Orlando Friday Afternoon Traffic?

[HLAuburn]

We are driving in Friday afternoon, probably getting to the Orlando area around 5pm. We'll be coming down I-4 through downtown...is the traffic going to be crazy during that time? We were hoping to make it to the park for a couple hours after checking in, so I'd love to avoid bumper to bumper traffic if we can!

Thanks

 

[Detailor]

When we've traveled through the downtown area around 5:00 during the M-F work week, regardless of the day, we've found that area to be choked. There are places that travel comes to a crawl but with patience it's usually over fairly quickly going east to west on I-4 (it seems to me that west to east - Disney going toward or beyond downtown - is worse).

Dick Taylor

 

[Dax]

If you are coming down I-4...be warned...traffic is a BEAST!! It usually starts around 3:30ish and lasts till sometimes 6-7pm...and its bumper to bumper road rage inducing slow...

Avoid at ALL COSTS...

 

[sharadoc]

You can bypass Downtown Orlando via the Greenway. It's wonderful and brand new. You'll need about $6-$7.00 in tolls, preferably quarters then you can go through the exact change booths.

Taking I-4 to TOLL 417 in Sanford is a good option to bypass all of the craziness as it's Orlando's eastern beltway. You exit 95 onto I-4 as normal, then follow these directions:

1. Take exit 101B for FL -417 toward International Airports/ Sanford go 1.3 mi
2. Merge onto Florida 417 Toll S; go 49.0 mi
3. Take exit 6 for International Dr/FL -536 toward FL-535/ I-4 E; go 0.7 mi
4. Slight left at World Center Dr go 0.6 mi.
5. Take the 1st right onto S Apopka Vineland Rd go 2.1 mi
6. Turn left at Palm Pkwy; go 62 ft
7 Continue onto County Rd 535/State Rd 535/Winter Garden Vineland Rd8. Turn left on Buena Vista Drive

I really recommend this - we have driven 4 times in the past year and a half and by far, this was the best tip for avoiding Orlando traffic. So much less stressful and didn't take any extra time.

 

[HLAuburn]

You can bypass Downtown Orlando via the Greenway. It's wonderful and brand new. You'll need about $6-$7.00 in tolls, preferably quarters then you can go through the exact change booths.

Taking I-4 to TOLL 417 in Sanford is a good option to bypass all of the craziness as it's Orlando's eastern beltway. You exit 95 onto I-4 as normal, then follow these directions:

1. Take exit 101B for FL -417 toward International Airports/ Sanford go 1.3 mi
2. Merge onto Florida 417 Toll S; go 49.0 mi
3. Take exit 6 for International Dr/FL -536 toward FL-535/ I-4 E; go 0.7 mi
4. Slight left at World Center Dr go 0.6 mi.
5. Take the 1st right onto S Apopka Vineland Rd go 2.1 mi
6. Turn left at Palm Pkwy; go 62 ft
7 Continue onto County Rd 535/State Rd 535/Winter Garden Vineland Rd8. Turn left on Buena Vista Drive

I really recommend this - we have driven 4 times in the past year and a half and by far, this was the best tip for avoiding Orlando traffic. So much less stressful and didn't take any extra time.

This is perfect! Thank you so much for the detailed directions!

 

[DOOM1001]

I assume you're coming from Ponte Vedra so yes I would also agree to take the 417 to bypass I-4 during this time of day,you don't want any part of traffic at that time.

 

[HLAuburn]

I assume you're coming from Ponte Vedra so yes I would also agree to take the 417 to bypass I-4 during this time of day,you don't want any part of traffic at that time.

Yes, coming from PV. We'll take 95 down to 4. It's our first trip down since moving here, so I don't really know what to expect from the drive, but I figured Friday rush hour thru downtown can't be good!

Where do you live?? Looks like we're about the same distance?

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm actually down in South Florida,I think you have a much easier drive than I do,2 1/2-3 hours tops,I'm close to 4 hours.I've gone up to St.Augustine several times after being in Orlando and it's always been a breeze as long as you don't go by downtown Orlando near rush hour.