We are from a small New Hampshire town, and the closest traffic light is in another town that is a half hour away. I am not so sure why we even have stop signs, but we do have a couple in town. I will soon be faced with driving to Florida and contending with traffic in and around WDW. May not be able to use the rearview mirror due to all the gear we are taking, but I don't mind using side mirrors. How horrific is the driving down there? Is it easy to get around (i.e well signed)? How about the road to and from Universal Studios? Any advice about the do's and don'ts of Orlando driving would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Traffic in Orlando
- Thread starter nh10ring
- Start date
zero creativity
Active Member
The traffic in Orlando is not something that you really need to worry about. I live in the DC metro area and have lived up in the northeast as well. The traffic that you will have to worry about the most will probably be in the DC metro area. I would try to get through 95 in this area in the nightime. Depending on what day you leave, DC traffic starts as early as 2-3 and doesnt end for hours after.
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Jim L Clifton
Member
Not a problem.Then again,I live in Miami....you want to see TRAFFIC!! I've TRAVELED & never seen traffic like Miami's! People here,don't know what turn signals are,they instant stop,they run stop signs,think of a traffic violation & Miami does it!
Jim
Jim
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tizzo
Member
The one thing I would warn you about is that the approach to Universal on I4 from Disney can be just a little confusing. There are two exits, 75A and 75B, that will get you to Universal. The signage is variable such that at any given time, either or both exits can be identified as Universal Studios, presumably to help manage traffic flow. (See: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...=_HOKJqruhWSNaQutzz2CTg&cbp=12,51.85,,1,-3.36)
So if you run directions on Google it might tell you to take 75A, but when you get there the sign might say Universal is at 75B. It's really not that complicated if you know it's coming, and that either exit will get you to Universal pretty easily (the park is just off I4, to the left if you're coming from Disney, and signage once you get off the highway is clear). But much of the traffic is tourists who don't know it's coming, and therefore this seems to be a source of confusion, especially since the exits are on opposite sides of the road. It's not uncommon to see people making frantic lane changes all the way across the highway because they thought they should be in the far right lane and now think they have to get all the way to the left in the next quarter mile.
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I second the comment about DC traffic. We live in SE PA and often drive to the World. We leave home around 3 AM to get by DC before they wake up. We are at the VA/MD border on I-95 by 5 AM.
After that it is usually pretty clear. The 1000 mile trip takes us 15 hours + or -.
After that it is usually pretty clear. The 1000 mile trip takes us 15 hours + or -.
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luvlifeinfl
New Member
I am from the Wash DC Metro area and the traffic here can be a headache, but honestly the times we have drove to FL I find the traffic can be worse. When driving around the FL area if it be to go the super WalMart or to drive to another resort for ADR's we use or GPS and it has helped alot.
Oh as the OP stated as far as getting through the VA area on I95 we get up and leave by 4am so it will at least get us to the VA/NC line by 8am. After that it is smooth sailing.
Oh as the OP stated as far as getting through the VA area on I95 we get up and leave by 4am so it will at least get us to the VA/NC line by 8am. After that it is smooth sailing.
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Wow, thanks for the info. Luckily, I will miss the DC traffic, as I plan to take a little bit longer route around all the major cities (Swinging down through Pennsylvania, Virginia). The 95 seacoast route looks like a nightmare, so we will enjoy a slower scenic route. My biggest worry will be in and around the Orlando area. Was thinking of getting one of those Thule coffins that go atop the vehicle to allow me the use of the rear view mirror, but I can't seem to justify the cost. I'll just stay away from Miami :lol:
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CP_alum08
Well-Known Member
Holy crap, yes. I live in Ft. Lauderdale and its the same!
The traffic at WDW is pretty mild. There are lots of signs (nicely colored purple) but it's still pretty easy to miss a turn and get lost. Just be patient and give yourself a lot of time.
The traffic up International drive (to Universal if you decide to not take I-4) is much worse, especially on weekends and at night. But again, just be patient. The majority will be tourists just like you who don't know where they are going.
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