Apalachicola to Port Saint Lucie is 412.4 miles and takes about 8h 23m via Florida's Turnpike and Coastal Highway, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route crosses Florida from the Panhandle region to the Atlantic coast, offering a mix of highway cruising and coastal approaches. While it can be done in a single day, splitting it over two days is recommended to enjoy the drive more comfortably. You'll spend most of your time on the main highways, making it a straightforward trip for those looking for efficient travel across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
206.2 miles from Apalachicola, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
165.2 mi
2h 57m
Byron Butler Parkway
58.3 mi
1h 14m
Coastal Highway
54.4 mi
1h 10m
US 27 Alternate
48 mi
1h 1m
US 98
42.9 mi
1h 3m
I 75
24.7 mi
26m
US 19
8.3 mi
11m
Sopchoppy Highway
6.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 165.2 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
10 AM
~3,679 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 3 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apalachicola, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
1
Start on 5th Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·5th Street
2
Turn left onto Avenue C
456 ft·24 sec·Avenue C
3
Turn right onto US 98
43 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 98
4
Continue on US 319
6.6 mi·9 min·Sopchoppy Highway
5
Turn left onto US 98; US 319
54 mi·1 hr 10 min·Coastal Highway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 14 min·Byron Butler Parkway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
8.3 mi·11 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
8
Turn left onto US 27 Alternate
48 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 27 Alternate
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
10
Merge onto I 75
25 mi·26 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
165 mi·2 hr 57 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 142Toward Port Saint Lucie
13
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
483 ft·15 sec·Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
14
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto CR 615
1.6 mi·2 min·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·9 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 23m estimated drive time, departing early in the morning is advisable to make good progress. With 2 recommended days, you can comfortably break up the 412.4 miles. Consider stopping around the halfway point or where it feels natural to rest. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 165.2-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. Ensure you have your $65 fuel budget accounted for before you leave Apalachicola.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 206.2 miles from Apalachicola, FL, or about 4h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 91 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.2 miles or 4h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 206.2 miles or 4h 36m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Lucie, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Apalachicola, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Apalachicola, FL
Aim for roughly 206 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Port Saint Lucie, FL
Aim for roughly 206 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Apalachicola, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 165.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 410.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Avenue C
Turn left onto Avenue C
Navigation decision point
5
49.7 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway
Turn left onto US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
243.6 mi into trip|~5h 19m in|Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
6
409.9 mi into trip|~8h 18m in|FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Turn right onto FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
410.8 mi into trip|~8h 20m in|CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.43 one way
$124.86 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$68.50
$137.00
premium
$4.55
$73.87
$147.75
diesel
$4.80
$77.87
$155.74
Estimated Tolls: $11.56
Florida's Turnpike
(165.2 mi)$11.56
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Tolls
$12
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.7
1
$43.30
$19.80
Efficient EV
103.1
1
$36.09
$16.50
EV Truck/SUV
165
2
$57.74
$26.39
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Apalachicola, FL
Afternoon
in Apalachicola on Sunday
Local time
1:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 5 to 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 10:34PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Afternoon
in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
1:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 10:34PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 23m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 84% of the route on major roads like Florida's Turnpike. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 165.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike, indicating substantial periods of consistent speed. The remaining 16% of the drive will be on surface roads such as Byron Butler Parkway and Coastal Highway, likely featuring more local traffic and varied speed limits as you approach your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.2 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Byron Butler Parkway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Avenue C.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 412.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Avenue C): Navigation decision point; at 49.7 miles (US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 243.6 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
91 ft8 ft
Total Climb
120 ft
Total Descent
114 ft
Highest Point
91 ft
~265.1 mi in
Elevation Range
83 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Apalachicola, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Port St. Lucie is a sprawling tropical city on the Treasure Coast of Florida. The population is 202,000 and 438,000 in its metropolitan area (2019). Residents refer to the city by its initials, PSL. The spring training home of the New York Mets, this city has many fun activities if you know where to look; the new downtown area is in its infancy, but once complete will bring more activities for residents and visitors.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 206 miles on day one.
Expect about $11.56 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Port Saint Lucie, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Avenue C): Navigation decision point; at 49.7 miles (US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 243.6 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Saint Lucie, FL before the return drive.
