Tolls - WDW to Port and back

[Dugette]

Hi, all. Just wanted to verify what I think my options are. We are doing two one-way car rentals between WDW and Port Canaveral for our cruise (WDW before and after), both through Enterprise.

I think that, assuming we take the standard/recommended routes, we have two choices:

1.) Go through the cashless toll lanes and get charged a $3.95 convenience fee each way + toll amounts.
2.) Bring a bunch of quarters and go through manual lanes.

I am leaning towards #1, despite being a cheapskate. Just was thinking we avoid any possible waits and don't have to worry about having quarters and making sure we don't venture off the beaten path and run across any tolls without manual lanes - and under $4 each way isn't too bad for the convenience, I think. Sound reasonable or am I missing anything? Are the toll amounts themselves the same amount either way?

Thanks!

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ETA from after our trip, in case this helps anyone: we ended up doing the cashless tolls and each way was $8.20 total. The cash tolls would have been $6 each way, so it was $2.20 more and we got to drive straight through and not worry about lines or coins. The reason it was less than $3.95 each way was that they give you the discounted toll rate when you do this. It was worth $2 each way to us to save a bit of time and trouble.

 

[C6PT7]

I think you are missing the obvious.
Relax! It's a vacation!

What sounds reasonable to me is to just drive down, accept the convenience fees and have a great cruise.

Oh and switch to decaf! lol!

 

[mistyann86]

You can order (www.sunpass.com) a little sticker that goes in the window and prepay the tolls so you aren't charged the fees. It is $5 and it took less than a week to get it.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's so easy to bring a roll of quarters, take a minute to go through the toll lane, and have some extra bucks for gas. I cannot even imagine paying a convenience fee for something that is SO easy, to follow the signs to the toll lanes, wait a minute, and give them some quarters.

 

[MelSpees]

I thought I read that most, or many, car rentals have the sunpass for you. Maybe check with the agency?

 

[MillauFr]

You can order (www.sunpass.com) a little sticker that goes in the window and prepay the tolls so you aren't charged the fees. It is $5 and it took less than a week to get it.

That is what I did. It was only $5 and you got a discount on the tolls.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We rented cars both ways. Chose not to use the sunpass and pay the fee to the rental car agency-in our case Budget. We found no lines and we didn't need change, every toll booth had collectors that made change or took dollar bills. Most tolls were $1.00. They might have been one that was $1.25, but we stopped at a Disney resort on the way back, so not sure if you would encounter that one if you go straight to the airport. I think we paid between $3 and $4 each way, can't remember exactly. It was very easy and not a worry. Enjoy your trip!

 

[phinz]

Toll calculator: https://www.cfxway.com/TravelersExpressways/TravelResources/TollCalculator.aspx

We travel to Florida so much we just bought a portable SunPass. It can be moved from car to car. Whenever friends are headed to Florida and will be using any of the toll roads anywhere in the state we just let them take our SunPass. So far it has been on over a dozen different cars as well as our cars and rental cars. Paid $20 for it several years ago and it has more than paid for itself since, since the Turnpike south of FLL is now all electronic.

I've rarely seen a significant backup at the toll gates anywhere in Florida unless it has been at rush hour. There are enough that I've never had to slow down and/or stop for more than 5 minutes that I can remember. You can always opt to pay the fine if it's really backed up or just get in line to pay at that moment. At least Enterprise's "administration" fees per day are relatively reasonable. Don't even think about renting through Dollar or Thrifty. Their rates are ludicrous.

 

[Capt_BJ]

these are the toll plazas in question ... how much depends on the route you take. I prefer the 417 route south of the airport.



for SUNPASS info concerning rental cars see: https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar
I recommend you read it ALL ... how different rental companies handle the electronic toll, and especially MISSED TOLLS if not 'registered' ahead of time varies widely ($$$)

 

[mab2012]

I've rarely seen a significant backup at the toll gates anywhere in Florida unless it has been at rush hour. There are enough that I've never had to slow down and/or stop for more than 5 minutes that I can remember.

I guess we were unlucky then. When we were returning from Port Canaveral in March 2014, we sat in line at one toll for about 45 minutes. There was only one booth open, and the situation was made worse by all of the people flying past the line and then forcing their way in at the end. We had spent the day at KSC and were all tired and crabby. This was a Saturday, so not rush hour.

We're only in Florida at most once a year, often not at all, and our tolls generally only amount to a few bucks per trip. But I'll buy a SunPass before we head to PC again, just to avoid any chance of a repeat performance. I consider on-highway toll booths to be a ridiculous inconvenience to begin with, and sitting in line for nearly an hour for the "privilege" of paying a $1 toll makes my blood boil.

 

[erionm]

You can order (www.sunpass.com) a little sticker that goes in the window and prepay the tolls so you aren't charged the fees. It is $5 and it took less than a week to get it.

For those that are not FL Residents, I would recommend the SunPass portable over the sticker. Once adhered to the windshield, the sticker version can't be reused if removed.

Click here to learn more about each SunPass transponder type.

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess we were unlucky then. When we were returning from Port Canaveral in March 2014, we sat in line at one toll for about 45 minutes. There was only one booth open, and the situation was made worse by all of the people flying past the line and then forcing their way in at the end. We had spent the day at KSC and were all tired and crabby. This was a Saturday, so not rush hour.

We're only in Florida at most once a year, often not at all, and our tolls generally only amount to a few bucks per trip. But I'll buy a SunPass before we head to PC again, just to avoid any chance of a repeat performance. I consider on-highway toll booths to be a ridiculous inconvenience to begin with, and sitting in line for nearly an hour for the "privilege" of paying a $1 toll makes my blood boil.

Total fluke.

45 minutes means something else had to have been happening. It takes maybe 30 seconds for a normal transaction at the tollbooth so that means there were maybe 60 cars (some transactions won't be normal) that ended up in front?

Too bad no one called the police to report the cars going through so fast since by the time you're in line for the booths it's supposed to be something like 25 mph, isn't it?

My experience with FL toll roads is positive, where I enjoy the road and feel that they have value vs the normal highways there, so I don't mind the toll.

 

[Justacruiser]

have done the tolls on most of my 20 DCL cruises out of Port Canaveral and probably waited twice more than 5 minutes to pay. If you have the means and time, you can book the pass, but no worries if you don't. I wouldn't even think of doing it even knowing about it. Just a personal preference. I just can't imagine being in that big of hurry (except for the 45 minutes, lol). Just my opinion.

 

[erionm]

You can also purchase a SunPass transponder after you arrive in Florida and then go on-line to SunPass.com and activate it.

Purchasing a SunPass Mini transponder or Portable transponder is easy because they are available at nearly 2,000 retail locations throughout the state. Retailers include Publix Super Markets, CVS Pharmacy stores, Walgreens and AAA South offices in Florida. They can also be purchased at Navarro Pharmacies and Sedano's Supermarkets in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Transponders are available at all Turnpike service plazas, Turnpike gas stations and SunPass Service Centers.

https://www.sunpass.com/salesLocations

 

[Dugette]

Wow, what a wide variety of responses! (and commentary on my coffee-drinking status - I actually am not a coffee-drinker at all)

I had always been planning to pay cash at the toll booths, but just noticed this link about TollPass on my Enterprise confirmation last night: http://www.htallc.com/enterprise/ Made me question if I even could still pay cash. I'm still not 100% clear if there are manned tollbooths the whole way (417 to 528 is the route DCL recommends - we are coming from Boardwalk Villas and returning there after). I saw this and it made me wonder if 417 is all electronic-only now? https://www.cfxway.com/TravelersExpressways/Expressways/CurrentExpressways/417EasternBeltway.aspx

Regarding the SunPass, I'm sure it's great for some, but doesn't really make sense for us. We leave in a week and I don't want to have to worry about receiving it in time or using precious vacation time to get one there. We don't usually rent cars for WDW, so it's a bit excessive for two days.

The calculator and map were very helpful! Should be $6 each way or $9.95 if we choose to use the TollPass. We don't have to decide ahead of time, so we'll see if there are lines or if we're in a hurry. The few hours I did once rent a car between WDW and MCO involved a couple 5-10 minute waits and trying to fish a dropped quarter out from between the seats, so it may be worth the extra $3.95 to have the luxury of avoiding a repeat of that.

 

[erionm]

Made me question if I even could still pay cash. I'm still not 100% clear if there are manned tollbooths the whole way (417 to 528 is the route DCL recommends - we are coming from Boardwalk Villas and returning there after). I saw this and it made me wonder if 417 is all electronic-only now?

SR-417 & SR-528 are not all electronic tolling. The main line toll plazas will have at least one booth that's manned. The on/off ramps will be exact coin or electronic toll.

 

[Justacruiser]

Wow, what a wide variety of responses! (and commentary on my coffee-drinking status - I actually am not a coffee-drinker at all)

I had always been planning to pay cash at the toll booths, but just noticed this link about TollPass on my Enterprise confirmation last night: http://www.htallc.com/enterprise/ Made me question if I even could still pay cash. I'm still not 100% clear if there are manned tollbooths the whole way (417 to 528 is the route DCL recommends - we are coming from Boardwalk Villas and returning there after). I saw this and it made me wonder if 417 is all electronic-only now? https://www.cfxway.com/TravelersExpressways/Expressways/CurrentExpressways/417EasternBeltway.aspx

Regarding the SunPass, I'm sure it's great for some, but doesn't really make sense for us. We leave in a week and I don't want to have to worry about receiving it in time or using precious vacation time to get one there. We don't usually rent cars for WDW, so it's a bit excessive for two days.

The calculator and map were very helpful! Should be $6 each way or $9.95 if we choose to use the TollPass. We don't have to decide ahead of time, so we'll see if there are lines or if we're in a hurry. The few hours I did once rent a car between WDW and MCO involved a couple 5-10 minute waits and trying to fish a dropped quarter out from between the seats, so it may be worth the extra $3.95 to have the luxury of avoiding a repeat of that.

I am 100% you can use cash. Just paid cash on Sunday! For the on/off ramps they could have required exact change, but the on ramp from and to MCO and the tolls between MCO and the Port are all manned so you can get change if you need.

 

[Dugette]

I am 100% you can use cash. Just paid cash on Sunday! For the on/off ramps they could have required exact change, but the on ramp from and to MCO and the tolls between MCO and the Port are all manned so you can get change if you need.

Thanks, we won't have the car at MCO (renting from and returning to Downtown Disney), but glad to hear a recent report. I'll just make sure we have some change for the on/off ramps.

 

[Justacruiser]

Thanks, we won't have the car at MCO (renting from and returning to Downtown Disney), but glad to hear a recent report. I'll just make sure we have some change for the on/off ramps.

417 is quicker from Downtown Disney to the Port.

 

[Dugette]

417 is quicker from Downtown Disney to the Port.

417 to 528 is the recommendation from DCL - planning to follow their directions.