Charlotte, NC to WDW

[drwadadli]

Good morning all,

We have been going to WDW for many years but prior to COVID, we would fly into MCO and take Disney Magic Express to our resort. The last time we drove down was in 2017. At that time, there was a lot of construction on I-95 South through Jacksonville and then a lot of construction on I-4 West through Orlando (more coming into Orlando).

I have read some of the more recent but older posts looking for traveling route opinions and construction updates.

We will leaving Charlotte, NC around 10:00 a.m. (sooner if my wife can get your second COVID vaccine earlier in the day) but that would put us coming into to the Jacksonville area around 3:00 p.m. Google Maps recommend staying on I-95 through Jacksonville. For people who have driven this route recently or live in/near Jacksonville, is this still the best recommended route given the time we are coming through? Is I-295 a better route and if so, would/do you take the East or West loop?

From Jacksonville, we would obviously continue on I-95 South and onto I-4 West. We are staying at the GF but possibly looking at stopping for dinner first at DS. We will be coming into Orlando around 6:00 p.m. Is it best to just stay on I-4 West? I read some people were recommending getting off I-4 near Sanford and taking 429 toll. If you are taking 429, are you getting off at the 46-route exit to get over to 429? What is your opinion about getting off I-4 in Sanford and taking the 417 Toll around Orlando and then getting off at World Center Drive which become Epcot Center Drive?

Thank you in advance for everyone's insight and suggestions.....

Stay safe and Magical,
Rich

 

[Ross Kratter]

I think you'll be fine on I-4 at that time. I would definitely not recommend going over to 429; that takes you over to the opposite side of WDW. If you stay on I-4, you can exit right into the Orange Garage.

 

[LadybugsMum]

I drive from the Raleigh area and we drove down in Jan. I find that doing 295 going around the east side (past Jacksonville beach etc) to be the best way around. You can avoid the traffic in downtown Jax and it's actually very slightly shorter (a mile maybe?). We drove down on a Sunday so I-4 was really easy, but really pay attention to the speed limits as some people are doing 85 when the speed limit is 55.

 

[RebelSoul]

Live in CLT and drive down every few months. In Jax, we do I-295 to Rt 9B and back to I-95. Cuts a little bit of time off. I-4 construction is getting a little better every trip we go.

 

[drwadadli]

Thank you all for your assistance and recommendations