Scenic Route from Orlando to Miami

[jerke]

Hi All, A group of us will be in Orlando for 5-6 days starting March 23 then heading down to Miami for a conference. Any suggestions/remarks about the drive from orlando to miami? Whats the most scenic route? We would like to drive as close to the ocean as much as possible. Thanks in advance!

 

[ducklite]

Take the Beeline to A1A then head South. It's scenic, and it's going to take a full day to make a 4 hour drive via the Turnpike. Watch your speed, it changes regularly.

Anne

 

[Talking Hands]

Go west and drive down the center of the state by Lake Okeechobee. I-4 west to US27 and go south all the way to Miami. Takes about 6 hours.

 

[rdw]

*bump* We are planning to drive from Miami to Orlando after our cruise.

Any tips for a scenic route or stops along the way? We'll have a 6 year old (almost) and 3 year old with us, so don't want to take too long.

Is there a way / is it worth it to drive through the Everglades?

Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

The road through the Everglades is the Tamiami Trail, which as the name implies, is the road from Tampa to Miami. That would REALLY be going around the long way en route from Orlando to Miami, and besides that, it's a slow road.

 

[DOOM1001]

Since I live in Miami and go to the theme parks 10 or more times a year I've done just about every drive between the cities.I'll outline the options.

1.Turnpike the whole way,pretty boring but the fastest way,about $18 in tolls

2.Beeline expressway or US 192 to I-95,you avoid the tolls but have to deal with the craziness of I-95 and you have to cross over to 95 by the beeline which does have a few tolls or US 192.

3.Combination of turnpike and I-95,you can transfer between roads at Ft.Pierce whichis exit 152 in the turnpike or 129 on 95.It does work since the roads are about a mile away at this exit and by getting the turnpike here you save about half of the tolls and the turnpike takes you straight to Orlando.If you plan to do this scrap your plan if it involves driving anytime around rush hour on 95.

4.US 27 straight south,not really scenic but more entertaining since you go through several towns along the way,the ones around the lake are pretty ugly and boring but the ones more to the north are OK and at least have a good amount of places to eat or put gas along the way,there's even a couple of small malls and stores.This road will pass by what is essentially the everglades but the only real attraction with airboats and stuff will be in Broward county just north of Miami,called Everglades Holiday park.Taking US 27 like I said is more entertaining but it will probably add an hour to your drive when compared to the turnpike.I've actually been going this way recently and I actually enjoy the drive north of the lake.

5.As someone said if you want to take a scenic route by the ocean take the beeline to A1A and drive south,this will definitely be an all day thing,probably 6-8 hours minimum when compared to the turnpike at 3.5 hours or 4 hours doing the 95/turnpike combo or 4.5 hours for US 27.You could if you just want to sample the drive is take the turnpike and get off around Palm beach or Jupiter and grab A1A from there so it doesn't take as long.

 

[rdw]

Thanks for the advice! Would 27 the whole way north work?

Or can we pick up the Tpke further up?I have done the A1A from Delray to Ft. Lauderdale, but without DH - I'll see what he wants to do. Definitely not doing the A1A all the way from Miami to Orlando - but about a 4 hour trip would be ok.

We will also be going Orlando to Tampa later in the week. I assume that is just a straight shot?

Was just trying to figure out anything different or interesting Miami to Orlando.

Thanks!

 

[DOOM1001]

If you're thinking of doing US 27 you're pretty much locked into US 27 as it doesn't really get close to the turnpike.You can take 60 from US 27 and go east to the turnpike,but its not very close or worthwhile in my opinion.Again like I said US 27 isn't really a "scenic" road just less boring although you do pass by some nice lakes.Basically between I-595 in Weston and I-4 in Central Florida in the center of the state this is the main street north south with some other streets like 60 intersecting it that will get you to other areas like Tampa but are not really close to US27.The percentage of drivers who take this road when compared to 95 or the turnpike is still very small,I take it because I've done the drive between Orlando and Miami hundreds of times and I find 27 relaxing and less boring.Between Orlando and Tampa your best bet is I-4 for sure,about 70-80 minutes unless you get an accident or a rush hour slow down.I have taken hwy 50 from Orlando to I-75 south to Tampa to do something different but it took almost twice as long.

 

[Adit A]

Hi I am planning a day trip from Orlando to Miami and back around the 7th of May. We are a family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 kids (9 and 11). We have a 1 week vacation in Orlando and thought 1 day break between the parks would be good. From your helpful posts above it seems that it would be best to take the turnpike / I 95 combination and then take A1A in the last stretch to Miami. We plan to leave early morning get to Miami by late-morning, spend a few hours around the beach, local markets. Then head back in the evening taking the turnpike all the way back (fastest - not too much to see). Would it be a good idea to do this in a convertible (We would be renting that)? Also, what would be the cost of tolls / gas? Should we buy the sunpass transponder? Would it be too much for the kids (we are used to driving 4-6 hours). Any recommendations for breakfast and dinner (preferably vegetarian)? Any other suggestions? Thanks.

 

[FCDub]

Hi I am planning a day trip from Orlando to Miami and back around the 7th of May. We are a family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 kids (9 and 11). We have a 1 week vacation in Orlando and thought 1 day break between the parks would be good. From your helpful posts above it seems that it would be best to take the turnpike / I 95 combination and then take A1A in the last stretch to Miami. We plan to leave early morning get to Miami by late-morning, spend a few hours around the beach, local markets. Then head back in the evening taking the turnpike all the way back (fastest - not too much to see). Would it be a good idea to do this in a convertible (We would be renting that)? Also, what would be the cost of tolls / gas? Should we buy the sunpass transponder? Would it be too much for the kids (we are used to driving 4-6 hours). Any recommendations for breakfast and dinner (preferably vegetarian)? Any other suggestions? Thanks.

This thread is unfortunately 13 years old. Might be best to start a new one.

 

[Capt_BJ]

that would be WAY to much time in a car for a couple of hours in Miami IMO ... 3+ hours each way.

You could do either Cocoa Beach or Clearwater Beach in a little over an hour and have much more beach time (choice is Gulf beach or ocean)

dunno where you are from but a full day in a convertible often results in a serious sunburn if not acclimated - (I've owned rag tops for nearly 50 years continuously)

if renting the car and this is sort of a one time trip it is probably not worth investing in your own SUNPASS, using the rental's electronic toll option may work for you. BUT you should look at https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar to see how different rental companies handle this service. It varies WIDELY - what they charge varies WIDELY. Some only charge a fee if you choose to use the service and only a per day fee for the days you use it (example ALAMO). Others make you pay a fee up front for every day of the contract whether you use the service or not (Dollar) ... difference can be $$$. Note if you DO go to Miami, once you cross the Dade County line there are tolls on pretty much every highway other than I-95 and cash payment is NOT an option. Driving Orlando to Cocoa you can pay cash .... Orlando to Clearwater you should encounter no tolls.

 

[JimMIA]

This thread is unfortunately 13 years old. Might be best to start a new one.

LOL...dreaded ZOMBIE THREAD!

 

[JimMIA]

Hi I am planning a day trip from Orlando to Miami and back around the 7th of May. We are a family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 kids (9 and 11). We have a 1 week vacation in Orlando and thought 1 day break between the parks would be good. From your helpful posts above it seems that it would be best to take the turnpike / I 95 combination and then take A1A in the last stretch to Miami. We plan to leave early morning get to Miami by late-morning, spend a few hours around the beach, local markets. Then head back in the evening taking the turnpike all the way back (fastest - not too much to see). Would it be a good idea to do this in a convertible (We would be renting that)? Also, what would be the cost of tolls / gas? Should we buy the sunpass transponder? Would it be too much for the kids (we are used to driving 4-6 hours). Any recommendations for breakfast and dinner (preferably vegetarian)? Any other suggestions? Thanks.

I LOVE my hometown, Miami...but why Miami? You're talking about 8-10 hours in the car -- for a relaxing day trip!

For a relaxing day at the beach, I would go to Cocoa Beach, which is only a little over an hour away from WDW. Maybe throw in Kennedy Space Center, which is in the same area.

Or, if you want a more tranquil beach, drive the other way to somewhere on the Gulf Coast (St. Pete Beach, Clearwater, etc).

Miami is an amazing city -- but NOT for a couple of hours at the beach and a little shopping. Come for 3-4 days and actually enjoy Miami!

 

[Adit A]

Thank you for your responses!

This thread is unfortunately 13 years old. Might be best to start a new one.

This was the one that showed up in my search and it seemed so appropriate, I did not even look at the dates!

that would be WAY to much time in a car for a couple of hours in Miami IMO ... 3+ hours each way.

You could do either Cocoa Beach or Clearwater Beach in a little over an hour and have much more beach time (choice is Gulf beach or ocean)

dunno where you are from but a full day in a convertible often results in a serious sunburn if not acclimated - (I've owned rag tops for nearly 50 years continuously)

if renting the car and this is sort of a one time trip it is probably not worth investing in your own SUNPASS, using the rental's electronic toll option may work for you. BUT you should look at https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar to see how different rental companies handle this service. It varies WIDELY - what they charge varies WIDELY. Some only charge a fee if you choose to use the service and only a per day fee for the days you use it (example ALAMO). Others make you pay a fee up front for every day of the contract whether you use the service or not (Dollar) ... difference can be $$$. Note if you DO go to Miami, once you cross the Dade County line there are tolls on pretty much every highway other than I-95 and cash payment is NOT an option. Driving Orlando to Cocoa you can pay cash .... Orlando to Clearwater you should encounter no tolls.

We are visiting from India. The Orlando section of the trip is for kids, the driving part is for me - I like to drive! I plan to drive up along the east coast to PA, with a couple of stops, in Charleston and Richmond / Fredricksburg / DC. I plan to do Kennedy Space Center on the last day of my trip on the way north. I had initially planned a day to Kennedy Space center and Coco beach. But replaced it with a drive to Miami. I looked up the different rental car toll plans given on the Sun Pass site. and it seems the Sixt plan is a flat fee per day of around $8 which seemed to be the cheapest. From what I have read, tolls are about $18-20 one way. If I take the rental plan from others this might cost close to $30.

I LOVE my hometown, Miami...but why Miami? You're talking about 8-10 hours in the car -- for a relaxing day trip!

For a relaxing day at the beach, I would go to Cocoa Beach, which is only a little over an hour away from WDW. Maybe throw in Kennedy Space Center, which is in the same area.

Or, if you want a more tranquil beach, drive the other way to somewhere on the Gulf Coast (St. Pete Beach, Clearwater, etc).

Miami is an amazing city -- but NOT for a couple of hours at the beach and a little shopping. Come for 3-4 days and actually enjoy Miami!

I would love to stay a few days in Miami - but not enough time this trip. As we are going to be so close from Orlando, I thought of adding a one-day "wind in the hair" trip and let the kids enjoy the Miami beach for a few hours. It would also give a break between 6 days of parks (3 days WDW and 3 days Universal). Perhaps I will plan another trip to spend more time visiting more places and sampling the beaches on the Gulf side and the Ocean side.

 

[JimMIA]

Thank you for your responses!


This was the one that showed up in my search and it seemed so appropriate, I did not even look at the dates!

That's part of the fun of these boards. If you don't use the search feature, responses ask, "You DID know the DIS has a search feature...right?" If you use it, we call Zombie Thread. We got you either way!

I looked up the different rental car toll plans given on the Sun Pass site. and it seems the Sixt plan is a flat fee per day of around $8 which seemed to be the cheapest. From what I have read, tolls are about $18-20 one way. If I take the rental plan from others this might cost close to $30.

Get a SunPass -- either the $5 sticker or the $20 portable. You'll pay less, and you'll get significant savings on all of your tolls.

I would love to stay a few days in Miami - but not enough time this trip. As we are going to be so close from Orlando, I thought of adding a one-day "wind in the hair" trip and let the kids enjoy the Miami beach for a few hours. It would also give a break between 6 days of parks (3 days WDW and 3 days Universal). Perhaps I will plan another trip to spend more time visiting more places and sampling the beaches on the Gulf side and the Ocean side.

OK, if you're coming to Miami, just be super-careful on Miami Beach with parking. The parking enforcement there is shamefully predatory. They have people who circle around looking for parking violations and the cars are immediately ticketed and towed. The minimum towing fee is $179...and that does NOT include the parking ticket!

 

[nacho113]

I LOVE my hometown, Miami...but why Miami? You're talking about 8-10 hours in the car -- for a relaxing day trip!

For a relaxing day at the beach, I would go to Cocoa Beach, which is only a little over an hour away from WDW. Maybe throw in Kennedy Space Center, which is in the same area.

Or, if you want a more tranquil beach, drive the other way to somewhere on the Gulf Coast (St. Pete Beach, Clearwater, etc).

Miami is an amazing city -- but NOT for a couple of hours at the beach and a little shopping. Come for 3-4 days and actually enjoy Miami!

Have to agree with you on all points here.
Miami is a great city to stay in and enjoy.
The traffic is crazy, so once in the area we like to find a place to base our stay and then travel out at off peak times and try to avoid the freeways. We find North Miami Beach/Sunny Isles Beach/Hollywood to be more reasonably priced and within driving distance of area attractions and amenities.

You say that you enjoy driving, I do too, but Miami is my least favorite city to drive in, and in to.
Approaching the city traffic gets more and more congested and getting off the turnpike or Interstate to wind your way down A1A is annoyingly slow with traffic lights every couple of blocks (all of which seem to be on red for any trip that we have taken down this route).
On I-95, the posted 70-75 mph speed limit seems to be more of a "suggestion" than the actual speed of travel with 4,5,6 lanes of traffic merging in and out.
Definitely not my idea of a "relaxing" drive.

And again I agree with JimMIA a longer stay would be a great idea but if not practical, a trip to Cocoa Beach (a nice quiet beach town) is a lot more relaxing and a pretty nice drive.
You could extend your day by driving North up A1A along the coast to Daytona Beach. A really nice drive also and Daytona is a pretty upbeat city with a great beach, pier and Boardwalk area. Lots of shops and places to eat and explore. You can even drive and park on the beach (tides permitting and there is a fee)
If you still wanted to explore more, you could continue North on A1A all the way up to St Augustine, a great touristy destination in itself. Explore the old town, the fort, the beaches, shopping etc.

Cocoa is a little quiet for our liking, but we frequently do Daytona Beach when we want a day off from the parks.
The drive up from Daytona to St Augustine along the coast is stunning and definitely worthy of a convertible.

 

[Capt_BJ]

and it seems the Sixt plan is a flat fee per day of around $8 which seemed to be the cheapest.

hmmmm

Sixt: $7.99 flat fee per rental day (sounds like a flat $7.99 for everyday of the contact with no maximum charge limit) and you must decide ... 'sign up' when you pick up the car

Alamo and others: $3.95 fee per usage day (24 hr. interval) that customer incurs tolls, $19.75 maximum fee per rental period plus tolls; nothing to sign up for .... it is automatic ONLY on days you encounter tolls .... (max charge is same thing you'd pay for a portable transponder from SUNPASS)

but makes no difference to me .... I just know which I choose or should say recommend as I have SUNPASS>

 

[JimMIA]

Sixt: $7.99 flat fee per rental day (sounds like a flat $7.99 for everyday of the contact with no maximum charge limit) and you must decide ... 'sign up' when you pick up the car

Does that fee include the tolls? Or just the Toll by Plate billing service?

If it's just the equivalent of the Alamo $3.95, it would be a LOT more than the Alamo max of $19.95. $8 x 7 days = $56.

Of course, if they get a SunPass, they don't need toll service from either company.

 

[NotUrsula]

If all you want is a beach experience, and not the whole South Beach shopping/people-watching experience, don't bother hauling yourselves all the way to Miami (which is a LONG trip, insanely long as a daytrip, IMO.) Just go to Canaveral Shores Nat'l Seashore, and I'd also recommend swinging a bit south on A1A to Melbourne to climb the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse (the view from up there is amazing, and even more amazing, if you go at dusk you will probably see lots of sharks in the water, which can only be seen from the air.)

If you are driving up to Charleston, you will probably also wish to stop in St. Augustine, to see what Americans consider a truly "old" city; it is the oldest city in the US continuously inhabited by white people. (Indigenous peoples were there long before, of course.) The Spanish Fort, Castillo de San Marcos, is quite an interesting experience, as it was built of coquina, a type of limestone consisting of broken seashells.
You also may want to stop into Savannah, Georgia, which is the quintessential "Southern" American city from a tourist POV; columned homes, trees with Spanish Moss, the whole bit. (While driving through Georgia, you also might want to stop at an orchard store and buy some packaged shelled pecans to take home with you; IMO, Georgia pecans are the best in the world, and as I understand that pecans are rare in India, would probably be a very nice reminder of your trip, and a good gift for friends, subject to Customs limits, of course! They are especially tasty in sweets. (I grew up elsewhere in the South, and while our pecans are very good, I still consider Georgia pecans a special treat.)

As for the convertible, it would be fun on A1A, but probably not fun on the Interstate; at that speed, with articulated lorries whizzing by you, it makes for a very loud ride.