Two Cuban Guy's Home of Garcia's Place
Early in the drive, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+13057755055
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 48m
Distance
530.9 mi
854 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$80
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blountstown, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Miami, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Blountstown to Miami is 530.9 miles and takes about 9h 48m via Florida's Turnpike, I 10, and I 75, with a fuel budget near $84 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This is a solid overnight trip within Florida, covering a significant distance from the Panhandle region down to South Florida. Most of the drive is on major highways, making it efficient for covering ground. You'll want to plan for at least one overnight stop to break up the nearly 10-hour drive. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward way to travel between these two points in the Sunshine 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
265.5 miles from Blountstown, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 54m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 264.2 mi | 4h 46m |
| I 10 | 121.5 mi | 2h 10m |
| I 75 | 107.2 mi | 1h 54m |
| FL 12 | 18.1 mi | 24m |
| I 95 | 9 mi | 11m |
| West Central Avenue | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Greensboro Highway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Selman Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,501 veh/hr typical · worst 2,043
Quietest
2 AM
~173 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Blountstown, FL and Miami, FL.
Start on FL 20
Turn left onto FL 12
Turn right onto FL 12; CR 270
Continue on FL 12
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto Northwest 8th Street
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
Arrive at destination
To make this 9h 48m drive more manageable, plan for at least one overnight stop; two days is recommended. Starting from Blountstown, aim to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight driving. You'll have about 2 stops planned along the way, so use these for breaks and refueling. With a fuel cost estimated at $84, keep an eye on gas prices as you travel south. The longest stretch is over 260 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on that segment.
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.
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 117 miles or 2h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 265.5 miles or 4h 54m 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 265.5 miles or 4h 54m
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 8h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Blountstown, 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 Blountstown, FL
Aim for roughly 265 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Miami, FL
Aim for roughly 265 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
175 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
350 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Palm Bay, FLNight 1
265 mi · about 4.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Orlando, FL after about 265 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 117 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 265.5 miles from Blountstown, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 264.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 265 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best coffee break · around the midpoint
Orlando, Florida
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 8:30 AM–4 PM
+14077570617
Cafe Americano
Miami, Florida
Bistro Café
Miami, Florida
Early in the drive, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+13057755055
Around the midpoint, short detour
Sumterville, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–8 PM
+13527517997
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8:30 AM–4 PM
+14077570617
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Miami, Florida
Hours: 9 AM–9 PM
+17864384286
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Miami, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–4 PM
+17865333876
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Blountstown, Florida
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+18504510493
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 6 AM–10 PM
+17722007326
Around the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14077045878
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Miami, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–4 PM
+17867725615
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–2:30 PM
+17723365291
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Wildwood, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13524029081
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Early in the drive, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Blountstown, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Miami, Florida
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+13053587550
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
+14073638000
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13217541700
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Miami, Florida
Hours: Closed
+13054007000
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 2 pm–12 am
+14073633867
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Miami, Florida
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Miami, Florida
Hours: 12–7 pm
+13056143808
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Miami, Florida
Hours: 10 am–11 pm
+17863601766
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 255 and 530.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, US 441
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$80.37 one way
$160.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $88.18 | $176.37 |
| premium | $4.55 | $95.10 | $190.20 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $100.24 | $200.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $18.49
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
$80
Tolls
$18
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 185.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 159.3 | 1 | $55.74 | $25.48 |
| Efficient EV | 132.7 | 1 | $46.45 | $21.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 212.4 | 2 | $74.33 | $33.98 |
Gas CO2
186 kg
EV CO2
62 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Blountstown on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:43PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
Morning in Miami on Sunday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:43PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is a long-haul drive with 98% of it on highways, so expect minimal time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. With such a high highway share, you'll notice frequent exits and services catering to long-distance travelers. The transition from I 10 and I 75 to Florida's Turnpike will be a significant portion of your driving time.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 255 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 530.9 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 255 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 519.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 520.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
189 ft
Total Descent
241 ft
Highest Point
184 ft
~75.8 mi in
Elevation Range
178 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blountstown, FL and Miami, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
Orlando
Founded 1903
Blountstown is the county seat of Calhoun County, West Florida.
Top landmarks
“The Magic City” · Founded 1825
Miami is a major city in the southeastern United States and the second most populous city in Florida. The Greater Miami metropolitan area is the largest in the state with an estimated population just under 6.1 million (2021), which makes it the 9th most populous metro area in the United States. Although tourists generally consider Miami Beach to be part of Miami, it is its own municipality. Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Miami and Biscayne Bay. It is home to lots of beach resorts, and is one of the most popular spring break party destinations in the world. This article only covers the city of Miami, not Miami Beach.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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