Apopka to Pembroke Pines is 231 miles and takes about 4h 16m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, making it a straightforward drive down the state. The route is predominantly highway, so expect a swift journey. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily cover the distance and arrive at your destination with time to spare. It’s a practical choice for getting from Central Florida to South Florida.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.5 miles from Apopka, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
216.7 mi
3h 55m
Western Beltway
7 mi
7m
FL 451 Toll
1.7 mi
2m
Orange Blossom Trail
1 mi
1m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Hollywood Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
West 3rd Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 216.7 mi, about 3h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apopka, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·West 3rd Street
3
Turn slight right onto US 441
1.0 mi·1 min·Orange Blossom Trail
4
Turn left onto FL 451 Toll
1.7 mi·2 min·FL 451 Toll
Use the left lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·1 min
Toward FL 429 Toll South: Orlando, TampaUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto FL 429 Toll
7.0 mi·7 min·Western Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 22Toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, OcalaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward Orlando, Titusville, Miami, South Florida’s TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
217 mi·3 hr 55 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 49BToward SR 820 West: Pines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi·36 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
12
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
14
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Apopka in the morning to take advantage of daylight for the entire 4h 16m drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in your timing. The estimated fuel cost is around $36, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you don't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Keep an eye on the mileage as you approach your destination, as the final few miles will be on surface roads after the extensive highway portion.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 115.5 miles from Apopka, FL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 216.7 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.5 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pembroke Pines, 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.
+
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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Apopka, FL
This is one driving day of about 231 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Apopka, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 216.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 230.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 429 Toll South: Orlando, Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 429 Toll South: Orlando, Tampa
8
11.7 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala
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 22
Toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala
8
11.9 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Orlando, Titusville, Miami, South Florida’s Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Orlando, Titusville, Miami, South Florid...
7
229.6 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
6
230.2 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|Southwest 64th Way
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.97 one way
$69.94 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$38.37
$76.74
premium
$4.55
$41.38
$82.76
diesel
$4.80
$43.62
$87.23
Estimated Tolls: $15.17
Florida's Turnpike
(216.7 mi)$15.17
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
$35
Tolls
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.3
0
$24.26
$11.09
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.21
$9.24
EV Truck/SUV
92.4
1
$32.34
$14.78
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Apopka, FL
Late night
in Apopka on Tuesday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 10 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Late night
in Pembroke Pines on Tuesday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 7 to 13 mph19% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 16m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 drive is 95% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 216.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. You'll transition to surface roads for the final few miles into Pembroke Pines. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits as you approach the South Florida metropolitan area.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 216.7 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Western Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 231 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
179 ft6 ft
Total Climb
59 ft
Total Descent
198 ft
Highest Point
179 ft
~16.5 mi in
Elevation Range
173 ft
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 Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs point toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala, Orlando and Titusville.
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)
Top landmarks
•Apopka Seaboard Air Line Railway Depot — railway station in Apopka, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 231 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 216.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $15.17 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 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 Pembroke Pines, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Pembroke Pines, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
