First, there's the Cheap Route. It involves traversing, none-too-smoothly, along 6 different stop-and-go roads (Lake Mary Blvd., 17-92, 419, 434, Research Pkwy., and Discovery Drive) with heavy traffic, especially as one approaches the UCF area and numerous, achingly-long stop lights.
But then there's what I call the "Luxe Option". Pure Heaven. A more direct path, virtually no stopping, almost all highway, average speed of 65-70 mph, smooth, well-maintained road surface and light, orderly traffic. Fast, slick and as stress-free as a 20 mile commute could be. And pretty much devoid of ugly, recession-worn beaters billowing exhaust fumes since they cant afford to ride this route.
That's right, it's all tolls. $3.50 each way.
That's $35.00 a week...over $1,800 a year!
But that's the cash price. Luckily (I guess), the state has another payment option. Sun Pass, an electronic debiting transponder affixed to your car's windshield allowing you to use the no-stop Sun Pass lanes and whizz through toll stations letting the sensors deduct the fare automatically from your pre-paid account. Beep! Cha-ching! It saves you, so they claim, about a quarter each toll station.
We'll see. I just got one today and will try it out in the morning. Nugget doesn't like the ugly sticker on her windshield, which seems like it will be very difficult to remove in the future when no longer needed.
But it beats a constant pile of quarters in my cup holders, rolling down my windows, letting in the oppressive heat, and having to stop at either the "Exact Change Only" (which sometimes malfunction, ripping you off) or human-operated (by sad, sad, people) toll booths.
Ah, to live in a state, like say, California, which has highways so toll-free as to be named "freeways"!
I guess toll roads are one of the reasons why we don't have an income tax.
Well, I'd rather be taxed since I don't think I'd have to pay $1,800 a year in state income tax!
Arrgh! I'm so frustrated...
Well, at least my deluxe scenic commute tomorrow should calm me down...
At least until I have to refill my Sun Pass account by the end of the week.