Florida's Turnpike leaves Interstate 75 southbound at a partial "Y" interchange near the town of Wildwood. The first reassurance shield acts as a trailblazer, directing drivers to the left on the southeastward facing ramp. Photo taken 04/28/08.
In 1998, the Florida legislature designated Florida's Turnpike the Ronald Reagan Turnpike. The designation exists mostly on paper, with a handful of signs posted such as this near Wildwood on the turnpike mainline. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Southbound mileage sign highlighting the distance to junction U.S. 301 (Exit 304) and the cities of Orlando and Miami. Originally the turnpike was called the Sunshine State Parkway, with plans extending the road northeast from Wildwood to Jacksonville. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Two miles northwest of the Exit 304 diamond interchange with U.S. 301 at the city of Wildwood. U.S. 301 parallels Interstate 75 northward from Tampa to Ocala. Locally the road enters Wildwood to the north and Coleman to the south. Photo taken 04/28/08.
The first in the series of Florida's Turnpike Service Plazas lies nine miles south of the Interstate 75 split at Okahumpka. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Florida's Turnpike drivers departing at U.S. 301 are not charged a toll at Exit 304. A cash-based fee collection system begins along the toll road from Exit 304 southward. Photo taken 04/28/08.
The sprawling 55 and up town of The Villages is accessible from U.S. 301 north to Sumter County 466 east from Exit 304. The Villages consists of several smaller villages forming one overall community that stretches across three counties between U.S. 301 and U.S. 27 & 441. Photo taken 04/28/08.
One half mile out from the Exit 304 off-ramp to U.S. 301. U.S. 301 follows Main Street north to junction Florida 44 (Gulf Atlantic Highway) in Wildwood nearby. Southward, the federal highway meets Sumter County 468 at Coleman en route to Sumterville and Bushnell. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Exit 304 departs Florida's Turnpike south for U.S. 301 (Main Street). Drivers continuing south enter the actual tolled section of the road. Photo taken 04/28/08.
After splitting from southbound Interstate 75 in Wildwood, the first exit along the nascent turnpike is U.S. 301. This photo shows the U.S. 301 shields found at the bottom of the off-ramp from southbound Florida's Turnpike; the shields were replaced with black/white signs later. Photo taken 12/28/03.
Continuing south, Florida's Turnpike next meets Sumter County 470 near Okahumpka. A brief carriageway separation ensues beyond Wildwood. Photo taken 04/28/08.
"Welcome to Main Street Florida" sign posted on the Turnpike southbound. The Main Street segment of the toll road is considered to be the mainline between Golden Glades and Interstate 75 at Wildwood. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Turnpike Service Plazas are positioned every 45 minutes according to this sign along southbound between Exits 304 and 296. Such facilities provide the only option for miles on the rural stretch between St. Cloud and Ft. Pierce. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Drawing to within two miles of the Okahumpka Service Plaza on Florida's Turnpike southbound. The facility is typical of those on the toll road, residing between the north and southbound carriageways. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Sumter County 468 passes over Florida's Turnpike southbound one mile north of the Okahumpka Service Plaza. The facility provides fuel, food, and tourist information. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Southbound at the Okahumpka Service Plaza entrance on Florida's Turnpike. In addition to traveler services, an automatic windshield wash is available for both cars and trucks that are covered with dead love bugs during their biannual season. The love bugs splatter easily against drivers' windshields during the spring and fall. Photos taken 04/28/08.
Reassurance shield posted beyond the service plaza. An agricultural overpass crosses in the distance. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Next in line for southbound drivers is the Exit 296 folded-cloverleaf interchange with Lake County 470. Lake County 470 serves the Leesburg area with connections to Lake County 33 and U.S. 27. Photo taken 04/28/08.
One mile guide sign for Lake County 470 posted on Florida's Turnpike southbound. Lake County 470 travels east to Okahumpka (junction Lake County 33 & 48) and west to Sumterville (junction U.S. 301). Photo taken 04/28/08.
Entering Lake County on Florida's Turnpike southbound, the toll road traverses 11 counties overall. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Exit 296 was a more recent addition to Florida's Turnpike to improve access to northern Lake County including Leesburg and Howey-In-The-Hills. Lake County 48 continues east from Lake County 470 to junction Florida 19 through Howey-In-The-Hills. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Ornamental street lighting graces the Exit 296 interchange with Florida's Turnpike. Lake County 470 becomes Sumter County 470 on the westward drive through rural lands. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Seven miles separate Turnpike drivers from the Okahumpka area and Lake County's second interchange (junction U.S. 27). Photos taken 04/28/08.
U.S. 27 meets Florida's Turnpike directly at the Exit 289 half-diamond interchange south of Leesburg. Photo taken 04/28/08.
U.S. 27 provides a route to Walt Disney World from the west, but a more direct and higher speed path to the theme park is available via Florida's Turnpike south to Florida 429 Toll south. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Leesburg, a fast growing town in northern Lake County, lies a short distance northward along U.S. 27. Clermont, an equally fast sprawling city, resides along U.S. 27 south at junction Florida 50. Photo taken 04/28/08.
The Lake County mainline toll plaza resides between the U.S. 27 interchanges at Exit 289 and 285 (northbound). All passenger vehicles are levied a $2.50 toll at the facility, SunPass account holders are only charged $2.00. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Exit 289 departs Florida's Turnpike southbound for U.S. 27 (Claude Pepper Memorial Highway) to Florida 19. Florida 19 meets U.S. 27 at a folded-cloverleaf interchange south of the Exit 285 former trumpet interchange four miles southeast. Originally all traffic for both routes used that interchange, but changes were made that eliminated the southbound ramp at Exit 289 for the new half-diamond interchange at Exit 285. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Drivers departing the Turnpike at Exit 289 are charged half the toll rate of the Turnpike mainline. Additionally, discounts are available for SunPass account holders. Photos taken 04/28/08.
U.S. 27 south from Clermont leads to Four Corners and junction U.S. 192 east toward Walt Disney World. This is not a fast route because of the ramped development at both Clermont and in the Four Corners area, but it is the most direct from Florida's Turnpike in Lake County. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Florida 19 leads north from U.S. 27 to Howey-In-The-Hills and south to junction Florida 50 at Groveland. The state road also connects Florida's Turnpike with the Lake County seat of Taveras at junction U.S. 441 and Lake County Old 441. Photos taken 04/28/08.
Exit 289's ramp defaults onto U.S. 27 (Claude Pepper Memorial Highway) southbound to Clermont and junction Florida 19. A u-turn lane provides for the northbound movement onto U.S. 27 north to Okahumpka nearby. Photo taken 04/28/08.
Southbound reassurance marker posted after the partial "Y" interchange with U.S. 27 and Florida 19 (Exit 285). Photo taken 11/05/06.
Florida's Turnpike joins Sumter and Lake Counties with greater Orlando. The next southbound interchange (Exit 272) lies in west Orange County at Oakland at junction Florida 50. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Passing over Lake County 561 near Sheperd Lake, north of Clermont, on Florida's Turnpike south. Grassy Lake Road passes over the toll road on the horizon. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Rolling hills continue the landscape of Florida's Turnpike southbound through east Lake County. Rising to a height of 312 feet, the tallest point on Peninsular Florida lies a short distance north of this stretch. Photos taken 11/05/06.
Florida's Turnpike curves eastward on the two mile approach to junction Florida 50 (Exit 272). Florida 50 (West Colonial Drive) joins Oakland and Winter Garden with the fast-growing Clermont to the west. Photo taken 11/05/06.
One mile west of the Exit 272 partial-cloverleaf interchange with Florida 50 (West Colonial Drive). Florida 50 constitutes a busy four-lane arterial route from Clermont eastward throughout metro Orlando. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Entering Orange County on Florida's Turnpike southbound. Six interchanges lies along the turnpike within the county. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Exit 272 serves Oakland and Winter Garden on the south side of Apopka and sprawling areas around Johns Lake to the south. Florida 50 provides one of two routes between Oakland and Winter Garden with Oakland Avenue being the other. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Oakland Avenue and the parallel West Orange Trail pass over the toll road within one-half mile of Exit 272. The trail follows the path of a former railroad line throughout western Orange County. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Florida's Turnpike southbound at the Exit 272 off-ramp to Florida 50 (West Colonial Drive). Florida 50 heads west one mile to the Lake County line en route to Clermont and junction U.S. 27. Eastward the arterial meets Tubb Street south of downtown Oakland within one half mile. Florida 50 is again connected with the turnpike in five miles. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Continuing beyond Exit 272, a reassurance shield lies ahead of the 4th Street overpass south of Oakland. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Exit 267A constitutes a four-level stack interchange between Florida's Turnpike and the Daniel Webster Western Beltway (Florida 429 Toll). Florida 429 represents a relatively new facility serving growing areas of Apopka, Winter Garden, and the Horizon West area. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Motorists bound for points south that do not wish to depart the Turnpike mainline are provided with services including food, fuel, and tourist information at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza. The plaza lies six miles east of Winter Garden. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Exit 267B represents the original trumpet interchange connection with Florida 50 (West Colonial Drive) at Ocoee. West Colonial Drive continues east as a busy arterial route from Winter Garden and Ocoee into Pine Hills and central Orlando. Photo taken 11/05/06.
The Exit 267B interchange lies within the Exit 267A stack interchange. Large diagrammatical overheads outline the ramp configuration for Florida 429 Toll (Western Beltway) and Florida 50 (West Colonial Drive). Photo taken 11/05/06.
Florida 429 Toll (Western Beltway) south heads away from Winter Garden to the planned Horizon West community. The toll road continues from there to the Walt Disney World Western Gateway and growing ares of northwest Osceola County. Northward, the beltway heads through Ocoee to a premature end at Apopka. Future plans however will extend Florida 429 Toll northward to Seminole County via the Wekiva Parkway. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Drivers bound for the Western Beltway depart Florida's Turnpike southbound in unison. Florida 429 Toll south heads three miles to Stoneybrook Parkway in south Winter Garden and north two miles to Florida 438 (Franklin Street) east to downtown Ocoee and Plant Street west to downtown Winter Garden. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Exit 267A partitions into its ramps for Florida 429 north and south. Florida 429 provides a direct connection (as of December 2006) to Interstate 4 west to Lakeland and Tampa in 22 miles. Northward, the toll road continues 11 miles to U.S. 441 (Orange Blossom Trail) near downtown Apopka Photo taken 11/05/06.
Exit 267B leaves from within the Florida 429 Toll stack for Florida 50 (West Colonial Drive) at Ocoee. Florida 50 passes south of downtown Ocoee along a commercial strip. A trumpet interchange joins the turnpike access road with West Colonial Drive east of Florida 429 Toll and west of Macquire Road (Orange County 439). Photo taken 11/05/06.
Passing under the network of flyover ramps associated with the Veterans Memorial Interchange Photo taken 11/05/06.
Florida's Turnpike southbound at the Exit 267B trumpet interchange to Florida 50 (West Colonial Drive). Use Florida 50 east for the West Oaks Mall and Health Central Hospital. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Florida's Turnpike curves southeast from Florida 50 and 429 Toll to Exit 265 and junction Florida 408 Toll (East-West Expressway). Florida 408 Toll provides a direct route into downtown Orlando from Lake County and Ocoee, Winter Garden, and Oakland. The toll road was originally built as a bypass to Florida 50 and was extended west and east in stages over the years. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Florida's Turnpike expands to six lanes between Florida 429 Toll and Florida 408 Toll with the addition of auxiliary lanes. Florida 408 Toll east begins at a nearly stacked tri-level directional interchange near Gotha. Connections at the east end with Florida 50 lead drivers to Christmas and Titusville. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Mileage sign posted ahead of the Florida 408 Toll eastbound split highlighting the interchanges with Interstate 4 and U.S. 192 (and U.S. 441) in Kissimmee. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Exit 265 departs Florida's Turnpike southbound for the eastbound beginning of Florida 408 Toll. The East-West Expressway travels 22 miles overall and reaches Downtown Orlando in ten miles. Photo taken 11/05/06.
Southbound travelers pass under Gotha Road on the one-mile approach to the Turkey Lake Service Plaza. Photo taken 01/15/08.
Turnpike reassurance marker posted at Gotha Road. Expansion is underway to widen the Turnpike to eight overall lanes from Florida 429 Toll south to Interstate 4. Photo taken 01/15/08.
Three additional interchanges reside along the Turnpike within Orange County: junction Interstate 4 (Exit 259) and junction Florida 528 Toll and U.S. 17-92-441 (Exit 255). Omitted here is the Consulate Drive SunPass-only ramp of Exit 254. Photo taken 01/15/08.
Turkey Lake Service Plaza derives its name from nearby Turkey Lake. The facility resides within the median of Florida's Turnpike and requires left-hand departure and entry points. Photo taken 01/15/08.
Food, fuel, and tourist information are available at Turkey Lake Service Plaza. Additionally complementary orange and grapefruit juice are served to visitors. Photo taken 01/15/08.
Florida's Turnpike straddles Turkey Lake Park and passes under the confluence of Conroy Road and Florida 435 (Kirkman Road) on the one mile approach to junction Interstate 4 (Exit 259). Interstate 4 enters the area from downtown Orlando and the Mall of Millennia area to the northeast. Photo taken 01/15/08.
One half mile north from the Exit 259 trumpet interchange connection with Interstate 4. The freeway provides direct access to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and indirect access to International Drive, Sea World, and other area attractions. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Southbound at the Exit 259 trumpet interchange to Interstate 4. A connecting road directs traffic to a second trumpet interchange to access the freeway. Interstate 4 west links Orlando with Lakeland and Tampa. Photo taken 04/17/08.
The first phase of an eight-lane widening project expands Florida's Turnpike to eight overall lanes between Interstate 4 and junction Florida 528 (Beachline Expressway). Completion of this section of roadway occurred by April 2008. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Southbound mileage sign posted four miles north of the Florida 528 Toll (Beachline Expressway) interchange complex. The sign omits the SunPass only off-ramp to Consulate Drive. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Exit 255 provides a direct ramp to Consulate Drive north of the Beachline Expressway over crossing. Consulate Drive meanders south to U.S. 17-92-441 (Orange Blossom Trail) south of its ramps to the Turnpike and Beachline. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Florida 528 Toll (Beachline Expressway) joins south Orlando and Walt Disney World with Orlando International Airport (MCO) and John F. Kennedy Space Center. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Florida 482 (Sand Lake Road) passes over Florida's Turnpike one mile north of the Exit 255 ramp departure to Consulate Drive. Sand Lake Road represents the original Florida 528 alignment before the original BeeLine Expressway was built. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Consulate Drive is only accessible by SunPass account holders. The off-ramp is one of several added to Florida's Turnpike in recent years. The conversion of ramps to SunPass only toll collection saves in costs as no toll booths must be staffed or maintained. Photo taken 01/15/08.
Florida's Turnpike southbound at the Exit 255 off-ramp to Consulate Drive. Consulate Drive continues northwest into an industrial area east of John Young Parkway. Use Exit 255 for U.S. 17-92-441 south to Hunters Creek. Photo taken 04/17/08.
All others bound for Orange Blossom Trail must use the Exit 254 trumpet interchange connection with U.S. 17-92-441 at junction Florida 528 Toll (Beachline Expressway). U.S. 17-92-441 combine in central Orlando from Colonial Drive (Florida 50) and split at junction U.S. 192 (Vine Street) at Main Street near downtown Kissimmee. Photo taken 04/17/08.
U.S. 17-92-441 (Orange Blossom Trail) pass underneath Florida's Turnpike ahead of the Exit 254 off-ramp. A toll plaza and access road join the trumpet interchange with separate ramps to both Florida 528 Toll and OBT. OBT constitutes a busy commercial arterial southward from Orlando's city limits into northern Osceola County. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Exit 254 loops northward to Florida 528 Toll (Beachline Expressway) and U.S. 17-92-441 (OBT) from Florida's Turnpike south. The Beachline Expressway represents an east-west toll road between Interstate 4 near International Drive and Interstate 95 at Cocoa. Photos taken 01/15/08 & 04/17/08.
Departing Florida's Turnpike for the Exit 254 ramp toll plaza. A SunPass bypass lane is provided. Photo taken 01/15/08.
Exit 254 partitions into three direct ramps: a ramp onto Florida 528 Toll east, a ramp onto U.S. 17-441 north & 92 (OBT) east, and a loop ramp onto OBT south. Access to Florida 528 Toll requires a trip south on OBT to Consulate Drive north for its half-diamond interchange with the Beachline Expressway. Photos taken 01/15/08.
Florida's Turnpike reduces back into a four-lane roadway beyond Florida 528 and U.S. 17-92-441. This mileage sign lists the distances to Osceola Parkway and Miami, but includes a space for the planned interchange with Florida 417 Toll (Central Florida Greeneway). Funding remains in issue with getting that missing connection built. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Osceola Parkway (Osceola County 522) meets Florida's Turnpike just south of the Orange County line. Originally named Dart Boulevard, the east-west arterial links the toll road with Buenaventura Lakes to the east and north Kissimmee to the west. Photo taken 04/17/08.
Entering Osceola County on Florida's Turnpike south. Osceola represents the landscape of the next 60 miles. Photo taken 04/17/08.
