I will be taking our family for their very first trip to Florida next month. Our first destination is Orlando where we are planning to spend a week sightseeing and doing the normal vistor things. From there, we'll be driving down to Miami Beach for couple of days before returning to Orlando to fly out.

I would really appreciate help if you could guide me on what roads are best to take from Orlando to Miami to Orlando. I was told that there are freeways and toll highways. Being from the NW, I'm unfamiliar with the toll system but have no issues with using toll-highways (just unfamiliar). I guess I'm looking for the quickest path, but it would be great to know if there's a quick and scenic route from Orlando to Miami. Approximately how long (in miles and hours) is the drive from Orlando to Miami cruising at 65 mph?

Your help is really appreciated.

We recently did the same trip and by far the easiest way is along the Florida Turnpike which runs all the way from Orlando to Miami (no junctions etc). There was little traffic during the day and the jouney was about 4.5 hours with a stop. The only toll that you pay is when you come off the turnpike at Miami (less than $20). If you fly into Orlando Airport, the Florida Turnpike is in close proximity just off the Beeline Expressway.

I agree.. the interstate is a nightmare!....take the pike and pay the tolls...that`s what we do...worth every cent>>>>>

Dear Young,

My name is Lucas and I think I can help you with at least some info about Orlando. I work for a web site here in O town, www.theorlandowebsite.com we send information packages which include 2 pounds of maps, schedules, coupons, etc..., to people's houses, that way, people have all the information on their hands even before they live home. We also deal with discounted tickets, accomodations, coupons, and so on....
We do have free tickets for any theme park (did I mentioned that?)
If you need more info, check the site or please e-mail me back at [email protected] I will be glad to help you all.
Thank you for your time
Sincerely
Lucas P.

your only other option is taking the bee-line to I-95 and head south...(or bee-line to 50 to I-95). we always take I-95....we live on the east side of O-town so its eaiser to get to. we don't use the turnpike because 1. the tolls really add up and 2. the speed limit changes every 5 miles. however, we're going all the way to the keys so....if your only going to miami and you don't mind the tolls or the fluctuating speed limits then the t-pike might be best. watch out for the highway patrol....i've always found them to be a lot "thicker" on the turnpike then I-95.

Since you are on vacation, I assume driving well out of your way to save <$20 (and have the drive be no more "scenic" or hassle free) would not be worth it. So go the turnpike. The notion that the speed limit changes every 5 miles and there is a trooper behind every billboard on the turnpike is a little over the top, I think.

The toll roads and the major freeways are convenient to get you from one place to another, but you actually do not see anything scenic, pleasant countryside, but pretty bland. The only other choice is to take the roads through the cities and that gets really slow. We just spent two weeks in Florida and when we wanted scenic we took the two lane highways and when we wanted to get somewhere with the smallest fuss we took the freeways or toll roads.

I agree the turnpike is your best bet not being familiar the the roads. I travel to Ft. Lauderdale about once a month from the space coast area 2 hrs. 40 mins. but I take I-95 in the evenings less traffic from 7-10a traffic gets heavey same about 3-6 Like any other metro aera. Orlando traffic is probally as bad or worst at the same times Avoid I-4 at those times if possible. Try a stop over in Ft. Lauderdale also just as nice as Miami Beach. not as crowed. But you need to go to South Beach a different type of life style. Great for people watching a good resturants.