Miami to Orlando

[RDP]

What tolls can I expect on my way from Miami to Orlando. Are there any cashless toll booths? Do I take out a tolls package or pay as I go. Probably hiring a car with Hertz. TIA

 

[chmurf]

What tolls can I expect on my way from Miami to Orlando. Are there any cashless toll booths? Do I take out a tolls package or pay as I go. Probably hiring a car with Hertz. TIA

Most of the toll booths outside of Miami are automated (no basket, no attendant, only toll by plate or transponder)
It's possible to avoid them, but that's a lot of hassle in my opinion.

To drive up to Orlando, it really depends which route you choose.
The turnpike will hit you for $20 one way (roughly) if you exit at St Cloud and take 192 all the way to WDW. (that's $20 cash, and only $15 with the sunpass)
You can calculate your toll here if you use the turnpike
http://www.floridasturnpike.com/tools_tollrates.cfm

if you click a toll booth on the map, it will show in red if this toll booth is cashless or not.

 

[Zeebs]

We got stung by the rental car charges on our last trip, this trip before leaving Miami we are going to pop to the nearest Publix and pick up a sunpass. We can use it on future trips as well.

Kirsten

 

[wayneg]

If renting with Hertz there is no activation or contract to sign, you just use it when required. They automatically charge your credit card, it cost us around $15/wk + tolls.

Our journey was from miami to Key West then back up thru the Everglades and the west coast so we only used it for 2 or 3 tolls, about £25 which was a bit crazy for the few tolls but got fed up with the traffic and saw the Sunpass road, probably should have sat in the traffic for 10 mins and saved the £25.

Never considered buying myself, never needed one before or since but if you are going to use it a lot its an option

 

[bex7583]

we accidently pressed avoid tolls on the sat nav , so didnt need any it was just over a 4 hour drive

 

[Zeebs]

On the morning after we land we want to get up to WDW as fast as possible as it is Ariana's birthday so we figure the toll roads would be faster x

 

[wilma-bride]

If you use the I95, it will take you about 30 minutes longer than the Florida Turnpike and you will avoid all tolls, saving you the admin charge with Hertz (which is a complete rip-off in my opinion).

We used the I95 last time we flew out of Miami and it was absolutely fine and, in actual fact, it is a far nicer drive than the turnpike.

 

[RDP]

Thanks guys, lots of good tips. We land at 5pm and want the fastest route to Orlando possible, we can take our time on the way back down. This is our first time flying to MIA.

1999-Swan, 2001- Grand Floridian, 2002-Yacht & Beach Club, 2003- Animal Kingdom Lodge,2004- Grand Floridian&Disney Cruise,2006- Off site, 2008- Dolphin, 2009-AKV Kidani, 2010-Saratoga Springs ,2011-AKV Kidani ,2012 - Port Orleans, DCL-Dream & Beach Club, 2013 - AKV Kidani

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks guys, lots of good tips. We land at 5pm and want the fastest route to Orlando possible, we can take our time on the way back down. This is our first time flying to MIA.

1999-Swan, 2001- Grand Floridian, 2002-Yacht & Beach Club, 2003- Animal Kingdom Lodge,2004- Grand Floridian&Disney Cruise,2006- Off site, 2008- Dolphin, 2009-AKV Kidani, 2010-Saratoga Springs ,2011-AKV Kidani ,2012 - Port Orleans, DCL-Dream & Beach Club, 2013 - AKV Kidani

You land at 5? You do realise you may not even be out of the airport by 6 or even 7? Then, with a 4 hour drive to Orlando, you are looking at not getting there until around 11pm local time at the earliest. There is no way I would be doing that sort of drive at that time of night. You're braver than me.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

And you will be making the drive in the dark.

 

[cliveywolves]

We did Miami the year before last, I'll be honest never again if we are going straight to DW, we landed around 4.30pm by time we got rental car and left airport it was about 7pm, don't book Alamo at Miami it was a nightmare queue and I've experienced this twice now... Then a long drive to DW in the dark and storms all depending what time of year you go and I don't mind driving .Sorry to be a downer but not again for us, rather pay more to fly into Tampa, Sanford or Orlando....if the plan was to stay around the Miami area for a day or two then yes.. But I'm sure your have a great time whatever ...

 

[Woodview]

And another point

At that time of night there will be very very few places to eat.

Far better to EAT at Airport .... this extends your journey time by

another hour .... so you might not arrive at WDW till Midnight.

You will be so so tired that you will sleep till well into mid morning

Best Idea is to find a Motel or Hotel near the airport .

There are a few .. Quality Inn , La Quinta Inn, Sleep Inn, etc all around

the airport Then Refreshed drive Hwy 27 & I4 to Disney Via Sebring

 

[DISWolves]

I'm with cliveywolves on this. Very similar experience. 3 hours+ to get out of MIA. A very long drive in mainly heavy rain, on poorly lit sections of road with lots of roadworks. Arrived at Hilton Bonnet Creek just after 23:00. We had left our home in UK exactly 24 hours previous

 

[wayneg]

We stayed in Miami airport hotel last year but we arrived a little later, I think we checked into the hotel around 9pm then had a bite to eat at BK.
I would be tempted to do the same arriving at 5pm but not sure, I am one for getting to the area I want to be on arrival day if possible.

 

[Zeebs]

We are staying in Jupiter which is about an hour and a halves drive, thought that might be doable and make us a bit closer to WDW for the drive the next day. Each time we have been we have been awake really really early. 3 small kids ....... last time we were eating Dunkin Donuts at 5.30 am and off to Orlando just after that.

Kirsten

 

[wilma-bride]

We are staying in Jupiter which is about an hour and a halves drive, thought that might be doable and make us a bit closer to WDW for the drive the next day. Each time we have been we have been awake really really early. 3 small kids ....... last time we were eating Dunkin Donuts at 5.30 am and off to Orlando just after that.

Kirsten

That is a very sensible approach. It is likely that you will be at WDW by first thing anyway then

 

[Zeebs]

That is a very sensible approach. It is likely that you will be at WDW by first thing anyway then

The last time we booked a hotel near sawgrass shopping mall thinking we could do some shopping first before heading up, well it wasn't open at 5.30 am, surprisingly, so that was a bit of a waste lol.

Kirsten

 

[RDP]

Thanks for the tips. Yes, its going to be a late night by the time we get to Orlando. I plan to use Hertz Gold so we can get out of the airport as quickly as possible. I have previously lived in America so not too phased about the driving. IMHO its an easier drive than the 4 hour drive from Gatwick to home that we have had to make after a night flight on past trips. Whilst its not ideal it beats being in Work!!!Lol.

 

[wayneg]

Thanks for the tips. Yes, its going to be a late night by the time we get to Orlando. I plan to use Hertz Gold so we can get out of the airport as quickly as possible. I have previously lived in America so not too phased about the driving. IMHO its an easier drive than the 4 hour drive from Gatwick to home that we have had to make after a night flight on past trips. Whilst its not ideal it beats being in Work!!!Lol.

I agree, I would be less worried about driving on arrival there than driving after a red eye coming home. Driven back from London to Yorkshire a few times and its a nightmare but still do it.

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks for the tips. Yes, its going to be a late night by the time we get to Orlando. I plan to use Hertz Gold so we can get out of the airport as quickly as possible. I have previously lived in America so not too phased about the driving. IMHO its an easier drive than the 4 hour drive from Gatwick to home that we have had to make after a night flight on past trips. Whilst its not ideal it beats being in Work!!!Lol.

I don't want to be a negative nellie but just be aware that the hire car won't hold you up at all, it is getting through the airport and immigration, then getting to the car rental garage that takes the time. Miami is a nightmare airport, just be prepared for the worst (2 hours+) and anything less will be a bonus then