Fastest Route to Orlando (Tampa, Fort Myers: gas, Wal-mart, best)

[kroeran]

Is it the 17 + 25 + 4?

what is the best spot to switch over to 25?

how long should it take?

[cmj_fla]

I always take 75 to I4 and it takes about 3 hours. I have tried taking other ways (17/27) and I have found they can be a little to stop-and-go.

[th3vault]

Fastest way for me is 17 to Polk County 557 to I4.

[thepinksquid]

Personally I MUCH prefer just taking I-75 to I-4 the way up.

[justNancy]

From where? I take I-75 all the way to I-4. It takes me about 3-1/2 hours from Bonita Springs, but I usually stop to stretch my legs.

Here is the latest list of I-75 exits.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....0106/50320003/

[kroeran]

I just figured out how to get google maps to let you click and drag and see the time impact

they all take about the same time, I guess it depends on what sort of driving you want to do then

from 17, 35 to 570 then 4 seems to be shortest

[brianjb]

Using maps.google.com, you can drag your route using your mouse. I put in the address for the Wal-Mart on Colonial (4770 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33912) to Wet N Wild (6200 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819) and it shows 193 miles taking I75 to I4. If you drag the mouse to take you through Sebring (FL-25/N US-27), it takes 162 miles. That will save you about 60 miles round trip.

[tjstrain]

rt 80 out of Ft Myers to rt 29 north to Rt 27 to Rt 4 east, cut about 30 minutes off of drive time from I 75 to Rt 4.

[espizarro]

I-75 from Fort Myers to exit 164, US-17 north all the way north to Lake Alfred, then CR 557 to I-4, where you will enter at its mile 48. Taking this route will save you 45 miles if you take I-75 all the way to I-4 in Tampa because after exit 164 in I-75, you will go completely west for about 35 miles, which is a big waste of time. I-17 has two areas where it is only one lane per direction, which will make you feel you take only a bit of less of time, but if you want to save gas and mileage, this is the route. The second most economic seems to be SR 80 then SR 29 and then US-27 north but I am not sure this is shorter than I-75+I-4 which is the typical yet not shortest path.

[JohnVosilla]

Originally Posted by espizarro

I-75 from Fort Myers to exit 164, US-17 north all the way north to Lake Alfred, then CR 557 to I-4, where you will enter at its mile 48. Taking this route will save you 45 miles if you take I-75 all the way to I-4 in Tampa because after exit 164 in I-75, you will go completely west for about 35 miles, which is a big waste of time. I-17 has two areas where it is only one lane per direction, which will make you feel you take only a bit of less of time, but if you want to save gas and mileage, this is the route. The second most economic seems to be SR 80 then SR 29 and then US-27 north but I am not sure this is shorter than I-75+I-4 which is the typical yet not shortest path.

I am finding taking SR 98 from Bartow up to the 570 toll road then head east and catch I-4 is the quickest shot even if you go an extra few miles out of the way. Or I'd head east on SR 60 from Bartow to SR 27 and head north to I-4. Getting through the Winter Haven area is where I lose the most time so avoid it if at all possible.