Best way to WDW from Orlando-Sanford

[KrazeeK120]

I will be flying into Orlando-Sanford for the first time in a couple of months. I will be renting a car. What is the best way to WDW from there? I used Mapquest and it looks like I can take I-4, or the SR-417 toll road. Intuition would tell me to take I-4 and avoid the tolls, but I thought I'd check on here for recommendations in case there is some better reason to take the toll road...

 

[skelooch]

Unless it was during morning or evening rush hour, I would use I-4, it's the easiest and most direct.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I 4 will be much faster. Unless it is rush hour.
Do not speed on I 4. Especially between the Sand Lake exit and Disney as Orange county camps out under the bridges and you will get a ticket.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Thanks for the tips, guys. My flight doesn't land until almost 9 PM, so no rush hour traffic to worry about. I will plan on using I-4!

 

[DVC-Don]

I'm almost a local and I recommend 417.

 

[jimmytammy]

Im with DVC Don. We drive there at least twice a year from NC, and the worst part of the drive is around Orlando, I-4. We take 417, pay roughly around 6.50 in tolls but when I arrive, Im less stressed, ready to vacation. We like this so much we purchased the Sunpass that keeps us moving along, but the stop and pay usually moves along quickly. If you choose this route, take $1 bills and quarters, right change keeps you moving. Take exit 3 to WDW, this will drop you onto Osceola Pkwy. near Wide World of Sports, AK area. This exit a bit less hectic than exit 6 which puts you into major traffic near DTD.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Driving at 10pm there should be light traffic and no stress using I-4. Take TOLL 417 northbound (small toll at the on-ramp) and it will deliver you to I-4 in just a few minutes. And then I-4 is free all the way to Disney.

Taking TOLL 417 southbound is my suggestion if you're traveling during rush hour when I-4 should be avoided all the way. That may also be the case when you're headed back to SFB for your return flight.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Rememberingthe70s]

I'd take 417, especially if there's a big sporting or concert thing going on that night in Orlando.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Oh goodness, now I'm really stressed.

I'll be arriving around 9 PM on a Thursday night in January (1/17) and flying back at 3:20 on a Sunday (1/20) - planning to arrive at the airport before 1.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm almost a local and I recommend 417.

1) Absolpositively.
2) The I-4 is
. . . filled with nuts behind the other steering wheels
. . . filled with potholes and rough roadways
3) Much safer, smoother and easier with toll-417.

 

[chamonix]

another vote for 417

 

[DonnaL]

I'm with everyone else recommending 417......that's the route we always use whether we fly into MCO or Sanford.....yeah it's a little further...but, much, much less traffic......this is after several years ago we were caught up on I-4 during a non-rush hour accident....not us....but we were caught in the traffic jam it caused.

 

[MattM]

As a local, I recommend I-4, unless you are traveling in the morning or afternoon rush hours. Let the traffic dictate which route you take. Try downloading the "Florida 511" app, it is free and gives you real time traffic conditions from Florida Dept. of Transportation.

As a heads up, the 417 has a good bit of construction going on right now, as well. I-4 moves pretty well except for main rush hour times, so that's the way I'd go.

 

[KrazeeK120]

As a local, I recommend I-4, unless you are traveling in the morning or afternoon rush hours. Let the traffic dictate which route you take. Try downloading the "Florida 511" app, it is free and gives you real time traffic conditions from Florida Dept. of Transportation.

As a heads up, the 417 has a good bit of construction going on right now, as well. I-4 moves pretty well except for main rush hour times, so that's the way I'd go.

I just downloaded the app! Hopefully that will help me out. I didn't realize this wouldn't have a clear-cut answer!

 

[MattM]

Yes, it is a "definitely, maybe" answer. Let the traffic decide for you.