MCO to Keys to WDW

[disneyfreak71]

Has anyone done the drive from MCO or WDW to the Keys and back? We are doing a split vacation being in the Keys first and then driving to WDW.

What is the best way to go?

Thanks

 

[SteveMouse]

There's pretty much only one one way. Get to the turnpike, go south. When you come to the turnpike extension (Homestead), get on it. When you come to the end of the extension, follow the instructions to US1. That's the Keys Highway and will go all the way to Key West.

You could, I suppose, go over to 95 at Daytona and then go south (or come back that way), but there's usually more traffic on 95 and there's almost no difference in scenery (if you want to call billboards and concrete fences scenery I guess there's a difference).

Expect something like a 5 hourish drive to the end of the turnpike extension (far end) from MCO. It can vary a bit depending on traffic and stops.

-steve

 

[Capt_BJ]

actually you would not want to back track north to Daytona, if choosing 95

just head east on SR-528 the Beachline as if going to Port Canaveral, then take 95 south from there. Travel time will be very nearly the same at the turnpike.

You hear horror stories about 95 speeds and traffic, but as a local I've experienced just as bad and worse on the turnpike so it is a wash. On a recent trip to the Keys from the PC area I went south on 95 (picking up the 'extension' as mentioned above) but started the trip north on 95 from Miami. I crossed back to 95 b4 I left Ft Lauderdale, the traffic and drivers were worse!

 

[disneyfreak71]

Thanks. When i Google it there is also an option to go Route 1 South passed Lake Okeechobee. Has anyone gone that way before?

 

[SteveMouse]

The turnpike and 95 are both limited access highways. Other choices are surface roads and can have major impacts on transportation time.