Traffic Advice for Atlantis Launch on the 8th?

[MTop]

I am coming down to Disney on the 7th of July, and we are going to Cocoa to see the shuttle launch on Friday morning. I need some real, non- hysterical information on the traffic. We need to meet a kayak tour at 9:30 a.m., and I would like some advice on the estimated time it will take to get there from I-Drive and Universal. (Next to the Wet & Wild) Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[roadrunner77]

Hello,

It normally takes about 75 - 90 minutes to get to cocoa from there so figure at least 2 hours that day.

 

[joelkfla]

Really, nobody knows.

This being the last launch, the crowd will quite possibly be the largest ever seen for a launch.

I think 2 hours is pushing your luck.

 

[dodan]

We tried that at the last launch. The traffic was bumper to bumper right
past the toll booth on 528. I would leave real early.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I agree with the others, we caught the shuttle launch in May 2010 and then the traffic going into Cocoa and surrounding area was nuts - and that was leaving bright and early in the am. Here are some pictures (and keep in mind this was not the last shuttle launch):

And these were coming back from Cocoa about 7:00 pm that same night (this was a good 5 hours after the launch)

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

And just to give you an idea of the crowds that gather, here are a few more pics (this was in Titusville)

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

I am also planning a trip to see the launch. I was lucky enough to get Congressional tickets on the Causeway. I also had them for the Endeavour launch that was scheduled for 4/29. We had boarded the NASA bus to the viewing site and got a couple blocks when the word of the scrub came down so be prepared to go to a lot of work and then have it canceled! Even having that happen I am going to give it a go again!

I follow a couple forums at spaceflightnow.com. A launch viewing thread and a latest news thread. The info there is invaluable and you will get info way before the general public.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...?topic=25342.0

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...?topic=23562.0

As others have said the worst traffic will be coming from Orlando so I'd give yourself lots and lots of time. To me 2 hours is not practical at all.