A Different Kind of Question-New I-4 Express Lanes

[WilsonFlyer]

So we all love the drive on I-4. I get that. But we all know, that even as great as it it, sometimes it can be a challenge. Like a lot of DVC members I suspect, I have SunPass for the ease that it allows me to maneuver the Greater Orlando area. I understand that the Express Lanes on I-4 have now opened, I believe. They weren't yet open when we were last there at Thanksgiving.

I have no idea what it costs end-to-end. I'm just wondering if any fellow DVC members have used them yet and have any insight as to the value they bring. Express lanes tend to free up travel in the regular lanes and make them more bearable also. I'm just wondering if anyone has used them or avoided them since they opened and what the answer may be. Any insight would be appreciated. We are coming down next week for Easter week for our annual F&G welcome spring trip.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I used the express lanes in March on I-4 heading west. It only cost a buck or two, because the traffic in the other lanes was moving pretty good. When traffic is congested, the tolls can go higher in an attempt to guarantee you a speed limit drive. I liked it because it seemed less hectic than the regular lanes. The express lanes end several miles before Disney. If I recall correctly they end right around Kirkland Rd/Universal Studios. So you still have a lot of congestion for the last few miles to Disney.

Sometimes I avoid the Orlando congestion completely by taking 417 (toll) around Orlando. It takes longer (most of the time) by the clock, but I arrive much more relaxed.

 

[Dizzydizney]

Haven’t used them yet. I believe you can also use Easy Pass on I-4. Not sure about 417.....at one point, you still needed Sunpass for some exits.
I downloaded the Florida 511 app. Have your passenger monitor the traffic and check for accidents. It should also show congestion and if the express will be a time saver.
Yes 417 is a much more relaxing way, especially during the construction.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Haven’t used them yet. I believe you can also use Easy Pass on I-4. Not sure about 417.....at one point, you still needed Sunpass for some exits.
I downloaded the Florida 511 app. Have your passenger monitor the traffic and check for accidents. It should also show congestion and if the express will be a time saver.
Yes 417 is a much more relaxing way, especially during the construction.

EZPass, Peach Pass, NC Pass, etc. work on 417.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

I wish there was an express lane between Disney and Universal, the traffic gets worse and worse every year.

 

[DSLRuser]

thats why I like being in a rental car in florida...if a lane is open I take it......no surpass needed......you get billed via the rental agreement

 

[The Jackal]

I used the express lanes in March on I-4 heading west. It only cost a buck or two, because the traffic in the other lanes was moving pretty good. When traffic is congested, the tolls can go higher in an attempt to guarantee you a speed limit drive. I liked it because it seemed less hectic than the regular lanes. The express lanes end several miles before Disney. If I recall correctly they end right around Kirkland Rd/Universal Studios. So you still have a lot of congestion for the last few miles to Disney.

Sometimes I avoid the Orlando congestion completely by taking 417 (toll) around Orlando. It takes longer (most of the time) by the clock, but I arrive much more relaxed.

417 costs a lot more than a few $$. I wanna say it was close to $20 for about 20-30 miles. For the short distance you drive on 417, it costs more than driving 135 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike from New York to Logan Airport.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I used the express lanes in March on I-4 heading west. It only cost a buck or two, because the traffic in the other lanes was moving pretty good. When traffic is congested, the tolls can go higher in an attempt to guarantee you a speed limit drive. I liked it because it seemed less hectic than the regular lanes. The express lanes end several miles before Disney. If I recall correctly they end right around Kirkland Rd/Universal Studios. So you still have a lot of congestion for the last few miles to Disney.

Sometimes I avoid the Orlando congestion completely by taking 417 (toll) around Orlando. It takes longer (most of the time) by the clock, but I arrive much more relaxed.

Interesting. A local who lives just 2 miles from MK told me it was $14 E-->W on the express lanes end-to-end and that it's been all over the news that nobody's using them because they priced them out of the locals market. At $30 both ways, somebody better scoop me up on the Magic Carpets of Aladin and spit on me with a camel at MK when I'm done or there's no way I'm paying that kind of money to slip thru a few miles of traffic.

As for the E->W tollway by the airport, I've taken that a few times. I'm not sure if that's the route you're talking about, but the last time I took it, I don't remember it being that much either.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Interesting. A local who lives just 2 miles from MK told me it was $14 E-->W on the express lanes end-to-end and that it's been all over the news that nobody's using them because they priced them out of the locals market. At $30 both ways, somebody better scoop me up on the Magic Carpets of Aladin and spit on me with a camel at MK when I'm done or there's no way I'm paying that kind of money to slip thru a few miles of traffic.

As for the E->W tollway by the airport, I've taken that a few times. I'm not sure if that's the route you're talking about, but the last time I took it, I don't remember it being that much either.

See my post. The price varies by the congestion level. The entry signs will tell you the current pricing before you get on. Also I was referring to 417 which runs from Sanford FL to Disney World (runs south of Orlando). There are a variety of Toll Roads, some of them will take you back to I4 for the last few miles.

THere is also a northern route which will take you north of Orlando and enter Disney near Animal Kingdom. I can’t remember the highway number of this route (429?). It is not one number the whole way. But a key piece of it is a toll road.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

We now take 417 from 4 at Sanford, Fl to WDW because the traffic on 4 is just too crazy for us. I would rather spend a few dollars and have a stress-free ride. I just pulled my E-Z Pass statement from our trip in January of this year, and it only cost us $5.95, well worth every penny to avoid all the craziness on 4. My DH is much happier going this route and so am I. A happy hubby is a happy life, LOL.

 

[The Prophet]

I have heard that the local folks have nick-named the Express Lanes, "The Luxury Lanes" due to lack of drivers using it

 

[New Mouse]

Curious how many billions of dollars In the red this thing will be. Unfortunately the geniuses who created ideas like this are rarely around to see the aftermath!

 

[The Jackal]

We now take 417 from 4 at Sanford, Fl to WDW because the traffic on 4 is just too crazy for us. I would rather spend a few dollars and have a stress-free ride. I just pulled my E-Z Pass statement from our trip in January of this year, and it only cost us $5.95, well worth every penny to avoid all the craziness on 4. My DH is much happier going this route and so am I. A happy hubby is a happy life, LOL.

Well they must have changed prices or something. I remember back in 2017 we had $20 cash and I-4 was all jammed up we took it and they did not take EZ Pass back then and the tolls were over $15.00. EZ Pass now has a cheaper rate then cash and pay by plate. Yes $6.00 would be well worth it to avoid the I-4 traffic.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Well they must have changed prices or something. I remember back in 2017 we had $20 cash and I-4 was all jammed up we took it and they did not take EZ Pass back then and the tolls were over $15.00. EZ Pass now has a cheaper rate then cash and pay by plate. Yes $6.00 would be well worth it to avoid the I-4 traffic.

Yes, this was the first year we could use our EZ Pass on 417, I was very pleased by that change. I think it may have been more money in previous years but that's what was charged to my EZ Pass this past January and yes in my estimation well worth the expense.

 

[mac_tlc]

417 costs a lot more than a few $$. I wanna say it was close to $20 for about 20-30 miles. For the short distance you drive on 417, it costs more than driving 135 miles on the Massachusetts Turnpike from New York to Logan Airport.

From the airport to the I drive exit, which you take to get to Epcot, Disney Springs, there are two tolls, each $1.47, so $3 one way. That’s about 13 miles. If you go to exit 3 for Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, it’s another buck And another 3 miles.

Without looking it up, the entire route from I-4 north of Orlando to WDW is about $7 one way and it’s about 52 miles.

From the Stockbridge toll plaza to Logan airport/Td Williams tunnel
is 135 miles and $7.45 each way.

mac_tlc