I-4 or I-95/407/528/417 ?

[mcsele]

In the past we'd always taken the I-4 (which I _hated_ when pulling a trailer). In 2019, on the suggestion of some folks on this board we took the I-95 -> 407 -> 528 -> 417 route which was much quieter and less stressful. Is this still the best way to go with a trailer (i.e. quieter traffic-wise) or has the I-4 magically improved in the past five years? Looking for advice for an upcoming trip. TIA.

 

[team bradfield]

Where are you coming from?

 

[mcsele]

Where are you coming from?

South-west Ontario taking the Eastern route so we'll be coming into Florida via the I-95.

 

[bama_ed]

Well I-4 was rough a couple years ago because of adding lanes north of the city and through the city as I recall. So it will depend on if construction is complete (I don't come that way but went thru it on a day trip while under construction). It also depends on time-of-day and day-of-the-week when you plan to come through (weekend? really late or early?).

The round-about way you took earlier adds 20-30 minutes of time but it is generally less stress (but you pay tolls too).

 

[Stratman50th]

I'm an advocate of staying off 4 at all costs. I like 417 regardless of tolls. But that's me, I'm willing to pay to stay clear of traffic.

 

[Teamubr]

I'm an advocate of stay off 4 at all costs. I like 417 regardless of tolls. But that's me, I'm willing to pay to stay clear of traffic.

This.

I come down I-75 to the Turnpike and come in the back way on 429. I avoid I-4 unless there is no other choice.

j

 

[jbrostek]

I come done I95 to I4 and always have, it is busy, and thankfully the construction east of Orlando gone. There was some HOT lane work going on in the center west of Orlando on they way to Disney, and at least in July 2023 it was not an issue for me. I tried the off route once and found it just as stressful as I4.

I do try to avoid Orlando anytime around rush hour, though passing through around lunch time has worked the last few trips. I do stay in the center or one lane from the right when I go through the Orlando area, it defintely saves me a lot of stress and people pass me just fine.

 

[team bradfield]

I spend 3 months in the orlando area in winter, like @Teamubr and @Stratman50th, we avoid I 4 at all cost

 

[jbrostek]

I must have a higher tolerance then others heading there. Now to be fair, once in the area I try to avoid I4 as much as possible. I just don't go through local routes or toll roads to get there.

 

[Duane]

We come from NC using I-95... For years, especially while all the construction was going around the downtown Orlando area, we would always exit I-4 in Sanford and take 417 all the way to Exit 6 and drive straight in to the WDW area...

Now that all the construction is done on I-4, I have started using that route all the way into the WDW area. Now things will get a tad crowded once you get closer to the WDW area, coming in, but it hasn't been that bad in the past for me.

The issue I have with 417 now, is that starting around the airport exits to the west, they have that stretch of road all "chewed up" with construction. And folks literally fly through that stretch of road...

Its a gamble no matter which route you take depending on the time of day or night you traverse through...

 

[FtW Mike]

we abandoned The I-95/I-4 route several years ago. At the time I-4 had a reputation of being an RV Killer Zone. Our beloved PA HUNTER recommended the 95 to 407 to 528 to 417 route and we never looked back. Adds a few miles and minutes and some tolls ( EZ PASS user here ) but a more relaxed trip. Our 2 dogs also like that just prior to getting on 407 there is a rest stop that tends to be nearly empty.

 

[4077]

Me too, I guess....I have lived in Orlando many times and lived the I-4 life. It is MUCH better now that main redo/construction through downtown and Universal area is completed (and I hate paying extra tolls 417/429), so I use I-4 in and out (but similarly don't go looking for extra reasons to get on to it once there).

I must have a higher tolerance then others heading there. Now to be fair, once in the area I try to avoid I4 as much as possible. I just don't go through local routes or toll roads to get there.

 

[jbrostek]

@FtW Mike We use the I4 rest stop last few times. Great place to stop, streach, have lunch and be ready for the last leg to FW. We used it the last few trips after our mistake of trying to use Bucee's as that stop. So now we get onto I4, get some miles in and then stop. Then when we get through Orlando and beyond we are all empty and ready to deal with whatever it has to offer.

 

[FtW Mike]

@jbrostek, Our last overnight stop for our trip is the KOA at exit 1 in Georgia so we only have a 240 mile travel day to make it to Disney or 265 miles to Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale.. The last rest stop on 95 before 407 works for us as my 2 dogs don't like diesel engine sounds. As this one tends to be empty it works for us. The 2 times we did I-4 neither these 2 dogs, nor our prior 2 liked I-4 . So 407/528/417 to I-4 just works better for us. To each their own I guess.

 

[jbrostek]

Indeed, know that rest stop too, we usualy stop there if we dont stop north of Jacksonville. We never make it that far south the day before, usually stop around Savannah. Though this year trying something new by traveling a couple hours Friday, bigger haul on Saturday, and finish it out Sunday.

 

[Stratman50th]

Dropped @Teamubr off at the airport. This was my drive home.
Nuff Said...

 

[jbrostek]

Pretty sure 417 looks like that during rush hour too. Though agree that there are bad times to come through there. Sunday morning, I do not think I will see that level of traffic.

 

[Stratman50th]

Pretty sure 417 looks like that during rush hour too. Though agree that there are bad times to come through there. Sunday morning, I do not think I will see that level of traffic.

Unless there's an accident, which can be any time and is our state sport. Or a storm. Or something our local drivers can think up to destroy a good thing. Sadly the gods of I-4 care nothing of rush hour. They watch for smooth traffic and then laugh! Give the lowly ones a surprise!

 

[jbrostek]

I see the Orlando area strives to be like DC traffic. And maybe thats why I never get frustrating with them since the traffic and stupidity pale in comparison to the DMV area. Though I do understand avoiding some areas, I do that with US15 and US17 myself. I just recall 417 being about as crowded and just as stressful as I4, so taking I4 was just the easy button with the same rate of headaches.

 

[Stratman50th]

I see the Orlando area strives to be like DC traffic. And maybe thats why I never get frustrating with them since the traffic and stupidity pale in comparison to the DMV area. Though I do understand avoiding some areas, I do that with US15 and US17 myself. I just recall 417 being about as crowded and just as stressful as I4, so taking I4 was just the easy button with the same rate of headaches.

Having grown up in the DC metro area, and living there all my life I am willing to pay tolls to avoid traffic. I commuted daily on Rockville Pike and the days I had to do 270 made me want to throw grenades out the window. So being used to it, and wanting to live it again aren't for me. So 417 it is.
Now admittedly, the suck is 417 and 192 and World drive all try and squish onto 4 within a mile. That is always a crap show. Traffic stays bad all the way to Champion's Gate, several miles to the west.
And I forgot to mention the full moon... that plays into it too.