Best route to Orlando from Miami?

[rolfy50]

Hello all,

need help, flying into miami on aug23rd and want to know best route to orlando and how much i would need for tolls , also how good is airport for getting through customs etc , Thanks.

sue

[Blackford Oakes]

Best and only option for a straight shot will be the turnpike. The distance of 225 miles is usually handled between 3.5-4hrs. Before you exit Palm County, you'll encounter three tolls. The first two an a $1 apiece. At the third, you'll be handed a ticket which you'll turn- in in Central FL before you exit the Turnpike. At that last toll you'll fork over $13.70.

If your hitting the attractions area , you get off on Oscela Parkway where you meet two more tolls before hitting Disney. The first one is $1.75 and I believe the second is less than $1. If you'er actually going into the city, continue on the Turnpike and take I-4 east.

My reccomendation in August is to make the trip in the morning to avoid tthe afternoon seasonal downpours. You'd also want to be light on the pedal as you pass Stuart County because that is where you'll likely encounter Troopers. You'll also want to slow down where construction zones are advertised as any infraction is doubled in these areas.

You won't see much on this route, but it is the most efficient. If you need to stop, four rest stop facilities are available, each with a Starbucks and a couple fast food options.

If you don't want to drive, you can take comfort in taking a coach that can be arranged by Miami 411. It might be worth and lesss expensive. With tolls and gas, my expenditure is about $50 each way.

Let us know if you have any furthur questions. I reside in the Greater Orlando area and make this trip once at least once a month.

As far as customs, Miami can be a hassle. It's all going to depend how many inbound international arrivals coincide with your itinerary. Where will you be visiting from ?

Best of Luck !

[rolfy50]

Hi and thanks for your reply , we are coming from uk and land at 15.45 so no chance of missing seasonal downpours unfortunately, we are heading for emerald island resort so not sure where we need to get off at . We chose this as prices much cheaper flying this way and would have had to fly indirect at price we can afford but hey looking forward to holiday anyway , the lure of disney and harry potter too great haha. If i have any more questions i will let you know and thanks again for your help it is much better to ask someone who knows the area than take the word of travel agents or tourist info sites .We are thinking of getting sat nav but these dont always take you by best route so i would rather get advice from someone who knows . cheers

sue

Best and only option for a straight shot will be the turnpike. The distance of 225 miles is usually handled between 3.5-4hrs. Before you exit Palm County, you'll encounter three tolls. The first two an a $1 apiece. At the third, you'll be handed a ticket which you'll turn- in in Central FL before you exit the Turnpike. At that last toll you'll fork over $13.70.

If your hitting the attractions area , you get off on Oscela Parkway where you meet two more tolls before hitting Disney. The first one is $1.75 and I believe the second is less than $1. If you'er actually going into the city, continue on the Turnpike and take I-4 east.

My reccomendation in August is to make the trip in the morning to avoid tthe afternoon seasonal downpours. You'd also want to be light on the pedal as you pass Stuart County because that is where you'll likely encounter Troopers. You'll also want to slow down where construction zones are advertised as any infraction is doubled in these areas.

You won't see much on this route, but it is the most efficient. If you need to stop, four rest stop facilities are available, each with a Starbucks and a couple fast food options.

If you don't want to drive, you can take comfort in taking a coach that can be arranged by Miami 411. It might be worth and lesss expensive. With tolls and gas, my expenditure is about $50 each way.

Let us know if you have any furthur questions. I reside in the Greater Orlando area and make this trip once at least once a month.

As far as customs, Miami can be a hassle. It's all going to depend how many inbound international arrivals coincide with your itinerary. Where will you be visiting from ?

Best of Luck !

[fredgarvin]

Great advice and details UTS!

I remember the fist time I did that drive in the middle of the night 12 yrs ago!
It would have been nice to have all the information and detail you provided!

The coach through this website is also a great call!

[rk]

Under the Sun, it's almost like you've driven that route once or twice.

rolfy50, I'm not familiar with emerald island resort, but a web search seems to show more than one with that name in the area. Do you have an address or approx. location?

[rolfy50]

Under the Sun, it's almost like you've driven that route once or twice.


rolfy50, I'm not familiar with emerald island resort, but a web search seems to show more than one with that name in the area. Do you have an address or approx. location?

Hi i am not sure of address yet but been told it is near formosa garden resort if that helps . I agree with you about under the suns directions especially the bit about being light on the pedal as two of my kids are driving as well and i know what theyre like so i can warn them haha. Thankyou all so much .

cheers sue

[Jess]

also how good is airport for getting through customs etc , Thanks.

sue

Hi Sue,

Where are you flying into Miami from? Customs and immigration in Miami is quite frankly HELL ON EARTH! Go expecting the worst, that way you won't get as stressed or impatient. Its a complete cluster f**k!

[Matt Meltzer]

Yeah UTS. As one who does that drive every week now, I will tell you all his information is dead on.

[Doug]

There's another option if you'd be willing to drive a little further to avoid many of the tolls -- you can take the 95 north to the 528 (Beachline Expressway). You'll pay some tolls on the B-line, but it won't be as high as the Turnpike, and I personally find 95 an easier drive (once you get to Jupiter) than the Turnpike. You'd be looking at a total of about 245 miles, depending on where you're going in Orlando.

[Blackford Oakes]

The only route I now of that avoids tolls is HWY 27. From CFL, this is the route I take to get to the gulf before I veer West. I've only tried it once to Miami and never again.

The good tip for evening driving in August, is to hit those pressurized windshield washes at every rest stop on the turnpike to rid yourself of the guaranteed Summer nsect smears.

I hit the one at Pompano on the south bound and roll into the Magic City clean as a whistle.

[Doug]

What about route 500/192/441? It has like three different numbers so it must be important! haha

I did a google search and clicked on the "avoid tolls" option. Aside from the nuisance of having to stop to throw money in the basket (that sometimes doesn't register), it seems that all this stopping and starting and merging is a traffic hazard!

[Blackford Oakes]

The number thing drives me crazy. I still don't have the hang of it. It's not like the old days where you can say, Take the Hollywood South to the Santa Ana, stay on your left to avoid the Pomana, then take the Long Beach South to the Riverside East. I guess for you out there everything is San Bernardino WEST.

Are you missing the tolls out there yet Doug ?

[Doug]

It's rare that I even have to drive more than 4 miles at any time here, let alone worry about tolls! I predict come summer, I'll be making more escapes to the mountains and the beaches, but now, I can go days without using the car!

[Matt Meltzer]

I like the nubmers better. Less things to read. I guess in SoCal that gets confusing because there's so many, but it makes it easier for me.