Travel time to BG Tampa

[mog]

We are going to be at Disney this summer, but we have Platinum passes for BG/SW and would like to take a day to go to BG in Tampa. Does anyone know how long of a drive it is from Disney to BG Tampa?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

it's a little over an hour.

 

[robvia]

75 miles.

Most of the time, people do 80 and you can get there in 1.5 hours.
If there is a traffic jam, or it's rush hour, then expect 2 hours.

If you've been there, know exactly where you're going, and drive like a maniac, then you could do it in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

But I'd say more like 1.5 hours.

 

[mog]

Thanks! That will help with our planning to know how long it takes to get there!

 

[robvia]

Yeah, as you leave Orlando, there will be some traffic on I-4 heading west around Disney until you get to US-27. Then things pick up and you can go 80 for about an hour. You'll feel like you're on a long trip, and think it's going to take forever. Then you'll see I-75, and head north. You'll get off at Fowler Ave and go West. Now you pass thru a bunch of stop lights. You go past a museum on your left, you'll see the college on your right (University of South Florida). Then you'll see signs for BGT, get in the left lane. It's like the 2nd left after you see the college. The street name is called N. McKinley Drive, but the signs will show you the way. You'll cross some rail road tracks, drive a few blocks, and then you'll see the coasters in the distance. The parking lot is on the left just past Adventure Island.

If you're hungry, there are a bunch of places you could eat on Fowler Ave before you get to BGT. That could save you some money. So yeah, it may be a good idea to give yourself 2 hours. If you were to leave the Orlando at 06:30am, you'd avoid rush hour, and get to BGT at 08:30am when the parking lot opens. Then you'd be first to the gate, and get some walk on rides on Sheikra.

 

[mog]

Yeah, as you leave Orlando, there will be some traffic on I-4 heading west around Disney until you get to US-27. Then things pick up and you can go 80 for about an hour. You'll feel like you're on a long trip, and think it's going to take forever. Then you'll see I-75, and head north. You'll get off at Fowler Ave and go West. Now you pass thru a bunch of stop lights. You go past a museum on your left, you'll see the college on your right (University of South Florida). Then you'll see signs for BGT, get in the left lane. It's like the 2nd left after you see the college. The street name is called N. McKinley Drive, but the signs will show you the way. You'll cross some rail road tracks, drive a few blocks, and then you'll see the coasters in the distance. The parking lot is on the left just past Adventure Island.

If you're hungry, there are a bunch of places you could eat on Fowler Ave before you get to BGT. That could save you some money. So yeah, it may be a good idea to give yourself 2 hours. If you were to leave the Orlando at 06:30am, you'd avoid rush hour, and get to BGT at 08:30am when the parking lot opens. Then you'd be first to the gate, and get some walk on rides on Sheikra.

Thanks! I just printed your directions to put in my travel folder so I can take them with me. Very helpful!

 

[Runey]

Robvia... Roughly what time would peak hour start? 7AM I assume?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

rush hour picks up around 8 am between Lakeland to Tampa, same with I-75 north. Fowler is a busy street as well. but you'll be ok, traffic will be heavy, but the real slowdowns don't occur until you get closer to downtown Tampa. you'll miss that area when you turn onto I-75.

 

[robvia]

Yeah, I'd say that you want to be on the road by 7am at the latest.

There are always little things that can make you late. Like you forget something at the hotel room, or someone needs to go to the bathroom. All these little things add up, and before you know it, you're an hour past the time you wanted to be there.

Showing up early at 08:30am, and then waiting at the gate gives you a huge advantage when the park opens. So try to get there on time, even if it means waking up real early, and waiting a few minutes at the gate for the park to open.

When you get 5 rides on Sheikra as walk-ons, you'll be glad you did.