Driving from WDW to Port of Miami... Tolls??

[Elias1901]

We are going to be picking up a rental car from the WDW Hertz location on Bonnet Creek Resort Ln shortly after they open at 8 AM. We then will be driving down to Miami to drop off the car at the Hertz nearest to the Port of Miami and hopping into a Lyft over to the port itself to begin embarkation. We'll probably be utilizing my GARMIN GPS to get directions from WDW to Miami and from what I'm seeing, we most likely will be coming across at least a few tolls along the way...

I'm Canadian, so the concept of toll roads are foreign to me. For anybody who has driven this route (or just has the general expertise), about how many tolls can we except to encounter along our journey? Likewise... how much do the tolls cost? Does the costs vary from one to the next??

How much cash should we expect to have along with us in the vehicle to take care of the tolls? If anyone could give some specific change denominations for us to pick up... that would be helpful! The more detail on this stuff, the better!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Hertz may be renting cars with a toll transponder.

 

[lilmc]

We set our maps app to “avoid tolls” in the Miami area on our cruise in March never had more than a few minute delay because of the “alternate” route it was forced to give us.

 

[MarcIsMe]

Hertz uses plate pass at the toll cost plus a daily charge of $4.95. The charge will appear on your credit card about 3 to 4 days after the rental terminates. The cost from MCO to North Miami should be $22. Many exits along the Florida Turnpike do not have cash plazas if you need to exit early. For the extra five bucks I would just use the plate pass which allows you to cruise without stopping in the SunPass or EZ Pass only lanes.

 

[ScooterScott44]

I’ll add another vote for the toll by plate option, or get transponder if available. That allows you to avoid stopping for tolls. You will get a bill shortly after the rental.

Quick question on the drop “near the port” statement. Not sure which location you are referencing so sharing a tip. There are some locations “near” the port but are in Miami Beach. Technically close, but that can require bridges and more driving. As long as you have one of the hertz in downtown (main downtown area or the one at Marriott Biscayne) you will be fine. Otherwise the airport can actually be an easy option. You can just Uber/taxi back to hotel if you are staying near the port.

 

[Pinkgurlshubby]

We have done both the transponder and the toll by plate. For the toll by plate the charges showed up on the card about a month after coming back. They were not much honestly. Not sure can't remember for sure but it would have been something like 5 or 10 dollars.
We did the Orlando to Miami round trip last year because we found a great deal on flights and it allowed us a nice in Fort Lauderdale to one of our favorite hotels. It's a good 3 hour drive. I don't mean it's a long excruciating drive, it's actually a fun calm drive. Then again I'm from Southern Ontario Canada so anything other than the 401 is a calm drive

 

[DisneYE]

Then again I'm from Southern Ontario Canada so anything other than the 401 is a calm drive

LOL... omg so true.
How insane has the 401 become that Miami and Orlando traffic (both are so bad) are considered as 'calm'

 

[MillauFr]

Yes use the plate pass. Use the express lanes whenever you have the option to avoid traffic congestion.

 

[Pinkgurlshubby]

LOL... omg so true.
How insane has the 401 become that Miami and Orlando traffic (both are so bad) are considered as 'calm'

I'll gladly drive the I95 Fort Lauderdale to Miami in rush hour over Milton to Scarborough in the middle of the night LOL and I drive the 401 every day

 

[rhinodadz]