SR-408 East-West Expressway Complete Guide: Tolls, Routes & Payment 2025
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SR-408 East-West Expressway Complete Guide
Official Name: Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
Length: 22 miles from Florida's Turnpike to SR-50 near UCF
Route: East-west through downtown Orlando, Orange County
Daily Traffic: Over 164,000 vehicles at peak downtown sections
Operator: Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) - 21 miles, FTE - 1 mile
Do I Need E-PASS for SR-408? 2025 Update
You don't need E-PASS for SR-408, but it's highly recommended for downtown Orlando access. E-PASS customers save 30% over cash and 50% over Pay By Plate, with additional volume discounts for frequent users.
Key Reality: SR-408 is the backbone of CFX's network, carrying over 164,000 vehicles daily through downtown Orlando. The expressway provides direct access to major destinations including Amway Center, Camping World Stadium, and downtown entertainment venues.
2025 Update: Toll increases of 2-5 cents per segment effective July 1, 2025, with major I-4 interchange improvements completed. The nearly $1 billion interchange reconstruction provides elevated flyover ramps up to 120 feet high.
SR-408 Toll Costs: Current Rates
SR-408 operates four mainline toll plazas with rates varying by location and payment method across the 22-mile route.
Current Toll Rates by Plaza (2025)
| Toll Plaza | E-PASS Rate (Cars) | Pay By Plate | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiawassee Barrier Toll | $0.50 | $1.00 | Mile 4 - West Orlando |
| Pine Hills Main Toll Plaza | $0.75 | $1.50 | Mile 6 - Pine Hills area |
| Conway Toll Plaza | $1.00 | $2.00 | Mile 12 - East of downtown |
| Dean Road Main Toll Plaza | $0.75 | $1.50 | Mile 17 - Near UCF area |
Full Journey Costs (2025)
| Route | E-PASS Cost | Pay By Plate | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Route (Turnpike to UCF) | $3.00 | $6.00 | 25-30 minutes |
| Turnpike to Downtown | $1.25 | $2.50 | 15-20 minutes |
| Downtown to UCF | $1.75 | $3.50 | 12-15 minutes |
| Universal to Downtown | $0.75 | $1.50 | 8-12 minutes |
How to Pay SR-408 Tolls
SR-408 accepts multiple payment methods with electronic options providing the best rates and convenience.
1. E-PASS (FREE & Recommended):
- FREE E-PASS Sticker: Available from CFX, no monthly fees
- Reload Lanes: Available at Conway Plaza for cash reloading
- Volume discounts: Up to 25% additional savings for frequent users
- Open road tolling: No stopping at toll plazas
2. Compatible Transponders:
- SunPass (Florida statewide)
- Peach Pass (Georgia)
- NC Quick Pass (North Carolina)
- E-ZPass (with Uni transponder)
3. Pay By Plate:
- Automatic license plate recognition
- Monthly invoices with 30-day payment terms
- Double the electronic rate
- No cash accepted at toll plazas
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types on SR-408, use TollGuru Florida toll calculator
SR-408 Route Guide: West to East
SR-408 provides a faster alternative to heavily congested SR-50 (Colonial Drive), running 22 miles through the heart of Orlando.
Western Section (Florida's Turnpike to I-4)
Major Connections:
- Exit 1: Florida's Turnpike - Major north-south connector
- Exit 3: Good Homes Road - West Orange residential access
- Exit 5: SR-435 (Kirkman Road) - Universal Studios access
- Exit 7: Pine Hills Road - Local community access
- Exit 9: SR-423 (John Young Parkway) - Airport access route
Key Features:
- Hiawassee Barrier Toll at mile 4
- Pine Hills Main Toll Plaza at mile 6
- Arnold Palmer Expressway designation (Kirkman to Clark Road)
- Access to Universal Orlando Resort
Downtown Section (I-4 Interchange)
I-4 Interchange Features:
- Nearly $1 billion reconstruction completed
- Flyover ramps up to 120 feet high
- Four-level interchange design
- Eliminates previous traffic bottlenecks
Downtown Access:
- Exit 10B: US-441 (Orange Blossom Trail) - Camping World Stadium
- Exit 11: I-4 connections - Major interstate access
- Exit 12: Garland Avenue - Downtown Orlando core
- Exit 13: SR-436 (Semoran Boulevard) - Cross-town connector
Eastern Section (Downtown to UCF)
Major Features:
- Lake Underhill Bridge - Gateway design with decorative towers
- Conway Toll Plaza - Major collection point
- Dean Road Main Toll Plaza - Eastern terminus
- SR-417 interchange - Beltway connections
Eastern Connections:
- Exit 15: SR-417 (Central Florida Greenway) - Beltway access
- Exit 17: Chickasaw Trail - Valencia College access
- Exit 18: Goldenrod Road - Research Park connection
- Exit 19: Alafaya Trail - University of Central Florida
Recent Changes (2025)
Toll Rate Updates:
- July 1, 2025: Toll increases of 2-5 cents per segment
- Increases reflect CFX Customer-First Toll Policy adjustments
- Revenue funds $4.2 billion five-year improvement plan
- Volume discount program continues for frequent users
Infrastructure Improvements:
- I-4 interchange reconstruction completed (nearly $1 billion project)
- SR-408 expansion project near I-4 planned for 2025-2027
- Lake Underhill Bridge aesthetic improvements completed
- Wrong-way driver detection technology installed
Technology Enhancements:
- Enhanced open road tolling at all plazas
- Reload Lane pilot program at Conway Plaza
- Mobile app integration for account management
- Real-time traffic monitoring systems
Major Destinations via SR-408
Downtown Orlando:
- Amway Center: Orlando Magic games and concerts
- Camping World Stadium: Major sporting events and concerts
- Exploria Stadium: Orlando City SC soccer
- Downtown business district: Financial and government centers
Theme Parks & Entertainment:
- Universal Orlando Resort: Via Kirkman Road (Exit 5)
- International Drive: Tourist corridor access
- Orlando Premium Outlets: Shopping destinations
- ICON Park: Entertainment complex
Education & Business:
- University of Central Florida: Via Alafaya Trail (Exit 19)
- Valencia College: Via Chickasaw Trail (Exit 17)
- Central Florida Research Park: Tech corridor
- Orlando Executive Airport: Business aviation
Planning Your SR-408 Journey
Best Times to Travel:
- Off-peak hours: 9 AM - 3 PM and after 7 PM weekdays
- Weekend mornings generally lighter traffic
- Avoid 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM weekday rush hours
- Downtown events can cause significant delays
Money-Saving Tips:
- Get FREE E-PASS sticker from CFX service centers
- Use Conway Plaza Reload Lane for cash payments
- Take advantage of volume discounts for frequent use
- Consider carpooling for downtown commuting
Alternative Routes:
- SR-50 (Colonial Drive): Parallel free route (significantly slower)
- Sand Lake Road: Southern alternative to downtown
- Lee Road: Northern alternative for cross-town travel
- I-4: North-south alternative with downtown access
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Arnold Palmer Expressway section?
In June 2017, CFX named the section of SR-408 from Kirkman Road to Clark Road the "Arnold Palmer Expressway" in honor of the late golf legend who made Orlando his winter home for nearly 50 years.
Can I avoid SR-408 tolls completely?
Yes, SR-50 (Colonial Drive) runs parallel to SR-408 as a free alternative. However, Colonial Drive carries up to 45,000 vehicles daily in some sections and experiences significant stop-and-go traffic, making SR-408 much faster for east-west travel.
How much does it cost to drive SR-408 daily?
For a typical downtown commute using 2-3 toll plazas daily, expect $2-4 per day with E-PASS, or $4-8 with Pay By Plate. Volume discounts can reduce this by up to 25% for frequent users.
What happened to the old I-4/SR-408 interchange?
The old "double trumpet" interchange was completely rebuilt at a cost of nearly $1 billion. The new interchange features elevated flyover ramps up to 120 feet high, eliminating previous traffic bottlenecks and providing smoother traffic flow.
Is there cash reload available on SR-408?
Yes, the Conway Toll Plaza features Reload Lanes where you can get a FREE E-PASS sticker or add funds to your E-PASS account using cash or credit/debit cards. The reload lanes operate 6 AM to 10 PM daily.
SR-408 vs. Other Orlando Expressways
| Expressway | Direction | Typical Cost | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| SR-408 East-West | East-West | $1-3 per trip | Downtown access, UCF connection |
| SR-417 Greenway | North-South | $2-5 per trip | Beltway, airport access |
| SR-429 Western Beltway | North-South | $2-6 per trip | Western suburbs, Disney access |
| I-4 Express | East-West | $3-21 (dynamic) | Rush hour bypass |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- Orlando Toll Roads - Complete CFX system overview
- SR-417 Central Florida Greenway - North-south beltway
- SR-429 Western Beltway - Western corridor
- I-4 Express Lanes - Downtown bypass with dynamic pricing
- SR-528 Beachline Expressway - Airport connection
- E-PASS Orlando - FREE transponder program
Historical Information:
- Spessard L. Holland - Expressway namesake
- Arnold Palmer Expressway - Western section dedication
- Orlando Expressway History - Development timeline
- I-4/SR-408 Interchange History - Reconstruction project
CFX Customer Service:
- E-PASS Service Center: 525 South Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
- Customer Service: (407) 823-7277 or (800) 353-7277
- Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-6 PM, Saturday 8 AM-4:30 PM
- Conway Plaza Reload Lanes: 6 AM-10 PM daily
