Commute from Orlando to Tampa (Lakeland, Melbourne: construction, living, relocating to)

[emrh08]

I plan on relocating to the Orlando area soon, from out of state. I need to live near (about a 30 minute commute max) the Universal Studios area due to other obligations. I have found a potential job opportunity that I am interested in near North Tampa, and I would like to know how realistic this commute would be from Orlando to Tampa. I was looking at possibly living southwest of Disney to make the commute a a little shorter, but still not too far from Universal Studios.
Another option I have been looking at is working in Melbourne (Northwest of the airport). Would this commute be better or the same?
It looks like both options are around an hour commute, but I'm sure that is without considering traffic.

Thanks in advance!

[chopchop0]

Mlb will probably be the easier commute imo

[PDF]

Orlando to Tampa would be a hellish commute. It's always taken me 90 minutes at a minimum to travel between the two.

[chopchop0]

Other option would be to live in Lakeland, around 40-45 mins to both areas.

[annerk]

I commute to the area around USF once, sometimes twice a week. It takes me minimum 75 minutes, it has taken a full three hours. The wear and tear on your nerves being on I4 every day would make me quit after two weeks.

Once you get past Narcoosee, the Beachline is a pretty relaxed drive most days. I would take that commute over going to Tampa without thinking twice about it. Maybe live out in the Lake Nona area--20 minutes to Universal and an hour to Melbourne airport. That would give you the option of going down Narcoosee through St. Cloud and taking 192 to Melbourne. Slower but no tolls--and a convenient detour if there is an accident on the Beachline.

[Crane's Rooster]

Melbourne would be the easier commute. You could live in Lake Nona and meet all your criteria. However if you choose Tampa you may want to consider 4 Corners.

[emrh08]

Very helpful information! Thanks for your input everyone! Sounds like I'll be looking into Melbourne for work if I don't find anything else in the immediate Orlando area.

[engrvet]

Traffic between Tampa and Orlando is a nightmare. It takes my husband 2 hours one way. Avoid it at all costs!

[doom1001]

Originally Posted by annerk

I commute to the area around USF once, sometimes twice a week. It takes me minimum 75 minutes, it has taken a full three hours. The wear and tear on your nerves being on I4 every day would make me quit after two weeks.

Once you get past Narcoosee, the Beachline is a pretty relaxed drive most days. I would take that commute over going to Tampa without thinking twice about it. Maybe live out in the Lake Nona area--20 minutes to Universal and an hour to Melbourne airport. That would give you the option of going down Narcoosee through St. Cloud and taking 192 to Melbourne. Slower but no tolls--and a convenient detour if there is an accident on the Beachline.

Your post got me thinking about how there doesn't seem to be any real good alternate ground roads between Orlando and Tampa.I've looked at the map and there just seems to be no real good option,nothing that really parallels I-4,some go to far south to then switch to another street by getting on another street,some go too far north,it just looks like a bunch of random streets that could turn into a 3 hour trip if you encounter traffic and street lights.The only time I've ever gone between Orlando and Tampa that wasn't I-4 was using highway 50 from Orlando to then go south on 75,it was cool to try that route once ,liked the hills in Clermont but timewise definitely not a good option.I also did highway 60 which I didn't like and wasn't fast either.There may be some other options but they look too complicated to even try.To the east coast the Beachline and 192 are definitely much easier and faster options,I've driven those many times.So is there a secret easy backroad between Orlando and Tampa?

[PDF]

Originally Posted by engrvet

Traffic between Tampa and Orlando is a nightmare. It takes my husband 2 hours one way. Avoid it at all costs!

Agreed. Especially with I-4 going under construction.