Florida turnpike system question

[GH85Carrera]

I am starting to plan my vacation to Florida this summer. I see Florida has a turnpike system and they are finally get a "sunpass" or automatic toll reader system like EZpass.

Oklahoma has had turnpikes since the 1950s, and we were the first state to use a "Pikepass" many years ago. I just blast through the toll plaza at 70 or 75 MPH depending on the speed limit at that location.

I looked into getting a Texas turnpike system and it is ONLY for residents. Everyone else has to spend more.

So simple question? Can I get a Sunpass as a non resident? I will have it for a month and turn it back in. From what I saw on their web site I can use my Apple Pay account to pay it. I could not find a place that answered if an out of state tourist can buy and use one.

[Paul_Heery]

You can pick up a Sunpass at a lot of locations like CVS and supermarkets. There are 2 versions. There is one that sticks to the inside of your windshield. That is OK if you never plan to take it off. The other is a device with suction cups on the back that you can move between cars.

I have the latter which I take with me when we travel down. I stick it up on the windshield and punch in the plate number of the rental car on the website (you can also use their app)

To answer your question, you do not need to be a resident.

[GH85Carrera]

Cool thanks. I figured I would order one a few months before I head down.

[id10t]

Also be aware that there are photo plate trackers that simply send you a bill.

How do I know? My daughter passed one Dec 7, I got a bill for $3.31 three days ago, that was due to be paid by Jan 15.

[Jims5543]

Just remember, left lane is for slow cars and right lane is for passing.


You're welcome.

[Racerbvd]

Where in Florida are you going? The turnpike doesn't cover the entire state.

[URY914]

Come to Florida, leave your money. We love visitors.

[CurtEgerer]

Another Florida driving tip: whenever you're at a red light and it turns green, make certain you finish updating your Facebook status on your phone before proceeding.

[fintstone]

Just toured most of Florida and only paid one toll (alligator alley) to cross from the east coast around Ft Lauderdale to Naples to go up the west coast. I think it was $2.75 at a regular toll booth. We must have seen 100 alligators around the canal beside the road when in the protected areas. Just like the big rats (deer) in VA/Maryland...but worse. Pretty cool.

[john70t]

Do not cross the white line and wait halfway in the curve when turning on a red light.
Lights are timed for dragstrip acceleration and 10mph over...else you'll catch 20 in a row.
Cameras everywhere. They love out-of-state plates.
Beware of Florida Man and Woman.

[id10t]

Personally I don't think there is any place worth going in Florida that you need a toll road on.

Then again, I mentally divide the state into N and S. Draw a line from the Crystal River area over to the Daytona area. Below that line is very different from those of use further north.

[URY914]

Please use your blinkers.
A yellow light means speed up.
All tourists must be off the roads by 4:00 each day.

[Mericet]

Helpful interstate info:

[vmb]

I was just in the Orlando-Canaveral area with the family 3 weeks ago and I brought my EZPass which worked on all the roads we drove on. The Avis counter person said that Florida toll roads just started taking EZPass. Maybe your Pikepass will work the same?

[GH85Carrera]

I am going to Bacoa Ratone for a week, down to Key West for a picture of my 911 there. Then back home.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I am going to Bacoa Ratone for a week, down to Key West for a picture of my 911 there. Then back home.

Good idea to get a speed pass they are at all Publix and Walgreens as well, you can buy a $5 sticker one and activate it in about 5 minutes online.

I go to KW at least once a year to unwind and explore. Not sure if you are just driving in and back out or staying a night or two. (which I recommend)

Let me know I can point you to some fun things down there depending on your likes.


If you like Dive Bars. If you are heading to KW, on the way back go straight as you leave Key Largo and take Card Sound Road it has a $1 toll and no speed pass. Last time I went through there the toll booth was torn down and a new one was being built so there may be a speed pass now.

It is a nice drive down backroads and right near the toll booth is a bar called Alabama Jacks. I learned from this place from a Pelican that works on a NASCAR team, he told me after the homestead race they all haul ass down there and party.

It is a dive, but, the beer is cold and the food is actually good.



If you are a Hunter Thompson Fan and want to take in a bit of his history, walk in his steps. He used to hang out in a bar in KW called the Chart Room.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/chart-room-key-west?adjust_creative=dWJMtmYxpd5N5yoyzSuhtA&utm_campaign=yelp_api&utm_medium=api_v2_business&utm_source=dWJMtmYxpd5N5yoyzSuhtA

[GH85Carrera]

I have a friend that lives on Big Pine Key, and he will put me up for the night. Most likely I will arrive in the afternoon at his house, spend the night in that area, and get down to Key West early and get a photo on my 911 at the point if possible.

I love cold beer, but I don't see myself hitting many bars and driving, that ain't happening.

At this point my wife has not committed to going to south Florida in July. I may take my brother who lives in Montgomery, AL and is on the way to Florida. It is all too far out to know for sure, except I plan to go.

The bottom line, it sounds like Florida makes it easy to get a turnpike pass, so I will get that for sure.

[Jims5543]

I am guessing you want a pic in front of the Southernmost Point.

If you are an early riser that will work to your benefit, get there as early in the morning as you can stand.

As the day goes on a lone forms to go take pictures there.


Southernmost Webcam

[GH85Carrera]

What I really want is to drive by in my car, and have a friend on the sidewalk shoot photos of me as I go past. I don't care that much for a selfie of me there, just me in the 911.

Like a idiot, I did not shoot a photo of my car at Friendship park in San Diego. I was there in 2007, but my cell phone back then was a cheap flip phone, and I did not feel like walking around with a camera.



This was in Maine, at Acadia park, and we got to within 30 miles of the furthest east possible in the USA.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

What I really want is to drive by in my car, and have a friend on the sidewalk shoot photos of me as I go past. I don't care that much for a selfie of me there, just me in the 911.

When I said pic at Southernmost Point I meant your car, who cares about selfies we are car guys, my wife gets pissed at me for snapping pics of the car when we are on a road trip and none of us.


Wife, kid and I just did a quick trip down to the Hard Rock in Ft. Lauderdale and home Thursday evening to see Penn and Teller. I always forget how much different S. Fla driving is compared to where I am, which is 45 minutes North of West Palm Beach.

The speed limit is 65. If you want to die, do 65.

Otherwise 80-100 is the average speed when the roads are clear. Always be prepared to go from 80 - 0 at any given moment. Floridians LOVE to look at police cars on the side of the road. If there is an accident it is 10X worse.

I sat in a 30 minute stop and go traffic Jam somewhere between WPB and Boca because there was an accident on the other side (I was heading SB the accident was on the NB side) and everyone had to stop and look before moving on.

Do not use your directionals, no one does and if you do it just give the person in the lane next to you and behind you a chance to floor it and close the door on you.

If you change lanes, be sure to check and double check, even if you are doing 80 someone will be weaving in and out of the traffic at 120 MPH and will be on you in an instant. Happens all the time you have to look in your rear view as much as you do forward down there.


When I would go to PCA events in Miami in my 911, I would always get some doofus stepping up to me on the road because I had a 911.

Mine was pretty special it was a 81 SC with a 91 3.6 swapped in that was massaged nicely. So it would scoot, I was happy to oblige the local dorks and typically surprise the hell out of them. This was 10 years ago, not sure the car would still hold up now.