Gridlock on 535 last night......why? (Tampa, Orlando: rent, hotel, live)

[poodlestix]

I haven't lived here terribly long (a little under 2 years), but what on earth? We drove down 192 and got on 535 to go to Sweet Tomatoes last night, and it must have taken us about an hour to drive what was probably about 5-6 miles tops. I felt like I was evacuating Houston for Hurricane Rita all over again. I kept expecting to come upon a horrific car accident, because I could see no other reason for it. I've been down that road a ton of times, but I have never been stuck bumper-to-bumper where I was just moving a few inches at a time. Were there some major festivities that I hadn't heard about? Was everybody taking their wives/girlfriends out for a pre-Valentine's dinner? I don't get it!

[WG Florida Life]

I took a trip to the Mall at Millenia last night and I was surprised at the number of people. I-4 heading to Disney was crawling. I don't know what was going on. Maybe all the crowed for the Daytona 500 came to Orlando.

[DavieJ89]

Originally Posted by WG Florida Life

I took a trip to the Mall at Millenia last night and I was surprised at the number of people. I-4 heading to Disney was crawling. I don't know what was going on. Maybe all the crowed for the Daytona 500 came to Orlando.

The Daytona 500 seats 250k people

Daytona Beach a city of 64,000 DOES NOT have enough hotel rooms for all those people. Orlando does (we get roughly 1 million tourists a week coming in and out of the city) Some people fly here and rent cars, others drive their own cars here, therefore a massive traffic issue is created

The same thing happens when the Capital One Bowl comes to town, or when there is a Magic game at Amway arena

Also since Orlando is only a 1 hour drive (if traffic cooperates on a normal day) Many people who com form out of town or out of state to see the race stay in Orlando because it is fairly close

When the Daytona 500 comes to town my recommendation is if you are trying to get to Orlando AFTER the race lets out, DO NOT TAKE I-4 to get into Orlando, it might be more direct but it is a HUGE waste of gas! I would take I-95 down to 528 in Cocoa Beach and then take that into Orlando. Its perhaps the only alternate route as well

I am glad I worked today and did not need to get anywhere NEAR I-4

[poodlestix]

Thanks for the explanation. I will keep in mind to stay far away from the major arteries the next time they have the Daytona 500!

[doom1001]

A couple of years ago I was trying to book a room in Tampa during the weekend of the Daytona 500 and it was close to impossible,just about everything was booked up even all the way out in Tampa.It probably might have been a bit easier to find something at a decent price in Orlando with so many more rooms but in Tampa $70 hotel rooms were going for over $200 and it was only a handful of those available.

[DavieJ89]

Originally Posted by poodlestix

Thanks for the explanation. I will keep in mind to stay far away from the major arteries the next time they have the Daytona 500!

I always tell people not to take I-4 coming in or out of Orlando if they are heading (or coming from) northern Florida. I have found it much less of a headache to take 95 down to 528 (or 528 to 95 if you're heading UP), even if you do have to shell out a few bucks for tolls, you passengers will thank you, your car will thank you, and you will thank yourself. you wallet? probably not but you get what i mean

[benice66]

535 in Orlando. Daytona 500, like everyone said.