Sunpass for Miami/Orlando trip

[hodad]

I'm renting a car for about six days for a vacation that starts in Miami and includes a day trip to the Everglades, a drive to Orlando, and four days moving back and forth between DW and the Marriott Harbour Lake before flying out of MCO.

What's my best strategy for Sunpass/toll roads?

 

[nacho113]

The Miami area is cashless, which means that you will need either the rental car company's toll program or you will need to purchase your own Sunpass transponder if you happen to end up on any toll roads in the area (and there are lots).
If you aren't in any kind of a hurry, you could avoid the toll roads (there are lots in the area) and stay on the side roads.

Highway 1 from Florida City to Key West has no tolls.

In the Orlando area almost all toll roads have pay booths, but if you have a Transponder or the rental company's toll option already, you can just speed through the Sunpass arch.

 

[hodad]

Thank you, nacho113. That's very useful info.

For a six day trip, would it even make sense, in terms of time or money, to get my own Sunpass transponder? When does it become a better choice than just using the rental car's service?

 

[nacho113]

It really will depend on which agency that you rent from, they have very different programs.
Alamo/National/Enterprise has the best system IMO. They charge $3.95/day plus the cost of the tolls... ONLY ON THE DAYS THAT YOU ACTUALLY INCUR TOLLS
Budget/Avis/Payless also charge $3.95/day plus tolls, however they charge it for everyday of the rental...not just the days that you incur tolls.
Hertz and Firefly charge $4.95/day plus tolls for each day of your rental, not just the days you incur tolls.
Dollar and Thrifty charge an all-inclusive rate of $10.49/day x the total number of days of the rental (includes admin fee and cost of tolls)

The $20 Sunpass transponder can be a good option if you will be incurring tolls for 4 or 5 days (or more) since even with Alamo's system you will basically be paying the $4/day x 5 days = $20 which is the cost of the transponder. The plus would be that if you plan a return trip to Florida anytime in the future, you will already have the transponder and not have to pay anymore fees (except the tolls of course).
Another plus if you own the transponder is that you get a small discount on the toll (10-15%).

We have started visiting Florida 2 or 3 times/year since 2010 (starting to spend the kids inheritance ) and we quite often end up in, or fly into the Miami area so we purchased a Sunpass Transponder a few years ago. It's been great and can be a time saver, I wouldn't leave home without it now.

 

[hodad]

I've decided to get a Sunpass, but when I go to the website, it asks for my license #. Should I use my own car, assuming I can also add rental cars to the account at a later date?

 

[Capt_BJ]

yes assuming you get the $20 version because with this one you can have multiple tags associated with the transponder ... there is an app you can put on your phone that allows you to add/drop TAGs from the account quickly and easily. When you get the rental, add the TAG and away you go. When you return the car, delete the tag.

You home tag provides continuity . . .

And concur ... if you are going to be in and around Miami you must have either the rental company program or your own transponder. Most all the limited access roads are toll roads, 95 being the significant exception and even there you find toll express lanes which are easy to find yourself in without intending to . . .