Everyone knows about the indisputable feud between Tampa and Orlando. The two Floridian cities share the same interstate highway, but there can be only one… better city. When you weigh the pros and cons of both cities, they come out equal. What isn’t equal, however, is their traffic conditions. Which do you think is worse: Tampa traffic or Orlando traffic?
Traffic is a deal-breaker. Just ask anyone who moved away from Dallas, Los Angeles, or Atlanta. Joining the ranks among the worst traffic conditions in the country could be one of these tourist traps. That’s why we’re breaking down the traffic conditions of Tampa and Orlando to discover which city has the worst traffic.
Orlando Traffic
Rush Hour
Rush Hour is a major contributor to the traffic conditions in Orlando, Florida. Calm down, we’re not talking about the hit thriller/action film Rush Hour starring the amazing Jackie Chan and hilarious Chris Tucker. We know how much you love that movie. In fact, there are four specific times that are considered rush hour: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and, finally, 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. This accumulates to about 6 hours of traffic during the week. In other words, you could watch Rush Hours 1, 2, and 3, while waiting in rush hour traffic.
Disney World
Disney World brings in millions of tourists every single year, which makes Orlando one of the busiest vacation destinations in Florida. Between the out-of-state drivers and the drive-by gawkers, the roads can become a dangerous place. Immediately, they become filled with people driving under the speed limit, clogging up intersections, highways, and exits. Whenever tourist enters Orlando, they automatically become your 85-year-old grandmother.
“The I-4 Mystery”
“The I-4 Mystery” is folklore told amongst locals throughout the city. It tells about the mysterious nature of interstate 4 traffic, which travels through downtown Orlando. Some days, traffic could flow perfectly, but other days it could be mind-numbingly gridlocked. Instead, “the I-4 Mystery” sums up the odds and ends of various reasons why traffic could be backed up. It’s not so much a mystery as it is road construction, roadside incidents, and traffic violators.
Tampa Traffic
Rush Hour
Rush Hour times in Tampa aren’t nearly as bad as they are in Orlando. With fewer tourists checking in and out of hotels, Tampa will naturally experience less tourist traffic during mid-day. That doesn’t stop the bay city from having evening traffic. The rush begins at 7:30 to 9:30 AM and picks up again at 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM in the evening. Everyone just needs to see those famous Tampa sunsets.
Reckless Drivers
Reckless Drivers are in every city. They clog up the roads by driving sporadically. Especially when they get pulled over by a police officer. Nothing is more frustrating than shifting to one lane of traffic when a reckless driver gets pulled over. If this is you, maybe try becoming a defensive driver. Also, if you enroll in traffic school, you can save money by keeping your auto insurance rates from increasing. Two birds, one stone, but in Tampa beach terms: two seagulls, one volleyball.
A Good Economy
A Good Economy is a fantastic news for a city’s growth. However, when a city grows in the population without updating its infrastructure, it could lead to traffic congestion. Forbes listed Tampa as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas, but the roads are having a hard time keeping up. More cars mean more traffic.
Regardless of which city has the worst traffic, the important advice to remember, when driving, is to be a defensive driver. When you’re not, and you get a traffic ticket, remember you can prevent your auto insurance from increasing by enrolling in a traffic school. Now go watch some Rush Hour.
orlando traffic
In central florida you can get traffic news in real time. There is a public file with traffic news for central florida residents. You can also get a weather alert along with your traffic update. Orange county also has a weather alert public file where you can get a day forecast. With orlando weather fcc applications you can get weather forecasts for a day forecast. Marion county in orange county has icons on the map with a community calendar. You can get a day forecast from an official source.
orlando traffic map
Counties in central florida that have a weather alert public file include lake county, winter park, altamonte springs, marion county, osceola county, and seminole county. You can get a traffic update through the official source road network. Orlando city has icons on the map for college sports and school sports, as well as a community calendar. Through the traffic mapping road network, you will know about a road closed notices, traffic flow, road conditions, travel times, current traffic, traffic incidents and traffic cameras.
traffic in orlando
With central florida traffic news you can get information on current traffic, road conditions, traffic mapping, traffic flow, realtime traffic, travel times, and traffic incidents. You will get a traffic alery when there is a road closed or traffic cameras. You can get realtime traffic updates for osceola county, seminole county, lake county, and altamonte springs winter park. Fcc applications in orlando city allow you to get a traffic alert directly, as well as weather forecasts and updates on school sports and college sports.