417 North options to Universal?

[jenhelgren]

I know this is the Disney thread but I feel it is frequented more often than the Universal threads and I need traffic advice for tommorrow morning. We will be taking 417 north to Universal and different apps are showing road closures on Uni Blvd and I4. I would prefer to avoid 4 if possible and hope a local can jump in and share what my best options will be around 10 am in the morning. Thanks!!

 

[Lewisc]

I've always had good luck relying on Google maps to navigate around road closures.

The app has an option to avoid highways.

 

[Ross Kratter]

If you’re coming from the airport, you’re actually far better off taking 528 to I-4 rather than 417. It’s much more direct. 528 puts you onto I-4 less than 2 miles from Universal.

 

[hrhdhd]

SR-417 is not near Universal. The airport advice above is good; if you're traveling from another starting point, it would be helpful to know.

 

[reddog21]

If you really hate I4(who really likes it) you could take 417s and grab the FL turnpike. If I remember correctly your have to jump on I4w for a small portion to get off at the Universal exit. It's not a crazy route you might add 15 minutes to your commute. The only issue would be there backup from FL turnpike to get on I4w can sometimes be backed up.

You could also grab w.sand lake from the airport, it's all backroads(lots of lights) but not a bad route. Probably add about 15-20 minutes it's more of a direct route instead of 417>FL turnpike but same time difference.

 

[Mikey15]

Here to say the big highways aren’t always the fastest way. I’ve made it to Sea World almost as quick as suffering I-4 by taking International Drive.

The stretch of I-Drive from World Center Dr up to Sea World is three lanes wide each way, and has relatively few lights for the distance you cover. Shh. It’s one of my best kept secrets!

Now by the time you hit the convention center, I-Drive can be a slow moving disaster, but I’m hoping the Kirkman Rd extension between Epic Universe and UO will provide a nice alternative.