Florida State Road 438

Infobox FL State Road
type=state
route=438
length_mi=22.00 [http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/statistics/gis/default.htm FDOT GIS data] ]
length_km=35.41
length_notes=
dir1=West
dir2=East
from=CR 455 near Montverde
junction=
to=
previous_type=state
previous_route=436
next_type=state
next_route=441

State Road 438 is a state highway in Orange and Lake counties. It is one of the 3 roads that goes trough Killarney, the other 2 are SR 50 and the Florida's Turnpike. In Oakland, it is the 2nd closest to Lake Apopka than any other Florida State Road, after SR 91.

SR 438 is signed east-west. Its western terminus is with a T intersection at CR 455 near Montverde. Its eastern terminus is at US 17/US 92/SR 600/SR 15 in Orlando, just east of Interstate 4, making a total mileage of 22.00 miles (35.41 kilometers).

Route Description

Beginning at CR 455, it starts out as a 2 lane road, first going under the Florida's Turnpike. After that, it becomes part of Old State Road 50. Without any businesses, it enters Orange County. A block north of SR 50, a 3-way intersection shows up. SR 438 turns left as Oakland Avenue, pararelling the West Orange Trail. For the 2nd time, SR 438 goes over the Florida's Turnpike. Skipping Oakland, SR 438 enters Winter Garden, on the shore of Lake Apopka as Plant Street. Inside the central part of the city, SR 438 meets CR 535 and SR 537, about 2 blocks away from each other. Still a 2 lane road, outside of Winter Garden, now inside Ocoee, it intersects SR 429 (Western Expressway). At Ocoee Apopka Road and HM Bowness Road, it supports the northern terminus' of SR 439 and SR 437. SR 438 runs concurrent with SR 437 for 1 block. Then, SR 438 turns right as Silver Star Road, now going around Starke Lake. Leaving Ocoee, it next enters unincorporated Pine Hills. SR 438 is now 6 lanes wide. It started to widen east of Clarke Road. At the easternmost point of Pine Hills, it forms a fork at SR 416. SR 438 becomes Princeton Street and took away a lane in each direction. East of Mercy Drive, SR 438 enters Orlando. The next traffic light forms the intersection of John Young Parkway, with the elevation dropping below 100 feet. Widening to 6 lanes again, it meets US 441, as it nears Interstate 4. The road becomes a one-way pair as it enters a historic district. Before Interstate 4, it intersects SR 424, a 4 lane alternate route of US 441. SR 438 is now 4 lanes wide and meets Interstate 4 as a diamond interchange. At it approches the Orlando Science Center, it meets SR 527. SR 438 makes 3 bends to get to its eastern terminus, US 92/US 17/SR 15/SR 600 in Orlando.

References