Traffic in Orlando can be very difficult to navigate as a newbie. Be prepared for extra traffic at any time of day or night. Something that might take you 15 minutes normally can take double without much understanding or reasoning why.
I-4
I-4 is a main highway running west-east from Tampa to Daytona Beach. In Central Florida, this is a main option for driving but drivers must be prepared for congestion and construction. Currently the I-4 Ultimate Project is making upgrades to the Orange and Seminole County portions of the highway. This construction can mean delays, route changes, and heavy traffic. The upgrades are scheduled to be completed in March 2021 and should lead to vast improvement in the highway system.
Try to stay off highways when you can, but often there’s no way around I-4 or the Toll Roads. Toll Roads are pricey but get you where you need to go.
Toll Roads
There are many toll roads throughout Central Florida including:
408: West – East, Gotha (feeds into Turnpike) to Bithlo (SR 50)
417: North – South, Sanford to Celebration
429: North – South, Mount Plymouth (Lake County) to Four Corners (Osceola County)
528: West – East, Lake Buena Vista to Cape Canaveral
Florida’s Turnpike: North – South, Wildwood (switches over to I-75) – Miami
You can purchase a SunPass or E-Pass for auto payment. At times it is difficult to get to a destination without using toll roads. If you prefer not to use toll roads make sure you’ve mapped your route ahead of time or switch your GPS to non-toll road options.
Driving Safety Reminders
Move over act: When law enforcement vehicles are in one of the “break-down” lanes, either assisting a motorist or pulling over a speeding vehicle, you must move to the far lane away from the police, or slow down to 20 miles per hour below the speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.
Child car seats: Every driver in Florida must provide for the protection of any child five years of age or younger by using a crash-tested, federally approved car seat. For children up to three years old, the restraint must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child seat. For children four to five years old, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a booster seat may be used.
Cell phones and texting: It’s illegal to text while driving, regardless of age. There are no talking bans on talking on cell phones while driving.
Getting real-time traffic information: For detailed traffic information, including traffic incidents and construction, traffic cameras, message boards, and estimated travel times for roadways across of Florida, visit FL511.com. For traffic information on the go, dial 511 on your phone.
Calling for help: Drivers may dial *FHP on Florida interstates and highways in an emergency to reach the Florida Highway Patrol (state police).
Driving Alternatives
Amtrak and Auto Train: Can transport you and your car, or other recreational vehicle to and from Sanford.
Lime Bikes: Electric smart bikes can be found throughout the city of Orlando for you to ride. Download the app to find a bike and to rent.
Lyft: Ridesharing for work and leisure, download the app to book your ride.
LYNX: Bus service in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
Sunrail: Commuter rail service in Volusia, Seminole and Orange counties. Sunrail does not run mid-day or weekends but is a great option if you can align your travel to their schedule.
Uber: Ridesharing for work and leisure, download the app to book your ride.
