Driving from WDW to Port of Miami, just how bad is it?

[macsandy1957]

I hate driving in unfamiliar places but hate the cost of the one way flight from Orlando to Port of Miami too. So just how bad is the drive, and how much will the tolls be through rental car place? TIA

 

[ldo]

we drove from WDW to FT Lauderdale. Got on the turnpike. Takes about 4 hrs. Miami is about an hr farther. So, quite a hike, but pretty easy driving on the turnpike. Don't recall tolls, not outrageous, maybe $15 or so. We always drive down a day prior and spend the night near the port, so as not to stress about traffic, etc. day of.

 

[macsandy1957]

Thank you so much!

 

[valiamo]

It is a good highway, just a long trek. If you are not pressed for time, consider stopping in the Everglades for a couple of hours (Near Fort Lauderdale). Seeing the Alligators, up close is a real eye-opener.

 

[Itinkso]

On Tuesday, we drove from WDW to Boca Raton then on to Miami Airport the next day. It's faster to take Oceola Parkway to the Turnpike rather than 192. Because we had the TollPass, we didn't have to stop at the booths. Still figure on at least 4 hours to get to Miami.

 

[butsy113]

We drove it last June. Easy drive and tolls were right at $15

 

[Daisimae]

We are driving from MCO to FLL in December. Could anyone please tell me if the tolls are automated or are they still accepting cash on this road?

Thanks!

 

[Itinkso]

We are driving from MCO to FLL in December. Could anyone please tell me if the tolls are automated or are they still accepting cash on this road? Thanks!

If you are taking the Turnpike, tolls are automated. I'm not sure if the off-ramp toll booths accepted cash as we had the TollPass included with our rental car. The 95 toll booths accepted cash.

 

[Daisimae]

Thanks for the quick response. I was planning to order a transponder in advance. But, I was wondering if it was necessary. I think we will go forward with that plan. So we will have it for other FL trips too.

 

[ronandannette]

If you are taking the Turnpike, tolls are automated. I'm not sure if the off-ramp toll booths accepted cash as we had the TollPass included with our rental car. The 95 toll booths accepted cash.

How does that work in a rental car? Do they charge you a flat fee for tolls you may never actually incur or is there some way they tally up the actual tolls and you pay upon returning the car? I've never done "cashless" in a rental.

 

[Itinkso]

How does that work in a rental car? Do they charge you a flat fee for tolls you may never actually incur or is there some way they tally up the actual tolls and you pay upon returning the car? I've never done "cashless" in a rental.

Alamo cars are set up to use the SunPass lanes. There is a $3-4 charge per day to use this and the charge and the tolls are added to your credit card bill. If you are traveling on a road that has Cash Lanes, you can choose to use cash and then you won't be charged the $3-4 per day fee. Once you use an electronic only lane, the fee and tolls automatically will be charged to your credit card... so, you will have to know in advance if you will be traveling on electronic only toll lanes.

It takes awhile to process, I guess. We traveled on the Turnpike and the 95 between June 14 - June 18 and the charges have still not been added to my card for that time period.

ETA: From MCO to WDW, there are cash toll lanes so if you choose to stop and pay, you will avoid the per day automatic fee.