528 or 417 from Airport

[mwmom]

Which do you prefer from the airport--528 or 417?

We are staying at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[skelooch]

417 is by far the easiest route IMHO. Never heavy traffic, 2 tolls @ $1.25 each.
Take exit 6 off 417 and follow straight into Disney, and follow signs to MK.

 

[dudspizza]

417 is by far the easiest route IMHO. Never heavy traffic, 2 tolls @ $1.25 each.
Take exit 6 off 417 and follow straight into Disney, and follow signs to MK.

agreed, 100%.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Personally I like 528 because I find it to be a lot easier then 417 and it's also less expensive.

 

[gmeh1]

I always use and recommend 417, very direct and you avoid I4, the cost may be a 1.00 or so more, but so worth it in saving time and aggrevation.

 

[safetymom]

417!!! You don't have to worry about traffic on 417. I would rather pay tolls than deal with I4 and 528.

 

[Detailor]

417 is a more direct route with far less traffic than 528. The toll is a bit higher on 417 (two $1.25 tolls on 417, assuming that you take exit 6, versus a $1 and a $0.75 toll on 528 I believe). While I don't mind using 528, I much prefer 417 - particularly so when heading directly toward Disney.

Dick Taylor

 

[Dan Murphy]

417 is the way to go for sure.

 

[DebbieB]

I prefer 417, much less traffic.

 

[seashoreCM]

Save even more using 528. Don't get on it right away but instead go left at the first light (Frontage Rd.) when leaving the airport north exit. Little over a mile is next light (Conway), take two quick lefts to get on 528 west from there.

Returning to airport via I-4 east to 528 east, get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, get into middle lane. Required right onto McCoy, next light is airport entrance (turn right).

At some toll plazas you must go down what looks like an exit ramp to pay the toll using cash. Slow down and read the advance signs carefully. The main lanes are for folks with electronic transponders only (Florida toll roads honor only their own Sunpass and Epass and Leeway transponders although anyone can obtain them.)

 

[katallo]

Save even more using 528. Don't get on it right away but instead go left at the first light when leaving the airport north exit. Little over a mile is next light (Conway), take two quick lefts to get on 528 west from there.

Returning to airport via I-4 east to 528 east, get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, get into middle lane. Required right onto McCoy, next light is airport entrance (turn right).

We do the same thing. It's great.

 

[wdwrich]

Save even more using 528. Don't get on it right away but instead go left at the first light when leaving the airport north exit. Little over a mile is next light (Conway), take two quick lefts to get on 528 west from there.

Returning to airport via I-4 east to 528 east, get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, get into middle lane. Required right onto McCoy, next light is airport entrance (turn right).

Not trying to be snooty here, but after all one spends for a WDW vacation, is it really worth the traffic, time and extra directions just to avoid $2.50 in tolls? For me, I want the easiest, fastest and most direct route to WDW.

 

[cigar95]

I don't disagree with any of the practical suggestions for 417, . . . . . . . BUT . . . .

If you have kids with you, and if you are arriving at a time when traffic will be less of an issue, you might want to take 528 anyway. Why? Because 528 is lined with a lot of billboards promoting WDW and all the stuff there. The kids may get a kick out of it, like a preview of what's in store for them.

(Of course, they may also see the Universal signs, and then wonder why they aren't seeing the Hulk or Harry Potter on their trip.)

Just a caveat - I haven't driven 528 lately - if the signs are no longer there, someone step in.

 

[OKW Lover]

We much prefer the 417 route. We don't mind the extra couple of quarters we spend on tolls going that way as compared to 528 and we are happy not to have to drive on I-4. Time wise they appear to be about the same except for possible traffic delays on I-4.

 

[SamSam]

We always go 417, fast, no traffic to speak of, as soon as we're on it we feel like we're almost 'home'.

 

[puffkin]

You honestly cannot get any easier than 417. $2.50 in tolls is well worth it for a straight shot and no traffic.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I realize most people are voting for the TOLL 417 routing and it's true it has less traffic and thus less susceptible to any backups. But I took that route a few weeks ago and the airport access/exit road that takes you down to 417 has a couple traffic lights and I got stopped at both. It is 4-lanes now (2 each way) but if you get behind some slow buses or trucks or people who are gawking then it can take way too long just to get down to the 417. And when you get off the 417 onto SR 536 there is a very long traffic light at SR 535. I don't think that route is all that it's cracked up to be on here. Meanwhile, the 528 is directly accessible out of the airport's north exit, there are no traffic lights and it's all non-stop onto I-4 and then onto one of the Disney exits. I-4 can be slow but it's only a 3-mile section and the slowness is typically during evening rush hour only, except holidays. So I vote for TOLL 528 routing. I think most of the time it's better.

BobK/Orlando

 

[mwmom]

Well, 417 it is for me! I went that way last year and thought it was easy but Google maps showed it to be a longer way so was just wondering. Thanks so much for all of the advice!

 

[gmeh1]

Well, 417 it is for me! I went that way last year and thought it was easy but Google maps showed it to be a longer way so was just wondering. Thanks so much for all of the advice!

Longer in mileage, but in time shorter more often than not. If I were going to Universal or Seaworld I would opt for 528 but, anything south of that, 417, IMHO, is the way to go. I4 can be horrible and I do anything and everything to avoid it whenever I can.

 

[dalstitch45]

Another vote for 417. It is so much faster, and no traffic. Once you get off at exit 6, turn left on 535, there is a Walmart you can stop at for supplies.