Favorite Route - Driving MCO to WDW

[SDSorority]

Hello everyone! Do you have a favorite route from MCO to WDW? For some reason, the past couple of times we have gone, we have driven an access road out of MCO through Kissimmee. It's not the fastest route but there are no tolls. I think it's because the exit has been under construction... is all that complete now? What way do you drive?

 

[MonorailRed]

Our favorite route is the South Exit to SR-417 and then off at Exit 6 to World Center Drive. There are two tolls on this route but I haven't thought about them in the years since ordering a SunPass transponder. The 10 or so miles from the airport access road to Exit 6 is nothing at 70 MPH.

 

[NH-to-FL]

We also prefer the south exit to SR-417. Especially now that the work on the 417 exit to the airport has been completed.

 

[SDSorority]

Thanks for the input! I think what we did in the past was take the south exit but instead of getting on 417, we kept going to Osceola Pkwy. Took way too long in my opinion...

I think we'll hop on 417 this time. We won't be landing until after 9pm, so by the time we get our bags and rental, it'll be close to 10pm. I can't imagine traffic being TOO bad at that time of night.

 

[NH-to-FL]

it'll be close to 10pm. I can't imagine traffic being TOO bad at that time of night

There won't be much traffic at that time. Make sure to bring plenty of quarters for the tolls. We have sunpass so I have lost track of the current tolls along 417.

You didn't say where you are headed but most people get off at either exit 6, World Center Dr. which turns into Epcot Center Dr. or exit 3, W. Osceola Pkwy. If you are going all the way to I-4 there is an exact change only/sunpass toll at that exit.

 

[richmo]

Definitely prefer the South exit route via FL-417. This would be especially true near any rush hour as the North exit route (FL-528) dumps you onto I-4, which can be horrific at that time.

 

[SDSorority]

There won't be much traffic at that time. Make sure to bring plenty of quarters for the tolls. We have sunpass so I have lost track of the current tolls along 417.

You didn't say where you are headed but most people get off at either exit 6, World Center Dr. which turns into Epcot Center Dr. or exit 3, W. Osceola Pkwy. If you are going all the way to I-4 there is an exact change only/sunpass toll at that exit.

OH! I'll be heading to the Boardwalk. So probably exit 6 then?

 

[NH-to-FL]

OH! I'll be heading to the Boardwalk. So probably exit 6 then?

Yes! Get off at exit 6, go straight through a couple of lights, cross over I-4, and then take the Buena Vista Dr. exit off of Epcot Center Dr towards the Boardwalk. You will go under Buena Vista Dr. and then immediately take the right that curls up and around to Buena Vista Dr.

You will turn right just past the Speedway gas station onto Epcot Resorts Blvd and then a very quick left into the Boardwalk entrance.

Spend a few minutes with Google maps before you go and it will be an easy drive.

Wishing you a magical trip! We love the Boardwalk!

 

[bumbershoot]

Our favorite route is the South Exit to SR-417 and then off at Exit 6 to World Center Drive.

Yep.

(if we're going to Universal then I take 528 to 4)

We see no need to get a transponder since it's not required. I bring a roll of quarters and a bunch of ones, I have them easily reachable (or the navigator hands them to the driver), and take the manned lanes at the toll booths. Easy.

 

[SDSorority]

Yes! Get off at exit 6, go straight through a couple of lights, cross over I-4, and then take the Buena Vista Dr. exit off of Epcot Center Dr towards the Boardwalk. You will go under Buena Vista Dr. and then immediately take the right that curls up and around to Buena Vista Dr.

You will turn right just past the Speedway gas station onto Epcot Resorts Blvd and then a very quick left into the Boardwalk entrance.

Spend a few minutes with Google maps before you go and it will be an easy drive.

Wishing you a magical trip! We love the Boardwalk!

 

[puffkin]

We also use SR417. We have a Sun Pass and get off at Exit 6 and navigate through Disney property from there rather than going through the next toll. Seems to be much faster. We also go back that way and fill up at the gas station right before the ramp back onto 417 and always show as full at drop off!

 

[akl432]

This is really helpful! Do you recommend the reverse route to get back to MCO? We will be leaving WDW to drive back to MCO about 2:30PM on a Monday.

 

[puffkin]

This is really helpful! Do you recommend the reverse route to get back to MCO? We will be leaving WDW to drive back to MCO about 2:30PM on a Monday.

Absolutely. You should hit very little traffic and with the new flyover ramp right into the airport it is even faster. Should take no more than 15-20 minutes. We always fill up at the gas station right at the ramp to get onto 417 (near the Caribe Royale resort) or at the Magic Kingdom and we show full when we return our rental. Very easy drive.

 

[richmo]

Absolutely. You should hit very little traffic and with the new flyover ramp right into the airport it is even faster. Should take no more than 15-20 minutes. We always fill up at the gas station right at the ramp to get onto 417 (near the Caribe Royale resort) or at the Magic Kingdom and we show full when we return our rental. Very easy drive.

Totally agree...and that's the same gas station (now Speedway, was Hess) that I always fill up at too. (BTW, gas is at a good price there, as are the Speedways on WDW property...be careful where you get gas, there's a station near Disney that's $5.99/gallon (not kidding...see Shell on Vineland Rd.)

 

[akl432]

Great - thank you!!

 

[richmo]

Absolutely. You should hit very little traffic and with the new flyover ramp right into the airport it is even faster. Should take no more than 15-20 minutes. ...

As I read this again, I still agree with most of it. However, the distance from the Speedway outside MK to MCO via 417 is just under 25 miles...it would be a little less from Epcot. While you could make it in a little over 20 minutes if you're not stopping for gas, by no means should you count on that. To be comfortable, I'd recommend leaving your parking spot about 45 minutes before you want to get to MCO. If its rush hour, make that an hour. (417 won't be busy, but a traffic light at World Center Drive and International Drive can backup a bit...plus if you're paying cash tolls, you can get delayed (possibly bring 12 quarters to save a little time))