Easy car rental acces to highway

Question

Renting a car but don’t want to be in confusing traffic where should I rent?

Answer

Heathrow is located just off I-4, and the good news is that you can easily avoid confusing Orlando-area traffic if you choose the right rental pickup location. Some locations—especially inside Orlando’s more congested areas—require navigating busy intersections and tourist corridors, while others place you only a minute or two from major highways.

Below are the easiest car rental pickup options for quick, simple access to I-4 or SR-417 with minimal city driving.

Best Options for Simple, Low-Traffic Highway Access

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) – Very easy to navigate, smaller airport, and rental cars exit directly onto East Lake Mary Blvd. From there, you’re only a few minutes from SR-417 or straight west toward Lake Mary/Heathrow. Almost zero confusing traffic.
Lake Mary / Heathrow Local Rental Offices (Enterprise, Hertz, Avis) – These neighborhood locations are calm, with minimal congestion. You can reach I-4 within 2–5 minutes, usually through simple, well-marked roads. Ideal if you are already staying in Lake Mary/Heathrow.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) with the South Exit – If you must rent from MCO, use rental agencies that allow quick departure via the South Access Road. This avoids most of the airport loops and puts you directly onto SR-417. This route is far easier than exiting through airport northbound traffic toward downtown.

Good Alternatives With Light Traffic and Easy Roads

Kissimmee (SR-417 Corridor) rental centers – Locations along the toll road entrances allow you to hop right onto SR-417, bypassing Orlando’s busiest areas.
Altamonte Springs rental offices – These are north of downtown Orlando and close to I-4, but not nearly as busy as the main Orlando tourist zones.
Sanford / Lake Monroe area rentals – Quiet roads, easy access to SR-417 or Highway 17/92, and usually faster in-and-out experiences.

Locations You Should Avoid If You Want Low-Stress Driving

Orlando International Drive area – Heavy tourism traffic, confusing intersections, and lots of stops and merges.
Downtown Orlando rental offices – One-way streets, busy lanes, and complicated access to I-4 if you’re not familiar with the area.
Orlando Airport North Exit – Feeds into major traffic corridors and construction zones near downtown.

For the easiest, stress-free experience, renting in Heathrow/Lake Mary itself or at Sanford Airport (SFB) is ideal. Both offer extremely simple access to major highways without the chaotic Orlando driving experience.

Easy car rental acces to highway

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