This 513-mile journey from Brent, Florida, to Melbourne Beach, Florida, will take approximately 9 hours and 32 minutes of driving time. Given the distance and duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid excessive fatigue. You'll be navigating mainly on local roads and the Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway, with no significant highway stretches, making for a more varied drive. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $86. Planning for two planned stops will help break up the journey, and the overall feel is that of a long-distance drive through the heart of Florida.
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
256.5 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
282.9 mi
5h 3m
I 75
107.2 mi
1h 54m
Florida's Turnpike
63.9 mi
1h 8m
Bronson Highway
37.2 mi
46m
US 192
8.4 mi
13m
13th Street
2.6 mi
5m
East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Strawbridge Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 282.9 mi, about 5h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brent, FL and Melbourne Beach, FL.
1
Start on East Brent Lane
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Brent Lane
2
Continue on FL 296
0.4 mi·1 min·Brent Lane
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I 110 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 110
0.9 mi·1 min·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 6Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
8
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
10
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 244Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint CloudUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
177 ft·6 sec
Toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud, Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
14
Turn left onto US 192; US 441
3.4 mi·5 min·Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 192; US 441
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
16
Continue on US 192; US 441
2.6 mi·5 min·13th Street
17
Continue on US 192; US 441
1.4 mi·2 min·East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
18
Continue on US 192; US 441
34 mi·40 min·Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 192
8.4 mi·13 min·US 192
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 192
315 ft·9 sec·New Haven Avenue
21
Continue on US 192
1.1 mi·2 min·Strawbridge Avenue
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 192
0.2 mi·20 sec·Strawbridge Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 192
1.2 mi·2 min·Melbourne Causeway
24
Continue on US 192
0.6 mi·1 min·Fifth Avenue
25
Turn right onto SR A1A
1.0 mi·2 min·South Miramar Avenue
26
Continue on SR A1A
0.7 mi·1 min·Oak Street
27
Turn left onto SR A1A
146 ft·6 sec·Ocean Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right
17 ft·1 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 513-mile drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and break the 9.5-hour journey over two days. Aim to cover roughly half the distance on the first day, stopping at a convenient point to rest. With two planned stops, ensure they are spaced appropriately to allow for stretches and refreshments. Given the $86 fuel cost, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you'll be on local roads for much of the trip. A practical tip for this route is to research potential overnight locations that offer easy access back to your chosen roads for the second day's travel.
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 256.5 miles from Brent, FL, or about 4h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.9 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 113 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 256.5 miles or 4h 37m 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 256.5 miles or 4h 37m
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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Melbourne Beach, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brent, 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 Brent, FL
Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Melbourne Beach, FL
Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Brent, 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 I 10 for about 282.9 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 0.9 and 458.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 110 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 North
9
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Hi...
8
393.8 mi into trip|~7h 4m 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
8
457.7 mi into trip|~8h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
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 244
Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
6
458.2 mi into trip|~8h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud, Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.66 one way
$163.31 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg180 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$88.83
$177.65
premium
$4.72
$95.39
$190.78
diesel
$5.61
$113.26
$226.53
Estimated Tolls: $4.47
Florida's Turnpike
(63.9 mi)$4.47
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
$82
Tolls
$4
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 179.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
153.9
1
$53.87
$24.62
Efficient EV
128.3
1
$44.89
$20.52
EV Truck/SUV
205.2
2
$71.82
$32.83
Gas CO2
179 kg
EV CO2
60 kg (66% 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Brent, FL
Morning
in Brent on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Melbourne Beach, FL
Afternoon
in Melbourne Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
E 15 mph0% 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.
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
9h 32m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$25
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a consistent, long-distance driving experience with a low highway share, meaning you won't spend much time on high-speed interstates. You'll primarily be on roads like Brent Lane and the Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway, which are likely to offer a more varied landscape than pure highway travel. While there's no specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the absence of significant highway indicates a pace that allows for more observation of your surroundings. This drive progresses through Florida, maintaining a steady but not overly rapid pace, making it manageable for two days.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 282.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 513 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 393.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): 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 Brent, FL and Melbourne Beach, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando, Us 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud and Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital.
Florida's Turnpike South
393.8 mi in|~7h 4m|via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
393.8 mi in|~7h 4m|via Florida's Turnpike
Us 441: Kissimmee
457.7 mi in|~8h 13m
Saint Cloud
457.7 mi in|~8h 13m
Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
458.2 mi in|~8h 14m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 282.9 miles on I 10. 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 257 miles on day one.
Expect about $4.47 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 Melbourne Beach, 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 393.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Melbourne Beach, FL before the return drive.
