Driving from Clearwater

[PooohBear]

We are going to Clearwater in November, can't pass up the opportunity to go to Disney since it's so close ! My plan is to rent a car and drive to Orlando, is this an easy drive for someone directionally challenged And can anyone give me a rough estimate how long it would actually take me to get there on a Sunday morning ? Thank for any help !

 

[nacho113]

You're flying into PIE?

St Pete's/Clearwater airport to WDW is approx a 90 minute drive at that time of day on a Sunday (traffic could add 20-30 minutes if you are returning at a busier time).
It's fairly straightforward, when you leave the airport turn east on to Ulmerton Road (SR-688).
Drive for about 4 miles and take the I-275 East exit.
Stay on I-275 for for about 15-16 miles (across the bay and into Tampa) and you will see the I-4 signs, it's kind of straight through, I-275 turns north and I-4 continues east. Just follow the I-4 signs.
From here its about 65-70 miles east along I-4 before you will see the WDW signing

 

[PooohBear]

Thank you so much !!

 

[ParrotBill]

Directionally, I-275 and I-4 are pretty easy as described above. Stay clear of the Veterans Expressway to the west and north of Tampa Airport (FL 589) - this is a tollway that is toll-by-plate only and you will get a bill in the mail for using it. Just be sure if you are using FL 60 to and from Clearwater to stay south toward Tampa and I-275.

I do want to warn you about the "easy" part of your question. Sunday morning is likely to be easiest in terms of when you drive. But I-275 in Tampa is often congested and adds time if you do not use detours like Hillsborough Ave. And I-4 from Tampa to Daytona is one of the most congested Interstates in the country, often with heavy traffic, "rubberbanding" slowdowns, and accidents/breakdowns along the shoulders. Leave a super long following distance in front of you and stay alert! (Don't forget I-4 is under construction through downtown Orlando and is often stop-and-go from Lake Buena Vista up to Maitland.)