Orlando Toll Roads
Orlando. A tourist hotspot in the U.S. and theme park capital of the world.
Known for its stunning weather, excellent golf, and of course, Disneyworld – Orlando is a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
But here’s a fun fact. Do you know why Walt Disney chose Orlando for his theme park location?
Because it was situated right in the middle of two major highways – Interstate 4 and the Florida Turnpike - which happen to be two of Florida’s major toll roads. This leads us to what the rest of this article is about.
Whether you’re planning on heading to Orlando for vacation or work, knowing how to use and pay for the State’s toll roads can be helpful.
Major toll roads in Orlando
- Florida Turnpike
The Florida Turnpike (also known as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike) is a major toll road network in Florida operated by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise. It provides access to major highways throughout the State. Over 3 million people use the toll road daily, helping them get to those Florida beaches and other major attractions safely and quickly.
The entire toll road is one of the longest in the country, covering over 300 miles from U.S Route 1 in Florida City to Miami. - Florida 408 (East-West Expressway)
Florida State Road 408 runs east-west from Ocoee in West Orange County to SR 50 (near the University of Central Florida).
The 408 is a major toll road of Central Florida’s Expressway (CFX) network and crosses downtown Orlando. - Martin Andersen Beachline Expressway (State Road 528)
The Martin Andersen Beachline Expressway is approximately 53 miles long and connects Interstate 4 in Orlando with the I-95, Titusville, and Cape Canaveral.
The toll road is close to SeaWorld, Disney World, and Universal Studios. It also provides access to Orlando International Airport. Formerly known as the Bee Line Expressway, the road was renamed in 2005 to appeal to visitors wanting to visit the East Coast beaches. - Seminole Expressway/Central Florida Greeneway (SR 417)
State Road 417 (also known as Seminole Expressway or Central Florida Greeneway (depending on the location) is a toll road that runs for 55 miles around the eastern side of Orlando. - Wekiva Parkway
Wekiva Parkway (also known as State Road 429) is currently under construction to connect to SR 417. It will complete the Central Florida Beltway circling Orlando.
It was designed as a scenic route that provides a travel alternative to congested roads and U.S. Highway 441.
The expressway was also built to protect the Wekiva River Basin area and includes elevated sections to protect you from accidentally hitting local wildlife on your journey. - Daniel Webster Western Beltway (SR 429)
Just south of the Wekiva Parkway toll road lies the Daniel Webster Western Beltway.
The toll road reaches some of the highest elevations in Orange County and runs along the west side of Orlando city.
If you’re traveling on the SR 429, make sure to stop at Mile Marker 13, which provides great views of the Orlando skyline and Walt Disney World. - Osceola Parkway
The Osceola Parkway runs east to west across the northern area of Osceola County, Florida.
The tollway connects Walt Disney World with Interstate 4 and Florida’s Turnpike. The road begins at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and passes through several sections of the Disney World theme park before crossing into Osceola County.
Not all parts of the road are tolled. - Apopka Expressway
The Apopka Expressway is a shorter toll road extending from U.S Highway 441 in Apopka to Maitland Boulevard. It runs east to west across central Florida.
The Apopka Expressway provides a faster alternative route to the U.S. 441 and Apopka local roads. - Poinciana Parkway
The Poinciana Parkway or State Road 538 provides a north-south connection to US 17-92. It provides access to the Orlando theme parks and metro area.
How to Pay Orlando Tolls
Uproad
The simplest and most convenient way to pay for Orlando tolls. All you need is your phone! You don’t worry about transponders, and you’ll be able to drive on most toll roads across the entire country.
Download the Uproad App for your iPhone or Android, and you’ll be hitting those Orlando beaches and theme parks in no time.
Uproad allows you to pre-load your account balance to automatically pay for tolls as you drive. With the app, you can calculate costs before you travel and track usage and expenses on the go.
But most importantly – you’ll easily avoid toll fines and late penalties.
Transponder
Another way to pay for Orlando tolls is with a transponder. The two main transponders for Orlando, Florida, are E-PASS and SunPass.
Both E-PASS and SunPass cover Orlando tolls. However, E-Pass provides better discounts for CFX-operated roads, while SunPass is better for those who spend more time traveling on the Florida Turnpike.
If you are thinking of ordering a transponder for a vacation or work trip, then it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Transponders usually take around a week or more to arrive after you have completed the registration.
Alternatively, you can immediately download the Uproad app and hit the toll roads!
Cash
Because Orlando is a tourist hotspot, many toll roads still accept cash (including the Florida Turnpike).
However, some roads are equipped with All-Electronic-Tolling (AET), meaning cash will not be accepted.
CFX toll roads have manned and unmanned toll booths. If there is no attendant in the booth, you need to make sure you have the exact change for the toll.
Pay-by-Plate/Toll-by-Plate
If you don’t have the Uproad app or Orlando toll-road compatible transponder, you will either pay with cash or afterwards via Pay-by-Plate (or Toll-by-Plate for Florida’s Turnpike).
As you pass through an electronic toll booth, an image of your license plate is captured, and an invoice is mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. Payment is due within 30 days, or you’ll risk a violation.
For CFX-operated roads, Pay-by-Plate rates are double the price of paying electronically.
So, there you have it. Hopefully, this guide will help you navigate the rollercoaster-like roadways of Orlando with ease.
Download Uproad via the Apple Store or Google Play and explore Orlando’s beaches and theme-parks stress-free!
