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Be Prepared Before You Go- Getting There/Driving |
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Traveling by Car
Driving is yet another option for reaching your destination, but it can also be one of the most time-consuming, depending on the distance you will need to travel. Unless you live in the local area, you will probably find yourself on one of the three major interstate highways that lead to Florida.
If you are traveling from the Northeast, I-95 will take you all the way from Maine to Miami. Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral, located in what is known as the Space Coast area, can be found just east off I-95 about midway down the eastern coast of Florida. Traveling from the Midwest will put you on I-75. This highway leads directly to the Tampa area (which also places you in the vicinity of Clearwater and St. Pete’s Beach) before it crosses over, finally ending in Fort Lauderdale. West meets East via I-10. This is the route to follow if you are coming from California and the majority of southwestern or southern states. It will lead to Jacksonville if you follow it to its end.
Driving Distances to Orlando in Miles
- Boston 1,312
- New York City 1,088
- Chicago 1,120
- Cleveland 1,009
- Detroit 1,114
- Atlanta 436
- Dallas 1,170
- Washington, D.C. 754
- New Orleans 547
Driving Distances within Florida from Orlando in Miles
- Cocoa Beach 47
- Clearwater Beach 106
- Tampa 85
Rules of the Road in Florida
- The speed limit on state highways is 55 mph, though if you find yourself on the Florida Turnpike or on an interstate highway, you may see the limit reach up to 70 mph. If you are driving within city limits or in a residential area, 30 mph is generally the rule to follow, but check the signs.
- Florida law requires that children under 4 ride in a government-approved infant or car seat. Children ages 4 and 5 must use a child-safety restraint device, whether it be a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt. All other passengers are required to wear seat belts. There are two Web sites that provide the most up-to-date information regarding Florida’s roadways:
www.expresswayauthority.com
www.buckleupflorida.com.
Keep in mind that you will still need to keep the kids busy throughout the trip, so remember to bring along some travel games, coloring books, or other small toys to keep everyone occupied. If you have a DVD player or VCR in your car, bringing along a new movie or two can keep the kids mesmerized for a bit anyway. If you do not happen to have an entertainment system in your car, investing in a portable DVD player may prove useful for those longer trips.
Everyone gets hungry at sometime or another - usually when the restaurants are the farthest away - so bring plenty of snacks and drinks to get you through those in-between times.
No matter how long your trip, frequent stops to stretch or go to the bathroom are a necessity. Taking in some fresh air and walking around a bit makes for a nice diversion from all of the driving. Let the kids run around to release some of the excess energy that has been building up since you got in the car. It will do you and the kids a world of good.
Besides, riding for long periods without moving around or stretching is really very unhealthy for everyone.
The Pros of Driving
-You can take more of what you want to bring with you because you’re not restricted by baggage allowances.
-You don’t need to rent a car once you’ve arrived in Florida.
-There are no mileage restrictions or time constraints like with a rental agency.
-You have access to a vehicle anytime you need it.
The Cons of Driving
-Driving can be extremely time-consuming.
-Filling up your gas tank and having to pay for hotels on longer trips adds greatly to the expense of your vacation.
No matter what form of transportation your family chooses to reach your Florida vacation destination, be sure to make it as enjoyable a part of your vacation experience as possible.
Be prepared with all the necessary items, such as snacks, drinks, diapers, bottles, and if necessary, small toys or games to entertain the kids. Make sure you allow for plenty of time to check in, take care of your luggage, and go through security. Once again, advance planning is key to successful traveling, especially with children.
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| Additional Travel Tips: |
-Have your maps handy and be sure to plan out your travel routes ahead of time, marking them directly on the map or writing them out when possible
-Take a handful of brochures along with this guide book along with you (just remember to place them in the glove box or console upon leaving your car) in case you need to call for directions, a reservation, of just for information while you’re out and about (and remember to take it back to your hotel room so you can plan out what to do next)
-If you must stop to read your maps, be sure to stop in a well-lit and populated area-Plan your trip to include major roads as much as possible and don’t wander too far off the beaten path so to speak
-Keep your doors (and windows) locked at all times
-Keep your gas tank full (or at the very least over half a tank)
-Never leave your kids (or your pets if they’re along too) unattended in a car not only safety reasons but health issues as well
-Never leave your valuables (which of course is a relative term but can range from loose change to an expensive camera) exposed when you leave your car (no matter if you’re at a convenience store for only a moment, or at the theme parks for the day)
-Never open your door or window to a stranger trying to get your attention
-If you think there is something truly wrong with your car, pull over to a well-lit and populated area before getting out and checking over the car
-Have a cell phone with you in case of emergencies
-If you are traveling a distance from your hotel (for example to the Gulf coast or Space Coast), where there are relatively few services available along the highway, have a spare blanket, sweatshirt, bottle of water, and various other supplies (especially for very young children or infants), in an “emergency bag” in case you have any difficulties with your vehicle along the way
-Join a motor club as member services often include free maps, tour guides, emergency road service in case of an accident or difficulty with your vehicle while you’re traveling
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