View Full Version : Driving from Sanford
Our flight tickets arrived this morning... not long to go now [msnsmile2]
We are picking up a hire car at Sanford and are staying in Suites beside Sea World. What is the best/easiest way to get from the airport to this location? Are there toll roads and if so how much change will I need. Its been 8 years since we were last there and we did not use Sanford on that occasion (it was really easy finding the way from the other airport). I'm a bit iffy on this one mind you. All suggestions greatfully recieved[:I]
ujpest doza
15-07-2004, 18:41
Take the Central Florida Greeneway Toll Road SR417 to exit 6 (International Drive).
Turn right and Sea World isn't too far up the road from there.
A toll calculator is available online at http://www.expresswayauthority.com/ which is the toll road operators website.
Shouldn't cost more than about $5 in total.
Nostromo
15-07-2004, 18:41
I am not absolutely certain if this is the easiest route, but my suggestion would be to take the Airport Blvd (427A) west out of Sanford and join SR417 (Seminole Expressway) going North towards Interstate 4. Once on the I-4, keep going 'West' (it really goes south in this sector) till you get Exit 71 to Sea World. This is certainly the most direct and probabbly the quickest route and as far as I know there is just the one toll booth just as you join SR417.
try this previous thread I was looking at earlier !
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9372
I think I need a map!!![msnembarrased] This sounds somewhat confusing!
What are the speed limits on US roads. I take it that these are clearly posted.
ujpest doza
15-07-2004, 19:24
Speed limit is usually 55, but on some stretches of motorways it is 65.
[website link edited - please DM] gives you directions to and from the airport or you could try [name edited] or msnmaps.
Nostromo
15-07-2004, 21:27
I would have thought that the I-drive route, though shorter, would be slower because of the heavier traffic and lights. On the other hand, I found that westbound traffic on I-4 is usually smooth & steady and there are seldom hold-ups. I gave my directions based on that presumption.
pubmaster2k
15-07-2004, 21:30
You can get some good maps on this site www.randmcnally.com all sort of routes available.
Errol
Have to agree with Nostromo, we always head (West) straight up West Lake Mary Blvd to the I4 and then it's about 30/40 mins to the 192, Seaworld etc.
We have now decided that even if using the 417 is a bit of a longer route from Sanford to Kissimmee, we are going to stick to the 417. I personally get quite jittery on the I/4 ( I think it is worse travelling East). I'm not really a confident driver or passenger anyway, but I do always feel that the I/4 is a bit narrower than our motorways, and sometimes feel that the traffic in the lanes alongside are 'on-top' of me. I find the Greenway (417) quite relaxing and 'safe' if a little longer. Also, no one is at their best after a long flight. Chloe
Would agree totally. Unless you are confident of driving in the US, avoid a long drive on 1-4 especially if arriving at rush hour. The traffic can be really bad and there are people on there who drive like maniacs. We go up and down it most every night and you would be surprised how many accidents you see. And there can be some lengthy traffic jams irrespective of accidents and even longer ones if there are. The Greeneway if far better for a novice driver to feel their feet.
I agree with all of the above. The GReenway is a much easier drive after a long flight. I will be using it on Saturday from Sanford down to the 192.
ujpest doza
16-07-2004, 13:30
In May we drove to Kissimmee from Sanford on The Greeneway and returned to Sanford on I-4 simply because we had spent our last day at the Mall at Millenia so were part of the way there anyway.
The I-4 was much busier and had a lot of roadworks and was used by a lot more trucks etc than the Greeneway. The Greeneway is a much nicer drive, especially after a long flight and even more so if you are not used to driving in the states.
Many thanks for the info folks.
I checked out the links pubmaster and have 2 routes.
one goes along the I 417 and then onto the I 4 (its seems to go through a pretty built up area to join the I4).
The second goes along the I 417 and joins the I 528 going passed the Orlando Int Airport (MCO). It seems to then go striaght to Sea World.
The second one seems more straight forward (but is a few miles longer). Any comments welcome.
Nostromo
16-07-2004, 20:57
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by GerardH
Many thanks for the info folks.
I checked out the links pubmaster and have 2 routes.
one goes along the I 417 and then onto the I 4 (its seems to go through a pretty built up area to join the I4).
The second goes along the I 417 and joins the I 528 going passed the Orlando Int Airport (MCO). It seems to then go striaght to Sea World.
The second one seems more straight forward (but is a few miles longer). Any comments welcome.
[/quote]
It depends on your driving experience. I have driven along the I-528 in that sector and it is not particularly quiet. Personally I prefer the Interstate and if you have a lot of driving experience in the USA, I would suggest using your first choice. But if you are not confident of driving on the I-4, then use the I-528.
I find the US Interstates a lot easier than our Motorways, although our lanes seem a bit wider. The I-4 is a doddle compared with the M4!
And the Golden Rule for driving on the I4 is ................... Don't drive in the right hand lane until you're ready to take your turn off, it has a nasty habit of either disappearing or turning off without much warning! :D
davebrighton
21-07-2004, 17:56
I came down the 417 last week from sanford to us192 and it was fine until we got to the juction of the 408 then it started to get a bit confusing.Needless to say we took the wrong turn but found or way again by just following the Orlando signs.i found it always easier to stick to the middle lane if there is one then all the other drivers can pass you on both sides and you can turn off quickly if need be
pubmaster2k
22-07-2004, 18:33
One of my first driving experiences while working in the U.S. was to go from Baltimore to Philadelphia to visit a friend ,got my directions and drove 99%of the way in the middle lane,I got some stick for driving that way,but I felt safer and did not miss an exit,so do what you are most comfortable with.