Driving in Florida

[Kelseylovestocruise]

Hi,

im booked on Enchantment of the Seas April 2, 2026 and am flying into Tampa on Monday March 30. I plan to spend 2 days at Disney before the cruise and I think renting a car to get me between Tampa and Orlando is the best option. How is the drive? Is it easy enough? Is there a better option that I’m not thinking about?

[WAAAYTOOO]

Driving from Orlando to Tampa is simple enough…just the usual stuff like workday traffic to worry about.  That drive on a weekday morning can be rough.  Of course, ANY drive on a weekday morning can be tough.  I think your plan of renting a car is the best option.  Ride share would be $$$.  One way car rentals in FL used to be pretty easy and affordable but I recommend doing your research to get the best deal.  Not sure if it’s as easy and affordable as it used to be but we don’t rent cars in FL anymore so it’s been a while….  Enjoy your trip to Disney and your cruise on EN !

[twangster]

Easy but I4 tends to be a parking lot during daylight hours so pack some patience and give yourself lots of time.

[InmyElement]

The last two times we've rented one way w the freeloaders from Miami to mco. Real easy..just like @WAAAYTOOO said do your research big variations between companies. Jan we have one reserved from FLL to orlando. After Allure were doing Universal for a few days and we usually have to get a suburban or expedition cause of the bags and its still not bad in price, especially off season..during the holidays the prices are insane..driving has never been an issue..

[Kelseylovestocruise]

I don’t even need 1 way car rentals as I’m flying into Tampa (same cost but way better flight times) and the cruise leaves from Tampa. So I just need to get from Tampa to Orlando and then back. As long as it is an easy drive I should be fine. I don’t need a large SUV or anything as it is just me and my 1 suitcase. 

[AshleyDillo]

2 minutes ago, Kelseylovestocruise said:

I don’t even need 1 way car rentals as I’m flying into Tampa (same cost but way better flight times) and the cruise leaves from Tampa. So I just need to get from Tampa to Orlando and then back. As long as it is an easy drive I should be fine. I don’t need a large SUV or anything as it is just me and my 1 suitcase. 

It's a very simple drive once you get out of the Tampa area. Coming from the airport (where I assume you'll be getting your rental) and getting over to I-4 (the interstate that runs between Tampa and Orlando) can be a bit confusing with some of the converging highways. 

If you can avoid 7-9am and 4-6pm (rush hour) on the weekdays you should have a relatively easy drive. 

[TessFromFlorida]

Zip Car and Turo are popular with the kids at University of Tampa. I save a lot going through Priceline. As other have said, easy drive just the traffic can turn a 1.5 hour drive into 3, especially on Friday afternoons. 

[Kelseylovestocruise]

I’m flying in Monday afternoon. The flight lands at 2:30. I plan on booking with one of the major companies and getting extra insurance I think that’s all I need right? Do I need to do anything for tolls?

[AshleyDillo]

1 hour ago, Kelseylovestocruise said:

I plan on booking with one of the major companies and getting extra insurance I think that’s all I need right? Do I need to do anything for tolls?

Check with your personal auto insurance for coverage. You may have it on rental cars. I know my policy does. Also if you have travel insurance it may have rental car coverage as well.

As for tolls, if you tell your map program to avoid tolls you should be able to avoid the few roads with them.  Otherwise most of the major companies will have a toll pass in the car that you just flip open to use. They do charge an administrative fee on top of the tolls if you end up using it which can make it be pricey.  They sell a uni pass on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/PASS-Prepaid-Portable-States-Including/dp/B09QRMKJ6R) that you could bring, but it requires you to set up an account ahead of time and link the transponder. It works for other states too, so if you do more road trips that could come in handy. This would save you the administrative cost for using the one in the rental car, but make sure you keep that one closed if you do bring your own transponder...and don't forget to take it out of the car when you return it!