aranda

Any feedback on which drive would be less of a hassle, from Orlando to
Tampa or to drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Myers. Concerns are traffic, best times of day, and ease of directions, and of course the time of the drive.
I'm trying to keep this get away as a real laid back vacation.

Thanks for any heads up you can provide.

stumpworks73

The mileage is much less from Orlando to Tampa, 86 miles versus 140 from FLL to Fort Meyers. You have traffic risk on both ends of the drives. Rush hour is an issue at Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa. If you are headed to Fort Meyers during snow bird season, traffic is bad from Naples to Fort Meyers at all times of the day.

In general, I think Orlando to Tampa is the better bet.

Ackislander

Also to be considered:

(1) time of day. Driving west in the afternoon can be blinding, but driving east in the morning is sometimes worse.

(2) the drive from FLL to Ft Myers has in my experience less traffic but is one of the most boring roads in the US, and people do fall asleep and drive into the swamp. I would not drive it late at night. On the other hand, there has always been a lot of truck traffic between Orlando and Tampa.

I assume flights are a lot cheaper to the east coast of Florida when you want to go, otherwise, you could just fly direct to TPA or RSW.

JillDavis

Orlando to Tampa is less of a hassle.

mclaurie

I also question why you have to do either drive.