Does anyone else use 417 instead of 1-4 East to get to 95?

[tbssenterprises]

Always wanted to do it and purchased a Sunpass. Never did though until my last trip a few weeks back. I used 417 North to get up to 1-4.....Although it was easy peasy driving, it seemed to have added 15 miles and about 15 minutes onto my 5 hour trip home.

Has anyone else done this comparison. For reference, I left WDW at about 9:00am

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Yes, we've avoided I-4 many times, even if it meant going a bit out of the way. We've seen slowdowns pop up on I-4 very quickly and prefer 417.

 

[Vickie1016]

We found 417 a few years ago, when there was a bad accident on I-4. Since then, we take 417 South and North to avoid I-4.

 

[kanerf]

The ME busses all use 417.

 

[DVC-Don]

Always use 417. I-4 through Orlando can be a mess most anytime.

 

[JimMIA]

We use whatever Google Maps recommends going North or South -- but we're going NE of Orlando to UCF. I certainly wouldn't use I-4 going to the airport!

Sometimes 417 is better, other times Maps takes us I-4 to 408 East. Usually I-4/408 is at night after dinner in Celebration, and it's easy then.

But I agree with @DVC-Don that I-4 could be a mess anytime of the day or night.

 

[Stratman50th]

I have been using 417 exclusively for years. Both before we moved down here and now. Truth in advertising, we come from the metro DC/Baltimore area and I am willing to pay tolls to avoid traffic.
We live off of I-4 almost right between Orlando and Tampa. Going west, 417 dumps you onto I-4 just between 192 and World drive. Traffic is always horrible there because it dumps three large traffic arteries onto I-4 within a short distance, then it goes for miles until you get past Champions Gate when it starts to open up. Traffic can be/Is pretty bad in that area east or west but 417 is the bomb in allowing you to avoid I-4 around Orlando to or from Daytona.

 

[JJsmama]

Is this route well marked for getting on coming South from Jacksonville and well marked where to get off for WDW resorts? (not driving now) i can see it in the map, although my route gives no option for it. While driving, i won‘t be able to use the map if navigation avoids it. Thanks

 

[OKW Lover]

Is this route well marked for getting on coming South from Jacksonville and well marked where to get off for WDW resorts? (not driving now) i can see it in the map, although my route gives no option for it. While driving, i won‘t be able to use the map if navigation avoids it. Thanks

Yes it is. You'll be on I-4 for a bit and you'll see several signs for 417. Once on 417 you'll continue to either exit 6 or 3 depending on which resort you are going to at Disney.

 

[Bullseye]

Always use 417 to and from MCO. It breezes along pretty good. Have never really run into a real backup on it other than some construction near the airport. We usually take it to exit 6 and then connect to S536 or S535 depending where we're staying.

 

[joelkfla]

I-4 Express Lanes are now open from Longwood to Universal. Theoretically, that should get around the backups in downtown Orlando. A transponder is required; any transponder accepted in FL, including E-ZPass, will do.