Whether you're a road trip aficionado seeking the thrill of the open road or a jet setter yearning for the quickest route, we've left no stone unturned in our quest to unravel the best ways to traverse the Miami-to-Orlando passage.
Most people choose to drive between these two major cities, so we will begin by navigating the highways and byways, unveiling a treasure trove of captivating pit stops along the route.
So, grab your travel checklist and let curiosity be your guide as we delve into the hidden gems and must-see attractions that lie between Miami and Orlando.
Driving From Miami To Orlando
If you feel comfortable driving from Miami to Orlando, then you have a few different ways to travel between these two cities.
The most direct route is to take Florida’s Turnpike, which is a 300-mile road that stretches from Miami Gardens through Orlando toward Ocala.
Usually, it takes about 3 hours and over 230 miles to get from Miami to Orlando on this route. Just bear in mind that Florida’s Turnpike is a toll road, so you must pay for this convenience.
Alternatively, you could follow 95-N till you reach north of Cocoa Beach and then get on FL State Road 528 West towards Orlando.
Depending on traffic, this less direct route could take you about 4 hours, but you will save in tolls and pass many fantastic coastline destinations.
Suggested Road Trip Itinerary From Miami To Orlando
For those who are traveling along 95-N, here’s a sample road trip itinerary to help keep everyone in your party entertained.
Below each destination, we’ll fill you in on some of the most popular attractions worth your time.
Fort Lauderdale
Sometimes called “The Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale is only a 30-mile and 30-minute drive north of Miami.
Although Fort Lauderdale has a reputation for attracting rowdy spring breakers, there are many family-friendly attractions here including:
- Shopping and dining along Las Olas Boulevard.
- Lounging on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
- Taking a boat ride along Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale.
- Touring the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.
West Palm Beach
Just over 1-hour north of Miami, West Palm Beach is one of Florida’s ritziest cities and is well known for its soaring skyscrapers, beautiful coastline, and deluxe shopping & dining.
Here are a few ways to embrace the high life in West Palm Beach.
- Visit the magisterial Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.
- Keep the kids entertained at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservations Center.
- Shop and dine in the new Rosemary Square district.
Jupiter
Calling all lighthouse lovers!
The coastal town of Jupiter (about 1.5 hours north of Miami) has a photogenic lighthouse just screaming for some selfies. While in Jupiter, you must:
- Climb 105 steps to the top of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
- Explore the local ecosystem at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
- Take in some baseball at Roger Dean Stadium.
Read our post on “9 Awesome Things To Do In Jupiter” for even more fantastic travel ideas.
Port St. Lucie
Baseball fans might already know Port St. Lucie is spring training central for the New York Mets.
Even if you’re not a baseball fan, you’ll easily find a way to enjoy yourself in this Treasure Coast town.
Located over 1.5-hours north of Miami, here are a few things to do in Port St. Lucie:
- Marvel at gorgeous flora in Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens.
- Learn about local history at the Elliott Museum.
- Cool off at the Sailfish Splash Waterpark.
For more info on Florida’s Treasure Coast, be sure to look through this previous post on 7-day Florida itineraries.
Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce is another lovely Treasure Coast city just 30 minutes north of Port St. Lucie.
Beloved for its historic Downtown, Fort Pierce has many noteworthy attractions including:
You can find out more about this interesting city in our previous post, “11 Awesome Things To Do In Fort Pierce, Florida.”
Kissimmee
A 3-hour drive north of Miami and only 30 minutes from Walt Disney World is the cow-friendly city of Kissimmee.
Celebrated for its cowboy heritage, Kissimmee now has many family-friendly attractions well worth a day trip from Orlando.
While taking Florida’s Turnpike is the most direct route to Kissimmee, you could take 95-N till you reach Melbourne and transfer to 192 West.
A few world-class attractions in Kissimmee include:
- The historic Gatorland Zoo.
- The Fun Spot America amusement park.
- The Kissimmee Air Museum.
- Island H20 Live! waterpark.
Cocoa Beach
If you continue up 95-N instead of going through Kissimmee, then you could easily stop along the Space Coast’s stunning Cocoa Beach.
A 3-hour drive north of Miami and only 1-hour from Orlando, Cocoa Beach attracts thousands of tourists each year to these impressive attractions:
- The NASA Kennedy Space Center
- Ron Jon Surf Shop
- The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
- The Dinosaur Store & Museum
For more details on visiting this surfer's paradise, be sure to check out our post entitled “9 Awesome Things To Do In Cocoa Beach."
Miami To Orlando By Bus
If you don’t want to drive you might consider taking a bus from Miami to Orlando.
Many bus operators travel between these two cities, but three of the most reputable names exist.
Greyhound
Good old Greyhound has convenient stations in both Miami and Orlando.
You’ll board your bus near Miami International Airport and get dropped off at a station just north of Orlando’s Mall at Millennia.
Typically, this bus trip lasts between 4 – 6 hours, but these times vary depending on transfers. Thankfully, there is free Wi-Fi available on all Greyhound buses.
The cost for a one-way Greyhound ticket on this route is usually around $45 per person. You could, however, get a cheaper rate if you book further in advance.
Mega Bus
Another bus company in Florida worth looking into is Mega Bus, which offers service between Miami Airport’s Intermodal Center and Orlando.
Typically, Mega Bus will drop you off in an Orlando plaza located at 4652 South Orange Blossom Trail, near Millennia's Mall.
Bus times vary between these cities, but you could find 4 – 6 hours long rides. One-way fares on Mega Bus are usually around $35 per person.
Jet Set Express
One local company that specializes in bus transportation between Miami and Orlando is known as Jet Set Express.
Founded in 1996, this ICC-approved company offers daily bus rides between Miami and Orlando with stops in other locations like Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Kissimmee.
Current fares from Miami International Airport to Orlando Jet Set Terminal are set at between $38 – $40 one-way per adult. Expect the ride to last about 6 hours.
Miami To Orlando By Train
Construction crews are hard at work on an ambitious high-speed rail linking Miami and Orlando.
While this super-fast rail isn’t ready yet, we’ll share info on another train option you could take.
Brightline
One of the most exciting transportation projects going on in Florida is a high-speed rail that will eventually connect Miami to Orlando.
Called Brightline, this new line promises to take passengers from MiamiCentral Station to Orlando International Airport within about 3 hours.
Unfortunately, Brightline estimates it will take at least three years before this project enters Phase II development.
Today, you could only take a Brightline train from Miami to either Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach.
Amtrak
If you’re dead-set on taking a train from Miami to Orlando, then you could look into booking an Amtrak service.
Typically, the Amtrak ride between these two cities lasts between 5 – 6 hours and costs about $50 per person for a coach seat.
For reference, Miami’s Amtrak Station is located at 8303 NW 37th Avenue near Hialeah.
Orlando’s Amtrak station is at 1400 Sligh Boulevard, which is a 15-minute drive northeast of the Mall at Millenia.
Miami To Orlando Flights
Flying is undoubtedly the speediest option for those who want to get to Orlando ASAP.
If you snatch a non-stop, one-way ticket between MIA and MCO, you’ll only be in the air for about 1 hour.
Many major airlines like Delta, American, and United offer this flight at different times of the year.
Average prices range from $125 to about $224 per person for a one-way boarding pass.
Door-To-Door Miami To Orlando
Are you still struggling to pick the best transportation option for your needs? Here’s a quick “cheat sheet” to help you determine your journey time.
The times listed below track how long you will get “door-to-door” from Miami to Orlando.
- Direct flight: 1 hour
- Rental car on FL’s Turnpike: 3 hours
- Bus: 5 – 6 hours
- Amtrak Train: 5 – 6 hours
Hopefully, you found your preferred mode of traveling between Orlando and Miami in this post.
Leave us a comment to let us know your preferred way of traveling between Miami and Orlando and why.
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