2. Going out of CP, either way is probably going to be packed so I would suggest going out by Thirsty Pony because at least you have traffic lights going that way.
3. Watch your speed. The chausee is 35 and so is most of CP Drive but once you get past the parking gates it is 25 on the road back to Soak City.
4. Have your parking pass or $ ready before you get to the gate. That way your process will go quicker/smoother.
5. Have fun and RIDE ON!!!!

Its going to be my first time driving to CP along with you this year. If you parents say no if they dont like crowds or something just say you dont have to deal with it and you want to just hang out with friends. Hopefully they let you drive though.

In the 15 years I've been driving to the point, I've never had more than one car in front of me driving to or from CP on the chausee. I highly recommend that direction both ways.

I got my license in June 05 but my parents never let me take the car to CP because it was my first time and it was a long drive. That year I took a few different bus trips and went with family. Last June I bought my own car and was free to drive as I pleased. My first time driving to CP was July of 2006. I used mapquest that time but never needed directions after that.

As long as you drive carefully there shouldn't be a problem. I'm pretty sure I drove right after I got my license. I even towed the popup camper as well that first time.

Just make sure you're good with driving on the freeway, and paying attention.

And don't gawk too much at the Point skyline as you drive over the causeway. That's a good way to run over a goose.

Ensign Smith read my mind.

I've driven to the point countless times, but I still want my nose to be pressed to the window gawking out at the skyline.

You don't to end up taking a right or left turn into the water. :)

Congrats!

Hey, I got giddy when I saw CP for the first time. Seeing the coasters gave me second wind after a 12-hour banzai run from NH.

bholcomb said:
As long as you drive carefully there shouldn't be a problem. I'm pretty sure I drove right after I got my license. I even towed the popup camper as well that first time.

Just make sure you're good with driving on the freeway, and paying attention.

Ohh man that makes me wish we still had our pop up. That would make for some cheaper nights at CP.

Ensign Smith said:
And don't gawk too much at the Point skyline as you drive over the causeway. That's a good way to run over a goose.

I know what you mean, learned that the hard way.

I drove to CP the first year I got my license and it was great. It was about a nine hour trip and I was with my best friends so I had a great time. It's acctually very easy to navagate to CP. Although, it does get a little tricky after I get off I-75.

Please Brock, do tell about how you learned the hard way.

I find it particularly convienent that the exit for the 280 is on the left, I never miss it. Last year's detour was set up nicely and was very easy to follow. Once on the turnpike it's smooth sailing.
*** Edited 3/31/2007 6:43:29 PM UTC by Vince982***

My daughter had her temps license, and I (dad) allowed her to drive up route 2 to cedar point, with me in the car.

This is the 1st summer she will have her license, and let me tell you, trying to convince (mom) that she will be fine driving up there by herself is tough.

I don't think (mom) is going to let her go up there by herself.

One other note.

Ohio has a new driving law for kids under 17 years of age. Only 1 non-family member is allowed in any vehicle with a driver with a license under the age 17. This starts in April this year (2007)

So before you load up all your friends to head to the point, read the law.

They started that law in Ontario a few months after I got my licence. Fortunately I lucked out and bypassed it. I have never actually heard of it being enforced though. It was mentioned in drivers ed and when I told other people they had never heard about it.

I live in Texas, and for the first 6 months of having your license, your only allowed one person in your car that is a non-family member. Of course, the reason they can't enforce that is because they don't know who is driving, until they pull you over. So, I'm not advocating you do this, but if you have more then one non-family member in your car, pay extra attention to the laws: Stopping completely at stop signs, turn signals, but most of all, speeding.

And, I can share in the excitement, because last week my mother finnaly gave in to letting me drive to San Antonio, from Austin. Not that long of a drive, but the independence is awesome.

Personally, I go to Sandusky at least once a week so I'm use to driving there. But still, I can't shake the excited feeling of driving through the entrance.

You and me both! Every time I came to work driving over the causeay, I still got chills.

:-D Thank god for working there this summer. I get to be in the one place that can't put me in a bad mood almost everyday.

You won't be in a bad mood, UNTIL YOU SEE YOU PAYCHECK!