Getting Around Orlando With a Car

By Lisa Fritscher

The Orlando area is bigger than many first time visitors realize. It is easy to imagine all of the theme parks, shopping districts, restaurants and attractions clustered together, simple and easy to navigate. It then becomes a shock upon arrival in Orlando to realize just how spread out the area actually is. Fortunately, Orlando is blessed with an excellent system of well-marked roads. Nonetheless, a bit of advance planning and understanding of the city’s layout can save you time and trouble.

If you rent a car at the airport, do not be in a hurry to jump into the car and take off. The Orlando International Airport is served by an extensive connecting set of major roads, so be sure to plan your route prior to leaving the airport and drive slowly enough to determine the correct lane.

Orlando is served by Interstate 4, which runs diagonally across Central Florida from the Tampa/St. Petersburg area to the southwest, to the Daytona Beach area to the northeast. All major and minor attractions in the Orlando area are served by I-4 exits. However, despite ongoing and everlasting road construction projects, I-4 simply isn’t big enough for the number of cars it now carries. Be prepared for horrendous traffic snarls throughout the Greater Orlando area, particularly during rush hours. At night, however, traffic lightens and the drive down I-4 can be relatively quick and easy (provided you don’t run into that ever present construction, that is).

Fortunately, there are always alternative solutions to the I-4 mess. In order to make good use of these alternatives, it necessary to understand the layout of the Orlando area and the major roads that are involved. Adding to the confusion is the fact that many roads go by more than one name.

Orlando International Airport lies in the eastern portion of Orlando. For many years, access from the airport to the attractions was somewhat difficult and time consuming. However, the opening of toll road 417 (aka the Greenway) has made airport access a breeze. 417 circles Orlando, providing a sort of beltway configuration. Tolls are reasonable and the road is modern, open and rarely crowded. If your route is at all served by 417, this road is an unimaginably good alternative to I-4.

Highway 192 is one of Orlando’s major tourist districts, which runs through the southern Orlando suburb known as Kissimmee. 192, which is also known as Irlo Bronson Hwy, runs from Highway 27 to the west, through downtown Kissimmee to the east. Here you will find a mix of roadside attractions, dinner shows, shops and restaurants of every variety. Highway 192 also provides easy alternative access to Walt Disney World. This area may be accessed by I-4, toll road 417, the Osceola Parkway (also toll), and State Road 441/17-92. If you are coming from the airport, an even easier back road exists. Simply take Boggy Creek Road, which is a small, country road, all the way down. Walt Disney World is reachable through an entrance at the western end of Highway 192.

Just to the northeast of Walt Disney World lies the famous International Drive area (I-Drive to locals). This area is home to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Wonder Works, and a host of other attractions. Traffic is infamously snarled along I-Drive, moving at an average speed of 10 mph on many summer nights. However, the cruising is part of the experience. Plan to see and be seen along this famous strip, but avoid I-Drive at all costs if you are in a hurry. I-Drive is best accessed by Florida’s Turnpike or Toll Road 528 (also known as the Beach Line), depending on where you are coming from. I-4 is an option as well. Or, from the Walt Disney World area, simply take the Central Florida Parkway. You will travel through residential neighborhoods and boutique shopping districts. Use a good map if you plan to follow this route, as bits can be somewhat confusing.

Downtown Orlando is almost a misnomer in today’s world. Originally the heart of Orlando’s nightlife, primarily thanks to the legendary Church Street Station, Downtown Orlando was once a must-visit for every tourist’s list. Downtown has recently undergone an elaborate attempt at revitalization and is drawing up and coming young professional residents, but still offers relatively little tourist experience. If you want to dress up and experience the local nightlife, however, you are more than welcome. Downtown is northeast of the International Drive area. Unless you have a great map and are good with back roads, it is recommended that you simply fight I-4 traffic at least until you reach Toll Road 408, also known as the East-West Expressway.

Even further to the northeast is Winter Park. Best known as a wealthy suburb, Winter Park is home to a variety of restaurants, shops and festivals. The area is quaint with beautiful architecture. Take 408 or I-4.

If you want to expand your vacation outside of the immediate Orlando area, it is easy to do so. I-4 will take you to the Tampa/St Pete area to the west or Daytona Beach to the east. Toll Road 528 (the Beach Line) leads to the central east coast beaches such as Cocoa, as well as to Titusville, Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center. Hwy 27, which intersects with 192 at its westernmost point, offers direct access to Winter Haven’s Cypress Gardens and the Polk County road system. Toll Road 417 eventually leads to Sanford, home of the Sanford Airport and the Sanford Zoo, to the north.

Orlando is well served by a wide range of connecting roads. Navigation can be somewhat difficult due to the sheer number of available routes to nearly every destination. The back roads are generally wide and safe and fairly deserted, and are highly recommended options to clogged commuter highways. However, a good map is absolutely essential to avoid getting lost.

Exploring Orlando by car is a great way to get from place to place, as well as to get a feel for the Orlando area as it existed before Walt Disney World’s 1971 opening. Enjoy the road!