Driving from Miami to Disney

[PoohBuddy]

Our flight was just canceled at the last minute. So now instead of flying into Orlando we have to fly into Miami. We are going to rent a car to drive to Orlando from there. What is the best/fastest rout to get to Disney World from Miami? Also, are there any major roads still closed due to the hurricane? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Carriemel]

Take the turnpike straight up to Osceola Parkway.

 

[OKW Lover]

Agree that the turnpike is a straight shot up to Orlando. Be aware that in the Miami area there will be some electronic toll only stretches so be prepared to pay the car rental company's convenience fee for the tolls.

 

[writerguyfl]

The best/fastest route from Miami International Airport to Disney World will depend on the time of day you're leaving. If you will miss rush hour traffic in Miami/Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach, take the Turnpike. It's about 240 miles, which takes about 3 hours 40 minutes without traffic.

If you want to avoid traffic, you can take US 27 up the middle of the state. It's the same distance but takes 4 hours 20 minutes without traffic. It's longer because you have to slow down to 45mph occasionally when you go through some small towns. US 27 is a divided 4-lane road. Personally, I find it far less stressful than taking the Turnpike or I-95.

You can go to Bing Maps, Google Maps, or MapQuest to get possible routes. All of those sites let you enter a "Leave at" time that provides estimates including traffic. Just know that traffic is based on historical information. If you're going to Florida this week, all bets are off because of hurricane recovery.

Also, tolls across Florida are still suspended due to Irma recovery.

 

[JimMIA]

From MIA there are two tricky parts. If you are using Google Maps or Waze, the directions will be confusing and difficult to follow.

If you are renting from any major company, you will take the free train to the rental car center.

Leaving the rental car center, you want FL 836 WEST. That is SOUTH from the rental car center and then RIGHT onto 836 WEST (as in NOT East).

Once you merge onto 836, work your way over to the left two lanes and stay there for several miles until you pass over another major expressway (FL. 826 - Palmetto expressway, which will exit to the right). At least one of those lanes will end and merge right, but stay as far left as you can until you cross the next expressway.

Once you get past the Palmetto, work your way to the right and follow signs to NW 107 Ave and Turnpike. DO NOT follow left lanes leading to 137 Ave and DO NOT exit 107 Ave (two exits), stay on 836.

Once you get past both 107 Ave exits, move to the right lane and stay there. That will take you to the Florida Turnpike NORTHbound. Stay on Turnpike to Orlando.

Tolls have been waived on all Florida toll roads for the duration of the emergency...which will extend for several weeks.

 

[JimMIA]

In the above directions, the confusing Maps/Waze directions areas will be getting onto FL 836 Westbound, staying on 836 when you pass over the Palmetto, and navigating the 107 Avenue area.

At the 107 Avenue area, there is an extension of 836 which goes west to 137 Avenue. That extension (which you do NOT want) peels off via the left two lanes. Both 107 Avenue lanes (which you also do NOT want) exit from the right lane. So, you stay right at first, then left -- and then when you get past the second 107 Ave exit, get right and stay there.

From there to Orlando is a walk in the park.

Have a great trip.