A while back, I wrote a post about two gas stations near Orlando International Airport (MCO) that rip off tourists with prices that are usually over 2x the norm. The post did include one gas station just north of the “rip off stations” that also wasn’t far from MCO. Still, unfortunately, it was in a location where tourists, especially those from the theme parks area, typically wouldn’t be going past, unless they went out of their way.
This post solves that problem 😉
THE LAY OF THE LAND
MCO is east of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, hotels, and villas in Kissimmee, Davenport, Champions Gate, and on Rt. 192 and International Drive (on the map above, I-Drive is the white-colored curvy road running north and south of the first I in Williamsburg). Rt. 417 (the Greeneway) and Rt. 528 (the Beachline) both have exits that feed directly into MCO.
Universal and the International Drive area are closer to the 528. WDW is almost equidistant to the 417 and the 528; closeness to either of the highways all depends on which exit you take off Disney property. Kissimmee, Davenport, Championsgate, etc. are all closer to the 417.
IF YOU’RE COMING FROM THE GREENEWAY (RT. 417)
<– WDW // MCO –>
Exit, 14, Landstar Blvd., is the exit just before the one for MCO (Exit 17). There are four gas stations off that exit:
- 7-Eleven and Mobil are just north of the exit
- Race Trac and 7-Eleven are just south of the exit
Within the South Travel Plaza located close to Terminal C, there is a gas station available on the airport property. While prices are slightly higher compared to off-airport stations, they are not exorbitantly priced.
IF YOU’RE COMING FROM THE BEACHLINE (RT. 528)
<– WDW & Universal // MCO –>
Exit 9, Tradeport Drive, is the exit before the one for MCO (Exit 11). There are two gas stations off that exit:
- 7-Eleven is just north of the exit
- If you exit at Tradeport, go under the 528, make your first left onto McCoy Rd. and then make a right onto Daetwyler Dr., there’s a Sunoco on your left.
OTHER WAYS TO FIND GAS STATIONS THAT ARE “NORMAL” PRICES
Of course, there are other gas stations out there that have normal prices; the goal of this post was to tell you about the closest ones to MCO that (A) most tourists would go past and (B) don’t cost an arm and a leg as the rip-off stations do. If you want to search for other gas stations, many people have had good luck with an online program and/or app called Gas Buddy. It might do you well if, for example, you’re trying to avoid tolls (both the 417 and 528 are toll roads). However keep in mind, especially for those visiting Florida from overseas, that you’ll need Wi-Fi or data to access Gas Buddy.
Happy driving!
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12 comments
Thank-you for the heads up. Those bad links have now been fixed.
This is true. However heads up that transponders cost more than the stickers.
The people who make the tolls are also in the midst of a yearlong pilot program that help travelers to MCO save even more money.
https://yourmileagemayvary.com/2019/07/15/renting-a-car-at-mco-heres-a-new-way-to-save-a-ton-on-your-car-rental-bill/
Yes, the transponder costs $20, though I’ve been using mine for well over 10 years. (They sent a free replacement once when their system changed.)
I think the “borrow a transponder” experiment is great. Car rental companies must hate it.
I agree – they must be losing a ton of money in fees. Oh well… 😉
Yup. This post was specific to people coming from the theme park sector. But for those coming directly from the coast, you’re absolutely right.
The post was about where to find gas near the airport, not where to avoid tolls. That being said, after you exit, your GPS can show you how to get to the airport from your gas station of choice without tolls. You’d most likely get to Bear Rd., which is a street that parallels the 528. Make a L on Cargo Rd., a R onto Jeff Fuqua Blvd. and you’re at MCO. Toll free.
What’s the point of cheaper gas, if you spend more money on tolls to get that gas than you save? I was using Apple CarPlay, so was using GPS.
Alas, I can’t control where and how the 528 and 417 make their money ;-). But if you want to save on tolls, make sure to use this, instead of accepting what your rental car company offers: https://yourmileagemayvary.com/2021/06/13/the-way-to-save-a-ton-on-florida-tolls-is-now-live/
That is such a public service of you! Thank you. I’ve generally preferred the stations at the 417/527 interchange just south of the airport, good traffic flow with traffic signals, the area looks clean, and there’s enough (but not too much) vehicle traffic at o’dark thirty to make me feel comfortable in the dark before those early morning MCO departures. I hadn’t thought to try the Landstar exit! Maybe this next trip?
Just glad to see there’s a Shell gas station in the area as I have gift cards that need to be used.
Easy solution: Rent an EV.
Many people aren’t ready for that and frankly, we don’t blame them.
https://yourmileagemayvary.com/2023/07/10/whoa-nope-we-still-wont-rent-an-ev-when-on-vacation/