Apopka to Palm Bay is 88.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 52 minutes via I 95 and Beachline Expressway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving from the Orlando metro area to the Atlantic coast. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip designed for efficient travel. Given its short duration and focus on major roadways, this route is best suited for a single-day journey. You'll find it a practical option for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.3 miles from Apopka, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
28.1 mi
30m
Beachline Expressway
25.3 mi
27m
East-West Expressway
8.8 mi
10m
Central Florida GreeneWay
5.8 mi
6m
South Orange Blossom Trail
5.1 mi
8m
Palm Bay Road Northeast
4.3 mi
7m
FL 423
4 mi
6m
Orange Blossom Trail
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 28.1 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apopka, FL and Palm Bay, FL.
1
Start on Central Avenue
231 ft·11 sec·Central Avenue
2
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·East 2nd Street
3
Turn right onto CR 435
0.2 mi·25 sec·S Park Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 441
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 441
2.2 mi·3 min·Orange Blossom Trail
6
Continue on US 441
5.1 mi·8 min·South Orange Blossom Trail
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto FL 423
4.0 mi·6 min·FL 423
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
9
Merge onto FL 408 Toll
8.8 mi·10 min·East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 18Toward FL 417 Toll: Tampa, Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward FL 417 Toll South: Orlando International Airport, TampaUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto FL 417 Toll
5.8 mi·6 min·Central Florida GreeneWay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 26Toward FL 528 Toll: International Airport, CocoaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward FL 528 East: Cocoa, Kennedy Space Center
15
Merge onto FL 528 Toll
25 mi·27 min·Beachline Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 42AToward I 95 South: MiamiUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 95
28 mi·30 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 176Toward CR 516: Palm BayUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
99 ft·4 sec·this road
Exit 176Toward CR 516: Palm Bay, Palm Bay RoadUse the left / right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto CR 516
4.3 mi·7 min·Palm Bay Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Palm Bay Road Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Aim to leave Apopka in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, filling up before you leave or at a convenient point along I 95 should be sufficient. There are no designated stops mentioned, so plan for any necessary breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Palm Bay, as services can sometimes be spread out on stretches of I 95.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.3 miles from Apopka, FL, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 20 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.3 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palm Bay, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Apopka, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Apopka, FL
This is one driving day of about 88.7 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Apopka, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 28.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.3 and 84 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
21.3 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward FL 417 Toll: Tampa, Daytona Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward FL 417 Toll: Tampa, Daytona Beach
8
21.6 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 417 Toll South: Orlando International Airport, Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 417 Toll South: Orlando International...
8
28.2 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward FL 528 Toll: International Airport, Cocoa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26
Toward FL 528 Toll: International Airport, Coco...
7
55 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42A
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
84 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward CR 516: Palm Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176
Toward CR 516: Palm Bay
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.12 one way
$28.24 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$15.36
$30.72
premium
$4.72
$16.49
$32.99
diesel
$5.61
$19.58
$39.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.6
0
$9.31
$4.26
Efficient EV
22.2
0
$7.76
$3.55
EV Truck/SUV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Apopka, FL
Late night
in Apopka on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Palm Bay, FL
Late night
in Palm Bay on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
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
4 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
1h 52m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Canaveral National Seashore
National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 48.9
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 75% of the journey utilizing major expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 95, experiencing a longest uninterrupted stretch of 28.1 miles on this interstate. Expect a profile that leans heavily into high-speed travel, making it a direct and efficient path. The Beachline Expressway and East-West Expressway also contribute to the predominantly highway nature of this route, ensuring a consistent driving experience focused on covering ground quickly.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Beachline Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.7 miles you will encounter 17 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 21.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Apopka, FL and Palm Bay, FL, road signs point toward Daytona Beach, Tampa, Cocoa, Kennedy Space Center and Cr 516: Palm Bay.
Apopka is a city in Orange County, Florida. Apopka is referred to as the "Indoor Foliage Capital of the World" due to the many greenhouse nurseries there. It is home to about 55,000 people (census, 1 April 2020)
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 88.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Palm Bay, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Palm Bay, FL before heading back.
