How To Get From Orlando To Daytona Beach

You’re in for a treat if you’ve never before seen Lake Monroe. It’s right there in the middle of Florida. If you’re traveling between Orlando and Daytona Beach, you have to go right past it. But how do you get from Orlando to Daytona Beach? Which are the most scenic routes? 

Lucky for you, there are highways and country roads, and rail lines that cross the peninsula. They all include spectacular scenery, opportunities for adventure, and plenty of reasons to stop and take a breath.

Daytona is one of the best beaches near Orlando and Disney World, and we highly recommend a visit!

How Far Is Daytona Beach From Orlando?

Orlando is (roughly) 57 miles from Daytona Beach. Of course, it becomes longer if you take some scenic detours along the way. That’s not bad, considering it takes less than an hour to drive on the interstate. 

Why not make it two or three hours and check out some fantastic stops?

What’s the Best Way To Get To Daytona Beach From Orlando?

You’ll head straight north-east to get from Orlando to Daytona Beach. If you’re in an airplane or a helicopter, you can see Daytona Beach and the beautiful Florida coastline from above Orlando. But it’s not that simple in a car.

There are a couple of large lakes, a few conservation areas, and dozens of rivers and hills along the way. The I-4 does a great job of bypassing all of this, so if you’re in a rush, just jump in the car and drive for an hour.

1. Orlando To Daytona Beach by Car

If the I-4 is the fastest way to get from Orlando to Daytona Beach by car, then that’s the best way for most people. You can hop on the I-4 from most points in Orlando. The highway heads straight north for a while and then curves northeast around Lake Monroe. 

Things start to change when you reach the outskirts of Daytona.

• Merge north onto I-95 towards Jacksonville
• Keep right at the fork 
• Take exit 260 C
• Follow signs for Daytona/Airport/US-92
• Keep right at the next fork and merge onto US-92 E
• Merge onto W International Speedway Blvd

W International Speedway Blvd heads east all the way to the beach. Park your car, grab your flip-flops and beach umbrella, and enjoy.

That said, what if you prefer a more scenic route? Thankfully there’s plenty of other options than the highway if you’re not in a rush. 

The best way to get from Orlando to Daytona Beach while enjoying central Florida’s scenery is to take the FL-408. This meandering two-lane highway offers a good clip as well as beautiful views of the route. It will take you across Lake Jesup, through two conservation areas filled with flamingoes and palms, and right to Daytona Beach. 

This particular route is 67 miles long and takes just over an hour. Note that there are tolls included on this route, but it’s well worth the price.

• Head east on FL-408
• Follow the ramp for FL-417 N
• Head north on FL-417
• Enjoy the long, low Lake Jesup bridge
• Take exit 49 for N Ronald Reagan Blvd
• Turn right on E Lake Mary Blvd
• E Lake Mary Blvd becomes State Rte 415 N (with tolls)
• Keep right when you reach Daytona Beach and merge onto US 92 E
• US 92-E becomes W International Speedway Blvd

Follow this to the beach!

If you’re visiting Florida, then you may need to rent a car. Thankfully Florida has car rentals available everywhere. 

• Enterprise Rent-a-Car: $62/day for an economy car
• Budget: $32/day for an economy car
• Dollar Car Rental: $33/day for an economy car
• Fox Rent-a-Car: $25/day for an economy car
• National: $64/day for an economy car
• Easirent: $15/day for an economy car

2. Orlando To Daytona Beach by Bus

The biggest headache with driving is usually the car itself. Not only do you have to pay for it and maintain it, but you need to find parking wherever you go. However, you can take a bus from Orlando to Daytona Beach and skip all that hassle.

Florida is brimming with bus companies, thanks to being a tourist mecca. Prices are amazingly cheap, and there are lots of options to choose from.

Megabus

With a name like Megabus, getting from Orlando to Daytona Beach by bus should be a breeze. Buses leave from Orange Blossom Center every day at 10:30 am. They include free wifi, onboard power connectors, and tv entertainment. The trip takes just over an hour along I-4.

Tickets cost $19.99, but you can buy a Megabus pass that includes more than one trip to anywhere in Florida. Prices for this pass vary.

Greyhound

Greyhound has multiple buses to Daytona Beach every day. They leave from the Greyhound Bus Station at 555 N John Young Pkwy. Although Greyhounds lack frills such as wifi and power outlets, they are comfortable and dependable. They also feature buses that go along different routes, not just the I-4. You’ll need to visit their website for details and route options.

Greyhound tickets start at $16 per person and go up depending on route and time.

Flixbus

Flixbus is the cheapest way to get from Orlando to Daytona Beach. They may not have seats as comfortable as Greyhound, but they make up for it with free wifi and charging outlets on board. You can catch a Flixbus from the Orlando International Airport Premium Outlets shopping area (look for the “Buses Only” sign). 

Flixbus tickets cost $10 per person.

You can see that there are a variety of ways to get from Orlando to Daytona Beach by bus no matter which company you choose.

3. Orlando to Daytona Beach by Train

Traveling by train is hands-down the most comfortable way to get around. Perks such as wifi and a la carte food service (suspended during COVID) make train travel a pleasure. That said, you’ll pay a higher price than you would if you took a bus. 

Amtrak has daily trains from Orlando to DeLand Station, just outside Daytona Beach city.

Tickets start at $58 per person return but can go as high as $240 for first class. The train is also a little slower. It takes 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to Daytona Beach. The route takes you through Orlando, past the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, with a stop at Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Then the rails turn north, around Lake Monroe and through Blue Spring State Park, before stopping at DeLand Station. 

From there, you can catch an Uber or city bus to anywhere in Daytona itself.

Catch the train at Orlando Station, 1400 Sligh Blvd. 

4. Orlando to Daytona Beach on an Organized Day Trip

Take an organized day trip from Orlando to Daytona Beach and catch the sights. Whether you want to see gators in the Everglades or watch a SpaceX rocket lift off, an organized day trip has it. 

Kennedy Space Center Trip

Just south of Daytona Beach is the Kennedy Space Center. This world-famous site is where NASA rockets lift off for outer space. The moon landings left from here. Space Shuttles took off and landed here. It’s a historic site as well as a national treasure.

Best of all, the Kennedy Space Center is still in operation. Although NASA stopped launching its rockets, it does rent the launchpads out to Space X. That means you can still catch a space launch if you’re lucky.

Viator offers a day trip to the Space Center’s visitor complex, including interactive displays and a space museum. You can meet real-life astronauts and tour NASA’s launch command center with its rows of computers and giant monitors. 

Prices start at $70 per person. You can upgrade to have lunch with an astronaut and tour the vehicle assembly plant for an additional fee. Note that food and gratuities are not included in this price. 

Small-Group Sailing Tour

Do you prefer a relaxed and scenic day trip? In that case, a small group sailing excursion off the coast of Daytona Beach is right up your alley.

Howling Owl Sailing Boat Tours operates a catamaran and several small sailing boats with daily launches. You can book ahead on TripAdvisor with prices starting at around $50 per person. 

The catamaran features open sun areas as well as an enclosed shady lounge. Some seats hang out over the water and netting at the front where you can hang out and get sprayed by the surf.

You’ll need to take a bus from Orlando to Daytona Beach and board the catamaran at Caribbean Jack’s, 721 Ballough Rd. 

NASCAR Racing Experience

Face it, Daytona Beach Beach is famous for two things: spring break and NASCAR. After all, NASCAR was born here! Why not experience the thrill of high-performance racing for yourself?

The NASCAR Racing Experience allows you to get behind the wheel of an actual NASCAR racing car and blast yourself along the world-famous Daytona International Speedway. If you’ve ever wanted to drive more than 200 miles per hour, this is your chance.

Be warned; this isn’t cheap. Not only will you need to drive (or bus) to Daytona Beach from Orlando, but you’ll need to buy time on the racetrack. Five minutes cost nearly $300. Fifteen minutes will cost $1000. 

That said, your kids can ride along with an experienced NASCAR racer for $79 while you look on with pure jealousy in your heart. 

Tuscawilla Park Zipline Adventure

You can find cheaper thrills in Daytona Beach than driving a NASCAR car. The Tuscawilla Park Zipline Adventure is for people of all ages. 

You and your family can climb, explore, and zip from tree to tree in this massive park in the middle of Daytona Beach. There are swinging bridges, ten obstacles to climb over, and four ziplines. One of the ziplines is more than 300 feet long. 

The best part of the Tuscawilla Park Zipline Adventure is that you can avoid all the large tourist crowds. Groups are released into the park in measured blocks, so there’s never a crowd. Your kids will have the time of your life, and this park alone will have them fast asleep by bedtime. 

Tickets cost $52 per person from Viator. 

Polynesian Dinner and Fire Show

You don’t have to make all your day trips in the daytime. Instead, wait until sunset and enjoy an all-you-can-eat Polynesian buffet right on the beach, capped off with a dazzling fire show. 

You’ll be entertained by a traditional Polynesian Luau dance, followed by an awe-inspiring knife throwing and juggling show. As the sun sets, Polynesian fire twirlers will arrive and put on a jaw-dropping fire show. They spin and twirl and toss flaming sticks in ways you’ve never seen. This experience is a family-friendly way to cap your exciting day trip from Orlando to Daytona Beach.

Tickets cost $50 per person and $20 for kids.

Daytona Beach Brewery Tour

Did you know that Volusia County is home to a booming microbrewery scene? There are nearly 20 breweries in and around Daytona Beach. Some are located in pubs, while others feature entire distilleries along with the breweries. 

So why not visit them all? This day trip is not for kids or those who can’t stomach ingesting lots of beer. The tour includes an air-conditioned shuttle bus, so you don’t have to worry about getting around. They start and end at 310 Seabreeze Blvd, with one tour in the afternoon and one in the evening. 

The best part of the tour is that the starting and ending breweries feature full menus of exquisite pub food. Dig in before you begin the tour so you have a full stomach because you’ll be sampling beer for the rest of the trip!

Tickets cost $24 per adult on TripAdvisor, but that doesn’t include food or any of the beer you choose to buy yourself. 

How Will You Get From Orlando to Daytona Beach?

With multiple transportation options available, which one will you choose to get from Orlando to Daytona Beach? You can quickly get there in your car, but buses are just as cheap and save you the hassle of paying for parking. 

On the other hand, the train lets you travel in comfort and style. Ultimately the choice is yours. You can’t go wrong with any of these options to get from Orlando to Daytona Beach!