Drive from Sanford Airport to Beach Club

[JJ&JSMOM]

Hi all,
We're 59 days until our vacation at Disney. We're all getting excited and I'm starting to get nervous about driving a rental car. I've read that the drive from Sanford Orlando Airport to Disney is pretty easy. Is it really? I'm concerned with traffic and there are 2 different ways to travel....how do you know which one to take? I-4 or the Toll Road 417?

I was going to stop at a grocery store if it was fairly easy to do but I'm not so sure now. Looks like if you want a grocery stop, Toll Rd 417 is the best bet or was it I-4? I'm confused already

Thanks for any advice...maybe I should hire a town car. LOL!

Joanne

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

It could depend on what time of day you will arrive and if you mind paying the tolls. If you are getting there anytime around rush hours, I might consider the toll route. If you aren't going to travel during rush hours I would consider I-4.

 

[julieanddanny]

We drove I-4 on a Monday Holiday at 5pm and had to troubles. It was a clear route. We stopped at Target in St. Mary first.
I was worried about the traveling from Sanford but Dh didn't feel it was a hassle at all. Would do again - prefer to fly into MCO but would do again for the right price plane tickets...

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

We drove I-4 on a Monday Holiday at 5pm and had no troubles. It was a clear route.

Let me assure you that I-4 on a non-holiday Monday at 5pm would be full of trouble!

OP, if your drive from Sanford to Disney is between 9am and 3pm it's probably ok to use I-4. From the airport, take TOLL 417 northbound and it's a short ride to I-4 with just one toll getting onto the expressway by the airport. Before 9am or after 3pm take the 417. From the airport take TOLL 417 southbound. But there are 5 toll plazas along the way so bring 10 one-dollar bills. You won't use them all but it will be close!

BobK/Orlando

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thank you all for the info. We will be driving from Sanford to Disney on a Saturday at 4-4:30 pm, depending on plane. And then we'll be driving back to Sanford on the next Saturday probably around the same time or later. Maybe later, we'll probably go to one of the parks for the day and then leave. Our flight doesn't leave until Sunday at 8 am but we're staying in Sanford the night prior to our departure.


Thanks again.
Joanne

 

[goofy4tink]

Let me assure you that I-4 on a non-holiday Monday at 5pm would be full of trouble!

OP, if your drive from Sanford to Disney is between 9am and 3pm it's probably ok to use I-4. From the airport, take TOLL 417 northbound and it's a short ride to I-4 with just one toll getting onto the expressway by the airport. Before 9am or after 3pm take the 417. From the airport take TOLL 417 southbound. But there are 5 toll plazas along the way so bring 10 one-dollar bills. You won't use them all but it will be close!

BobK/Orlando

Have to agree. It gets really nutty on I-4 at rush hour. The few times that I've had to be on the road at that time, I was glad I was in a shuttle!!! I usually take 417 to 4, but it's not really busy at our arrival times.
To the OP...it really is an easy drive. I like driving in Florida...it's very clearly marked. Well, the places I've driven are. You shouldn't have any issues!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Take 417 and get off at Orange Blossom Trail there is a Super Target there, you can see it from the highway . get back on 417 and WDW is just two exits away.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thank you Everybody! I appreciate the info.