Miami to Orlando

[dioxide45]

We will be in Miami/Homestead for the Nascar race on November 22nd and will be driving from there to Orlando after the race. It is a long drive and it will be late when we get to Orlando, but we should be able to do it.

We are staying at Marriott's Grande Vista so it looks like the Turnpike may be the best option, but I am not sure. Would we be better to take the Turnpike and pay the higher tolls associated with the Turnpike or take the I95 to Beachline and pay the lower toll amounts? I don't know what the drive time differences would be.

 

[ccudmore]

On the WDWToday podcast this week they mentioned the drive from Miami. There's construction on one of the routes, I just can't remember which one. May be worth checking into.

 

[oXar]

Turnpike is your best bet. I95 is always under construction, and is a nightmare in Miami through WPB, and after that it veers east, away from Orlando. At night it's usually a smooth trip once out of Miami/Broward. The rest stops are also safer as they are well illuminated and continually patrolled by police and have gas stations in case you need to refuel. I95 rest stops are pretty dark, and don't offer much in security or needs. Vending machines and restrooms, if you need gas or real food you'll have to get off the highway and pray. You can save a little money on tolls by buying a Mini SunPass for $5.00, that money goes towards your tolls. If you are driving back to Miami afterwards, without SunPass tolls will be close to $50.00 (+/- $25.00 one way), with it, you'll get a bit of a discount and you'll zip through the toll plaza's. If you do decide to buy the sunpass, buy it at least one day before your trip as it takes a while to activate, and you'll need access to the web to register (iPhone or similar will work) and verify that it is active before using as the fine for zipping through the SP booth is hefty.

You will get a lot of traffic leaving the race, and it will be pretty thick for most of Miami. Bring your patience, and if you are not familiar with Miami, use highways whenever possible, the thugs can spot a tourist a mile away. If drinking at the race, desgnate a driver, not only for your safety and mine, but there are often a number of sobriety check points littered throughout Miami. Also, check to make sure that there isn't a game or concert at Landshark Stadium, if there is, stay to the left lane of the Pike when you approach the Dade/Broward line and you should be ok.

In Miami, bring your appetite and be sure to sample some of the wonderful Cuban restaraunts throughout the City, and if possible try to enjoy the night life.

Other than that, wave to us as you pass through WPB, we'll be heading up that way in December.

Hope this helps.

 

[oXar]

and one more thing, if you do decide to take I95, you will be looking for the "Bee Line", not the "Beachline", don't want you missing the exit. That exit will be around Melbourne, so keep your eyes open for signs once you enter Brevard County and be sure to refuel before getting on the Bee Line, it's about an hour from that point and very few places to stop to refuel or eat at. But I do feel that you'll be much better off taking the pike

 

[Carriemel]

Under no circumstances should you take 95. This road is a beast at the best of times, and you DON'T want to know what most people think of it at the worst. The turnpike is your best way to travel.

And besides, if you're on 95, you're going somewhat out of your way. The 'pike is much more a direct way north.

 

[dioxide45]

I thought that they had renamed the 528 Bee Line to Beach Line. Guess I was wrong on that.

We have been to Miami several times, just never had to travel from there to Orlando at night. We have been to the race the past two years and are well aware of the traffic leaving the race. They are usually waiving the tolls in and around Miami to keep the traffic moving after the race.

According to MapQuest there is only about a 15 minute drive time difference between the Turnpike and I95. We will probably stick to the Turnpike. We already have a SunPass portable, so that should save us a little on toll.

We are actually flying in to MCO, staying the night at West Palm Beach along the way and then hitting the race on Sunday. We could also take the turnpike from MCO south, but will probably stick to I95 since it will be daylight.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

 

[oXar]

They may have renamed it, I haven't heard of that, but it's possible, good luck to you and your favorite driver.....

 

[DOOM1001]

Coming from someone who's done the Miami to Orlando drive and back hundreds of times and sometimes in one day I would say the Turnpike is the best overall option.If you want to save some money you could do I-95 and get off at the Ft.Pierce exit 129 on I-95 and it will be exit 152 on the Turnpike.The turnpike and I-95 are real close at this exit and you would only pay $8 to go from Ft.Pierce to the toll just south of Kissimmee on the turnpike if you pay in cash,you do get a discount if using Sunpass.I wouldn't think of doing this I-95 option if you'll be anywhere from West Palm to Miami anytime near rush hour.I-95 to the Beeline/Beachline (it's the same thing) is OK,only like $3 in tolls but it just feels longer.The whole way on the turnpike would be close to $20 or a bit less if using sunpass.I think the Beeline is referred to as Beachline now.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am not a nervous driver...I live in Mass and travel 128 frequently...have no trouble at all. But.....when I had to drive from WDW to Pompano Beach to visit my dad one year...well, I thought I had died and gone straight to 'you know where'. I got off the turnpike and picked up 95 based on my mapquest and Magellen instructions. It was north of WPB. I have never been so terrified behind the wheel....bumper to bumper traffic, moving at about 85!!! Man, I couldn't get off that highway fast enough. In fact, when we drove down to Miami, from Pompano, I shuddered just thinking about getting back on 95!!!
So, when I got to my father's, he asked me why I hadn't just stayed on the turnpike..told him I had been instructed to get off where I did. Seems the turnpike has an exit about 2 miles from his place!!!

Do not take 95.....stick with the turnpike. Much better for the nerves.

 

[cranbiz]

I still call it the Beeline and always will, but it has been renamed the Beachline.

Just like back north, I still call the southern portion of the recently renamed (last 10 years or so, I guess) I93/95 section Rt 128.

I stopped for a MVA one night and called it in, Rt 128 S by the old Braintree drive-in (now a park n ride). The MSP dispatcher had no idea where we were. I finally came up with several new landmarks as to where we were and got help. Funny thing, the other guy that stopped to help said to me that he would have told the the same thing.

 

[goofy4tink]

I still call it the Beeline and always will, but it has been renamed the Beachline.

Just like back north, I still call the southern portion of the recently renamed (last 10 years or so, I guess) I93/95 section Rt 128.

I stopped for a MVA one night and called it in, Rt 128 S by the old Braintree drive-in (now a park n ride). The MSP dispatcher had no idea where we were. I finally came up with several new landmarks as to where we were and got help. Funny thing, the other guy that stopped to help said to me that he would have told the the same thing.

Yep...me too. It's always going to be 128 to me. I always have to stop and think when someone is 'current' and calls it by it's right name. Why can't they just leave things alone??!!!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Well here's the situation. You're going to be driving this on a Sunday evening so I really doubt I-95 is going to be that busy. But it will be definitely busier than Florida's Turnpike. If you do decide to take I-95 all the way, please note that the Beachline Expressway (yes, that is the name) won't be signed that way; it will be signed as TOLL 528 WEST Orlando. The one way toll is $1.50 so you do save a lot of money going this way. Travel time is about 1 hour longer than taking the Turnpike. Rest areas DO have security at night.

As has been mentioned, the Turnpike is more direct, quicker and has service plazas every 45 minutes with food, gas and also security. The tolls quoted so far on here though are too high. According to the toll calculator on the Turnpike's website, the one way toll (including the Homestead to Miami section of the Turnpike Extension) is $14.65 with SunPass all the way to I-4. ($18.70 cash) As DOOM2001 mentioned, you can compromise it by taking I-95 to Fort Pierce and then switching over to the Turnpike. The two roads run parallel in South Florida, just a few miles apart and sometimes directly side-by-side. At Fort Pierce they are 1 mile apart. But north of Fort Pierce I-95 continues directly north while the Turnpike angles towards Orlando. Have fun!

BobK/Orlando