Avoiding Downtown Orlando...

[GoCamels]

Im trying to figure if going avoiding downtown Orlando by way of the new toll road "beltways" is the way to go.

The best route I'm finding coming in via I-4 South is to take the East-West Expressway (408) to Florida's Turnpike to the Western Expressway (429) to Hartzog Road...costs $2.25 cash one-way, and Google Maps estimates it takes around 40 minutes from the I-4/E-W interchange to the MK toll plaza.

Google Map: http://tinyurl.com/cdy64z
Expressway Authroity Toll Calculator: http://www.expresswayauthority.com/Corporate/travel/TollCalculator.aspx

That HAS to be better than trying to slow roll through downtown Orlando, esp. when I will probably be coming into town on a Monday around 4pm...last year it took over 90 minutes to do the same trip.

Thoughts, experiences, etc.

 

[007mickey]

Well my experiences taking the Beltway (429) have been coming from Alabama and traveling south on the Turnpike. But the two times we have taken the 429 exit, I think we might have been the only ones driving the thing. It was great!

If it doesn't take you long to get to the Turnpike you should make really good time with little traffic, but I'm sure someone has taken the exact route you are talking about and can give you some specfic info. Sorry I could only help with part of your drive.

 

[TURKEY]

429 is going to be your best bet, but depending on where you are coming from, it might not be worth trying to get there.

Where are you coming from?

The 408 can be just as awful in rush hour as I4. 417 may be your best option.

 

[Chape19714]

Depending on where you come from. 408/I4 are the worst roads during rush hours. (and the Junction of the two is a nightmare!)

 

[GoCamels]

Traveling into the area via I-4 westbound (forgot even-numbered Interstate=East/West) from I-95.

The 408/Florida's Turnpike appears to be through a heavy commercial/residential area, which made me wary of trying at PM rush.

The 417 Central Florida Greenway was going to be my next question...it's 57 minutes estimate according to Google Maps from the I-4 interchange in Sanford, 4 minutes more than taking I-4 all the way in.

Any thought on the 417?

 

[Chape19714]

I would highly recommend taking the 417 from the start (in Sanford) to Disney (exit 6).

The signs may tell you exit 3, but you can save a bit of time (and another toll) by taking exit 6, which brings you past the Nick Suites into WDW by Epcot Center Dr.

 

[GoCamels]

I would highly recommend taking the 417 from the start (in Sanford) to Disney (exit 6).

The signs may tell you exit 3, but you can save a bit of time (and another toll) by taking exit 6, which brings you past the Nick Suites into WDW by Epcot Center Dr.

Thanks for the exit info...OUCH...$5.00 one way...still better than suc_ing fumes in the I-4 parking lot...but Exit 6 is the connector to I-Drive...think I'll pay the extra 50-cents to avoid that signal fest.

I just realized what I was saying in the earlier post, and the 408 makes no sense, don't avoid the problems I wanted to at all. To use the Western, I'm better off
taken Altamonte Drive to Apopoka and then hit the 429.

I'll stick to the Greenway for my bypass...thanks for the help.