Tampa to DW drive advice

[vinmar4]

Hello,

We just decided to take a last minute trip for a birthday celebration. We found a flight to Tampa , but we have to leave our home airport at 6am. We really hate having to wake up at 3 am because we are tired all day, since we don't really take naps. We are renting a car, so we were thinking of maybe changing our flight to the night before on Thursday , but we would land at 1230am, 1130 PM our time, so not that

We discussed possibly staying in a hotel close to the airport for that night, but after thinking of all the hassle of having to wait for a hotel bus to pick us up, checking in, having to wake up to take the hotel bus again to the airport to get the rental ,and then drive to Disney, why not just drive to Disney after we land in our rental? The price of the rental would be the same.

We could sleep in until later and we would already be in Disney World, not having to deal with any traffic, plus we are all adults.

I'm trying to find a studio for that night so we don't waste a lot of points, but my concern is the drive at 130 am from Tampa to Disney.

Has anybody done that?

Is it a safe drive at that time ?

Thank you for your input

 

[Darklord77]

The drive from TPA to WDW is not pleasurable on most days. Heavy traffic in certain areas of I-4 and the mystery traffic backups (traffic stopping for no reason) are infuriating. If you are thinking of making that trip it is definitely better later in the evening when traffic is minimal. I personally would not make the drive on a weekday morning and have to deal with rush hour traffic going towards Orlando. The definition of rush hour now is anytime between 6am-8pm.

 

[Lori Duck]

I second Darklord77. The drive is a straight shot (as I recall from January) but FULL of mysterious traffic slowdowns that make no sense! Tampa isn't far geographically from WDW, and I imagine you could time the drive well, just expect traffic and you won't be disappointed.
However I can tell you that the Disney Car Care Center is wonderful, right next to a large gas station, and has free transportation to your resort if you decide to drop off your rental car and save some money (within certain rental company parameters.) The people working there are great!

 

[vinmar4]

Good morning,
The drive will be either at 130am upon arrival or at 1230 P.M on a Friday.
I'm more concerned about how safe it is to drive at 130am.

 

[MrKnight]

Good morning,
The drive will be either at 130am upon arrival or at 1230 P.M on a Friday.
I'm more concerned about how safe it is to drive at 130am.

The definition of "safe" is really contingent on the driver more so than anything else; factors such as how tired you will be after a late night flight and how comfortable you are with nighttime driving ESPECIALLY on roads and areas that you are not familiar with.. As mentioned by pp, while traffic is generally lighter late at night, I-4 is known for traffic backups at all times of day due to accidents, lane closures, overnight roadwork, vehicles pulled over with flat tires, etc..

 

[sam_gordon]

Good morning,
The drive will be either at 130am upon arrival or at 1230 P.M on a Friday.
I'm more concerned about how safe it is to drive at 130am.

That is not a bad drive. I have two concerns about driving at that time...
a) What time do the rental counters close? If 1am, you might run into issues if your plane is late.
b) How tired will you be? This is harder to judge, because you might be "jazzed up" since it's the beginning of your trip, but you may have worked all day the day before and had stress factors while flying (when your adrenaline from the stress leave, it could leave you "more" tired.

I have no concerns about traffic/mystery slow downs. It is pretty much all interstate driving, but it can be boring (not good if you're tired).

 

[Darklord77]

The drive will be either at 130am upon arrival or at 1230 P.M on a Friday.
I'm more concerned about how safe it is to drive at 130am.

I guess "Safe" is subjective. I consider safe as less traffic on the road no matter the time. It should only take 1:15 to go from TPA to WDW at that time of the night so stopping to get gas/bathroom shouldn't be an issue.

 

[vinmar4]

That is not a bad drive. I have two concerns about driving at that time...
a) What time do the rental counters close? If 1am, you might run into issues if your plane is late.
b) How tired will you be? This is harder to judge, because you might be "jazzed up" since it's the beginning of your trip, but you may have worked all day the day before and had stress factors while flying (when your adrenaline from the stress leave, it could leave you "more" tired.

I have no concerns about traffic/mystery slow downs. It is pretty much all interstate driving, but it can be boring (not good if you're tired).

We have the pick up at 1 am, but I will find out about their hours, good idea!

As far as being tired, 2 of us will be able to drive the rental, it will be 1130 pm our time when we arrive, so I think will be good in that regard.

I meant "safe" as far as crime, and not very safe areas that we would encounter before getting to the highways.

thank you!

 

[Eeyore daily]

I meant "safe" as far as crime, and not very safe areas that we would encounter before getting to the highways.

As soon as you leave the airport you're on the interstate, so yes it is relatively safe. I just wouldn't stop in Ybor, but if you're going straight from TPA to exit 62 on I-4 you'll be fine.

If you left at 12:30 on Friday you probably wouldn't get there until 4 p.m. Traffic is extra terrible Friday afternoon and nights.

 

[vinmar4]

As soon as you leave the airport you're on the interstate, so yes it is relatively safe. I just wouldn't stop in Ybor, but if you're going straight from TPA to exit 62 on I-4 you'll be fine.

If you left at 12:30 on Friday you probably wouldn't get there until 4 p.m. Traffic is extra terrible Friday afternoon and nights.

Great to know, thank you!
We will change our flights to Thursday night, it would be great to get a good night sleep and wake up at the world already, instead of having to deal with the traffic on a Friday.

 

[Anchored]

I do this drive weekly. Do it at night. My recommendation for exits: exit 19 Thonotosassa - there is a Wawa and McDonalds that will be open late. Exit 32 in Lakeland - populated and bright, many restaurants and gas stations. Exit 55 has a VERY easy on/off for a Wawa (gas station/quick eats).

 

[vinmar4]

I do this drive weekly. Do it at night. My recommendation for exits: exit 19 Thonotosassa - there is a Wawa and McDonalds that will be open late. Exit 32 in Lakeland - populated and bright, many restaurants and gas stations. Exit 55 has a VERY easy on/off for a Wawa (gas station/quick eats).

Thank you so much for your tips Keri!
I already moved our flights, I will save your tips for the drive for sure.