The Ins & Outs of Travel: Driving

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Driving

• Strategies for Saving on Gasoline
• Locating the Cheapest Gas
• Current Gas Deals
• Orlando and Walt Disney World Information for Motorists

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Updated 11/17/09

While TheMouseForLess.com tries to keep all information on this page current, information does change often. Please reference Disney's Official web site or the web sites of vendors for the most up-to-date rates and information. If you have tips to share or notice outdated links or information, you may contact us at moneysavingtips@themouseforless.com.

Breaking Travel News

AAA Fuel Gauge Report for 11/17/09:
Current National Average: $2.63/ $2.89 Premium
Week Ago National Average: $2.63 Reg / $2.89 Premium
Month Ago National Average: $2.54 Reg / $2.80 Premium
Year Ago National Average: $2.09 Reg / $2.24 Premium

Strategies for Saving on Gasoline

Everyone is concerned when gas prices climb, as they often do doing the summer months. Strategies to save on gas abound on the Internet: route your trip to avoid congested cities, keep the tire pressure inflated close to max, and maintain fluids and filters. Here are a few others that will help keep fuel cost down if you're planing on driving to Walt Disney World.

• Have a good idea of what fuel will cost ahead of time. You can estimate the fuel cost of your trip using AAA's Fuel Calculator. Enter the starting and ending destinations and the make, model and year of your car.
  
  
• Buy your gas the day before you travel. You already know where the best gas deals are near your house, so you might as well purchase the first tank of your trip at a price you know and can control.
  
  
• Roadways are busier on holiday weekends. If possible, avoid planing your trip during Memorial day, 4th of July or Labor Day weekends.
  
  
• Packing drinks and snacks will help cut down on frequent stops that can decrease gas mileage.
  
  
• Drive at night when there is less traffic. The engine will run cooler and there will be less required stops.
  
  
• Avoid overloading the car. For every extra 100 pounds fuel economy is cut by about 2%. Depending on the length of stay, you may save money by taking less luggage and doing a few loads of laundry; purchasing larger items like stroller, tents, and food supplies after you arrive; and resisting the urge to haul all of the kids' toys. If you must bring large items and extras, avoid packing them on the roof. Using a luggage rack to haul a suitcase and cooler (and driving with cruise control set at 65 mph) caused a 21 percent loss in fuel economy according to tests done by Edmunds.com.
  
  
• Fill up with the cheaper gas. If the manual says Premium fuel is "recommended," but not "required," fill up with Regular. according to AAA, this won't hurt a thing and will save you about 10% on the price of a fill-up
  
  
• Drive at a constant speed. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking waste an amazing amount of fuel and increases fuel costs by about 25%. According to CNN Money, driving 70 mph instead of 60 mph is the equivalent of paying 54 cents extra per gallon. Using cruise control can improve fuel economy by 10 to 15 percent, according to Edmunds.com.
  
  
• Go ahead and use the air conditioner on the open highway. Test reports from Edmunds.com show at speeds of 65 mph running the air makes very little difference in fuel usage.
  
  
• If you have GPS satellite navigation, use it to change routes on the fly. Avoiding traffic jams can save a lot of gas.
  
  
• Choose exits with several gas stations and restaurants to eliminate extra stops. If the sign lists two or more stations, you can benefit from the fact that there is competition for your business. The station farthest from the exit will typically have the lowest prices, and often can be less than a fraction of a mile out of your way.
  
  
• Anyone who has filled the tank of their rental car at the station located just outside the car rental zone of a major airport knows that you pay top dollar. These stations realize they may be the last chance in a rush to make flights and price-gouge accordingly. Avoid fill ups in areas of major airports. You won't find cheap gas in upscale neighbors either. The higher property taxes and other real estate concerns get passed on to the consumer. Generally those that live in such affluent neighborhoods are less sensitive to gas prices and station owners will charge what they can. Along with gassing-up in more moderate neighborhoods, be aware that some of the cheapest stations don't accept credit cards. Keep some cash handy rather than forego a good deal on gas.
  
  
• Official rest stops tend to have fairly competitive gas prices; perhaps it would be unseemly for a station enjoying the benefits of a government highway contract while soaking motorists with high gas prices.
  
  
• Don't spend time looking for the closest parking spot. A recent study found that motorist lose the most time and burn up the most fuel by trying too hard to park close to an entrance.
  
  
• Use planning sites like TravMatix.com to plan out your trip in advance, and show you which restaurants are available at each exit along your route and which gas station exit has the cheapest gas. Customize your entire trip with maps and print or download to your cell phone. You need to register to have your plans saved on the site, but it's completely free.
  
  
• Finally, don't be taken in by scams. Be leery of those selling gas coupons, gas gift cards or gas reward programs through online auctions. Then there are the phony gas additives or auto add-ons like "gas tank magnet." They don't work and you'll be better off saving the price of such items and putting extra gas in your tank.
  
  

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Locating the Cheapest Gas

With a little sleuthing you can locate the cheapest gas along your route. The following is a list of web sites that can help.

• FuelEconomy.gov - Click on the map and get a list of web sites that track gas prices in your area.
  
  
• GasBuddy.com - Is another site that will located the best online sites to get gas prices in your area.
  
  

For getting gas prices on the go, gas@gasbuddy.com and sms@mobgas.com can send them straight to your cell phone. Of course, your cell phone must be able to support sending text messages to an email address to use this service.

Orlando Sentinal Orlando Gas Prices - Zoom in on specific areas on the map or refer to the list of gas prices below it.

Grocery stores and wholesale clubs often offer gas at below the average market price. Wal-Mart's discount card can save 3¢ on the gallon when used to purchase gas.

Obtain a free credit card that gives gas rebates. Some can save 10% at nearly every gas station. Currently, when you apply for a free Discover ® Open RoadSM Card, you get a $50 pre-paid debit card (good for gas and other purchases) upon approval and card activation. The Hess Visa Platinum Card offers 10% on gas rebates for the first 90 days for purchases made at Hess or Wilco stations, and is 5% after the introductory period. CardRating.com also keeps a page of the best gas rebate cards.

Gas prices affect the travel industry, and when prices are up, many hotels and lodging establishments offer gas incentives. Use search engines to look for terms like “hotel + gas + discount” or “motel + gas + coupon” or check the Free Gas Page or the Free Gas Hotel Deals page and see if there are any free deals that fit into your travel plans.

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Current Gas Deals

Buy gift cards and earn Fuel Perks. Several grocery stores offer Fuel Perk rewards which give discounts on gas at select gas stations based on grocery store purchases. But Giant Eagle is going even further. For a limited time, Giant Eagle is offering 20¢ per gallon for every $50 you spend on Gift Cards purchased in the store or online. Fuel Perks can be redeemed at Giant Eagle and GetGo stations. With over one hundred Gift Card vendors available, including restaurants, national electronic chains, clothing stores, airlines and hotels available, this is a great way to save on gas while spending on vacations. There are also gift cards for Disney and Universal Resort and even Build A Bear Workshop® found at T-Rex Restaurant at Downtown Disney. Why not purchase gift cards for your vacation and save yourself money in gas in the process? Additionally Giant Eagle is now offering a Fuel Perks Mall. You can shop online world-wide at over 600 stores and earn fuel perks. Currently there is a 10¢ on the Gallon incentive for every $50 you spend at Fuel Perks Mall.

Sign up for National City's Reward Program and earn points for your day-to-day banking, like writing checks, paying bills online, and using your debit card. It's free to join and a $10 BP gas card can be redeemed for 6,000 points and a $25 gas card for 11,500 points.

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Orlando and Walt Disney World Information for Motorists

Florida's 511 Travel Information System offers real-time travel information available 24 hours a day, on the phone or on the Web. Traffic information is free, though, cellular minutes or roaming charges may apply. 511 uses speech-recognition technology that allows callers to speak the name of the roadway or area for which they want traffic information. Once connected to the new regional service, callers can request information by saying a road’s name or number or giving the city or county. Also available through 511 is information about lane closures and construction, severe weather, public transportation information, airport information and Amber Alerts. For more information, read this FAQ, which explains the system in detail. Click here to sign up to use the Florida 511 (FL511) system.

Useful Touch Pad Codes for Florida's 511 System
For Orlando Information: 24-67526#
For Kissimmee Information: 24-54774#
For Interstate I-4 Info: 4#
For SR 417 Info: 417#
For US 192 Info: 192#

Those who need emergency service can reach the Highway Patrol by dialing *347 from a cell phone.

Florida Driving Laws

• Children ages 4 and under must be restrained in an approved child-safety seat
• All other children must wear seat belts
• Florida has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. Blood alcohol levels of 0.08 or higher will be dealt with seriously even for first offenders.
• Unless prohibited by posting, right turns on red are permitted after a brief stop.
• Never use center turning lanes painted with left pointing arrows to pass
• It is legal to talk on your cell phone in Florida, so new driver to the area beware. Seldom can you travel the main roadways without seeing a serious accident.

Navigating the Area
Walt Disney World property is conveniently located off of all major roadways including Interstate 4 (exit #68), SR-417 (Greeneway), and US-192 (AKA: Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway / Vine Street / Spacecoast Parkway).

Use this handy toll calculator to calculate tolls along your route

Driving directions from major north-south highways are as follows:

• From southbound Interstate 75: take the Florida Turnpike South to Interstate 4 West to Walt Disney World Resort Exits.
• From Interstate 95, U.S. Highway 1 or southbound on the Florida Turnpike: take I-4 West to Walt Disney World Exits.
• From northbound on the Florida Turnpike: take Osceola Parkway which connects with U.S. Highway 192 and the Walt Disney World Resort.
• From the Ocala Welcome Center: located at I-75 (Exit 350, old 68): take I-75 South to Florida Turnpike South (Exit 65), to I-4 West (Exit 259) to Walt Disney World Exits.

Walt Disney World Exits From I-4
I-4 is the main artery in Central Florida, running from the Gulf coast in Tampa to the Atlantic coast in Daytona Beach. I-4 is an east-west highway, but follows a north-south route through the Orlando area. Therefore, I-4 signs reading east will be heading north and signs reading west will be heading south.

• Route 535-Lake Buena Vista (Exit 68):
  If you need a grocery stop this exit will take you the Crossroads Shopping Center where Goodings is located. Heading north on 535 will also take you to Winn-Dixie, Publix and Walgreens, all north of Walt Disney World Resort. Heading back, look for Hotel Plaza Boulevard which will take you to Downtown Disney, and also Typhoon Lagoon. For more information about shopping locally in the Orlando area for groceries and other supplies, click here.
  
  
• Epcot-Downtown Disney (Exit 67):
  Attractions: Epcot, Downtown Disney® area, Disney's BoardWalk, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
  
  Epcot Resort Area: Disney's Yacht Club and Disney Beach Club Resorts, Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotels, Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course
  
  Downtown Disney Resort Area: Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
  
  
• Exit 65:
  Attractions: Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex, Disney's Blizzard Beach
  
  Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort Area (via the Osceola Parkway): Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's All-Star Music Resort, Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Pop Century Resort (Disney's Wide World of Sports Area), Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
  
  
• Magic Kingdom-U.S. 192 (Exit 64):
  During peak periods of the year, there will be bumper-to-bumper traffic both on I-4 nearing the U.S. 192 exit and on U.S. 192 itself. A less-congested route to the theme parks and other WDW areas is to use the exit marked Epcot-Downtown Disney (Exit 67), 4 miles east of Exit 64.
  
  Attractions: Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios
  
  Magic Kingdom Resort Area:Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Eagle Pines Golf Course, Magnolia Golf Course, Osprey Ridge Golf Course, Oak Trail Golf Course, Palm Golf Course, Disney's Wedding Pavilion

Walt Disney World Resort Information and Tips
Click here for a road map of the Walt Disney World Property.

Parking at Disney Theme Parks is $12 per day for cars and $13 per day for campers and trailers and can be paid by cash or credit card. If you intend to visit more than one park on the same day save your receipt. When presented it at the second park, you will not have to pay for parking again.

AAA Car Care Center: Located near the Magic Kingdom, this is a full-service operation that will provide most emergency services, except towing during hours of operation (weekdays 7 AM-6 PM, Saturday 7 AM-4 PM). The Car Care Center can be reached by calling 407/824-0976. On Disney property you can flag a security guard any day until 10 PM for help with minor emergencies, such as a flat tire, dead battery, empty gas tank, or towing. Otherwise call 407/824-4777.

Gas Stations: There are three Hess gas stations located on Walt Disney World Resort property, one at the Car Care Center near the exit of the Magic Kingdom parking lot, another on Buena Vista Drive across from Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney, and another in the Disney's Hollywood Studios area near the entrance of the Boardwalk Inn. Hess gas stations offer very competitive gas rates compared to stations outside of Walt Disney World property and are open 24 hours per day. The Hess Visa Platinum Card offers 10% on gas rebates for the first 90 days for purchases made at Hess or Wilco stations, and is 5% after the introductory period.

A Chevron station located at the intersection of I-4 and Route 535 is another convenient option just outside of WDW property, but gas prices are consistently higher than the stations within Walt Disney World boundaries.

Distance to Area Attractions
The following short guide gives the distance to area attractions and points of interest from Walt Disney World Resort. Miles are calculated using the Epcot area as a starting point:

• Kennedy Space Center: 65 miles
• Sea World®: 12 miles; off International Drive on Sea Harbor Drive
• Universal Studios®: 16 miles; off International Drive on Universal Blvd.
• Busch Gardens: 75 miles
• Water Mania: 12 miles
• Cypress Gardens: 30 miles
• West Coast: 80 miles
• Nearest Beach (Cocoa Beach) : 67 miles
• Downtown Orlando: 20 miles
• Orlando International Airport: 25 miles

Click here for great route maps of US Hwy 192, Hwy 535 Downtown Disney, and International Drive. Clicking any of the links will show you the restaurants, hotels, shopping and attractions in the area.

Other Driving Information and Tips
AAA members can order free TripTiks and TourBooks online at AAA.com.

For great information on traveling with children, downloadable and printable car games and lots of ideas to keep the kids busy during a long car trip, visit Mom's Minivan. You can also read an article by Laurel Smith on Car Travel Activities For Kids on TheMouseForLess web site.

For a little Disney Music in the Orlando area, turn your car radio to Radio Disney at 990 on your AM dial.

Download free children's audio stories to play during your trip from Storynory.com. They can be burned to CD or played on an ipod.

Apple's iTunes Store has travel applications for your iPhone or iPod Touch. Here are a few picks for free apps to use during your drive. Simply access the urls in the links below with your iPhone through your iTunes account.

• Cheap Gas shows you the lowest gas prices nearest your location and then maps the route.
• Trapster alerts you as you approach speed traps, red light cameras, and speed cameras.
• View2Road will allow you to add and watch cameras located on highways along your route.
• SimultravelGPS locates hotels around you and displays rates with maps and directions.
• WiFi Finder does just what the name suggests. Using the GPS function for your phone, this handy little app can locate free WiFi access spots around you.

If you have the free iTunes application on your computer, type "Walt Disney World" or "Disneyland" into the search box. Then click on "see all applications" in the application section. You will find a variety of applications for your iphone ranging most ranging from 99¢ on up. Apps are available as individual park mini guides, a dining guide for Disney restaurants with full menus, ride and attraction wait times, hidden Mickey locater and much more.

Consider combining driving and accommodations at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. Cruise America rents RVs in locations across the country with pickup and drop-off points in the Orlando area. Visit their web site for more information. If you would like your RV delivered to Fort Wilderness, CampUSA MotorHome Rental is for you. Get more info here.

If you're thinking about taking the scenic route, the National Scenic Byways Program is happy to provide a free brochure with America's Byways®, including photos and maps, to those with a North America address. Click here to order.

If you'll be driving Interstate 95, the Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia guide has tons of useful information. Newsday says of the book: This intrepid couple has researched every exit between MA and FL. If there is a medal for this kind of work, I believe they've earned it 10 times over.

For those taking Interstate 75, you won't find a better resource than Along Interstate-75". Motor Trend Magazine says of the book: "If the I-75 is a part of either your routine or travel plans, Along Interstate-75 by Dave Hunter is the way to get the most from it. We wouldn't make the "snowbird" trek south without it."

Here's a great tip for those traveling with children. Before your trip, stop at your local pizza parlor and ask to purchase several unused pizza boxes. Load them with crayons, paper, a coloring book and other supplies. Kids can use the box as a desk and storage when riding in the car. ~Thanks to Suzy K. for the tip.

For an insightful article on driving to Disney, be sure to read "The Long Haul to Disney: Creating a Successful Disney Road Trip", published in the 1/26/09 edition on Magically Speaking.

Map of Gas Stations in Orlando International Airport area

Map of Gas Stations in Walt Disney World area

For information to aid in your trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, visit our Mickey Mile Markers page. Here you will find tips submitted by TheMouseForLess.com readers about a variety of cities across the country, such as convenient places to eat located near interstate exits, recommended hotels and motels, and area welcome centers.

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