Gas near MCO

[mjplantz]

Its been a few years since we have had a rental car and just wanted to hear where most people stop to fill up before returning their cars, or if people just go for the fill up option? (never seems to work out good for us). If MCO is like most other airports the closer you get the crazier the prices gets.

Looks like their is a RaceTrac on McCoy Road just outside the airport that might work...

 

[skelooch]

I used a 7-eleven also on McCoy road just off exit 9 of Rt 528 and their prices were about the same as in the WDW area, but I only stopped there because it was close to SIXT car rental. I usually fill up at the Hess station on Rt 536 on my way to the airport just before entering Rt 417 and have never had a problem.

 

[seashoreCM]

Directions to the 7-11 on McCoy Rd. at Toll 528 Exit 9:

Leaving the gas station, head north (requires a left or two) and get into middle lane. Required right onto McCoy eastbound. (McCoy continues to the west more or less following the red line under the cheap gas station marked a little ways.)

 

[DVC-Don]

I use a Circle K/Shell station on Boggy Creek just south of 417.

 

[Geoff_M]

Its been a few years since we have had a rental car and just wanted to hear where most people stop to fill up before returning their cars, or if people just go for the fill up option?

NEVER, NEVER pick the "pre-pay" fill-up option. Unless you can return the car with the tank on "E", it a bad, bad deal for you. The price you paid for any gas left in the tank with a "pre-pay" is 100% profit that goes into the pocket of the rental companies. Rental car gas "pre-pays" are pushed at the counter for the same reason that extended warranties are pushed at the checkouts of electronics stores... They're BIG money makers for the the seller.

But back to your question... Here's the thing about gas and rental returns: As long as the gas gauge needle points to "F" it doesn't matter if the tank is fulled 100% to the top. Given that the needles in cars rarely budge before driving less than 50 highway miles, you can top-off the tank as you exit the WDW property and be assured that it will still easily read "F" when you reach the airport. In the 6 or 7 times we've rented cars at MCO, I've only filled the car close to the airport once. Never once have I been charged extra. I did the same thing last weekend here when I rented a minivan to get our daughter from college. I filled up 45 miles north of home and it still read "F" when we got back, so I didn't top it off on the way to our airport car rental return lot.... no extra charge.

 

[seashoreCM]

Some rental car companies reserve the right to ask you for a gas receipt from a station with X miles of the return location/office although they seldom ask. The station at Exit 9 off 528 is within range for all companies.

Consider filling up the night before so, if you are pressed for time on departure day, you would only have to pay for a small amount at the high prices that the rental company itself charges (when you don't prepay for a tankful up front).

No matter how far you drive and how many tankfuls you use, the prepaid tankful is a bad buy because a few gallons will always be left behind.

 

[DebbieB]

I always fillup on Disney property before leaving. It's never been an issue with National, it's still on full when I get to the airport. The last time there was an even cheaper station on 536 right before the entrance to 417.

 

[mjplantz]

great tips... thanks to all! Do most of you exit/return via the north or south exit?

 

[skelooch]

South exit, distance is just about the same, 417 rarely has traffic, but the tolls are a little less via 528/I-4 by maybe $.75

 

[MAYNARDS99]

orlando gas prices dot com

is your best bet for cheap gas!

 

[francie57]

We usually rent from Alamo, National, or Budget and we have never had a problem returning the car after we have filled it up at the Hess Station by the Boardwalk. We have been doing this for years and we have never had any problem since the car is still on or over full when we get to the airport. For us this is the most convenient place since we stay at the Epcot Resorts.

 

[mjplantz]

We are offsite this year at Emerald Island so its good to know that we can fill up around their before heading over via the south entrance. Thanks for the help... definitely makes planning easier.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I always fill up at Hess by the Boardwalk resort before heading back to MCO.

The 'fill up' option is your most costly option, unless you bring the car back in on fumes.

 

[cjsmoma]

As the others have said, just fill up on disney property and you will be fine....i've done it many times with no problems at all...tank is still full.

 

[Alexander]

I used a 7-eleven also on McCoy road just off exit 9 of Rt 528 and their prices were about the same as in the WDW area, but I only stopped there because it was close to SIXT car rental. I usually fill up at the Hess station on Rt 536 on my way to the airport just before entering Rt 417 and have never had a problem.

I always fillup on Disney property before leaving. It's never been an issue with National, it's still on full when I get to the airport. The last time there was an even cheaper station on 536 right before the entrance to 417.

We ALWAYS fill up at this Hess station. It is easy to get into as it is on the right-hand side of the road, and you make a right to get out of there and onto 417.

 

[bdoyledimou]

DO NOT get gas at the Samoran drive location!!! OMG!!

We were staying at the Doubletree across the street from the gas station there, and when i saw the sign for gas prices i thought it was the address!! The lady in the store said that they charge almost 50% more than the same brand down 2 miles down the street --- was CRAZY!!! ($5.97 a gallon on April 23 - vs $3.89 two blocks down!)

 

[mjplantz]

DO NOT get gas at the Samoran drive location!!! OMG!!

We were staying at the Doubletree across the street from the gas station there, and when i saw the sign for gas prices i thought it was the address!! The lady in the store said that they charge almost 50% more than the same brand down 2 miles down the street --- was CRAZY!!! ($5.97 a gallon on April 23 - vs $3.89 two blocks down!)

Saw a couple places online right near they airport with similar comments... guess they were hoping to get those that ventured to close to the airport before filling up and were running late.