BC

How long is the drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando (approx. hours) and the most direct route to take. Any advise is greatly apprreciated. thanks

BC

Beth

We did it in approximately four hours, without stops and without hitting much traffic. For most of the route, we took the Florida Turnpike. It has tolls, but I was told it's an easier drive. Have fun!

Adam

I have driven up that way many times. I would take route 95 north to Route 70 west. Take 70 west about 1 mile and pike up the Florida Turnpike North. That is the fastest way and it will save you some money on the Pike. I took about 3 hours from Boca Raton.

Larry

I would suggest turnpike all the way. I used to drive Lauderdale to Orlando every weekend and found many creative ways of avoiding the turnpike tolls, but as the stretch of I95 between Lauderdale and Palm Beach County can be a traffic nightmare, and since we are only talking about saving less than $10, BC might as well go the turnpike.

Danny

Be aware that in Palm Beach County the Turnpike is currently being worked on, creating congested conditions from Boca Raton though West Palm Beach. Avoid trying to use this route during commute hours. Unfortunately, drivers on the alternate route, I-95, are also experiencing work-related delays.

Plan on about four hours from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando.

Alli

Florida Turnpike all the way. Yes, it is a toll road, but less traveled and faster.

You could travel I-95 but there is far more construction, and loads of trucks on the road.

glen1

my advice is to take the fl. turnpike during the day. it is about a 3.5 hr.-4.0 jr. drive to ft. lauderdale w/o stopping. i say during the day because its a very dark and somewhat deserted road without many services and not very good cell phone coverage. it is patrolled by the police however. rt 95 is much more crowded and very, very, busy. hope this helps. (i'v done this about 10 times in the last 5 yrs.)leave around 2-3pm and you'll be fine

Carrabella

What about the scenery on the two routes, for two Aussies wanting to do this trip in December? Do we miss much by taking the turnpike?

Danny

Carrabella: Both routes (turnpike & I-95) are pretty much the same from Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Pierce (about half way to Orlando) -- suburban developments and commercial buildings for the most part. North of Fort Pierce the turnpike travels though undeveloped Florida pretty much until you reach Kissimmee. This is largely cattle country with open pasture land dotted with hardwood/sabal palm hammocks and pinelands.

Carrabella

Thanks Danny! We won't be in a hurry, so shall probably take the slow road, and spend the toll money on something else. We have to pay $2 for $1US, so they mount up.

lena

There's not a whole lot to see along the turnpike or 95. Driving in south Florida is really boring til you get to the northern part of the state. The drive up to Orlando is really dull. If you have time and want to do some sightseeing then you're better off going to either coast and stopping at some towns along the way. West coast Tampa, Naples, Marco Island and then cut across 41 ( Tamiami Trail) and drive across the Everglades to Ft. Lauderdale area. If you go on the east coast there are lots of beach towns and cities that are developing - Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Boca, etc.... if you want to get down to Ft. Laud quickly then just take the highway, and endure the 4 hour drive. Watch for State Troopers, it's easy to increase your speed and they're out there.

Carrabella

Dear Lena,
Thank you for your information. We will be starting in Tampa and intend to do a circuit across to Orlando, down to Miami, and across #41 back to the west coast and up again, in 10 days. We have been to Orlando once as part of a trip from Memphis, and had a few days in Miami another time on the way to South America.

Will watch out for those State Troopers! Have already found out how difficult it is to actually pay a fine incurred once in a National Park.

We have booked a motel near Busch Gardens Tampa, for the 3 nights before we fly out, for economy reasons mainly, thinking we can do day trips to the west coast from here.

Thank you,
Carrabella