The ongoing construction of Interstate 4 through the heart of Orlando can be a headache for daily travelers and a real vacation killer for travelers heading through the area. Thankfully, there is an alternate route around the entire project area.
If you don’t mind paying a toll (who wouldn’t after sitting in stopped traffic for hours), Florida’s Route 417 can be liberating.
Approaching Orlando from the east (I-95, Daytona) FL 417 begins it’s journey at I-4, exit 101 in Sanford and winds it’s way southward around the Orlando metro area where it reconnects with I-4, exit 64 in Celebration.
While you can’t say that FL 417 is a nice country drive, it is generally a more rural route with far less traffic than Interstate 4.
What’s the trade-off you ask? Well, FL 417 is about 10 miles (10 minutes) longer… that’s if I-4 is not bogged down, which it often is. So most of the time it ends up being quicker. A word of caution… FL 417 is a toll road and, if you travel the entire distance you’ll rack up about $8.25 in tolls (about a dollar less with E-Pass). Most travelers say it’s a small price to pay to avoid the construction mess on I-4 when you’re on vacation.
Here’s a map showing the route:
Of course if you’re passing through Orlando in the middle of the night or early in the morning, I-4 is probably your best choice.
One final note…
While Florida Route 417 will bypass Orlando’s I-4 construction nightmare, it doesn’t avoid the Championsgate/Celebration I-4 backups there. Construction in this area is either planned or underway. And don’t think you can avoid this area by taking local roads as they can be just as bad. You’ll need to hold your breath and wait for work in this area to be completed.
For more I-4 travel information, visit www.i4exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to Interstate 4. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Tampa to Daytona!
Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-95 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide, I-10 Exit Guide and I-75 Exit Guide.
