driving around Orlando...

[ChisJo]

Hello,
I was wondering how easy it is to drive around Orlando. I come from a smaller city that is so easy to travel around, and am kind of anxious to travel around Orlando on my own.
Last time I went, I wasn't over 25 and could not rent a car, so I ended up doing most of the navigation, but really do not recall how easy it was to get around. Can anyone let me know?
Thanks, Jo

 

[Luv2Roam]

It can be brutal when a wreck clogs up traffic -- which is often.
Make sure you have a good map, better yet a navigation system.
Go the speed limit. Lots of speed traps.
Don't drive scared -- but be cautious on I4 and around the parks. Fatalities are the norm here it seems.
Know where you are going. I see a lot of drivers literally stopping in fast moving traffic, or completely switching lanes -- three across -- with no warning.
And locals drive fast.
Can be a deadly combination -- and sometimes is.
Just like anything -- be prepared and you should be fine.

 

[safetymom]

If you are flying into Orlando and going to WDW you will not be near the city of Orlando. If you are going to the resorts the best way would be on route 417. Avoid I-4 and you will be fine.

 

[Cujo]

ChrisJo,

We had the same concerns, as we come from a small town in northern Canada. But we had a map, and other than for a couple wrong turns, we found it no trouble to get around. We also drove to Daytona Beach, Busch Gardens and all around Orlando. You shouldn't have any trouble.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm from PA and get lost easy. But I found driving around WDW very easy. I had been there a couple of times without a car so I had an idea where things were. Before I rented, I took a look at a WDW map to get familiar. Got a little lost a couple of times but now I know it like I've lived there all my life. I agree with safetymom, stay away from I-4 until you are more familiar, especially during rush hour. Take it slow, keeping in mind that many people are not familiar with the roads within WDW and make sudden moves.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Oh -- and locals driving fast works in complete opposite when any moisture at all falls from the sky.
Even a slight sprinkle equates to snow and ice driving conditions.
Know there will be traffic jams, followed by a higher number of wrecks.