Orlando to Port Canaveral drive: Distance, time & attractions
The distance from Orlando to Port Canaveral by car is 50 miles, with a 54 minute driving time. The best stops on the Orlando to Port Canaveral drive are the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, Indian River Village and Merritt Island.
Finding the best things to do between Orlando and Port Canaveral
The Orlando to Port Canaveral drive takes you from Florida’s theme park capital to one of the world’s biggest cruise ports.
Orlando is known worldwide as the home of Disney World, but there’s far more to it than Mickey and Co. You can get crazy selfies at the Museum of Illusions or WonderWorks, learn how chocolate is made at Chocolate Kingdom and ride the Wheel at ICON Park or Orlando StarFlyer. Alternatively, visit Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, play adventure golf at Pirates’ Cove and say hi to the stingrays at Sea Life.
In the evenings, there’s the Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show, Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn To Life and the Outta Control magic comedy show.
Other Orlando experiences include glow-in-the-dark kayaking, foodie walking tours and kayaking through Cypress forest.
The secret to getting Orlando accommodation deals is flexibility. There are hundreds of hotels, and you’ll likely be driving everywhere anyway. So hunt down the cheapest rates, and don’t get too hung up on exact location.
Port Canaveral is one of the busiest cruise hubs on earth. The likes of Disney Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Carnival dock here.
If you’re not planning to go on a cruise, you can take a tour of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse or visit the Kennedy Space Center. Cocoa Beach Helicopter Tours also offers its scenic flights from here.
Well-rated Port Canaveral accommodation options include the Country Inn and Suites plus the Hampton Inn and Suites.
Orlando to Port Canaveral distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Orlando to Port Canaveral is 50 miles. You can expect a driving time of around 54 minutes. The quickest route is mainly along the FL-258.
The best stops to add to an Orlando to Port Canaveral road trip itinerary are the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, Indian River Village and Merritt Island.
Orlando to Port Canaveral drive: Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science
The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science in Cocoa FL covers the regional history of Brevard County. There’s a lot packed in, from the Ice Age to the Space Age. It displays plenty of artefacts from the nearby Windover Archaeological Site.
Other topics covered include giant sloths, the railroads and citrus farming.
Best stops between Orlando and Port Canaveral: Indian River Village
Indian River Village on Merritt Island is home to a couple of enjoyable tours. Tiki Cruises runs hour-long dolphin and manatee-spotting boat trips along the Indian River, complete with music, drinks and hammocks. Meanwhile, Three Brothers Adventure Tours takes visitors out to see the local wildlife in kayaks or on paddleboards.
Orlando to Port Canaveral road trip attractions: Merritt Island
Merritt Island is flanked by the Indian River and Banana, and has become something of a wildlife haven. You can see the dolphins and manatees on a boat cruise or kayaking tour.
For something spectacular, try night kayaking through the bioluminescence – the water lights up as your paddle glides through it.
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