Embark on a 162.3-mile journey from Arcadia to Pembroke Pines, Florida, that will take approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes. This drive is entirely on local roads, with a 0% highway share, making it a turn-heavy experience perfect for a single-day trip. You can expect to spend around $27 on fuel for this route. With just one recommended stop, this drive offers a straightforward passage through the heart of Florida, connecting two distinct regions within the state. Consider this a manageable day trip with plenty of flexibility.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.1 miles from Arcadia, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
107.2 mi
2h 11m
East Oak Street
32.1 mi
40m
Port Everglades Expressway
9 mi
10m
I 75
4.6 mi
4m
Florida's Turnpike
4.2 mi
4m
East Magnolia Street
0.7 mi
1m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
SR 84
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 107.2 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arcadia, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on FL 70
463 ft·20 sec·East Hickory Street
2
Turn left onto US 17
0.2 mi·29 sec·DeSoto Avenue
3
Turn left onto FL 70
0.7 mi·1 min·East Magnolia Street
4
Continue on FL 70
32 mi·40 min·East Oak Street
5
Turn right onto US 27
34 mi·39 min·US 27
6
Merge onto US 27; FL 78
0.2 mi·18 sec·US 27; FL 78
7
Turn slight right
338 ft·4 sec
8
Continue on US 27
32 mi·42 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 27; FL 80
40 mi·48 min·US 27; FL 80
10
Continue on US 27
0.5 mi·33 sec·US 27
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, NaplesUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Miami, Fort Lauderdale
13
Merge onto I 75
4.6 mi·4 min·I 75
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
9.0 mi·10 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-BToward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.4 mi·37 sec·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 8Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
20
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
4.2 mi·4 min·Florida's Turnpike
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 49BToward SR 820 West: Pines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi·36 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
23
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
25
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 48 minute duration and 162.3-mile length, this drive is easily completed in one day. Plan to depart in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Pembroke Pines. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, ensure your tank is full before leaving Arcadia to minimize any unexpected stops. The turn-heavy nature of this route means you'll want to keep your eyes on the road and your GPS active, so consider making your single stop for a break or a quick meal strategically placed midway. This flexibility allows you to adjust your pace as needed.
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 81.1 miles from Arcadia, FL, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.2 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 36 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.1 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
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 Arcadia, 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 Arcadia, FL
This is one driving day of about 162.2 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Arcadia, 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 US 27 for about 107.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 140.3 and 155.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
140.3 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
9
146 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
8
155 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8; 9A-B
Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
7
155.6 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando...
8
155.9 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, 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 Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.82 one way
$51.64 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$28.08
$56.17
premium
$4.72
$30.16
$60.32
diesel
$5.61
$35.81
$71.62
Estimated Tolls: $0.30
Florida's Turnpike
(4.2 mi)$0.30
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
$26
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.7
0
$17.03
$7.79
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.19
$6.49
EV Truck/SUV
64.9
0
$22.71
$10.38
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Arcadia, FL
Late night
in Arcadia on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Late night
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 24m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a turn-heavy local drive experience, with no highway segments at all. You'll navigate primarily via DeSoto Avenue, East Magnolia Street, and East Oak Street, requiring constant attention to turns and local traffic patterns. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be engaging with the local road network for the entire 162.3 miles. This type of drive offers a more grounded perspective of the areas you're passing through, with frequent changes in scenery and speed.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.2 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and East Oak Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 140.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 162.2 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 140.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155 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 Arcadia, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale and Naples.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 162.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.2 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.30 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 140.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Pembroke Pines, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
