If you are lucky enough to be able to combine a trip to Orlando with a few days in Miami, or a cruise perhaps, then you will undoubtedly use the Florida Turnpike to get to the south of Florida. This long, straight toll road is the best way to travel if you wish for a speedy journey. It is well signposted and offers plenty of service areas where you can stop and refuel, grab a bite to eat, or just stretch your legs, so it is the ideal choice.
Depending on where you are staying in Orlando you can pick up the Florida Turnpike at various places in the area. As our villa is in Davenport we normally pick it up at Mile Post 249, but if you are staying further north, along International Drive, for example, then your most convenient joining place is near to the Mall at Millenia, at Mile Post 259.
Service areas are to be found at approximately 40/45 mile intervals, and it is a good idea to stop at one or more of them on the way, especially if you have children. It breaks up the journey, gives you, and them, a chance to take a walk, get something to eat or drink, or pick up some information, and this can help to make the time go faster. The service areas are located in the centre of the road, and are well signposted. As they can be accessed from either the north or south of the turnpike, do make sure you exit the correct way – look out for signs.
The service areas are generally well run, clean, and have a choice of eateries, which are not expensive. They are also quite safe and have 24 hour security patrols. You can fill up with gas at the 24 hour gas stations. Each service area has an information section with lots of travel brochures to pick up. There are also picnic areas if you want to eat in the sunshine. Although the service areas are open 24 hours a day the eateries are not, and many close around 8. 00 pm.
These are the service areas on the Florida Turnpike, with a list of facilities.
Mile Post 229 - Canoe Creek Service Plaza.
This has a Gift Shop, and an ATM machine, and various eateries:
Burger King
Popeye’s
Cinnabon
Starbucks
Mile Post 184 – Fort Drum
This has a wider range of eateries, as well as a Gift Shop and ATM machine.
Burger King
Nathan’s
Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips
Freshens Frozen Treats
Starbucks Coffee
Miami Grill
Mile Post 144 – Port St Lucie/Ft Pierce
This service area has a Gift Shop, ATM and several eateries:
Burger King
Cinnabon
Freshens Frozen Treats
Starbucks Coffee
Sbarro – pizzas etc.
Mile Post 94 – West Palm Beach
This service area has a Gift Shop, ATM machine and a wide range of eateries:
Burger King
Nathan’s
Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips
Freshens Frozen Treats
Starbucks Coffee
Miami Grill
Mile Post 65 – Pompano
This service area has a Gift Shop, ATM machine and a limited range of eateries
Popeye’s
Starbuck’s Coffee
Sbarro
Mile Post 19 – Snapper Creek
This is the final service area on the Florida Turnpike and can be found south of Miami, near the end of the Turnpike, where it joins US1 on its way to the Florida Keys. It also has an ATM machine, and a convenience store, but only one eatery, Perk Ave.
Have a safe journey!
Depending on where you are staying in Orlando you can pick up the Florida Turnpike at various places in the area. As our villa is in Davenport we normally pick it up at Mile Post 249, but if you are staying further north, along International Drive, for example, then your most convenient joining place is near to the Mall at Millenia, at Mile Post 259.
Service areas are to be found at approximately 40/45 mile intervals, and it is a good idea to stop at one or more of them on the way, especially if you have children. It breaks up the journey, gives you, and them, a chance to take a walk, get something to eat or drink, or pick up some information, and this can help to make the time go faster. The service areas are located in the centre of the road, and are well signposted. As they can be accessed from either the north or south of the turnpike, do make sure you exit the correct way – look out for signs.
The service areas are generally well run, clean, and have a choice of eateries, which are not expensive. They are also quite safe and have 24 hour security patrols. You can fill up with gas at the 24 hour gas stations. Each service area has an information section with lots of travel brochures to pick up. There are also picnic areas if you want to eat in the sunshine. Although the service areas are open 24 hours a day the eateries are not, and many close around 8. 00 pm.
These are the service areas on the Florida Turnpike, with a list of facilities.
Mile Post 229 - Canoe Creek Service Plaza.
This has a Gift Shop, and an ATM machine, and various eateries:
Burger King
Popeye’s
Cinnabon
Starbucks
Mile Post 184 – Fort Drum
This has a wider range of eateries, as well as a Gift Shop and ATM machine.
Burger King
Nathan’s
Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips
Freshens Frozen Treats
Starbucks Coffee
Miami Grill
Mile Post 144 – Port St Lucie/Ft Pierce
This service area has a Gift Shop, ATM and several eateries:
Burger King
Cinnabon
Freshens Frozen Treats
Starbucks Coffee
Sbarro – pizzas etc.
Mile Post 94 – West Palm Beach
This service area has a Gift Shop, ATM machine and a wide range of eateries:
Burger King
Nathan’s
Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips
Freshens Frozen Treats
Starbucks Coffee
Miami Grill
Mile Post 65 – Pompano
This service area has a Gift Shop, ATM machine and a limited range of eateries
Popeye’s
Starbuck’s Coffee
Sbarro
Mile Post 19 – Snapper Creek
This is the final service area on the Florida Turnpike and can be found south of Miami, near the end of the Turnpike, where it joins US1 on its way to the Florida Keys. It also has an ATM machine, and a convenience store, but only one eatery, Perk Ave.
Have a safe journey!