I-4 construction, Sunpass & trailers

[Napria]

I read on another thread that a years long overhaul of I-4 has started and one poster said they purchased a Sunpass that saved them from getting caught in a major traffic snarl.

1. What does everyone here know about this construction?
2. Does anyone know if a Sunpass would work when hauling a trailer? Extra axels usually mean higher tolls. Is there anyway to program the Sunpass to the number of axles I've got?
3. If this can be done, what's the best place to get a Sunpass?

 

[parrothead365]

You can go to sunpass.com for details and to set up your account. you can buy a sunpass transponder at most durgstores in FL. I never had any issues when I was pulling our fiver or just using it in the truck alone. I highly suggest using the 417 bypass, it may take a few minutes longer but it really makes it an easier trip thank trying to drag a trailer thru Orlando.

 

[bama_ed]

Napria,

Sunpass does charge based on the number of axles that cross the toll points (and sometime it even gets the count correct!). We did have a poster about 2 weeks ago (can't find the thread) who took the route down I95 to Hwy 407/528 (The Beachline) from Cocoa Beach rather than pulling off onto I4 at Daytona. They said it added about 15 minutes but avoided all the traffic and delays on I4.

For some reason in my head I had you as a Georgia person coming down I75 therefore. But as DW reminds me, I am often wrong.

I was told when I got my Sunpass to add the license plate of the trailer as well as the tow vehicle. So I did. You might want to also. I got the Mini transponder, loaded about $25 on it, and have it auto refresh when it gets to $10.

It's great rolling through the tollbooths in the SunPass lane. I feel like a local.

Bama Ed

 

[Napria]

Ed, you're absolutely correct! We take 75 to Florida's Turnpike to 429 and come in on the western side of WDW. All I can say is the Garmin has taken over as navigator. When we had paper maps I did a much better job of remembering which route I took. But I'll also tell you when we first drove to WDW from Atlanta we had to take I-4. If I remember correctly the roads in from the west hadn't been built yet?

But I think we can still use Sunpass on the route we take. Thanks!

 

[Magic Fanatic]

Ed, you're absolutely correct! We take 75 to Florida's Turnpike to 429 and come in on the western side of WDW. All I can say is the Garmin has taken over as navigator. When we had paper maps I did a much better job of remembering which route I took. But I'll also tell you when we first drove to WDW from Atlanta we had to take I-4. If I remember correctly the roads in from the west hadn't been built yet?

But I think we can still use Sunpass on the route we take. Thanks!

We are here at the Fort now and from Georgia. The Sunpass technology now recognizes Georgia's Peachpass which is very convenient.

 

[Chkysbak]

If I am driving down I-95 and take I-4 is that a toll road now?

 

[Flametamr]

We always take the I-75 to 429 route and we do use the Sunpass mini. It is the best option for us.

 

[rrehman]

Does anyone know if sunpass is compatable with EZPass? EZPass is compatable in most states in the north.

 

[Flametamr]

It looks like the EZpass does not work yet in Florida. But you can purchase a Sunpass mini for around $5.00 to use. You can purchase it online or stop at the first turnpike rest area on I-75 and buy one. They are sold at some Florida drug stores too. You can pre-load it or attach it to a credit card to replenish. It's really simple.

 

[Napria]

We are here at the Fort now and from Georgia. The Sunpass technology now recognizes Georgia's Peachpass which is very convenient.

Very helpful to know! Thanks.

We always take the I-75 to 429 route and we do use the Sunpass mini. It is the best option for us.

Is that a MINI Cooper accessory? I'll have to check with my MINI dealer. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

 

[Flametamr]

Yes I did read that Sunpass works in Georgia so it makes sense that the Peachpass works in Florida.

 

[betmust]

I will be headed to the Fort in November. This time we will fly from Boston to Jacksonville spend 3 days and then drive down to the Fort. Which would be the best route to take? I hear the Rt4 is very heavy traffic. Would it be worth buying the SunPass mini?
Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated...

Thanks

 

[MotherRunner]

Does anyone know if sunpass is compatable with EZPass? EZPass is compatable in most states in the north.

Don't use EZpass!! I thought it worked through Florida and got a bill and extra fine for rolling through the toll booths!

 

[Corndog88]

It looks like the NC Quickpass works in Fla also. I might have to go ahead and get one.

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

The Sunpass is the ticket! Love not having to stop toll plazas. We travel to Florida pretty often, I have a mini pass in both my truck and car. I only had it charge me for 5 axles once, truck and camper only have 4 axles, (as Bama Ed mentioned)

 

[pjpoppins]

If we are traveling down just once with our TT is it worth it? Or will I spend more time buying and setting it up than I would in the tolls?

 

[msb578]

Don't use EZpass!! I thought it worked through Florida and got a bill and extra fine for rolling through the toll booths!

It's coming soon. Inter-operability is supposed to be in place by the end of next year to comply with a new federal law. But... are these things ever on time?!

 

[bama_ed]

IMHO pjpoppins and betmust, if you are an infrequent traveler to WDW then don't bother with the SunPass and just stop and pay the tolls as you go. We go to WDW annually and other places past Orlando (the Keys, Miami, etc.) that make it more worthwhile for us.

Google Maps shows skipping I4 and continuing down I95 to 407 to 528 to be 14 minutes longer in "no traffic" situations for both. And only 10 minutes longer with "current traffic" as I type this. It might be worth 10 minutes for a higher probability of rolling along versus construction/traffic slowdowns.

Also be advised that down around the Miami-Ft Lauderdale area SunPass is the ONLY way to pay on the Fl Turnpike (I95 is free of course and runs parallel to the Turnpike for most of the way). There are no staffed payment booths. Rental car agencies can include a SunPass as a part of your rental for travel in that area. The "no booth" approach surprised me a little bit when I pulled the pop-up to Key West a few years ago.

Bama Ed

 

[Napria]

I emailed PeachPass about trailers and here is their response:

Thank you for your inquiry. We apologize for the delayed response.
Trailers can no longer be registered on Peach Pass accounts.
When traveling thru the tolls in Florida and pulling a trailer you must stop and pay the tolls.

 

[tiggerdad]

I emailed PeachPass about trailers and here is their response:

Thank you for your inquiry. We apologize for the delayed response.
Trailers can no longer be registered on Peach Pass accounts.
When traveling thru the tolls in Florida and pulling a trailer you must stop and pay the tolls.

What a bummer...
I typically just stop and pay. After driving 12 hours I'm happy just to get to say hello to somebody.