Home to all of those crazy theme parks, Orlando, Florida, is one of the top vacation destinations in the entire world. This means it’s also one of the absolute worst places to drive pretty much year-round. Unfortunately, driving is still one of the best ways to get around Orlando, so we’ve decided to take you on a little tour of our own, with some helpful info about navigating Orlando.

For those who have never experienced Florida driving at its worst, your first time in Orlando can be a serious shock. Florida drivers are notoriously aggressive, and there’s a constant stream of tourists traveling in and out of the city.

To help you navigate Orlando’s congested traffic and world-renowned rush hours, we've compiled this guide to go over traffic conditions and trends, local driving laws that might trip you up if you’re from out of town, and a few things you can do to prepare yourself for a vacation that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

MORE:

How to save on your Orlando insurance costs

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What is driving in Orlando like?

Despite the fact that Orlando is considered one of the best vacation destinations in America, it is certainly not the best city in the U.S. for driving. A recent study found Orlando to be the 18th worst city in America to drive in, due to its high level of congestion—an average of 23%—and average 17-minute delay per 30-minute commute.

Here’s what you need to be aware of if you’re planning to take on the Disney World traffic you saw in your nightmares six months ago when you were planning this trip.

Roads

The highway infrastructure in Orlando is fairly robust: the I-4 runs straight through downtown, and there are multiple good alternatives for going in any direction in the city. If you’re really wanting to bypass some traffic, and it works with your route, try taking the East-West Expressway, the Greenway, or the Beachline, all of which are popular toll roads for zipping through the area.

Parking

There are multiple city-operated parking areas and on-street meters in the downtown area of Orlando, as well as privately-run parking garages. You can expect to pay a max of $15 daily for a city-operated parking garage, but a lot of park-goers take advantage of Early Bird Rates—a flat rate of $8 if you leave by 5 p.m.

You should expect to pay $1 per hour for parking at metered spaces downtown, but these spaces are free at night, onSundays, and on

city holidays

. This also goes for street parking at Creative Village.

There are also city-operated surface lots where you’ll pay $2 per hour or a flat rate of $10 for an event or weekend parking. You can search for parking on the City of Orlando website to find the spot that will suit you best for your daily excursion!

Pro Tip You can always
pay in advance to reserve a parking space for certain events
.

MORE: How to find a parking spot in a city

Weather

Orlando is known for having hot, humid weather throughout much of the year. Here’s what you should know about the weather as it relates to driving:

Summer: The heat can make driving difficult and lower your concentration or reflexes, so it’s important to be very aware if you’re going to drive in Orlando in the summer. Summers can also bring intense rains which can be a serious hazard.

Winter: One thing you won’t have to worry about in Orlando is snow. Winter weather in Orlando is quite mild, making the off-season a great time of year to go if you’re already used to colder weather. You’ll avoid summer traffic on the roads and in the parks!

Pro Tip Wear sunglasses while driving on sunny days to increase visibility and drive safely.

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Traffic and transportation options in Orlando

Unfortunately for those of us who shudder at the prospect of enduring theme park traffic, the undoubtedly best way to get around in Orlando is with a car. It’s difficult to find taxis anywhere other than the airport and downtown.

Here are the worst times to drive in Orlando if you’re hoping to hit the parks:

7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.:Avoid the morning rush, because it is very real in Orlando. The I-4 especially can get extremely backed up, and side streets are often unreliable.

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Rush hour will be even worse in the evening, when highways can essentially become parking lots.

In terms of the best times to drive in Orlando, any time before or after rush hour is good. Make sure you’re aware of any big events going on that could lead to heavy traffic or road closures.

You can tune into

WDBO

(107.3 FM or 580 AM) for traffic updates in Orlando.

MORE:

How bad is Orlando traffic?

Should I rent a car in Orlando?

Renting a car in Orlando is a very common method of tourist transportation. If you have a licensed driver in your vacationing party, this may be your most convenient option.

If driving isn’t an option, there is a bus service that is fairly reliable. A bus ride will cost you $2, a day pass will cost $4.50, and a 7-day pass will be your best deal for $16. The I-RIDE Trolley is also a great option for visitors trying to get around International Drive. It’s $2 for a single fare or $5 for the day.

Local driving laws in Orlando

Before you hit the road in Orlando, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws. Here are a few examples of what’s expected of you if you’re driving in the City Beautiful:

It is

illegal to use a handheld phone

while driving in Orlando. Hands-free and voice-activated features are okay.

When you drive through a construction zone, you must slow down, yield to workers and work vehicles, and move into the far lane if possible.

If an emergency vehicle is approaching, you must pull over or slow downsafely to allow the emergency vehicle to go by. You are not allowed to take photos or use a cell phone within 500 feet of where emergency personnel are working.

Red light cameras

and speeding devices are in effect.

MORE:

Do parking tickets go on your record?

Crime rate in Orlando

Crime in Orlando could always end up affecting your driving experience as well as your

car insurance

rates, so it’s a good idea to be aware of the city’s crime rate.

The crime rate in Orlando’s metropolitan area was lower than the national average in 2020. However, Orlando proper can be incredibly violent. Your chance of being a victim of either violent or property crime as an Orlando resident is one in 22.

Orlando also has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the country, according to FBI research. Your chances of having your car stolen when living in Orlando is one in 265.

MORE:

How to report a stolen car

How to find car insurance in Orlando.

Driving in Orlando during rush hour can be a true hell-on-earth situation, but that’s no reason for your car insurance shopping to be hellish too. With

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