Driving from MCO to WDW

[GillianP1301]

What is the best (fastest) route to take? 528 or 417? This will be late August & early afternoon on a Saturday.

 

[rwdavis2]

It's pretty much a wash if you chart it out on google maps.

 

[OKW Lover]

The 528/I-4 route is shorter, but is more susceptible to traffic issues. I'd take the south exit to 417.

 

[cranbiz]

I wouldn't worry about it on a Saturday afternoon. Any traffic I ever ran into on I4 on a Saturday was in the Florida Mall area and clear by the SR528 ramp.

 

[winterman]

When we rented a car, we always took 417. Never saw any serious traffic. I've used DME 4 times and that's the route they have taken.

 

[wdwrich]

Have driven rental cars many times from MCO to WDW and have used both routes. Always encountered much less traffic on 417.

 

[GillianP1301]

Thanks everyone. I have driven it a few times and I honestly can't remember which way I went. I'm pretty sure it was 417 and based on the feedback here, I think I'll stick with that option.

 

[bumbershoot]

To/from wdw we take 417. To/from universal we take 528. Just what we do.

 

[bcuinohio]

Bring a roll of quarters for tolls. Some entrances/exits are are un-manned and require a Sun Pass or change.

 

[OKW Lover]

Bring a roll of quarters for tolls. Some entrances/exits are are un-manned and require a Sun Pass or change.

On the 528>I-4 route there are two tolls, both of which have manned booths and provide change.
On the 417 (Greenway) route there are two tolls, both of which have manned booths and provide change. Exit 6 (right after the second toll) will take you to Disney property. However, if you continue further down 417 to exit 3, you will need exact change for that exit.

 

[bcuinohio]

On the 528>I-4 route there are two tolls, both of which have manned booths and provide change.
On the 417 (Greenway) route there are two tolls, both of which have manned booths and provide change. Exit 6 (right after the seconat a d toll) will take you to Disney property. However, if you continue further down 417 to exit 3, you will need exact change for that exit.

It is not bad if you go directly to WDW. I ran to Super Walmart one time and my GPS put me on 417 to get back. I had no idea it was a toll road until I was on the ramp and could not turn around. Luckily I had some change. Also if you stop a grocery store on the way, you may encounter an interchange that is un-manned. I just keep a roll of quarters in the car just in case.

This year I actually bought the Mini Sticker Transponder. I have the app on my phone and will update the car information when we pick up our car.

 

[seashoreCM]

Isn't there a sign that says "toll road" before you make the turn onto the ramp? Then you could miss the ramp and let the GPS unit recalculate your route.

Or turn around and come back if you, after pausing somewhere, decided you wanted to use the toll road anyway.

 

[bumbershoot]

Isn't there a sign that says "toll road" before you make the turn onto the ramp?

DH managed to get on a toll road while going from AKL to Publix. (I have zero idea how he did it) It was at night and he saw no signs. He had no cash whatsoever, but there were envelopes at the booth to use to pay the toll, so we did that and mailed it in.

 

[bookgirl]

What is the best (fastest) route to take? 528 or 417? This will be late August & early afternoon on a Saturday.

Personally I like 528, but that may be because it was the first route I ever drove in FL, I driven it a number of times now and I know it well and I prefer to stay with the familiar when driving on vacation.

I think it's 6 of 1 half a dozen as far as tolls and time goes, but I do know from riding DME that there is construction on the 417 route and you go through more non Interstate/Highway driving that way. I really do prefer Interstates.