Driving from Orlando area to Sanibel

Hi, We want to come back to Sanibel but I cant find great fares but I can get a good direct flight into Orlando. How long or should I say how hard of a drive is it from Orlando to Sanibel. Is the traffic awful? Just wondering if it would be worth it.. i can save quite a bit and also we can fly from a smaller airport here and it saves alot of driving on this end.

Thanks

Becky

Driving from Orlando area to Sanibel

It%26#39;s about 3 1/2 to a 4 hour drive from Orlando to Sanibel. Did you check out the Tampa airport? That would be about a little over a 2 hour drive.

Driving from Orlando area to Sanibel

My husband and I just returned from this type of trip. Went to Disney for 3 days and then to Sanibel for 7. The trip was not bad. But...we flew into FtMyers and drove UP to Disney and then back down to Sanibel. I guess it just depends how long is your vacation, and how much money are you saving vs the gas. Tampa is a good idea, or maybe Ft Lauderdale/Miami if the savings are that much.

We drove from Ohio to Sanibel Island last summer, but on the way back we drove from Sanibel Island past Orlando. Mapquest says the trip is 3 hours 38 minutes from Orlando to where we stayed on Sanibel Island. It%26#39;s 190 miles. If it%26#39;s significantly cheaper to fly there, then do that. I drove almost 19 hours one way though, so a 3.5 hour car trip doesn%26#39;t seem bad.

We were there at the end of June when lots of families are visiting Disney World. The traffic wasn%26#39;t too bad.

You know, you could look at it this way -- a flight and then a 3.5 hour drive to Sanibel Island -- sort of prolonging the anticipation. Might make it all that much better to finally get there.

Any way you can, get yourself back to Sanibel Island!

I can%26#39;t wait to get there and have a hard time imagining when the next time will be.

Oh I know.. I need to go back. Its funny we have been thinking of doing a Disney vacation or back to AZ ( my parents are there).. i just keep thinking no I want to go to Sanibel. There is just something about the water,, the sounds..the sun,, the shells,, etc.. I just am not that into driving unless its low key and there is a lot to see.. i truly hate traffic :)

I know Disney is supposed to be a ton of fun but the idea of Sanibel or Disney??? I think of crowds,, waiting in line..my husband and I will be separated as we have a almost 13 yr old and a 4 yr old with 7 in the middle. Not as much fun when you are separated. Our kids loved Sanibel but we are the type of family that is outdoors and love to search for shells. We just have to drive 3-4 hrs to a major airport anyway but there is an airport that flies direct to Orlando for much less and they are nice to fly with.. we have to drive 1.25 hrs to get to that.. So either way we have to drive. I just thought maybe the drive was a nice drive.. what is there to see? I am guessing going to the coast and driving down is out of the way?

Thanks for all your comments. I am cking into Tampa flights....then we still have to drive 3-4 hrs to the MSP airport.

The drive to Sanibel from Tampa airport isn%26#39;t too bad.You%26#39;ll get to go over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge,which I guarantee your kids will love.Tink has photos on her blog,which she%26#39;ll be along to link you to.

There isn%26#39;t much to see on the drive from Orlando to Sanibel Island -- until you begin to cross the causeway onto the island. Wish I could give you better news. If you%26#39;re saving a lot of money though, it%26#39;s worth it. You could drive the whole way, and that would be lots worse (for someone who doesn%26#39;t like to travel by car). I actually like long car trips, so it was fun for me. Next time though, we%26#39;ll probably fly.