Jacksonville to Old Key West

[Dano1182]

lat year was the first time we drove from NYC to wdw. This year airfares area little better but still up there.
so far for our dates it is about 2,000 from ny to Mco
1,800 to tpa
jfk to max is 800
these rates are for Four of us
Anyone ever done this drive ?

 

[gatordoc]

The drive from the Jacksonville airport is a straight shot down I-95 to Daytona then across I-4 to WDW. Without traffic, it would take between 2.5 and 3 hours. This would depend on the day/time you try to make the trip, though. Rush hour traffic through downtown Jacksonville can be mostly avoided by using the I-295 beltway. Orlando traffic is a bigger problem. From that direction, you absolutely do not want to be on I-4 trying to get through downtown during rush hour. And unfortunately a big chunk of I-4 is under construction, which can cause significant congestion at other times.

 

[anniet]

I wouldn't drive I-4. You could go all the way down to the Beachline and drive across....Total 3 hours. Or fly in the day before and spend a night in Cocoa Beach and see the Space Center then drive over the next day - It's about an hour and 20 from the Space Center. Whatever you do avoid I-4...It's terrible - I spent many years driving in Boston and even I hate
I-4!

 

[chris springer]

check other airlines! I can get 2 RT tickets from buffalo to MCO for about $400.00 through Southwest. You can leave out of Philadelphia and looking at the calendar I see some excellent deals. You don't state what dates you are elaving but good luck.

 

[erionm]

From that direction, you absolutely do not want to be on I-4 trying to get through downtown during rush hour. And unfortunately a big chunk of I-4 is under construction, which can cause significant congestion at other times.

Which can be avoided by taking SR-417 (toll road) which is basically our Eastern Beltway and runs from Sanford to Celebration.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

We have family in the Jacksonville area and have made that drive quite a few times. It is an easy drive and I would agree with the 2.5 - 3 hour time frame. As far as I-4 our experience has been that once you get to Orlando it can be a disaster and I would strongly agree with the post suggesting SR-417.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I've driven it 30 times from NC and always hit 95 and taken a right. What is this SR-147 of which you speak and where can I pickup such road? I'm all about trying anything that misses 4. Period. HATE that part of the drive (especially once you get past WESH-TV).

 

[WIDisneyFan]

As you are heading south on I-4 I believe the exit is 101A. I would say take a look at google maps and an easy way to find that interchange is to search for Seminole Mall in Sanford

 

[erionm]

As you are heading south on I-4 I believe the exit is 101A. I would say take a look at google maps and an easy way to find that interchange is to search for Seminole Mall in Sanford

Your close, it's actually Exit 101B for SR-417. Exit 101A is for CR-46A.

 

[luckyman_apd]

How far from NYC are you? It could be worth the drive to Atlantic City and fly Spirit airlines. Just be sure to read all of Spirit's bag policies because they can really gouge you if you aren't prepared and don't know their policies. If you do, it can be a real bargain. We are going tomorrow and returning late Monday night for $90 round trip when I purchased last September.

 

[jodifla]

Toll Roads have their own problems, though.

 

[MsTessP]

How far ahead are your dates for travel? There are many articles out there citing two months ahead as the most economical time to buy airline tickets in the US. (I would add Christmas, February vacation time, Thanksgiving, etc. as exceptions). I personally would not be working on a non-MCO travel plan based on prices considerably further out than 2 months ahead. I would also suggest using one of the fare forecasting websites to give you an idea of whether to buy or to wait to buy your tickets.

Here's one helpful extended booklet with lots of great advice: https://viewfinder.expedia.com/img/HLG-ARC-Booklet.pdf

 

[granmanh603]

We have condo in south St Augustine and we leave condo around 10:30AM and usually get to WDW around 12:15 to 12:30 but of course that is barring no traffic hold up which we usually don't find in that timefame of leaving. We are about an hour south of JAX. JAX is not a big busy airport either and pretty easy on to 295 then 95S.