Questions about driving from Miami to Orlando

[ReLo]

Hi,

After a congres in Miami I will drive from Miami to Orlando for a week vacation. I have a few question I hope you can answer for me. The plan is to start driving around 5am on a friday and have breakfast around 7:00-8:00 (I was thinking about IHOP or something like that).

The questions are:
What is the best and fastest way to drive (I don't mind taking a tollroad) and how long will the journey take me.
If I leave around 5am from my hotel in Miami (downtown area near Bayside Market) is there any chanche to hit heavy traffic or will i miss the morning rush hour.

Thank you

 

[Edd]

The ride should be between 4 to 6 hours depending on the traffic you hit in South Florida, The best way is the florida turnpike (toll road) to the I-4 exit and west on I-4 seven miles to Disney. Traffic will be heavy between Miami and West Palm Beach.

 

[ducklite]

If you can leave at 4:00 am insteaf of 5:00 am, you'll be past the traffic areas before it begins to get really heavy.

There aren't really any full service restaurants on the Turnpike, mostly Starbucks and such. About two hours into your drive you could get off at YeeHaw Junction, and head towards Vero Beach, there's an IHOP just past I-95, but this will be about 30 miles round trip out of your way.

You might be better off having something to hold you over and stopping for a meal after you leave the Turnpike near WDW.

Anne

 

[ReLo]

Thank you for your answers so far. Till now I was thinking about the I95 and then the Beachline Expressway. This is what map24 says is the fastest route.

Are there disavantages taking this way.

Thank you

 

[ducklite]

Thank you for your answers so far. Till now I was thinking about the I95 and then the Beachline Expressway. This is what map24 says is the fastest route.

Are there disavantages taking this way.

Thank you

The map lies

Honestly, it's not the fastest route. The fastest route is the Turnpike. Are you staying at the Hyatt? There's a good Italian restaurant over in Bayside Marketplace--Lombardi's I think it the name.

Anne

 

[ReLo]

Thank you for answering.

I'm staying at the Marriott Miami Biscayne Bay, diner is included in the congres so I won't have diner in Miami. I only need breakfast, unfortunaly there is nothing like an IHOP or Waffle House nearby as far as I know (we don't have that kind of restaurants here and I really liked them the last time I was in Florida ). I won't have a car till the end of the congres thursdaynight.

I think I will survive on Starbucks till I'm in Orlando (like them a lot, unfortunaly we don't have them here either). Do you know if they are open so early?

ReLo

 

[ducklite]

The Starbucks are definitely open early. We drove from the Orlando area to Miami a couple of months ago, and Starbucks was open at least by 6:00 am, if not earlier.

In addition to coffees they ahve tea and pastries.

It's a very easy drive from Miami to Disney World, even without a map! The exit for WDW is well labeled.

Anne

 

[ReLo]

Thanks again

I planning on going to Island Of adventures the first day, so I think I need the I4 exit?

Can someone tell me what the max speed is at the turnpike, is it the same as on I-95. The max speed always looks so low, here on highways you can 75miles/hour (120km/hour) or 63miles/hour (100km/hour).

ReLo

 

[Florida-Marlin]

Hello

How much is it from Miami to Orlando on the turnpike, do you have to pay it once or do they have Toll Stations every Couple of miles .

Thank you

 

[ducklite]

Thanks again

I planning on going to Island Of adventures the first day, so I think I need the I4 exit?

Yes, I-4.

Can someone tell me what the max speed is at the turnpike, is it the same as on I-95. The max speed always looks so low, here on highways you can 75miles/hour (120km/hour) or 63miles/hour (100km/hour).

ReLo

Most of it is 70, you'll be safe doing up to 75. Just slow down in construction zones--they are clearly marked. I-4 is around 50 mph--and for good reason--it's very congested!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Hello

How much is it from Miami to Orlando on the turnpike, do you have to pay it once or do they have Toll Stations every Couple of miles .

Thank you

It's about $16-17 depending on exactly where you get on and off. it's combination of coin and ticket routes, all toll barriers are manned, so exact change isn't needed.

Anne

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Hello ReLo! I love the Netherlands, especially AMS.

I agree with everyone...the Turnpike is the fastest because it has less traffic and because it runs at a northwest angle towards Orlando. I-95 heads directly north away from Orlando. Unfortunately Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach each have their own "rush hours" with heavy traffic. But most of it is on I-95 so the Turnpike is much better unless there is an accident. When you leave your hotel head north on I-95 until you see the entrace to "FLORIDA'S TURNPIKE". If you miss it remain on I-95 north until Hollywood and then take I-595 west back to the Turnpike junction. (Along I-95 do not leave the highway...dangerous neighborhoods!)

In south Florida the Turnpike will have mainline tolls every 10 miles or so, where you pay cash at each toll plaza. Around Lake Worth you stop and receive a toll ticket and there are no more tolls until you reach Kissimmee. Then you give them your ticket and pay one BIG toll. Then there are no more tolls to go to I-4.

Since the Turnpike is a toll road, it has service plazas every 45-minutes with fuel, snacks, drinks, WC and tourist information. In addition to Starbucks, there is usually Burger King, Popeye's Chicken or Sbarro Pizza.

Take I-4 west (direction: Tampa) and the second exit is for "Universal" including Islands of Adventure.

Hope you have a great visit to Miami and Orlando!

BobK/Orlando

 

[ReLo]

Thank you all for your answers!