Driving on I4 in Orlando

[Ted and Holly]

Living where we do, we have the misfortune of having to drive I4 to go pretty much anywhere (besides Publix). I am quite fortunate not to have to drive it to work.

I have noticed a few things that I thought I'd comment on.

1.) As much as I'd like to suggest the "usual" rules of lane use, it just does NOT apply in Orlando. People just don't use the middle or right lane to travel and the left to pass. It is a free-for-all. This is why you get people flying by you on the right, without waiting to see if you pull over to let them pass.

2.) There are plenty of exits for Walt Disney World. You do NOT need to stop in the middle lane to let the people pass you on the right, so that you can get to the exit. Chances are, the next exit will get you there too. If not, just take the next exit and reverse direction.

3.) AHHH!! REVERSE! It is NEVER ok to back up on the highway. EVER! It is always nerve-racking to drive in a place you are unfamiliar with, but that does not change the rules. If you miss that "last" Disney exit, go to the next, provided it is not another highway, and turn around!

4.) While it may take longer, all Disney exits can get you to all Disney guest areas.

Driving I4 can be trying, but it should never ruin your vacation. There are daily reports of accidents along I4, many involving injuries.

Please, drive safely.

Ted

 

[mcnuss]

Thanks for sharing your Orlando driving wisdom, esp. the parts about there being multiple Disney exits! It must be quite frustrating to be trying to go about your daily lives with all of us tourists on the roads!

Unfortunately, all of the bad driving habits you mentioned appear to be prevalent everywhere now. Red light running, passing on the right, etc...are just universal. I commuted to Boston from here in So. NH everyday for 7 years, and I'd guess that I saw at least 4-5 accidents per week. When you thing about that, it's an astounding number bc God only knows how many there were during the days/hours I was not on that road!

 

[Ted and Holly]

I know what you mean! But, I drove from Newmarket, NH to Westford, MA, about 60 miles, most on I495 every day for 7 years (funny). Sure there was a lot of accidents and many people passing on the right (they teach that in Drivers Ed in MA ) But at least up there if someone does not move over to the middle lane, they are doing it maliciously, here it is obliviousness.

I just started driving in Florida and Holly does a lot more than I do. I just thought I'd post that, seeing as I experienced all of those in the same afternoon.

Ted

 

[mcnuss]

I wonder if the number of international visitors does not impact you an awful lot, too. You've got a lot of people driving on our side of the road for the first time, others for whom English is not their first language, signage in the US is vastly different than in many other countries, etc....It's got to be a nightmare. Be careful out there!

ps: My dad lived in Westford for many years, now's he's in Boynton. I am not far away, in Londonderry, NH.

 

[boBQuincy]

I drive to WDW from NC, coming down I-95 to Daytona. Unless I plan to drive I-4 on very off-peak hours, I prefer to take I-95 to the Canaveral area then take 528 and 417 to WDW.

It takes maybe 20-30 minutes longer and costs about $5 but probably adds years to my life expectancy. When I-4 is really backed up the I-95 route is probably quicker.

I am a fast driver who learned to drive in Philadelphia, and I-4 scares *me*!


boB

 

[DebbieB]

I had to drive I-4 from Disney to Downtown Orlando last month for business. I was so nervous! I just stayed in the right or next to right lane and kept with the traffic. To make it worse, it started to rain hard! Traffic wasn't bad until I got close to Downtown. There were some crazy drivers cutting across the lanes. Was glad to get off. To get back to the airport, I took 408 to 436, 408 was kind of crazy too. I was exiting 408 to 436 and someone cut right in front of me to get to the exit ramp and then pulled off to the side!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Good advice about the exits!!!
Even tho I've driven to WDW many times, I'll occasionally "miss" my particular WDW exit due to trying to avoid being slammed by all that I-4 traffic. Just take the next avaialable exit and you can get to exactly where you want to go.

 

[JustHolly]

Thank you Ted! I remember the conversation we had in the car the other day about how scary the roads are and how people don't THINK straight when they are on vacation in a new place!

Ted neglected to tell everyone, that I have been in TWO automobile accidents in the greater Orlando area since Thanksgiving week! One injured me! Neither was my fault! People just don't pay attention.

I avoid I4 at all costs!

Driving in Southern NH and Mass since I learned how to drive could never have prepared me for "Florida" drivers. There are fatal accidents DAILY, sometimes several per day on Orlando area highways. Just turn on the news in the morning and see!

We go to WDW often and there are VERY serious accidents on WDW roads as well. I feel so bad for the people who have had ruined vacations due to careless driving.

Watch out, out there! I want my fellow Dis'ers to be safe!

Holly

 

[annie5379]

We avoided I - 4 as much as possible on our last trip. From the orlando airport, we took rt 417, and took exit 6 after the second toll booth. It brought us right to the WDW archway.

Annie

 

[pumpkinboy]

Aren't you locals all happy when visitors choose Not to drive when visiting your lovely region? Personally, I am quite happy not to drive in an unfamiliar area, much less deal with other drivers from our home region who are equally unfamilair, and darn poor drivers to begin with (speaking of those from Mass especially (and sometimes RI and NH drivers too, you know, any of those states where turn signals are an option on new cars rather than standard ).

So we will continue to let Mickey's associates take us around and save the roads for you folks who live there.

 

[NCRedding]

bobquincy: I was going to ask about taking 528 in and saw your post. My parents want to drive to WDW in October, and I think that I shall recommend your route to them.

 

[arminnie]

It's funny how I've never noticed I4 being crazy but then I lived in CA and TX for most of the past 25 years. I think that makes you immune to noticing anything having to do with freeway driving as being out of the ordinary.

In TX I was hit from behind - when I was at a complete stop at a stop sign or stop light - THREE times in less than six months - in broad daylight each time.