Which Costco is easiest to drive to and from the villages?

[rjd111]

I am planning to join Costco on April 1. Is it easier to drive to the club in Altamonte Springs or Wesley Chapel Google maps shows the same travel time for both would appreciate help in deciding

[Kenswing]

We've only been the the one in Wesley Chapel but it's a straight easy drive.

[CWGUY]

I am planning to join Costco on April 1. Is it easier to drive to the club in Altamonte Springs or Wesley Chapel Google maps shows the same travel time for both would appreciate help in deciding

:) Been to both.....Wesley Chapel is easier.

[thelegges]

We like Wesley Chapel, traffic is minimal, unless it’s first of April :boom:

[Dana1963]

I am planning to join Costco on April 1. Is it easier to drive to the club in Altamonte Springs or Wesley Chapel Google maps shows the same travel time for both would appreciate help in deciding
I like Costco near the Mall at Millenia, Florida Turnpike to I4 (east or north)first exit. Plenty of other shopping and restaurants.

[JSR22]

Costco Orlando by the Millenia Mall.

[valuemkt]

Another vote for Millenial Mall. Turnpike to rt 4 and you;re there. I dont recommend going there on weekends. Check out BJ's Brewhouse nearby for lunch. Also the Total Wine there has a better bourbon selection than the one on 441

[Stu from NYC]

Just so you know we have arranged to build one in Claremont.

[kkingston57]

Depends upon where you live in TV. We live in the Spanish Springs area and fastest Costco is near the Millenial Mall in Orlando. If you live near Turnpike Wesley Chapel is probably closer and faster.

Hopefully Clermont store will open soon. Hate going to Sams. Went there 2:00 PM on a Friday and lines were terrible.

[John_W]

...

[Bilyclub]

Wesley Chapel not very crowded for a Costco. Easy drive with good lunch spots nearby.

[Ruggiero56]

We used to go to Altamonte and Wesley Chapel, but discovered the Costco at Millennia Mall (Orlando). It’s quick and easy. It’s now our “go to”. Less than 1 hour drive and near tons of other shopping if you need other things.

[l2ridehd]

We have been to all 3 and Wesley Chapel is much easier then either Altamonte or Orlando. Drive is easy, exit is easy, traffic is less, construction is less, and the store is never very busy. For us it’s less then 1 hour door to door. I leave here at 9:00 and am there, fill with their gas and park just about as they open. Home by 11:00. Go about once a month, usually on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Where I lived in Northern Virginia it was 10 miles away and sometimes took an hour to get there.

[Jrsgvsg60]

Wesley Chapel

[algi45]

This one is better if you also want to go to Trader Joe's on your shopping trip. There is no close by Trader Joe's in Weasley Chapel.

[ragtag22]

We have been to both but prefer Wesley Chapel, easy drive and usually less crowded.

[Medtrans]

I am planning to join Costco on April 1. Is it easier to drive to the club in Altamonte Springs or Wesley Chapel Google maps shows the same travel time for both would appreciate help in deciding

I think Wesley Chapel. Straight shot down I75, right off freeway, no tolls.takes 5 to 10 min longer perhaps.

[Bridget Staunton]

Wesley chapel is the easiest, no lights straight down 75. Altamonte Springs takes forever

[Tomptomp]

FYI.... Sam’s club website is offering membership for FREE. pay $45 online and get a $45 credit when you pick up your membership card. The offer is good through April.

[Syd2008]

Westley chapel. Also has an outlet mall across street plus additional shopping and restaurants.

[lonestar4ever@outlook.com]

Since we are new to TV, how far is Claremont from Sumter Landing. Looking forward to a closer Costco. Sam’s is so busy. Hate going there.

[M2inOR]

Just so you know we have arranged to build one in Claremont.

Will be quite the drive, since Claremont is a city in California...😉

[Stu from NYC]

Will be quite the drive, since Claremont is a city in California...😉

Hmmm luckily we have access to the western worm hole to speed up the trip.

[Jimmay]

Wesley chapel is the easiest to get to

[crash]

I am planning to join Costco on April 1. Is it easier to drive to the club in Altamonte Springs or Wesley Chapel Google maps shows the same travel time for both would appreciate help in deciding

WesleyChapel is off the 75 so no toll roads. There is also a mall there so you can do other shopping at the same time.

We just went don’t forget the $5 rotisserie chicken and the $1.50 hotdog or $2 slice of pizza for lunch.

[Pdesensi]

Sams has an app to scan and go. No check out lines to stand in. After scanning your purchases as you put them in the basket and total purchases then you get a scan bar code and head out the door. Person manning door just scans your phone

[M2inOR]

We've made the trips to all the Costco stores in the area. Wesley Chapel, several in Orlando, one near Tallahassee, and several in Tampa.

Why? Just like we saw out in Oregon where I had access to 6 Costco stores within a 30 minute drive, each had reasons to check-out.

Until you visit them, you won't have a preference or decision on being easy to get to.

That said, we like two - Wesley Chapel and Altamonte Springs.

It would be great to confirm online what is available at each location. There is one trick I learned about the Costco Business Center which is south of Orlando - by setting your zip code to that area, the online store will show you what can be delivered to your business. This Costco serves restaurants and other businesses that need food service quantities. Lots of supplies and food items a restaurant or food service might need.

Enjoy the hunt!

[vinricci]

To skip the lines at Sam's club use the Sam's app. Scan'n'go section. Scan barcodes in your basket and head for the door.

[billethkid]

Sams has an app to scan and go. No check out lines to stand in. After scanning your purchases as you put them in the basket and total purchases then you get a scan bar code and head out the door. Person manning door just scans your phone

When it is working it is great.....for us it does not work (for one reason or another ) 50% of the time.

[John_W]

...

[pearlsam]

Check out the Tampa location. It is about the same distance as the ones in Orlando and an easy ride as it is just off the I-75 expressway.

[Villages Kahuna]

Deleted

[EnglishJW]

I like Costco near the Mall at Millenia, Florida Turnpike to I4 (east or north)first exit. Plenty of other shopping and restaurants.

We agree. We usually try to plan some other activity when we make this trip.

[Jolson]

Depends upon where you live in TV. We live in the Spanish Springs area and fastest Costco is near the Millenial Mall in Orlando. If you live near Turnpike Wesley Chapel is probably closer and faster.

Hopefully Clermont store will open soon. Hate going to Sams. Went there 2:00 PM on a Friday and lines were terrible.

We never stand in line at Sam’s. If you download their app, you can enter a credit card and each time you put an item in your cart you scan the UPC code. When you’re done shopping, press a button to pay on your phone. It gives you a small square that they scan at the door and out you go. All your receipts are saved in the app. It works great!

[stebooo]

Tampa

[RosemarySoso]

Just so you know we have arranged to build one in Claremont.

Is this a rumor?? Again??

[Stu from NYC]

Is this a rumor?? Again??

We think not

[cassjax2]

I drove to AltaMonte Springs for years but it is off my list after discovering Wesley Chappel! It is a much easier drive down 75. There are rumors a store will be built in Clermont by 2024. I’ve been a Costco member since 1993 (in WA state) and will never change to the copycat Sam’s.

[KathyW]

Costco at Mall of Mill. is exactly 53 miles one day - from Village of Sanibel. I prefer that Orlando store, and there are a lot of major retailers in that area. Altamonte Springs was further, and a lot more crowded.

[EdFNJ]

Is this a rumor?? Again?? It's from a "rumor website" so yes.

[EdFNJ]

We never stand in line at Sam’s. If you download their app, you can enter a credit card and each time you put an item in your cart you scan the UPC code. When you’re done shopping, press a button to pay on your phone. It gives you a small square that they scan at the door and out you go. All your receipts are saved in the app. It works great! Very true and great app feature, but making a return there is like going to the dentist and having root canal. The return/membership (same line, there's the mistake) lines are horrendous at least whenever we have gone and every customer has a 10 minute "problem" and then heaven forbid there is someone is in front of you who wants to join. That's good for 20 minutes then they call for extra help and 1 person saunters slowly to the desk and slowly logs in to their computer and by then I'm ready to pull my hair out. I have a $8 shirt I need to return and I have been there 4 times and just took it back with me for "the next time." I'll eventually end up using it for wiping the car. Maybe when BJs opens it will take of some of the load especially in "busy season."

[cj1040]

Do they have a one day intro pass?

[Carlsondm]

Wesley Chapel, especially if you don't like to fight traffic. Costco is also well stocked when we have been there. We live s of the turnpike so the highway is close.

[Bluenose2]

Much prefer the drive to Wesley Chappell. Less traffic and stress.Costco is very similar.

[rjd111]

I look atheist Costco website under future locations and it did not mention clermont,fl.

[JSR22]

I look atheist Costco website under future locations and it did not mention clermont,fl.

Last week there was a list of locations for 2022. The list has been removed. Clermont was on the 2022 list.

[Guitarman1951]

We live in the Villages and used to go to Costco in Altamonte but having to navigate 441 & 436 was s real pain. We found it much easier and faster to drive to the Costco at the Millinium mall at I4 and the turnpike. Pretty easy exit and short drive to it off the first exit and back in when you leave. Further, yes a few miles, faster, much, easier, much. I would recommend it it without a doubt.

[bpascani]

With gas prices as they are now, I wouldn't waste my time or gas going to any of those. Walmart Market, and Sam's Club have the best gas prices around, most of the time, and if you check the prices, BOGO, etc around TV, not to mention the farm stands, no reason to travel to the Costcos, IMHO

[Pmarlow]

We always go to Westly Chapel. Main reason is the tolls on the turnpike. Time is similar.

[John_W]

...

[EdFNJ]

With gas prices as they are now, I wouldn't waste my time or gas going to any of those. Walmart Market, and Sam's Club have the best gas prices around, most of the time, and if you check the prices, BOGO, etc around TV, not to mention the farm stands, no reason to travel to the Costcos, IMHO Definitely YOUR opinion! :D I figure all the $$$$ I have saved not smoking (cigarettes) or eating caviar all my life makes up for the gas cost. Also nice to get away from the bubble once every 5-6 weeks or so and see real civilization.

[EdFNJ]

Last week there was a list of locations for 2022. The list has been removed. Clermont was on the 2022 list. Here is the list.: OFFICIAL COSTCO COMING SOON LIST (https://www.costco.com/new-locations.html)

I believe that list you are referencing was on some shopping bargain rumor blog website that someone posted in another Costco rumor thread a while back. Don't remember seeing it on the Costco "coming soon" list which I have checked many times but it is possible I missed it.

Found the site (linked below) and Clermont is still listed but this is the "caveat":

The Costco website page for new locations coming soon is the only official place to get information about new stores opening. However, there are rumors from various trustworthy sources around the Internet about other new Costco locations that are in the works.

Then came the "trustworthy source" RUMOR listing of "possible" stores. This is the website where all the Costco hairdressers hang out giving their secret inside information. I don't believe Clermont was ever listed on the Costco "official" page: New Costco Locations for 2021 - SavingAdvice.com Blog (https://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2021/01/28/1052240_new-costco-locations-2020.html)

[Marvivo]

I have been to.all three. All are about 55 minutes away. I prefer Orlando because it’s basically straight down the turnpike and I can combine my monthly trip with visits to the Apple store/Millenia Mall/Hobby Lobby/Container Store and on and on.

[billethkid]

Wesley Chapel for us with a mandatory lunch at Ford's Garage!!!!

[John_W]

...

[Ringo7648]

We've only been the the one in Wesley Chapel but it's a straight easy drive.

Glad you were on the day I-75 was good!!! :bigbow:

[DangeloInspections]

We always go to the Millennial Costco. Google maps says that from our house the three closest Costco's are as follows;

Wesley Chapel- 63 miles, 67 minutes. (no tolls)
Millennial- 41 miles, 47 minutes. (T-pike tolls)
Altamonte- 35 miles, 53 minutes. (I've found this way tedious, although friends tell me they take back roads as this is their favorite)

I'll probably stick with Millennial, but might try Wesley Chapel for something different sometime.

[ctreick]

Access Denied (https://www.costco.com/new-locations.html)

[ctreick]

We think not

Access Denied (https://www.costco.com/new-locations.html)

[M2inOR]

Access Denied (https://www.costco.com/new-locations.html)

Works just fine for me using Chrome. If you wish to type it in:

www.costco.com/new-locations.html

[RedChariot]

Thanks for the heads up on Ford's Garage, I haven't been down to Wesley Chapel in a couple of years. Those garage doors on the right remind me of Miller's Ale House, I guess they're another sports bar, which is not a bad thing.

Google Map Location

Google Maps (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ford's+Garage/@28.192461,-82.3956227,788m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x88c2ba059deec49b:0xfed10 599ff5fb92d!8m2!3d28.1939372!4d-82.3942178)

Ford's Garage Website

Prime Burgers | Craft Beer in Wesley Chapel | Lutz FL | Fords Garage (https://www.fordsgarageusa.com/locations/wesley-chapel/#location-info)

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/164239094_1894557300708793_2059872044902800045_o.j pg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=8Axvz2uTxiYAX8VhLHU&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=dc84d19d8e7f36b4696f7ec8b767bb90&oe=607F2EEC

https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//uAI0Zz4H0om5DWAmNF3RFDob_DU=/1140x641/smart/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tbt.s3.amazonaws.com/public/SXL4QHGITII6TIRQPAY4DVT77I.jpg

John W. I just want to acknowledge and thank you for for all the maps, directions, and pictures you provide us on this forum. As a directionally challenged couple we applaud the extra effort you go to to be helpful. I am a fan.