How hard is it driving in Orlando?

[Booknut]

I am not the most confident driver in the UK and I found driving in Orlando relaxing. In fact, last trip I did all the driving! I drove us to Bradenton/Anna Maria Island and wouldn't hesitate at all to do a driving trip now to other States when our daughter is older. If you do make a wrong turn its usually straight forward to turn around. Roads like the 192 have lots of places where you can turn around legally which is brilliant.

One thing I will say is get the biggest car you can afford. Last time I ordered the cheapest one as it was only for DH and I and although the car wasn't small by UK standards it was practically a 'mini' next to the other cars on the road and it can be a bit intimidating when you look in the rear view mirror and only see a 'grill'!!!

In January we're getting a big SUV for a week

 

[keasden]

Just go for it, it is easier than driving in the UK and the difference it will make to a holiday not having to reply on taxis and public transport would be almost immeasurable.

 

[craigs bride]

looking at everyones advice here i think driving will be a doddle over in Florida
although this will be my first driving attempt next yr .....so i am very worried about it !!
which would you say is easier a small car or a seven seater car , we are a large group going over so there will be more than one car between us !

 

[Netty]

looking at everyones advice here i think driving will be a doddle over in Florida
although this will be my first driving attempt next yr .....so i am very worried about it !!
which would you say is easier a small car or a seven seater car , we are a large group going over so there will be more than one car between us !

I can only go by my own experience! Here in the uk I drive an escort, thats the biggest car I have ever driven.. my first experience driving in Florida was driving a 7 seater minivan,(2006) I found it great no probs and easier as you are higher up! hope this helps

 

[topsy]

OK, this is how easy driving is over there...to take a driving test when over there for a Florida licence all you have to do is take a quick computer theory test (EASY!) and then no more than a 5 minute drive around the car park of the DMV!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

looking at everyones advice here i think driving will be a doddle over in Florida
although this will be my first driving attempt next yr .....so i am very worried about it !!
which would you say is easier a small car or a seven seater car , we are a large group going over so there will be more than one car between us !

I think all cars are easy to drive.

A doddle? hmm, yes it IS much easier to drive over there than in the UK, as I said earlier the roads are wider and most of the roads allow for free flowing traffic.

However, I genuinely believe it is not as easy as it used to be, sheer volume of traffic being the main reason, though I would imagine driving in LA for example would be far more stressful.

I honestly don't think anyone should worry about it but I wouldn't say it was a doddle either, on the interstates in particular you do need to watch all lanes of traffic and cars frequently switch from lane to lane often at high speeds.
Care should be taken when entering an interstate such as the I4 - most of the access points are almost like a full circle where you are advised to take things very slowly, it's almost like a 180 degree turn...and then you do not get anything like as much time to build up speed and get in the first lane.. I will go away now as I am probably not helping here!

 

[jen_uk]

Care should be taken when entering an interstate such as the I4 - most of the access points are almost like a full circle where you are advised to take things very slowly, it's almost like a 180 degree turn...and then you do not get anything like as much time to build up speed and get in the first lane.. I will go away now as I am probably not helping here!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

It's something to be aware of Jen, not necessarily to worry about.

We stay in Kissimmee and a few of the exits/entrances onto the I4 are a bit wierd.
You turn off and immediatley go into quite an acute bend, and it's almost like you are driving in a complete circle before you get on the interstate.
It's 30 mph I think and then you get on the I4 where you build up speed and get into the first lane.

Some of them then straighten up so you get chance to gradually accelerate.

I think people should be warned about these and it's better to be prepared for them.

I have driven all over Florida, and have no worries or fears at all about driving over there. Navigating I feel is harder than the actual driving.
Traffic levels have increased worldwide since we first started renting a car so when I say it's getting harder due to volume of traffic I am making comparison's between now and early 90's.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

I say go for it.
I think a car to us with children anyway is essential,and when people tell me they have booked I always ask have they hired a car.
Driving is easy over there once you get the grasp of the other side of the road,blah blah.
We are buying a sat nav this time around purely to cut down time of getting lost so on.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I say go for it.
I think a car to us with children anyway is essential,and when people tell me they have booked I always ask have they hired a car.

I definitely agree, there are numerous advantages and would never consider NOT renting a car.

It's just that confidence barrier for a first timer.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

I agree,I think once you get over the first time driving you'll never look back.
I couldnt imagine not having a car and missing out on other places to see/do other than Disney.

 

[Microcell]

I come from Detroit (where the driving motto is "Lead, follow or get out of the way!") and Florida has the absolute slowest driving in all of the US! The population is much older there, and they tend to be more cautious, so you should have plenty of time to adjust, then you will get annoyed with how slow they are there like the rest of us American tourists!

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I find driving in Orlando extremeley relaxing compared to the UK where everyone just seems to hate each other. I have never seen any road rage type incident in the US....Im sure it must happen, but my theory is that no-one knows whos 'packing', so no-one dare confront anyone else and just let things go !

 

[jen_uk]

my theory is that no-one knows whos 'packing!

How reassuring!!