If I want to avoid the toll roads from MCO to WDW which roads?

[NancyIL]

If you take the south airport exit to 417, there are two $1.25 tolls between the airport and exit 6. It's well worth taking the south airport exit to avoid the congestion on 528/I-4. It's definitely worth paying the tolls to avoid the headaches of driving through town - no matter which toll road route you take from the airport.

 

[DVC4US]

If you take the south airport exit to 417, there are two $1.25 tolls between the airport and exit 6. It's well worth taking the south airport exit to avoid the congestion on 528/I-4. It's definitely worth paying the tolls to avoid the headaches of driving through town - no matter which toll road route you take from the airport.

I was wondering why no one was suggesting this route. This is the way I go every time and I have to agree it is well worth the extra tolls to avoid I-4.

 

[NancyIL]

I was wondering why no one was suggesting this route. This is the way I go every time and I have to agree it is well worth the extra tolls to avoid I-4.

NotUrsula suggested taking 417 in post #15.

 

[bumbershoot]

Gee, we just saved $1.75 but it took us an extra hour.

Really? Having driven Sand Lake (not to avoid the toll) it's a very congested road with LOTS of stop lights, traffic etc.

Makes no sense to me, but....

It is remotely possible that the OP has no idea that the tolls are so inexpensive.

I know we did not! Out here if there's a toll it is in the dollars range for *short* spans of road...when we hit our first toll that was 25 cents we nearly fell over in shock!

 

[seashoreCM]

I was wondering why no one was suggesting this route. This is the way I go every time and I have to agree it is well worth the extra tolls to avoid I-4.

But the title of the thread is about avoiding tolls.

If the title of the thread was about "the best route" then people would be suggesting that route.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Avoiding tolls on toll roads is known as "shunpiking". I don't feel that taking a route entirely away from a toll road meets the definition of shunpiking however knowing where to get off a toll road and where to get back on it, to avoid a toll or to pay a significantly lower toll, is shunpiking.

SeashoreCM describes a way to get around the Airport toll plaza when using the airport's north exit and heading to Disney or Universal via the Beachline Expressway (TOLL 528). That's shunpiking! It's simple and saves $1.00 each way. I use it when I'm not in a hurry as it adds 5 minutes to the journey. But using the airport's south exit and going to Disney via Boggy Creek Road and US 192 is not really shunpiking. That's just driving an alternate route.

Welcome to Orlando folks, where nearly every expressway (except I-4) has tolls! Your cash deposits are appreciated.

BobK/Orlando

 

[DVC4US]

But the title of the thread is about avoiding tolls.

If the title of the thread was about "the best route" then people would be suggesting that route.

I think this was a little harsh and uncalled for considering I was just agreeing with NancyIL's post, but I see you did not make a condesending comment about her post. From now on, I will just continue to lurk and keep my comments to myself.

 

[chrissy walsh]

Folks! I'm sure this person is just trying to avoid the toll road because of renting a car. All the car rental agencies scare the "out of towners" about not renting a SunPass or EZPass for paying the tolls. I've seen some agencies charge up to
$6.99 per day to rent an EZPass. For a 7 day vacation that could add up to almost $50. What they don't tell you is that you can still pay cash at the tolls for only around $1.25 per toll (only 2 tolls from the airport to DTD)

 

[wgeo]

Folks! I'm sure this person is just trying to avoid the toll road because of renting a car. All the car rental agencies scare the "out of towners" about not renting a SunPass or EZPass for paying the tolls. I've seen some agencies charge up to
$6.99 per day to rent an EZPass. For a 7 day vacation that could add up to almost $50. What they don't tell you is that you can still pay cash at the tolls for only around $1.25 per toll (only 2 tolls from the airport to DTD)

Thanks for this -- that is exactly something that we were wondering. There are warnings all over the car rental websites saying that a number of tolls in Florida and now "non cash" tolls and so we will have to pay to use their transponders. Having never been to Florida, I'm not familiar with which roads have tolls and the which of those tolls can be paid in cash or not. I don't mind paying tolls but I don't want to pay another $50 to use their transponder. Are the tolls between MCO and Disney still manned? Thanks!

 

[chrissy walsh]

I'm going from MCO to DTD and they said there would be 2 tolls and just stay to the right to pay cash/coins!
Can anyone else confirm this?

 

[NancyIL]

I'm going from MCO to DTD and they said there would be 2 tolls and just stay to the right to pay cash/coins!
Can anyone else confirm this?

Yes - if you take the SOUTH exit from MCO and get on 417. There are two $1.25 tolls, and you'll get off at Exit 6 (State Road 536) - right after paying the second toll.

 

[chrissy walsh]

Thank You

 

[dudspizza]

I'm going from MCO to DTD and they said there would be 2 tolls and just stay to the right to pay cash/coins!
Can anyone else confirm this?

Yes, 417 has both automated and manned toll boths. Actually, there are three ways to pay. 1. Automated pass 2. exact change tossed into the basket 3. to an attendant for those in need of change/reciepts (stay to the far right).

It is very simple, just follow the signs.

Duds

 

[MELISAZACK]

Hahaha.. STAY to the RIGHT!! big important piece there.. the left is the sunpass lanes.. learned the hard way on that one lol!!
total cost for that mistake $26.00 oopss..

but the toll roads are usually much easier..

 

[seashoreCM]

Hahaha.. STAY to the RIGHT!! big important piece there.. the left is the sunpass lanes.. learned the hard way on that one lol!!..

At many interchanges you must take what looks like an exit ramp to pay the toll using cash.

As of this writing there are only a few interchanges (mostly in the Miami area) that don't take cash at all. But there are various exit ramps including in the Disney area that require exact change (or electronic toll).

 

[Alexander]

Folks! I'm sure this person is just trying to avoid the toll road because of renting a car. All the car rental agencies scare the "out of towners" about not renting a SunPass or EZPass for paying the tolls. I've seen some agencies charge up to
$6.99 per day to rent an EZPass. For a 7 day vacation that could add up to almost $50. What they don't tell you is that you can still pay cash at the tolls for only around $1.25 per toll (only 2 tolls from the airport to DTD)

We rent cars at least 4 times a year in Florida and have never had anyone try to "scare" us into thinking we needed the use their SunPass system. There is simply a sticker on the windshield that explains how you can use it if you choose to pay for it.

Thanks for this -- that is exactly something that we were wondering. There are warnings all over the car rental websites saying that a number of tolls in Florida and now "non cash" tolls and so we will have to pay to use their transponders. Having never been to Florida, I'm not familiar with which roads have tolls and the which of those tolls can be paid in cash or not. I don't mind paying tolls but I don't want to pay another $50 to use their transponder. Are the tolls between MCO and Disney still manned? Thanks!

There are no non-cash tolls from MCO to WDW, and yes, they are still manned. Those that require SunPass are primarily in the Miami area.

Yes, 417 has both automated and manned toll boths. Actually, there are three ways to pay. 1. Automated pass 2. exact change tossed into the basket 3. to an attendant for those in need of change/reciepts (stay to the far right).

It is very simple, just follow the signs.

Duds

It is a good idea to request a receipt from the manned booths when you are renting. Just hang on to them in case the rental agency tries to claim you used the SunPass (there was a scam going on a few years ago that several of us got caught in).

The absolute easiest and best IMHO way to get from MCO is to take the South Exit toward Boggy Creek Rd. and get on 417. So simple, so fast. A couple of quick tolls and you are there.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

This link gives you an idea by what people mean when they say KEEP RIGHT to pay a toll by cash in the Orlando area. Those with a transponder proceed forward on the main road at highway speeds while those paying cash "exit" to the right to stop and pay.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Forest_Lake_Toll_Plaza.jpg

The toll plaza pictured in the link is actually on TOLL 429 but the concept is the same as you'd find on TOLL 417 (Greeneway) or TOLL 528 (Beachline).

Also worth noting is that most toll signs around Orlando refer to the E-PASS transponder and make no mention of SunPass. But SunPass and E-PASS are interchangeable throughout Florida no matter what the sign says. E-ZPass from the northeast and midwest of the U.S. is not usable in Florida.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Dan Murphy]

You've already paid for the roads via the tax on gas, and all those taxes by picking up the rental car at the airport....

Not for toll roads.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

just set your GPS unit to "avoid toll roads".

 

[tkldisney]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering about the traffic and stop lights on the non toll roads. We were in Orlando 3 years ago and did a lot of in driving in the area but never from the airport to WDW. We have stayed at a hotel in I-drive and the drive was good to WDW.

Traffic on the 417 S, with two $1.25 tolls has little traffic and to me the way to go. If you want a stop to p/u supplies, once you get to the intersection of 535/536, right past Caribe Royale, turn left and there's a Walmart 1/2 mile down on the right.