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Driving from Miami to Florida Keys - electronic tolls?

Driving from Miami to Florida Keys - electronic tolls?

Old Feb 12th, 2017, 11:06 AM
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Driving from Miami to Florida Keys - electronic tolls?

My husband and I plan to drive from Miami to Key West in March. The rental car site mentions electronic tolls and suggests paying for their plate pass for $10.49/day. I am wondering if this is worth paying for? Thanks so much for your advice!
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Old Feb 12th, 2017, 11:43 AM
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I just saw another thread which mentions this but thought I should add I will be renting the car at the airport and staying in Miami (at the Aloft Doral) for a night (joining my husband who will have already been there at a convention.) We will then take a one way drive down the Keys and fly back from Key West. We will have the car for 5 days.

I see we can likely avoid toll roads but would that put us in considerable traffic? I am fine with paying tolls but don't want to pay the car rental company more than $50 if it is not necessary.

I also see I can purchase a SunPass which might be a good option.

We will likely not be returning to Florida in the near future.
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Old Feb 12th, 2017, 11:48 AM
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US 1 and I-95 are free. US 41 (Alligator Alley) is also free.
Just stay off the "Mainline" and you don't have to worry about tolls.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...Map_Simple.jpg
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Old Feb 12th, 2017, 12:39 PM
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Thanks, tom. Will I encounter a lot more traffic by staying of the "Mainline"?
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Old Feb 12th, 2017, 01:20 PM
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Yes, you are going to encounter both traffic and traffic signals if you use US 1 South. RELAX! Wait until you get onto the two-laner in the Keys where there can be LOTS of traffic.

Chill out. That's why you're coming down here.
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Old Feb 12th, 2017, 02:38 PM
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Hi Dukey,
Hitting traffic will be OK. I was really just wondering if it was ridiculous to try and save a few pennies and skip the toll roads if it meant our drive was going to be much less pleasant.
We will chill, I promise! I just don't want to get hit with fines/fees if another solution makes good sense. We have never been to Florida so are trying to figure it all out.
Does it make a difference that we will be driving down on a Saturday morning? I am guessing it might. What would you recommend?
By the way, any recommendations for things you like to do in Miami or along the Keys? I have been researching but always like suggestions.
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Old Feb 17th, 2017, 12:18 AM
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On the main toll roads you have the option of going through a "pay cash" lane. These are not available on a few secondary, less heavily used exits.

Once you are on Hwy 1 on the Keys, watch the speed limits carefully--several towns drop the limit down, plus police cars patrol frequently.

You may want to stop along the way to Key West in a place like Islamorada for a fresh seafood lunch by the water's edge.

Enjoy Key West, March is a beautiful month.
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Old Feb 17th, 2017, 04:20 AM
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Consider a different rental company.

Google Florida car rental toll pass and there's a site that compares all the companies. I rented from Enterprise because at this time last year, its deal was the best.
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Old Feb 17th, 2017, 08:36 AM
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You could order a SunPass online ahead of time for about $5--it's a sticker, but you can just tape it to the inside of the windshield. (The suction cup transponder is $20, which would only make sense if you plan to return to Florida.)

Add $10 to it and you're done, and able to take any road you please. This is the cheapest and most flexible option. Paying the rental car company daily when you may not use a toll road daily makes zero sense.
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Old Feb 19th, 2017, 06:08 AM
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I went through this several years ago, and ended up heading straight west on city streets from Doral to the north/south turnpike (now called Reagan?) and this road allowed cash payment (Shula did not).

FWIW: I've rented cars twice in Puerto Rico (enterprise, Avis) and the high fees quoted by the agent for turnpike use never materialized even though used turnpikes both times.

Everglades: the fame of this place escaped me, seemed more like a state park in level of interest than an internationally known national park. Lots of birds and very subtle ecological interest. Also there wasn't much water visible for me, maybe that's more related to summer rains?
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Old Feb 20th, 2017, 07:16 PM
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Thanks everyone! I'm looking forward to the trip.
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