Interstate 4 Express (Toll road)

[tigger2002]

Anyone use the I-4 Express (Toll road)? Does it go all the way to Disney World? We are going South on I-4 and go through Orlando to get to Disney World.
Do you use the Sunpass to get on and off the toll road? Any other comments or suggestions?

 

[Her Dotness]

ETA: Nevermind. I'm an idiot. I was thinking that was the route down from GA to WDW. DUH! That's I-75. There is a bit of a toll, about $4 each way, on one segment near WDW, probably avoidable if you want.

Florida recently began accepting E-Z Pass which they never had before. Map showing E-Z Pass states: https://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/where-can-i-use-it

We were on the way to visit family in the NYC area when we heard about that so bought one at a Pennsylvania Turnpike travel center.

Haven't any use for it where we live but used it to cover the turnpike fee on our return home and will have it for trips back East and to WDW since we drive there. Another bit of ease and convenience that we think worth the initial cost, though others not living in an E-Z Pass area may disagree with us.

Otherwise, Florida will simply mail you a bill for whatever tolls you incur during your stay. There are cameras that capture your license plate.

Just don't do like some dummy I know did and forget to pay the bill on time. Cost us almost half again more...

 

[EACarlson]

I thought I-4 didn't have tolls. That the only tolls were for the express lanes. If that is correct you just need to stay out of the express lanes and there won't be any charges.

 

[Ross Kratter]

The Express lanes end near Universal. Only worth using if the regular lanes have heavy traffic.

 

[tigger2002]

The Express lanes end near Universal. Only worth using if the regular lanes have heavy traffic.

Which is always from what I have seen.

 

[Ross Kratter]

Which is always from what I have seen.

As a local, I can assure you that unless it’s rush hour, the Express lanes are not usually worth using. Where they end is right by Universal, about 7 miles from the first Disney exit. That’s where things always slow down regardless of time of day.

 

[lpereira]

I4 express toll lane is dynamically priced and expensive for the minutes saved except during morning rush hour.
Do not get into the express lane unless you have a transponder. I4 express does not toll by plate. Each point you pass without a transponder is a $25 fine on top of the toll charge and the administrative fee to mail you the bill. From Lake Mary to Colonial Blvd there are three toll charge points. I don't drive past Colonial enough to remember how many points from Lake Mary to WDW. Assume a total of 5 or 6 based on my half of the trip. That would be $450 in toll violations alone.
Additionally if there is a wreck in the express lane expect to sit there until the end of time. I've seen more than one on my way to work. I leave my house at 630 each morning. It takes me roughly 20 minutes to get to work. If I wanted to go to WDW I would get off at Princeton and run down Orange past the backup and get back on at Ivanhoe and I4.
My nephew lived with me and worked at WDW for a while. It took him 45 minutes to get to work without using the express lane. Using the express lane it would take him about 38 minutes

 

[lpereira]

As a local, I can assure you that unless it’s rush hour, the Express lanes are not usually worth using. Where they end is right by Universal, about 7 miles from the first Disney exit. That’s where things always slow down regardless of time of day.

Yup. That and Champions Gate. Where heroes go to die while idling in their cars.

 

[reddog21]

Anyone use the I-4 Express (Toll road)? Does it go all the way to Disney World? We are going South on I-4 and go through Orlando to get to Disney World.
Do you use the Sunpass to get on and off the toll road? Any other comments or suggestions?

Why not get on 417, it's a toll road but never busy and that goes straight to Disneyworld. I'll do anything to avoid
driving on I-4.

 

[erionm]

I4 express toll lane is dynamically priced and expensive for the minutes saved except during morning rush hour.

Dynamic pricing has not yet been implemented. The toll rate remains at 50 cents per tolled section. Current max tolls are:
Eastbound: $3.50
Westbound: $3.00

 

[tigger2002]

Why not get on 417, it's a toll road but never busy and that goes straight to Disneyworld. I'll do anything to avoid
driving on I-4.

417 looks like it would be about 20 extra miles, right?

 

[Ross Kratter]

417 looks like it would be about 20 extra miles, right?

Yes, and the tolls are high. As a local, I would not take this route. From the airport, sure. From north of there, no way.

 

[reddog21]

Yes, and the tolls are high. As a local, I would not take this route. From the airport, sure. From north of there, no way.

I was a local for almost 6 years and I always took 417 from Lake Mary every time. I would cut thru 528 to get to universal/seaworld. It's sooo much easier, almost guaranteed no traffic and my time saved outweighs the toll cost.

Not to mention the orlando stretch of I4 is always in the top 10 of deadliest highways.