Photo courtesy Florida Department of Transportation I’ve seen some incorrect information put on some websites by people who don’t live anywhere near Orlando, so I thought I’d mention this again. I have a feeling that some of the writers have never even driven on I-4.
I-4 is the major interstate that runs East and West through Central Florida. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando are all off of I-4. If you plan to visit Busch Gardens Tampa there is a good chance that you’ll spend some time on I-4 as well.
Traffic on I-4 can be a nightmare, no matter when you’re on it. The I-4 Express Lanes were created to help alleviate some of that traffic. The project took seven years to complete, but as someone who lives here, it feels like it took much longer.
I-4 Express is a stretch of 21 miles. It runs from Longwood to Kirkman Road, which is near Universal. The stretch of I-4 that exits to both Walt Disney World and SeaWorld is past I-4 Express, so if you’re on my side of town you might not experience the new lanes. I-4 Express is for vehicles with two axles, emergency vehicles, and some buses.
If you use the I-4 Express Lanes, you will need to have a transponder. SunPass, EPass, E-ZPass, Peach Pass, NC Quick Pass, or LeeWay are accepted. There is no pay-by-plate option, and the fine for using the lanes without the right transponder is $25. Cash is not an option either.
Starting on Thursday, March 3, the lanes will cost 50 cents per section. If you drive the whole thing the charge will be $3.50 eastbound and $3.00 westbound. This will go up at some point. There was talk at one time of it costing as much as $17, but that was nothing official. Eventually the amount charged will depend on how heavy the I-4 traffic is. We don’t yet know when that change will be made.
The speed limit is 60 mph for the entire I-4 Express. This is being strictly enforced. There were over 70 tickets written the first weekend. Several drivers were clocked going over 90, and one was driving over 100 mph.
This should go without saying, but there are no U-turns on the I-4 Express (or on any interstate unless clearly marked). Drivers in Florida do really stupid things sometimes…
If you’ll be driving to Walt Disney World and think that you might want to try the I-4 Express, download the map from the Florida Department of Transportation. It shows where the entrances and exits are along the whole stretch.
For a point of reference, the Walt Disney World exits are 67, 65, and 64. SeaWorld is either exit 72 or 71. This is often where some of the worst congestion is, and you’ll just have to sit it out.
I’ll keep you updated on the latest on the I-4 Express. I know that not everyone drives to Walt Disney World, but for those who do I want to make sure that you have accurate information.