I-4 parking lot

[Miss Monorail 1971]

I keep hearing how bad I-4 is and the need to avoid it. We are going to Jacksonville for a wedding so we will be coming to wdw from there. According to maps it takes around 3 hours. But that beings us right down I -4

Is that the best way to go or is there a faster or better way. We are staying at Kidani.

 

[vicki_c]

I keep hearing how bad I-4 is and the need to avoid it. We are going to Jacksonville for a wedding so we will be coming to wdw from there. According to maps it takes around 3 hours. But that beings us right down I -4

Is that the best way to go or is there a faster or better way. We are staying at Kidani.

What day of the week and what time? It's not always a parking lot. We often sail right through.

 

[Miss Monorail 1971]

Sunday 7/7 about noon.

 

[OKW Lover]

At that time of day, and on a Sunday, you're going to be in good shape on I-4.

 

[NotUrsula]

Unless there is a wreck. I've sat on a Sunday; it happens. I-4 through Orlando proper is NOT built for the number of cars that use it, so if there is a serious wreck it just stops, even in off hours, and wrecks are all too frequent on that road. Away from Orlando is generally fine, though.

What I would do is use a traffic app if you have a smartphone, but even better than that, just bail onto the 417 Central Florida GreeneWay toll road. The northernmost terminus of that road is just outside Sanford, and it will take you right down to Osceola Pkwy to head for your hotel. The tolls from Sanford to Osceola total $8.00, and cash is accepted. (Bring some quarters for the exit toll at Osceola; as it is unmanned.)

 

[ain0004]

We are flying into Tampa and here nothing but negative about I 4 that is why we are driving from TPA to WDW area hotel that night. And hoping our return trip on I 4 will be uneventful on a monday around 10 am

 

[OKW Lover]

We are flying into Tampa and here nothing but negative about I 4 that is why we are driving from TPA to WDW area hotel that night. And hoping our return trip on I 4 will be uneventful on a monday around 10 am

The section of I-4 that you hear all the bad stories about is from WDW up through Orlando. The section from TPA to WDW is just fine.

 

[jkjs]

Unless there is a wreck. I've sat on a Sunday; it happens. I-4 through Orlando proper is NOT built for the number of cars that use it, so if there is a serious wreck it just stops, even in off hours, and wrecks are all too frequent on that road. Away from Orlando is generally fine, though.

What I would do is use a traffic app if you have a smartphone, but even better than that, just bail onto the 417 Central Florida GreeneWay toll road. The northernmost terminus of that road is just outside Sanford, and it will take you right down to Osceola Pkwy to head for your hotel. The tolls from Sanford to Osceola total $8.00, and cash is accepted. (Bring some quarters for the exit toll at Osceola; as it is unmanned.)

What's the speed limit on 417?

 

[blondietink]

We have driven I-4 to/from when it starts in Daytona all the way to Tampa and back at least once a year since 1989. It all depends on what day (Sunday is good) and what time. Avoid morning/evening rush hour on any day going in either direction. If there is rain, it will be slow at any time of day. We took the toll road around it once and didn't feel that for the money it cost, that it was any better. Less traffic yes, but it is a long way around.

 

[OKW Lover]

what's the speed limit on 417?

65-70.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We just came back from a May trip and were all set to use the 417, pay the tolls and eliminate the traffic snarls I've heard about...

We entered Orlando outskirts sound 4 am... Saw little traffic and said let's see how it goes around the Sanford jumping off point for the 417....

We felt like we were the only ones on I 4.... All by ourselves and drove I 4 all the way to WDW that way.... It was the less traffic highway we encountered the whole trip from Ohio.... Got to WDW at 6am...

 

[OKW Lover]

We just came back from a May trip and were all set to use the 417, pay the tolls and eliminate the traffic snarls I've heard about...

We entered Orlando outskirts sound 4 am... Saw little traffic and said let's see how it goes around the Sanford jumping off point for the 417....

We felt like we were the only ones on I 4.... All by ourselves and drove I 4 all the way to WDW that way.... It was the less traffic highway we encountered the whole trip from Ohio.... Got to WDW at 6am...

Good example of how the time of day (and day of the week) can affect the traffic through Orlando on I-4. There is no single correct answer for the "should we avoid I-4" question.

 

[DOOM1001]

On a Sunday at noon I would do I-4,the other option is 417 which is a farther distance with tolls.