Florida's Turnpike

Florida's Turnpike (also Ronald Reagan Turnpike; originally Sunshine State Parkway) is a toll highway in the U.S. state of Florida, approximately 430 km long (Turnpike mainline excluding Homestead Extension). It runs north-south through eleven counties essentially parallel to Interstate 95, with the two highways sharing a common alignment for approximately 30 km. The mainline connects with the metropolitan areas of Miami and Orlando, two of Florida's three largest population centers.

The Turnpike begins at the Golden Glades Interchange ( 25.927866693993-80.208671092987) in Miami-Dade County at Interstate 95, U.S. Highway 441, and Florida State Road 9. It passes through Kissimmee and Orlando and ends at Interstate 75 near Wildwood in Sumter County ( 28.85952101515-82.092461585999). The highway carries the national number Florida State Road 91. The first section opened in 1957; other sections followed in 1960-1964.

It is operated by Florida's Turnpike Enterprises, which also operates other private highways in Florida. Most of them function (like the Extension) as feeders to the Turnpike Mainline.

Homestead Extension

→ Main article: Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

In 1971-1974, a 77-mile addition, the Homestead Extension, was built, extending the Turnpike south to Florida City (connecting to U.S. Highway 1; 25.454551216213-80.476055145264). The mainline picks up the extension's mileage at the junction, so mile 47 follows mile 4 there. However, unlike the mainline, the Homestead Extension is dedicated as Florida State Road 821, and tolls here are paid electronically only.