anyway to avoid I-4?

[mja451]

Been looking for a way to avoid I-4. Time isn't an issue. We drive from near Phila. but we take 2 days. DH doesn't like being in the car much longer than 8 hours. (neither do the kids). Has anyone stayed on 95 and then cut across on, I think there is a turnpike?. Any info would be helpful. Thanks. Fort Wilderness Cabins Aug. 3 - Aug. 17.

 

[tci1212]

We are leaving on the 15th of August on a friday and driving down. We are taking the Cape May ferry to Lewes De and then headng to 95. I did read earlier there is an alternative to I-4. I am going to get a map and check it out. Does anyone else know this route?

 

[FloridaCat]

Best WDW map

http://www.trakkermaps.com/product....ategory_name=Florida&product_id=2-8315-7171-5

 

[tigerfanrob]

We recently drove from Tennessee and got on the turnpike southbound. About 20 miles north of Orlando, we got off at Route 27 going south. It is four lane highway with a couple of stoplights, but speed limits up to 60 mph. From the Route 27 exit, it took about 20 minutes to get to 192. 27 runs right into it. Then took 10 more minutes to get on property. I thought it would be faster for us going home to take I-4 back to the turnpike, but was I ever wrong. Traffic was terrible and the length of the drive was MUCH further. Route 27 takes you around Disney on the west side without touching Orlando proper.

 

[FloridaCat]

Don't use I-4 to head to the FL/GA border. Use your maps to get to I-75.
Best bet is FL 441 West bound to Wildwood.

 

[JudithM]

We used to always take I95 to I4. Then in April some friends were driving north from Naples & told us about an alternate route. So in May we took I95 into Florida & stopped at the Florida Welcome Center to get our juice & WDW brochures. We took the next exit (I think) for A1A. Then we took A1A for a few miles until we picked up US301. We took 301 to I75 to the Florida Turnpike to 27 to 192 to WDW! If you have a FL map, you can see the specifics of the route. When we left we took I4 to the FL Turnpike as we had to be somewhere & time was important.

This route was SO much better than I95 to I4. It was more relaxing & we were able to stop at local produce stands to pick up some local strawberries, cantelope, peaches & peanuts. I honestly don't think it took much more time than the interstates.

 

[mja451]

Thanks so much. Just ordered new maps from AAA. 29 days till we leave.

 

[bobcat]

Judith the plus with your route is that you skip Jacksonville. I hate driving through Jacksonville. I may try this route one my way back.

 

[FloridaCat]

I am afraid you have me somewhat confused and not sure this suggested is going to be helpful. You state time is not a factor; husband does not like being in a car more then 8 hours.

Anyone traveling south on I-95 takes the I-4 exit at Daytona Beach. Stay on I-4 until you cross the St. Johns Bridge, just past the Deltona area. At this point continue on I-4, to the 417 ramp and follow the Orlando Airport signs. This a toll road and cost to Disney is probably around 6.00???, Maybe another local can help us here.

There is no need of this if you arrive in the Deltona area, north of Orlando, past 9:30 AM and before 3:30 PM or after 6:30 PM, Rush hour times.

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by bobcat
Judith the plus with your route is that you skip Jacksonville. I hate driving through Jacksonville. I may try this route one my way back.

Bobcat, I don't have a FL map in front of me. I think when 301 crosses I10 west of Jacksonville, you are still technically in the Jacksonville city limits. However, it sure beats I95 or I295 through Jacksonville . Check a FL map because I believe heading south you can take 301to Gainesville or take another route (maybe 24?) to Ocala. The latter route is quite scenic with horse farms, etc.

 

[cpl100]

Originally posted by mja451
Thanks so much. Just ordered new maps from AAA. 29 days till we leave.

So, which of these ways did you decide to go? I am considering doing an alternative route also, but am a bit confused at this point.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Am interested too. Seems there are 2 alternate routes, one a bit more "direct" than the other, but with tolls(?).
And one avoids I-4 altogether, while the other gets you off prior to Orlando--

 

[nowellsl]

I always take the turnpike south to 27 then 192 right to disney. There is a toll on the turnpike but if you get off on 27 it's only $1.00. I try to avoid I4 whenever I can!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Leaning more and more that way myself--which is why I'm interested in this thread. Last few trips, I-4 has been a real mess--except for maybe the first few miles afterit joins I-95.

 

[FloridaCat]

BACKGROUND: I live just north of WDW and I make two or three trips a year to Wilmington, NC. I worked and drove to Orlando Airport. I have driven all the suggestions here.

Coming down from the East Coast on I-95, you have these options:
I-95 to I-4, if you are not there at 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM or 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, rush hour weekdays.

I-95 to I-4 to 417 Turnpike, Large Mall on left at Sanford, FL .Follow signs to OIA and when near the Airport watch for Disney directions. Caution: old maps will not show the 417 connection to I-4 as it was just completed. This is a toll. I know the toll to OIA,3.50 I don’t know toll the rest of the way, maybe 1-2.00. Adds miles, but cuts off time.

I-95 to Turnpike 528 which dead ends on I-4 just north of Disney. I have driven this but do not recall the tolls.

Taking the 301 from Jacksonville is time consuming and would not be on my list of options. There are drivers in that area that thinks 50 MPH is plenty fast enough and adds a lot of miles.

My opinion. If you want to bypass Jacksonville is the 301 to I-10 to I-75 to Florida Turnpike.

 

[cpl100]

You did not mention the rt 27 option posted by someone above you. Is that not viable, non-existent or what is the story. I really would like to avoid traffic as I believe I will be arriving in Orlando on a Friday afternoon or early evening.

Thanks.

 

[bobcat]

Ok I used mapquest to check drive times and it looks like the 301 route is about an hour longer. Now if you have ever been stuck on I-4 in gridlock that doesn't sound so bad.

I was mainly thinking of using this route when we leave WDW so that we can actually see more of Florida than what's right off the freeway. I don't mind taking my time getting out of Florida.

FloridaCat great info! I will keep this for our trip in a few days. It doesn't matter what time of day as soon as get close to Sanford I always start hitting major traffic. Is the major construction done around Deltona? Is the bridge they are replacing right near there?

Another way to avoid I95 through Jacksonville is to use the bypass I295. The construction through Jackson ville seems to be done but they were working on the interchanges between I95 and I295 when we were through in January.

 

[thegales]

We drove from SC last February. I can't stand I-4 with congestion. As others state, if you are not hitting it at rush hour, it still moves, but there is still traffic. Did some research, and 417 now connects directly to I-4 in Sanford. Very clearly marked. AAA did not have this exit on their maps yet. This is a toll road, and does cost about $6.00. Very little traffic, and a very relaxing ride. WDW exits are 6 and 3. Since going to Coronado Springs, we took exit 3. (warning, exit 3 has a $0.25 toll, which requires exact change).

I only will go 417 now. (Just did it again in June.) To me, the toll money is worth the more relaxing ride. I don't like getting to WDW all tensed up from the ride. The length is definitely a few miles longer, but you are travelling at 65 or 70 mph.

To make it easier for future trips, get information on the EZ pass. It might be worth getting a transponder, so you don't have to slow down to pay toll.

 

[cpl100]

After reading all of this, I am curious as to just what you all mean by congestion, traffic etc. How does this compare with Boston, NY or DC traffic? Is that the kind of traffic we're talking about here?

 

[FloridaCat]

Bobcat:
Both new spans of the new bridge is open for two lanes each way. The bridge is over the St. Johns River just before you get to the Mall. Point of Interest, the St. Johns River flows North to Jacksonville. It's mouth is to your left on the other side of Lake Monroe.
There is contruction from Deltona to Lake Mary. Highway work is done at night in Florida and traffic moves at speed limit during daylight hours.
Watch for Sanford Mall on your left and be in the right lane and take the Orlando airport exit. Once you are down by the airport you will see Disney signs. Good way to go. Have the quarter for the off exit toll. They are cracking down big time on cheaters.
Have a safe trip down and have the time of your life. I will be there Monday for four days, FloridaCat does not do Disney on weekends.

FOOTNOTE: You stay in the left lane of I-4 if you are keeping up to the speed limit. Right lane is to slow. Rush hour does not really kick in until you hit Lake Mary. Opens up after you get past Gore, south side of downtown.

East coast travelers should always check Daytona Beach as Bike Week, Daytona 500 , Springbreaks can slow you down on I-95 coming through there