Florida State Road 408/East-West Expressway (Florida's Turnpike east to FL 527)

One of the final major roadways I took on my recent Florida trip was Florida State Road 408/East-West Expressway from Florida's Turnpike east to FL 527 at Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando.

FL 408 is an approximately 22.1 mile limited access toll road facility entirely located in Orange County. FL 408 begins at Florida's Turnpike in Ocoee and heads eastward ending at the University of Central Florida just north of FL 50. FL 408 essentially serves as a limited access alternate to FL 50 on Colonial Drive and is by far the most common toll road I used when I lived in the Orlando Area circa 2014-2016. All but the westernmost mile of FL 408 is owned by the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Said final mile of FL 408 is owned by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise.

The initial segment of FL 408 was completed in 1973 which essentially was a loop to/from FL 50 near FL 435/Kirkman Road eastward past FL 551/Goldenrod Road. The eastern segment of FL 408 to UCF was completed in 1989 while the western connection to Florida's Turnpike was complete by 1990. Potential future plans for FL 408 may take it the junction of FL 50/FL 520 or even as far east as I-95.

My approach to FL 408 eastbound was from Florida's Turnpike southbound. FL 408 east begins by crossing over Florida's Turnpike and under it's westbound ramp to the Turnpike southbound.

From Florida's Turnpike the route of FL 408 has Orlando signed 10 miles to the east.

FL 408 east Exit 2 accesses Good Homes Road (which I think is an awful name).

E-Pass and SunPass are accepted on FL 408 for pre-paid tolls. Given I was in a rental car out of Tampa I wasn't sure if my coverage area covered Orlando (my SunPass died years ago). That being case I pulled over the pull-out toll booths and paid the $1 dollar cash toll.

FL 408 east Exit 4 accesses Hiawassee Road.

FL 408 east Exit 5 accesses FL 435/Kirkman Road.

East of FL 435 there is a $1.25 at the next toll gantry on FL 408.

FL 423/John Young Parkway is accessible from FL 408 Exit 8A while Tampa Avenue is accessible from Exit 8B.

FL 408 east Exit 9 accesses US 17/92/441 on Orange Blossom Trail.

FL 408 east Exits 10A & B access I-4 in downtown Orlando. Approaching I-4 the new Stack Interchange can be seen under construction which is part of the current I-4 Ultimate Project.

FL 527/Orange Avenue is accessed from FL 408 Exit 10C. FL 408 east crosses below the new Stack Interchange before the exit onto Orange Avenue.

Interestingly Exit 10C descending to Orange Avenue is one of the few places that FL 527 is still visibly signed.

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