Florida's Turnpike South - Orlando to Yeehaw Junction

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Florida's Turnpike South
The first section of Florida's Turnpike expanded to eight lanes was the stretch leading south from Interstate 4 to SR 528 (Beachline Expressway) in 2008. 09/01/18
Exit 255 provides a direct ramp to Consulate Drive north of the Beachline Expressway over crossing. Consulate Drive links Southridge Commerce Park and SR 528 east with U.S. 17-92-441 (Orange Blossom Trail). 02/27/16
SR 528 Toll (Beachline Expressway) joins south Orlando and Walt Disney World with Orlando International Airport (MCO) and John F. Kennedy Space Center. 09/01/18
SR 482 (Sand Lake Road) passes over Florida's Turnpike one mile north of Exit 255 to Consulate Drive. Sand Lake Road represents the original SR 528 alignment prior to completion of the BeeLine Expressway extension west to Interstate 4. 09/01/18
The SunPass-only ramp for Consulate Drive and SR 528 west opened to traffic on July 27, 2004.1 There was no access to the Beachline Expressway west before that. 09/01/18
Florida's Turnpike southbound at the off-ramp (Exit 255) to Consulate Drive. 09/01/18
The connection with SR 528 (Beachline Expressway) west requires motorists to navigate through a signalized intersection with Consulate Drive. Consulate Drive provides an alternate route to U.S. 17-92-441 (Orange Blossom Trail) south to Hunters Creek. 02/27/16
Exit 254 constitutes a trumpet interchange and access road linking the Turnpike with Orange Blossom Trail (OBT) directly and the Beachline Expressway east. 09/01/18
U.S. 17-92-441 combine in central Orlando from Colonial Drive (SR 50) and split at U.S. 192 (Vine Street) at Main Street near Downtown Kissimmee. 09/01/18
U.S. 17-92-441 (Orange Blossom Trail) pass underneath Florida's Turnpike just north of Exit 254. OBT constitutes a busy commercial arterial southward from Orlando into northern Osceola County. 09/01/18
Exit 254 loops northward to SR 528 (Beachline Expressway) and U.S. 17-92-441 (OBT) from Florida's Turnpike south. The Beachline Expressway is an east-west toll road between Interstate 4 near International Drive and Interstate 95 at Cocoa. 09/01/18
A SunPass bypass lane allows motorists to bypass the ramp plaza at Exit 254. 09/01/18
Ramps from both directions of the Turnpike combine ahead of the trumpet interchange with OBT. A direct ramp links with the Beachline Expressway eastbound to Orlando International Airport (MCO). The connection to SR 528 west requires using OBT south to Consulate Drive north. 09/01/18
Florida's Turnpike reduces back into a four lane roadway beyond SR 528 and U.S. 17-92-441. However construction through 2021 expands the toll road into eight lanes, with two express lanes in each direction, south to Osceola Parkway. This distance sign included a space for the planned ramps with SR 417 (Central Florida Greeneway). Those are being added as part of the widening project started in April 2017. 12/04/10
Passing under the Central Florida GreeneWay (SR 417) on Florida's Turnpike in south Orange County. Construction started in fall 2013 added the first two ramps for the systems interchange between the two freeways. Additional ramps were built and completed in May 2016. The connections from the Turnpike south are two of the three final ramps to be built. 12/04/10
Osceola Parkway (Osceola County Road 522) meets Florida's Turnpike just south of the Orange County line. Originally named Dart Boulevard, the arterial links the toll road with Buenaventura Lakes to the east and north Kissimmee to the west. 12/04/10
Exit 249 with Osceola County Road 522 (Osceola Parkway) is a diamond interchange. The east-west arterial becomes a tolled expressway west of Flora Boulevard en route to Walt Disney World. 12/04/10
Florida's Turnpike travels 58.732 miles within Osceola County. 12/04/10
Tolls are charged on the southbound off-ramp at Exit 249 and on the northbound on-ramp from Osceola Parkway. Osceola Parkway (CR 522) spans Florida's Turnpike with six overall lanes. 12/04/10
Confirming marker posted south of Osceola Parkway. Florida's Turnpike ventures through northeastern reaches of Kissimmee to the Boggy Creek Road (CR 530) overpass. 10/01/15
Advancing south, Florida's Turnpike next meets U.S. 192 & 441 (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway) at Exit 244. Fort Pierce, the next major population center along the Turnpike beyond St. Cloud, lies 97 miles southward. 10/01/15
Exit 244 consists of a partial trumpet interchange with an access road to U.S. 192/441 (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway) midway between Kissimmee and St. Cloud. U.S. 192/441 combine from Main Street (U.S. 17-92) near Downtown Kissimmee and travel an arterial route east to the city of St. Cloud. 10/01/15
U.S. 192/441 continue east from Downtown St. Cloud to Harmony and Holopaw. With construction underway in 2008, the corridor was expanded to four overall lanes. The placard for next cash exit in 52 miles reflects the SunPass-only ramp for Kissimmee Park Road at Exit 240. 10/01/15
Modifications at Exit 244 removed the northbound off-ramp when a new ramp opened two miles to the south in 2004. An on-ramp was scheduled to open from U.S. 192/441 to the Turnpike south there in Summer 1995. Opposition from residents of the nearby Emerald Lake Colony subdivision protested the new work, teaming up with Osceola County commissioners and ultimately leading to its cancellation. The ramp was included in a $42 million improvement project along a 68 mile section of the Turnpike.2,3 10/01/15
Exit 244 connects with U.S. 192/441 (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway) across from Cross Prairie Parkway. Osceola County Heritage Park is located a short distance to the northwest. The park includes Osceola County Stadium (Spring Training home of the Houston Astros), the county fairgrounds and Silver Spurs Arena. 10/01/15
Exit 244 leaves Florida's Turnpike southbound for U.S. 192/441 west to Kissimmee and U.S. 192/441 east to St. Cloud. The pair split in rural east Osceola County on respective paths to Yeehaw Junction and Melbourne. U.S. 441 meets the Turnpike again at Exit 193. 10/01/15
Confirming marker posted south of the on-ramp from U.S. 192/441 and Cross Prairie Parkway. 10/01/15
Florida's Turnpike arcs southward four miles to Kissimmee Park Road. This distance sign stands ahead of the Partin Settlement Road (unsigned CR 523) overpass, 51 miles north of Yeehaw Junction. 10/01/15
Free roadside service is provided by sponsors throughout the 309 mile Turnpike mainline. The toll road elevates across U.S. 192/441 beyond this sign assembly. 10/01/15
Exit 240 joins Florida's Turnpike with Kissimmee Park Road (CR 525) and Old Canoe Creek Road in two miles. 10/01/15
The Kissimmee Park Road interchange was constructed as part of a $19 million improvement project. Built to both relieve congestion along U.S. 192/441, and improve access to the growing south suburbs of St. Cloud, the Sunpass-only ramps opened to traffic on January 6, 2007. The exchange is named after Senator N. Ray Carroll, a banker and cattle rancher from Osceola County who served in the state Legislature in the 1940s and 50s.4 10/01/15
Kissimmee Park Road stems south from Old Canoe Creek Road adjacent to the half diamond interchange at Exit 240. Old Canoe Creek Road angles southeast by an array of subdivisions from Kissimmee Park Road to Osceola County Road 523 (Canoe Creek Road) at Pine Tree Drive. 10/01/15
Southbound at the ramp departure (Exit 240) to Kissimmee Park Road. Unsigned CR 525 follows Kissimmee Park Road south from U.S. 192-441 (13th Street) in St. Cloud to Kissimmee Park on the east shore of Lake Tohopekaliga. CR 523 ventures south from St. Cloud, parallel to Florida's Turnpike to U.S. 441 at Kenansville. 10/01/15
Turnpike travelers enter the ticketed system of the toll road beyond the Kissimmee Park Road off-ramp. 10/01/15
The Canoe Creek Service Plaza, eight miles ahead, provides the lone motorists services along the 46 mile exit less stretch south to Yeehaw Junction. 10/01/15
Florida's Turnpike lines the south city limits of St. Cloud to the Three Lakes Toll Plaza at milepost 236. 10/01/15
A pair of SunPass-only lanes allow account holders to pass through the Three Lakes Toll Plaza at 25 miles per hour. Two toll booths otherwise provide tickets for cash-paying motorists. 10/01/15
Florida's Turnpike makes a gradual S-curve south from the Three Lakes Toll Plaza. The toll road shifts east from an arm of Lake Tohopekaliga, passing below Kissimmee Park Road (CR 525) along the ensuing stretch. 10/01/15
The upcoming Canoe Creek Service Plaza is the lone departure point along the Turnpike south to Yeehaw Junction. 10/01/15
Located at milepost 229, the Canoe Creek Service Plaza provides fast food options and a gas station. 10/01/15
Traveling south by the Canoe Creek Service Area on Florida's Turnpike. The facility resides within the median of the roadway. Automatic windshield wash stations are also available here. These are especially useful during the biannual love bug season. 10/01/15
Florida's Turnpike continues south from the service plaza and passes under Osceola County Road 523 (Canoe Creek Road). 10/01/15
The first of two roadway splits along Florida's Turnpike in southern Osceola County is located two miles southeast of Canoe Creek. 10/01/15
Officially Florida's Turnpike (SR 91) is named the Ronald Reagan Turnpike. Approved by the state legislature in 1998, the designation appears sporadically along the Turnpike mainline. However most media and references to the toll road omit the honorary name. 10/01/15
The second roadway separation through Osceola County lies just south of milepost 217 and Parker Slough. 10/01/15
Florida's Turnpike continues to angle southeastward in rural southern Osceola County. Outside of Kenansville and Yeehaw Junction, the rural area consists of ranch and wetlands. 10/01/15
County Road 523 (Canoe Creek Road) spans Florida's Turnpike south of milepost 208 near Lake Marian Highlands and Kenansville. 10/01/15
Florida's Turnpike makes a gradual turn south of Kenansville and beelines for Yeehaw Junction. 10/01/15
U.S. 441 and Florida's Turnpike cross paths ahead of Yeehaw Junction. Exit 193 follows with SR 60 just east of its intersection with the US route. 10/01/15
SR 60 travels west to Lake Wales in Polk County and east to Vero Beach on the Treasure Coast. 10/01/15
One mile north of the trumpet interchange (Exit 193) and access road linking Florida's Turnpike with SR 60 at Yeehaw Junction. 10/01/15
Beyond Exit 193, Florida's Turnpike commences a 41 mile exit less stretch south to Fort Pierce. Yeehaw Junction is home to a handful of gas stations, residences and the Desert Inn Historic Site. 10/01/15
The Fort Drum Service Plaza provides fast food and fuel along the Turnpike mainline nine miles south of Yeehaw Junction. 10/01/15
Exit 193 leaves the Turnpike southbound for SR 60 and U.S. 441 at Yeehaw Junction. SR 60 crosses the Florida peninsula between Clearwater Beach and Vero Beach. U.S. 441 enters Yeehaw Junction along a rural course south from Holopaw to Kenansville. 10/01/15
Drivers from both directions of the Turnpike combine through the ramp plaza at Exit 193. 10/01/15
SR 60 constitutes a four lane divided highway east from Florida's Turnpike to Interstate 95 west of Vero Beach. The state road remains with two lanes west to Indian Lake Estates. 10/01/15
U.S. 441 remains parallel to the Turnpike from SR 60 to Fort Drum before veering southward to Okeechobee. The U.S. highway meets the toll road again at Exit 97. 10/01/15


 
Sources:
  1. "Turnpike Ramp Work to Yield Sun-Pass Express Exit Tuesday." Orlando Sentinel, The (FL), July 25, 2004.
  2. "Protest Turns into Lesson in Frustration - Residents were Ready to Object to a Turnpike Ramp near their Neighborhood, but - It was too late." Orlando Sentinel, The (FL), July 2, 1993.
  3. "County to Help Residents Halt Turnpike Ramp - Commissioners Will Ask State Representatives for a Public Hearing on the Plans." Orlando Sentinel, The (FL), July 14, 1993.
  4. "Turnpike link eases commuter in Kissimmee." Orlando Sentinel, The (FL), January 6, 2007.


Photo Credits:

12/04/10, 10/01/15, 02/27/16, 09/01/18 by AARoads

Connect with:
U.S. 192
U.S. 441

Page Updated 09-09-2018.

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