Interstate 4 - Route Description

Route Description

I-4 maintains a diagonal, northeast–southwest route for much of its length, although it is signed east–west. The 132-mile (212 km) route begins with an interchange with I-275 in Tampa and continues east toward I-75.

After passing through the eastern suburbs of Hillsborough County, it crosses into Polk County, entering the Lakeland area, intersecting with the Polk Parkway twice before entering Polk City.

At this point, the interstate starts a turn toward the northeast where it intersects with the Orlando area cutting the city through at a diagonal direction going northeast/southwest. The route provides access to all of Orlando's theme parks including Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios, as well as nearly all of Orlando's toll roads, including Florida's Turnpike. Throughout most of Orange County and Seminole County, I-4 travels in a roughly north–south direction. This causes endless trepidations for outsiders, since the exits are named according to I-4's generally west–east orientation.

Right before the eastern terminus, I-4 switches to a mostly east–west route in order to connect with traffic from and to I-95. At an interchange with I-95 in Daytona Beach, I-4 terminates; however, SR 400 continues eastward into Daytona Beach.

SR 400, unsigned while concurrent with I-4, becomes signed east of I-95. The road extends for 3 miles (4.8 km) from the northeast terminus of I-4, on the south side of Daytona International Speedway and Daytona Beach International Airport, to an intersection with U.S. Route 1 (SR 5) in Daytona Beach. Named Beville Road, it runs along the boundary between the cities of Daytona Beach and South Daytona. Sections of Beville Road is classified a "Scenic Thoroughfare" by the City of Daytona Beach.