Best route - Sanford to WDW?

[Just Kate]

We are leaving tomorrow (!!!!!) for our first WDW trip. We fly into the Sanford airport and then have rented a car to drive to our resort...Pop Century.

Anyone ever made this drive before and care to share the best route? Also, where is the best place to stop for groceries on the way?

Thanks!!!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There are two major routes form Orlando-Sanford Airport to Walt Disney World: Interstate-4 and Florida-417. Each route takes around an hour -- without traffic.

Interstate-4 has no tolls, but can have significant traffic slow-downs, depending on the time of day. This freeway goes through downtown Orlando. Also, there's construction on this route this year.

Florida-417 is a toll road. There are seldom any traffic slowdowns on this route. If you don't have a transponder, you have to wait to pay by cash several times. It's annoying, and the tolls add up. Also, if there are waits at one or more toll plazas, it can wipe out any time savings over I-4.

This is a case when having a smartphone with Google Maps is very useful. Instead of making a decision now, let Google Maps tell you the best route, based on conditions when you're ready to start driving.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've used 417 most of the time. I did take 4 all the way once.....but I prefer the less stressful trip I have with 417. Even with the tolls.

 

[DonnaL]

I'm with goofy4tink on this one....we've done both....and I can do without the aggravation of I-4. Not sure of the current toll cost from Sanford since it's been a few years since we've flown into Sanford but since it's currently about $3.50/4.00 from MCO I'm guessing it will be about $5.50/6.00 from Sanford and I really don't think the waits at toll plazas should be all that significant as compared to the traffic slow downs or stops on I-4.

 

[sharadoc]

417 is awesome, you'll need about $7-$8.00 for tolls each way. Never crowded, and you get to drive out in the suburbs rather than through the middle of Orlando filled with crazy rental car drivers

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

As this thread shows, Florida-417 has fans. I've also seen other threads showing that I-4 has fans.

Florida-417 definitely has fewer cars, but it has tolls (and the annoyance of multiple toll plazas if you don't have a transponder). I find much of the route kind of boring.

I-4 saves toll money, does not take any longer -- except when traffic is bad -- and provides more to see at the sides of the road.

Unless one of the routes seems much more appealing to you, I still think that checking Google Maps on a smartphone when you're ready to drive makes sense.

 

[cranbiz]

I'm cheap. I'll almost always use I4 over 417 because of the tolls. During the rush hour times, I'll use 417.

Of course, 6 years of living there may have jaded my opinion of 417. In off peak times, 417 is no time savings.