Need directions from Sanford to WDW...not using the toll roads.

[mjrich73]

Thanks!!

How much is the tolls??

 

[sammielynn]

I really don't know how much the charge is but I think I read it was only about .75. Toll roads are a pain but the price is not so bad considering the benefits. I would use the toll road because the traffic is usually not as bad.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Sanford to WDW is absolutely free using I-4. If by Sanford you're referring to Orlando Sanford International Airport, follow the airport exit road which becomes Lake Mary Blvd. and follow it west until you get to I-4.

Much quicker is taking TOLL 417 southbound which you pass shortly after leaving the airport. Tolls however would run around $5.00 one way.

A compromise would be to take TOLL 417 northbound and use it to get to I-4. That would save a lot of time versus Lake Mary Blvd and the toll is only $.75.

BobK/Orlando

 

[cranbiz]

From Sanford to I4 is about 8 miles on Lake Mary Blvd. If you take Bob's advise (and it's not bad advise) when you get to I4 you are only 3 miles further away than you would be if you take Lake Mary Blvd.

I think that it's only .50 from Lake Mary Blvd to I4 (it could be .75 but I just don't go that way and I hate paying tolls). I know for sure it's .50 from 17-92 to I4

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Cranbiz, you might be right about the northbound toll only being $.50 because...............now that I think about it, there may not be a northbound entrance ramp from Lake Mary Blvd onto the 417. As I think about it, signage may lead drivers over to nearby US17/92 and to the northbound entrance ramp located there.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Edd]

I have used Lake Mary Blvd for over 20 years, before it was four laned, driving it at least 20 times a week and have never had a reason to not use it. A few times I have been stopped by the train and once by construction, but never by traffic jams. There are about 5 stop lights to contend with. Going north on 417 to avoid traffic is crazy. You go north until the exit by the shopping center, go up to 46 west on 46 underneath I-4 and than take the exit to Orlando. You will run into more traffic going that way than if you went straight out Lake Mary Blvd to I-4.

 

[bavaria]

having driven from Lake Mary to WDW many times (near Sanford Airport) I would question why you are trying to avoid 417.

Is it the tolls? Having sat in I-4 traffic, I can assure you that the small amount of money is worth it. Plus 417 is a scenic route vs the more concrete I-4

 

[Edd]

417 is definitely the way to go to WDW from Sanfod.

 

[cranbiz]

I have used Lake Mary Blvd for over 20 years, before it was four laned, driving it at least 20 times a week and have never had a reason to not use it. A few times I have been stopped by the train and once by construction, but never by traffic jams. There are about 5 stop lights to contend with. Going north on 417 to avoid traffic is crazy. You go north until the exit by the shopping center, go up to 46 west on 46 underneath I-4 and than take the exit to Orlando. You will run into more traffic going that way than if you went straight out Lake Mary Blvd to I-4.

Edd, I beg to differ.

I have also driven Lake Mary Blvd many times and take it a lot more now that it has been extended to SR415.

You have many more than 5 lights from the airport. There is a lot of traffic on LMB and it's far from a fast route. Inexpensive as compared to SR417, you bet. Have I done it, You bet.

SR417 does not put you onto 46 west at all. At the end, you stay left and then ramp directly onto I4. It is $6.00 from Sanford to WDW. I4 does have it's problems during the rush hour, but overall, I think it gets a bad rap. I have more problems with the 408 than I4. Try to get thru the Conway tolls at rush hour! Man it's a PITA.

 

[Edd]

I will still go Sanford Airport to Lake Mary blvd to I-4. Never had any traffic problems. Don't like doing the 417 to I-4 bit. It seems a little longer to me. Of course if I have any hint I-4 is busy I take 417 to WDW. I don't like the morning and evening traffic on I-4.

 

[Epscot]

Our flight is scheduled to arrive at Sanford at 10:40 AM on a Sat in October. I suspect we will be leaving the airport around 11:15 or 11:30. Should I expect traffic jams heading toward Disney on I-4 at this time on a weekend?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Edd, lot more than 5 traffic lights on Lake Mary Blvd between SFB and I-4. That whole area has grown and between the subdivisions, shopping centers, restaurants and the community college, it's one traffic light after another. And mid-day Saturday would not be pleasant.

Epscot, of course traffic jams can occur anytime there is an accident and accidents are more likely on I-4 than on the 417 because it's free and thus more traffic. But otherwise I-4 should be wide open at the time you would be passing through. So if you want to save the toll money (but willing to conceed $.50), folllow Lake Mary Blvd. out of SFB. You'll pass under the 417 and folllow the signs leading you to northbound TOLL 417 (Seminole Expressway), which is accessed via US17/92. The signs will guide you. You'll pay the small toll at the on-ramp and that will take you quite quickly over to I-4 which you then take westbound (directionally southbound) to Orlando and the Mouse.

BobK/Orlando