Origin
Waldo, FL
Late night in Waldo on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waldo, FL to Orlando, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
124.5 mi
200 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waldo, FL
Lauri Poldre
Orlando, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 124.5-mile drive from Waldo, FL to Orlando, FL takes approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a significant 65% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $20. Given its manageable length and straightforward highway focus, this route is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. It's a direct path through the heart of Florida, connecting two points within the same state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.2 miles from Waldo, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 42.3 mi | 45m |
| Sid Martin Highway | 39.1 mi | 49m |
| I 75 | 29.3 mi | 31m |
| East-West Expressway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 70th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 77th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Carter Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 42.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waldo, FL and Orlando, FL.
1
Start on US 301
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Sid Martin Highway
2
Continue on US 301
39 mi
·
48 min
·
Sid Martin Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto FL 326
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 70th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on FL 326
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
6
Merge onto I 75
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
42 mi
·
45 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Take the exit onto FL 408 Toll
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
Exit 265
Toward FL 408 Toll East: Orlando, Titusville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on FL 408 Toll
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 9
Toward US 17, US 92, US 441: Orange Blossom Trail
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on Carter Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Carter Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto Hicks Avenue
202 ft
·
5 sec
·
Hicks Avenue
13
Continue on Hicks Avenue
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Hicks Avenue
14
Turn right onto West Anderson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Anderson Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto Boone Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Boone Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto West South Street
198 ft
·
4 sec
·
West South Street
17
Turn slight right
103 ft
·
3 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 26-minute drive, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid the heaviest traffic heading into Orlando. With only 124.5 miles, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but planning around rush hour is key. There are no specific recommended stops listed, so consider fueling up before you leave Waldo, FL, as the estimated fuel cost is $20. Pay attention to signs for Florida's Turnpike, as it is a toll road and the longest continuous stretch of your journey, ensuring you're prepared for any toll plazas.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.2 miles from Waldo, FL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.2 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orlando, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waldo, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waldo, FL
This is one driving day of about 124.5 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Waldo, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.2 miles from Waldo, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 39.1 and 123.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
39.1 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street
Turn right onto FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
8
114 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
FL 408 Toll / Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
Take the exit onto FL 408 Toll / Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway toward FL 408 Toll East: Orlando, Titusville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265
Toward FL 408 Toll East: Orlando, Titusville
8
122.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 17, US 92, US 441: Orange Blossom Trail
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward US 17, US 92, US 441: Orange Blossom Tra...
6
123.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
West Anderson Street
Turn right onto West Anderson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.82 one way
$39.63 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $21.56 | $43.11 |
| premium | $4.72 | $23.15 | $46.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.49 | $54.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.96
Florida's Turnpike
(42.3 mi)
$2.96
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.07 | $5.98 |
| Efficient EV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.89 | $4.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.43 | $7.97 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Orlando, FL
Late night in Orlando on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 65% of your miles spent on major interstates like I-75 and Florida's Turnpike. The character of the road is largely consistent, offering a smooth and efficient journey. You'll encounter one uninterrupted stretch of 42.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which is the longest continuous segment. While primarily highway, the initial portion includes Sid Martin Highway, offering a brief change before merging onto the faster routes toward Orlando. It's a drive designed for covering distance effectively.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Sid Martin Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 39.1 miles in near FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 124.5 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 39.1 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.7 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114 miles (FL 408 Toll / Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waldo, FL and Orlando, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Titusville.
Florida's Turnpike South
71.7 mi in
|
~1h 25m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
Titusville
114 mi in
|
~2h 11m
|
via FL 408 Toll
About the Cities
Arriving in Orlando, FL
Full guide →For the broader urban area including suburbs and other nearby destinations, please see the Greater Orlando article. Orlando deserves its reputation as the theme park capital of the world, with an estimated 52 million visitors a year. The city is best known for its theme parks Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but it holds a lot to offer besides those two amusement meccas. Countless hotels and restaurants cater to business conventions and other events hosted by organizations from all over the country. Outside the theme park districts and hotels, however, lies much more to be explored, including downtown, areas of untouched wilderness, world-class museums and theaters, and old towns with dining and nightlife. At the center of the state of Florida, in Orange County, Orlando is about an hour from each coast.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 124.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.96 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.1 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.7 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114 miles (FL 408 Toll / Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Orlando, FL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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