Drive from Orlando to Gainesville bad?

[giantstoindy]

Not sure if this needs to be moved to the transportation board.

We already have our summer trip planned but at the last minute I'm trying to add in a half day trip to Gainesville to check out the University of Florida's campus. How's the drive if we were to go from our value resort to the main campus?

Turnpikes are out of the question as my mom's scared to death to drive on them (I would but many rentals minimum age is 21), so I think we'd have to take 27 to 75. We also don't want to add in another flight. Any advice on driving or finding a shuttle, towncar, etc. with reasonable rates and driving time? Thanks!

 

[Traveliz]

Not sure if this needs to be moved to the transportation board.

We already have our summer trip planned but at the last minute I'm trying to add in a half day trip to Gainesville to check out the University of Florida's campus. How's the drive if we were to go from our value resort to the main campus?

Turnpikes are out of the question as my mom's scared to death to drive on them (I would but many rentals minimum age is 21), so I think we'd have to take 27 to 75. We also don't want to add in another flight. Any advice on driving or finding a shuttle, towncar, etc. with reasonable rates and driving time? Thanks!

Honestly 429 (a toll road) leaves right from the value resort area and then you have about 45 minutes on the FL turnpike...I know you say your mom doesn't like turnpikes but it is not bad at all and often much more manageable than parts of 75 may be...it is certainly not more difficult than 75. Also 429 is WAAAYYYYYY WAAYYYYYY easier to drive on than 27. It is a little traveled on road and it is a breeze. I use it regularly and would never choose 27 over it again.

Off the top of my head I am thinking the drive time going 429 to 75 to Gainesville is a couple of hours but I am not sure on that. Going 27 would add a lot of time due to all the stop and go. Once you get to Gainesville I don't know how far the school is.

Liz

 

[JLiz]

I attended UF and it took about 2 hours from Gainesville to Disney on the Turnpike and 75. So, you are looking at a 4 hour round trip or so.

However, I75 is a busier or "scarier" road than is the Turnpike. Since the Turnpike is a toll-road there are fewer large semis on it. It is also 4 lanes (separated by a large grassy median) whereas 75 is very busy with 6 lanes.

It has been about five years since I graduated so much of this may have changed since then though. I know you can take 27 all the way to the small town of Newberry and then cut across (east) to Gainesville if you wish to avoid expressways completely. Also, 441 runs directly through town; it becomes 13th street and is the one of the main streets that borders the UF campus. However, I don't know how to get to 441 from Disney's property.

Hope this helps some.

 

[Lots-o-Huggin]

It's only a 2 hour drive, but that assumes that you take Florida's Turnpike. The Turnpike is fantastic, by the way. Once you hit 75, the traffic is much heavier and NASCAR-y. My blood pressure always rises when I get on 75. No worries, though; y'all can handle it. And UF's campus is beautiful. Be sure to visit Lake Alice for alligator viewing.

 

[Lots-o-Huggin]

Also, 441 runs directly through town; it becomes 13th street and is the one of the main streets that borders the UF campus. However, I don't know how to get to 441 from Disney's property.

441 is the deceptively name Orange Blossom Trail. I would advise against this route through Orlando (no offense to anyone who unfortunely lives on the OBT).

 

[giantstoindy]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! We've never driven in Florida before, but it does sound like driving the turnpike is the way to go! Can't wait to check the campus out!

 

[lemondog]

It's a good 2 hour drive each way so if you include in a campus tour, lunch, etc. you are looking at an entire day. I don't think you can get it done in 1/2 day.

ETA: Just saw your note about your mom's fear of turnpikes. Honestly, the Florida Turnpike is a LOT less congested than 75, in my experience. Plus it will make your trip quite a bit quicker. We drove the turnpike to 429 last week going from the Ocala area down to Blizzard Beach and there was not a soul on the road!!