Driving Time from Tampa to WDW

[Ted and Holly]

Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Tampa to WDW? We are thinking of flying into Tampa to get a cheaper rate? Also... we may have to spend the first night in Tampa as our flight lands really late... any suggestions on a place near the airport?

[Snoozan]

I believe the trip is something like 90 minutes from Tampa to Orlando and it's straight on Rt.4(I believe).

[mrsstats]

From Airport to Airport, mapblast shows 93 miles 1 hr and 39 minutes. So 1 1/2 hours seems right.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

It took me exactly 70 mins. from picking up my car at Alamo and hitting the gate at OKW.

[Ted and Holly]

Thanks for your help! We're used to long drives and that doesn't sound terrible! I appreciate the info!

Holly P:pinkbounc

[Lewisc]

Mapquest shows it's 76.4 miles from TPA to EPCOT. Many have made it in under an hour but I'd allow more time if you're planning something that's time sensitive.

[TSI_Fan]

The time it takes for you to drive to WDW from Tampa International totally depends on what time of day you get into Tampa. In the morning, expect AT LEAST an hour and a half. Traffic from the airport to Interstate 4 and from Interstate 4 to Orlando can be bumper-to-bumper, esepcially inside the city. Lunch hour it can be slow but not as slow. Mid-afternoon (3p-7p) can be very slow as many people are getting off work around that time and it gets very congested at the merge onto Interstate 4. Unfortunatly there is no other easy alternative to Orlando except the Interstate. If you do not encounter much traffic, or just light traffic, you can make it to WDW in an hour.

Here's some driving tips to help gauge your timing:

Lakeland is 30 miles outside of Tampa, and is pretty much the half-way point to Disney. If it took you 45 minutes to drive 30 miles, expect it to take you another 45 minutes to drive the other 30 miles.

Auberndale is about halfway from WDW to Lakeland, so when you see the big flashing neon sign for Baseball City, you are getting close to WDW..probably within the next 10-15 minutes of driving. Once you see the power line pole as mickey ears, you are near the exits to WDW.

Hope that helps..some friendly advice from your friendly Tampa resident. :)