Traffic on I-Drive vs Irlo Bronson M. Hwy

[Simba's Mom]

We're staying offsite for one night before our WDW vacation. Which of these two areas has less traffic to negoatiate around? Is a more pleasant driving experience? Because we've never been offsite in all our trips, we thought we'd spend one day just driving around, seeing what there is, maybe go to an Outlet Mall, eat at an off-site place. We've got our location narrowed down to these two areas. So which should we choose and why?

 

[Brian Noble]

192 is easier driving. International Drive is more interesting. For just one night, I'd opt for "interesting."

 

[dgaston]

If you opt for international drive, one of my favorite restaurants is Sweet Tomatoes at Universal Blvd. and Kirkman.

I think driving around 192, and even Apopka-Vineland (think Crossroads) gives an entirely new perspective on WDW.

 

[Purseval]

We're staying offsite for one night before our WDW vacation. Which of these two areas has less traffic to negoatiate around?

If you choose I-Drive you can get bus passes good for the day and not even have to worry about traffic, let the bus driver do the worrying for you. $4/person for a 1-day pass, kids under 12 free.

http://www.iridetrolley.com/

 

[Jason71]

A lot depends on what part of the road you are staying on. I-Drive south of SR 528, near Premium Outlet Mall and Sea World, is not bad at all. North of Sand Lake Road it's a nightmare.

I tend to agree with the above poster that I-Drive has the more interesting selection of things to do...the outlet mals, Pointe Orlando, a couple tacky low-budget attractions.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

192 Is a lot better in terms of traffic and a lot closer to WDW. However when it comes to International Drive it depends on the side you stay on. The area where the Prime Outlets Interntional mall is located there is a lot more traffic, however the side with the Orange County convention center has a lot less traffic.

 

[spiceycat]

you might look at 535 - it has an outlet mall - and is close to premium outlets

it is in Lake buena vista - really, really close to disney

http://www.lbvfs.com/

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

here is a map
http://map.mapnetwork.com/destination/orlando/consumer/disney/

buena vista suites was having a sale.


now if you are looking at Disney's competition - then stay at Universal - there hotels are pretty nice.
www.universalorlando.com

there is also - cypress pointe (timehares) and sheraton Vistana (timeshare)
look on this site sponsor
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/
www.hotelkingdom.com

 

[Simba's Mom]

Now I'm really confused what's where. The Premium Outlet's website says that it's on Vineland Ave. Is that the same as I-drive? And is W.Irlo Bronson Hwy also called 192?

 

[Freaky]

Now I'm really confused what's where. The Premium Outlet's website says that it's on Vineland Ave. Is that the same as I-drive? And is W.Irlo Bronson Hwy also called 192?

Premium Outlets is on Vineland Ave which is just off the South part of International Drive.

Yes, W. Irlo Bronson Hwy is also known as the 192. To confuse things even more it is also called W. Space Coast Parkway!

Have a look at Google Maps it might explain things better.

Oh..and I would also recommend Sweet Tomatoes at the junction of International Drive (North end) & S Kirkman Rd.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I-Drive is very frustrating to drive down around the Convention Center, between I-4 and Sand Lake. It can honestly take you 20-30 minutes.

 

[DOOM1001]

I would stay on International Drive,more to do and see.Outlets on both ends Prime on the north end and Premium on the south end.Tons of restaurants and attractions and better selection of hotels.Is the traffic worse,sure because it's more compact than 192 but for the most part it's manageable most of the day.And here's a little known trick to getting around I-Drive when there's heavy traffic,use Universal Blvd which pretty much runs parallel to I-Drive through the most congested areas like Sand Lake rd.Hwy 192 in my opinion is becoming pretty sketchy in a lot of areas,whatever you do do not stay east of 535 on 192 the neighborhood is just going downhill and there's basically nothing left but old rundown motels.West of 535 there area still a few decent places like the Comfort Suites next to Old Town but for me it's not a question,I go to Orlando probably 15-20 times a year and stay in I-Drive like 80% of the times.If you decide on I-Drive stay south of Sand Lake rd,closer to the convention center.

 

[MattM]

I-Drive > 192.

 

[horseshowmom]

192 is easier driving. International Drive is more interesting. For just one night, I'd opt for "interesting."

I agree, and if I-Drive gets too be too crowded/hectic for your taste, Universal Drive runs parallel to much of it and has little traffic. You can just move over to it and move on.