Toll Roads in Orlando - are they worth it?

[busyshrew]

We will be renting a car for our trip in February, and have not driven ourselves around Orlando before. My question is this: are the toll roads worth it? For example, tripadvisor states that the route from the airport to our hotel (the Caribe) will be approximately 25 minutes by toll, and 45 minutes using non-toll routes. The money is NOT the issue, I just wonder what the difference is between tolled & non-tolled routes.

Coming from a province & area that only has one toll highway, I'm not sure what the advantages are.

One of my concerns are the horror stories I've read of car rental companies charging fines and fees for "unpaid tolls". I'm the type of person that would stress to death about a disputed charge on my credit card .

I would very much appreciate any advice. TIA.

 

[dioxide45]

To and from the airport the toll roads are worth every penny. It would be tough to avoid them.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I always thought when leaving Orlando International Airport your only options were 417 or 528, because I don't remember seeing any signs for non toll roads.

 

[NotUrsula]

I-4 is not a toll road, but it is subject to some truly HORRENDOUS traffic jams pretty much all the time.

Are the toll roads worth it? Does the sun rise in the east? Heck, yes -- it's your vacation, and your time and aggravation is well worth $4 bucks or so.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

One way is to go south from the airport on the South Access Road (which eventually turns into Boggy Creek Road) and then onto Osceola. Osceola will be a partial toll road. (I used Pop Century as the end point for this map)

 

[safetymom]

If you are here on vacation paying the tolls is the best way to go. There are other ways you can go but they aren't always the fastest. How much is your vacation time worth to you? Taking the 417 is the way to start your vacation, no stress, no traffic!

 

[busyshrew]

Thank you - tolls it is then! And thank you for not laughing at my question. Truly, here in Southwestern Ontario, there's only ONE toll road - Hwy 407. So I have little to no experience with what the difference really amounts to in Orlando.

DH did some research last night and you're right, the tolls down there are cheep cheep cheep!!!

(Just as a comparison, the last time my husband too the 407 it cost him about $13.00).

 

[seashoreCM]

At many locations in Florida, to pay tolls in cash you must go off to the right and down what looks like an exit ramp. Then you merge back in. Suggest getting a receipt which means not using the exact change lane.

This way you won't run into any exact change only interchanges --> Use the airport north exit (436; Semoran Blvd). Left at first light (Frontage). Two quick lefts at next light (Conway) gets you onto 528 (Beach Line). One toll plaza (see above) then you get to I-4 west (southwest) to Disney, no more tolls.

Returning to airport via I-4 East to 528 East, get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport). Left and cross under, (top off at gas station right here,) get into middle lane, required right onto McCoy (becomes Frontage), little over a mile is 436. Turn right to enter airport.

 

[safetymom]

The problem is that on the weekend at many exit it is exact change only. There is no way to get a receipt.

 

[busyshrew]

Oh dear! We are going to be in Orlando from Monday to Friday, hopefully we can collect receipts.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Oh dear! We are going to be in Orlando from Monday to Friday, hopefully we can collect receipts.

Well besides coming from and going to Orlando International Airport, how many other times do you plan to use their toll roads? If it's only two times then it shouldn't be that hard to get the reciepts.

 

[dudspizza]

We rent a car nearly ever trip and always use the toll roads. We NEVER have stopped for a receipt and have NEVER had an issue... I think the whole rental car company/didn't pay a toll thing is WAY over-blown. Another example of drama in the DIS world......

duds

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Just as a comparison, the last time my husband took the 407 it cost him about $13.00.

Well Highway 407 ETR is a completely different situation. It's a privately operated toll road and there are no toll booths, just cameras and transponders and license plate recognition systems. The toll roads around Orlando are all government-operated and indeed are relatively cheap.

If you take the airport's NORTH exit and travel to Disney via TOLL 528 (Beachline Expressway) the 2 tolls are just $1.75 total. If you take the airport's SOUTH exit and travel to Disney via TOLL 417 (Central Florida Greeneway) the tolls add up to $2.50. Not a biggie. All mainline toll plazas on both routes have cash lanes over to the side. Those with transponders remain on the main highway at highway speeds while those paying cash must "exit" over to the side ramps where the toll booths are. These are staffed 24/7 and you can get receipts. You can see a picture of one such booth on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_Road_417

The toll booths that exist at exit and entrance ramps are not staffed at all; you can pay with coins only and there are no receipts. You're not likely to encounter any of those using the 417 or 528.

BobK/Orlando

 

[cjb-nc]

On our last trip, we planned some stops in Kississmee and so we took the Boggy Creek south route. It is definitely twice the time, even without stop. Lots of stop lights and busy traffic are what you pay to avoid by taking the toll roads.

That said, the Dollar lady tried to sell me the $5/day toll pass option, and acted like I was crazy when I told her I KNEW I could get to the parks and back for less than $5 total, much less per day for 8 days. Don't get taken in by their crap. She also told me I had to buy gas within so many miles of the airport and provide a receipt as proof, which also never happened. I'm not very happy with Dollar Rent a Car, as you might guess.

 

[safetymom]

Also realize that car rental agencies will make a "mistake" and charge you for fuel even when you have filled up. If you are renting a car always check your receipt that the charges are correct before leaving the lot.

 

[Brian Noble]

In my dozens of MCO National rentals, I've never once been charged inappropriately for fuel or tolls. That said, it never hurts to take a quick peek at the receipt on return, but personally I often don't even bother.

 

[richmo]

I have avoided the tolls taking roads roughly parallel to FL-528. Basically, you take the North exit, go beyond FL-528, then make a left at (I think) the next light. I think theres a Renaissance Hotel near the intersection. You do have to make a couple turns along the way. Its not too bad, but to be honest, for one trip I'd go ahead and pay the tolls. And if you're going to bite the bullet and pay the tolls, I'd take the South exit and go on FL-417. Much quieter road.

 

[JB2K]

As I took my own vehicle to WDW, last fall, I took it upon myself to buy a prepaid SunPass transponder in advance -- best decision I made and worth every penny!

 

[DOOM1001]

If you can find your way to Sand Lake rd. from the airport you can make it to the attraction areas and Disney without paying a toll.

 

[clkelley]

As I took my own vehicle to WDW, last fall, I took it upon myself to buy a prepaid SunPass transponder in advance -- best decision I made and worth every penny!

I've got one of the SunPass stickers for my truck!! I love just going straight through there on my way to and from WDW. We also pull a camper, so pay double what regular cars pay and the discount you get with SunPass really makes a difference!!

When the balance gets low, my credit card is automatically charged for another batch and I'm good to go. Love it!!