Driving from New Smyrna to Disney (via Universal)

[Scoutdog]

We'll be driving from New Smyrna Beach to the Magic Kingdom tomorrow (Wed) morning with a stop at Universal Studios to drop off Grandma & Grandpa.

Any recommended routes? We'll probably be aiming to arrive at Universal as close to 9:00 as possible. Or does it make sense to wait a little to avoid traffic?

How late in the morning will I-4 be backed up coming from north of Orlando? Will we miss it? Would it be faster to take 95 to 528 Beachline to "Floridas Turnpike up to Universal? Will I-4 between Universal and Disney be backed up at 9:15? Or would it make more sense to take state roads from NSB to Sanford and catch 417 around? If we were only going to Disney that's probably what we'd do (or maybe 95 to 528 to 417)

Thanks for any help! Hopefully we won't get stuck on I-4

 

[Scoutdog]

Is I-4 the fastest route from Universal to Disney around 9:30 am on a weekday? Or is it better to take back route (maybe Apopka-Vineland Road)?

Thanks again!

 

[MattM]

Well, obviously there is no way to predict the future, but we can make guesses based on past trends

It definitely DOES NOT make sense to go I-95 to the Beachline.

Rush Hour(s) is from aroun 7:30-9:30, so it may be busy through downtown when you come through (approx 8:50 if you're wanting to be at US at 9:00). However, with it being the middle of the week, it may not be as bad. I would either try and get there closer to 8:00 or wait until closer to 10:00.

Do you know the route from NSB to I-4 via SR 44? It is much faster than going up to I-95, then back down I-4. Let me know if you need more help with that...

Hope that helps though!

 

[Scoutdog]

We came into NSB on 44 (from 415, I believe, up from Sanford Airport), so I assume I just head further west on 44 to get I-4?

Maybe we will wait to get there around 10:00. Both parks don't open until 9:00 tomorrow.

Assuming no real traffic hang-ups about how long should it be from NSB to Universal? Hour and 15 minutes?

Thanks!

 

[MattM]

Yep Hour 15 to an hour and a half!

And also, yes, you would take 44 furhter west until you get to the I-4 interchange.