Driving for the first time from Daytona

[mouselike-harrier]

My son and I are driving from Daytona to Disney for the first time ever. I have a couple of questions. Is I-4 the way to go? Estimate of tolls? I would appreciate any and all information that you can give me. Thanks!

 

[travelcoupons]

I take I-4 from Daytona to WDW. No tolls.
You can take the 417 expressway around orlando, which is toll, but I only do that when going to the Airport. It's so much longer route when going to Disney that it's just better putting up with the congestion (certain times of day) on I-4.

 

[gmeh1]

My son and I are driving from Daytona to Disney for the first time ever. I have a couple of questions. Is I-4 the way to go? Estimate of tolls? I would appreciate any and all information that you can give me. Thanks!

I-4 is the most direct route and there are no tolls. It can be congested, just depends on the time of day. I have found the best times to drive this miserable road is after 10am-3pm and after 7pm until about 6am the next morning.

 

[mouselike-harrier]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I am used to driving miserable congested roads in the east. I-95 and the Merritt Parkway are usually wall to wall traffic.

 

[NJRRK]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I am used to driving miserable congested roads in the east. I-95 and the Merritt Parkway are usually wall to wall traffic.

If you're used to NYC metro area traffic I-4 will be the best way. You'll wonder where the actual traffic is lol.

 

[travelcoupons]

If you're used to NYC metro area traffic I-4 will be the best way. You'll wonder where the actual traffic is lol.

true, it's usually only bad during commute times. (People going to work in Orlando in morning, so inbound in the morning and outbound in the late afternoon.) or if there's an accident.

 

[mouselike-harrier]

yup, I am definitely used to the nyc metro traffic. Unfortunately, I will be arriving during early morning commute time but hope to leave early to give us extra time.

 

[gmeh1]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I am used to driving miserable congested roads in the east. I-95 and the Merritt Parkway are usually wall to wall traffic.

LOL, trust me, after hitting I-4 at rush hours makes the Merritt and I-95, I-91 and I-84 (even the LIE) look like a picnic. I used to drive the Merritt and 95 daily, now, I drive I-4 daily. Totally nuts!!! And, we won't even talk about what happens when it rains. LOL

 

[gmeh1]

true, it's usually only bad during commute times. (People going to work in Orlando in morning, so inbound in the morning and outbound in the late afternoon.) or if there's an accident.

Sadly, both directions are inbound in the am and outbound in the pm. Add to the "or if", or if there is rain.

 

[mouselike-harrier]

LOL, trust me, after hitting I-4 at rush hours makes the Merritt and I-95, I-91 and I-84 (even the LIE) look like a picnic. I used to drive the Merritt and 95 daily, now, I drive I-4 daily. Totally nuts!!! And, we won't even talk about what happens when it rains. LOL

Good thing my son and I are Disney obsessed to be doing this. It will be a "learning" experience!

 

[travelcoupons]

Sadly, both directions are inbound in the am and outbound in the pm. Add to the "or if", or if there is rain.

Yes rain is big factor and yes, you'll hit inbound or outbound on one side or the other if you drive through.

 

[kayemgi]

My son and I are driving from Daytona to Disney for the first time ever. I have a couple of questions. Is I-4 the way to go? Estimate of tolls? I would appreciate any and all information that you can give me. Thanks!

I've done this every time I've gone to WDW or US (10+times) (except for this year, we are finally flying!) because we usually visit family that live in Daytona before heading to the Orlando parks portion of our vacation. It's not too bad if you are used to the traffic in the northeast! We would usually leave very early to avoid the worst of the morning commuters (6 am or earlier) and I would definitely recommend avoiding driving back to Daytona during rush hour on Friday if at all possible. That's the absolute worst. Good luck!

 

[mouselike-harrier]

UPDATE: I drove my son and I to WDW from Daytona on Wednesday. We left sometime between 630 and 645 am. We did hit pockets of traffic on I-4 and one accident near Lake Buena Vista. All in all, not bad and very similar to traffic that I'm used to on I-95. It took approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. On the way back, no traffic, about 1 hour 15 mins. Not bad and definitely doable for a florida driver newbie. Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[gmeh1]

UPDATE: I drove my son and I to WDW from Daytona on Wednesday. We left sometime between 630 and 645 am. We did hit pockets of traffic on I-4 and one accident near Lake Buena Vista. All in all, not bad and very similar to traffic that I'm used to on I-95. It took approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. On the way back, no traffic, about 1 hour 15 mins. Not bad and definitely doable for a florida driver newbie. Thanks for all the great advice!

Thanks for the update, you did make pretty darn good time going to Disney and even better time going back. It is good that you left so early, another half hour to an hour would have given you nightmares.