When planning your trip to Orlando, figuring out how to get around is just one detail that makes you nervous. Don't worry. There are several ways to get around Orlando and and get you to the attractions you want to see.
Getting around Orlando by car can be cumbersome but the key to a stress-free Orlando driving is planning ahead. Alleviate some of the hassle of driving in Orlando by getting driving directions before getting on the road.
Whether you're visiting Orlando for the first time or are a frequent traveler to the area, make sure you're aware of these important driving rules and laws that govern Orlando and most parts of the Sunshine State
1. Visitors who drive in Florida must have a valid license from another U.S. state or territory or from their country of residence.
2. The new law requiring foreign visitors to have an international driving permit to drive in Florida will not be enforced because it violates an international treaty.
3. Florida requires proof of financial responsibility in order to drive legally. Most rental car companies in Orlando will offer car insurance coverage for foreign visitors, however if you decide to use such an insurance, always read the fine print and make sure you understand what's covered. Also check with your Auto insurance back home to see if they will cover your Orlando car rental.
For visitors from the UK, you should note that many car insurance companies in the UK do cover foreign driving, but some also have a restriction of only covering foreign driving in EU countries.
Check to make sure your current car insurance in your country will cover you in the US.
4. Buckle up or get cited. All drivers and passengers are required to wear a seatbelt when the vehicle is in motion. Child seats are also a requirement for children under the age of 3 years old. Children 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child restraint seat or safety belt. Florida's seat-belt fine is $30. For a child that is not properly restrained the violation is $60.
5. Florida law mandates that all drivers turn on their headlights and windshield wipers when it's raining. Orlando gets sudden downpours that last for a few minutes, then disappears mostly from late June through early September.
6. If you need help with a roadside emergency when you're on the highway, Florida Highway Patrol is available to help you. Use the blue call box on the side of the road to track down a Florida Highway Patrol If you can't find one, you can also dial *FHP from your cell phone.
7. The speed limit is 70 miles per hour on the highway. Business and residential roads around Orlando will have a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour. Speeding fines double in construction and school zones and in Disney territory.
8. Driving while intoxicated is illegal and anyone caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .08% or greater will be immediately arrested.
Orlando Toll Roads
The best way to get around and avoid the Orlando traffic is to use the toll roads. The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) operates an electronic toll collection system known as E-PASS
SR 408 Spessard Lindsay Holland East-West Expressway. |
John Land Apopka Expressway John Land Apopka Expressway also referred to as "Apopka Bypass" |
 Eastern Beltway(SR 417) |
Western Beltway 429 known as the Wekiva Parkway™ |
SR 528 Martin B. Andersen Beachline Expressway (formerly Bee Line Expressway) |
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Lake Mary, Sanford |
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Universal Studios |
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Note: When traveling in Central Florida, you should know that the Beachline Expressway was formally known as the Beeline Expressway. You might still come across some old road signs. So be aware that these two names are actually the same highway.
Florida Cell Phone Law
Driving and talking on a cell phone in Florida is legal.
Driving Distance from Orlando FL. to
| Destination | Miles | Approx. Drive Time |
| Cape Canaveral | 54 | 55 minutes |
| Tampa | 85 | 1 hour and 45 mins |
| St. Petersburg | 100 | 2 hours |
| St. Augustine | 106 | 1 hour and 45 mins |
| Clearwater | 105 | |
| Jacksonville | 140 | 2 hours and 10 mins |
| Fort Myers | 155 | |
| Naples | 190 | |
| Fort Lauderdale | 210 | |
| Miami | 237 | 3 hours and 45 mins |
| Tallahassee | 255 | 4 hours and 25 mins |
| Everglades | 270 | 4 hours and 20 mins |
| Key West | 398 | 7 hours |
Orlando Area Theme Parks
Walt Disney World Resort Universal Orlando SeaWorld Orlando LEGOLAND Florida Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
East-West Expressway
Beachline Expressway