Brent, FL to Merritt Island, FL is 494.1 miles and takes about 9h 9m via I 10, I 75, and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $79 and an overnight stay recommended. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the western part of the state across to the Atlantic coast. Given the duration and distance, planning for an overnight stop is wise to avoid an excessively long day of driving. The route is primarily highway, making it a straightforward transit across the 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
247 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 27m 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
42.3 mi
45m
East-West Expressway
20.5 mi
23m
East Colonial Drive
16.1 mi
21m
Cheney Highway
5.5 mi
7m
NASA Parkway West
5 mi
7m
Columbia Boulevard
4.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 282.9 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 108 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,226 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,701
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brent, FL and Merritt Island, 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
42 mi·45 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit onto FL 408 Toll
1.8 mi·2 min·Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
Exit 265Toward FL 408 Toll East: Orlando, TitusvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on FL 408 Toll
20 mi·23 min·East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 23Toward FL 50Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward FL 50 East: TitusvilleUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto FL 50
16 mi·21 min·East Colonial Drive
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on FL 50
5.5 mi·7 min·Cheney Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto FL 405
4.1 mi·6 min·Columbia Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on FL 405
2.5 mi·3 min·NASA Causeway
20
Continue on FL 405
5.0 mi·7 min·NASA Parkway West
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·43 sec
22
Keep slight left at fork
141 ft·8 sec
23
Turn left onto Kennedy Parkway
1.1 mi·1 min·Kennedy Parkway
24
Turn left onto Roberts Road
0.7 mi·3 min·Roberts Road
25
Arrive at destination
Roberts Road
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 9m estimated drive time, this route is best split over two days. Aim to leave Brent, FL early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours for the first leg. You'll want to plan for at least one overnight stop along the way; consider breaking the drive roughly in half. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches on I 10, as services can be spaced out. The total fuel cost is estimated at $79, so budget accordingly.
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 247 miles from Brent, FL, or about 4h 27m 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 109 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 247 miles or 4h 27m 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 247 miles or 4h 27m
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 7h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Merritt Island, 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 247 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Merritt Island, FL
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 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 458.4 — 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
436.1 mi into trip|~7h 50m in|FL 408 Toll / Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
Take the exit onto FL 408 Toll / Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway toward FL 408 Toll East: Orlando, Titusville
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 265
Toward FL 408 Toll East: Orlando, Titusville
7
458.4 mi into trip|~8h 16m in
Take the exit toward FL 50
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23
Toward FL 50
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.80 one way
$149.59 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg173 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$82.07
$164.14
premium
$4.55
$88.51
$177.02
diesel
$4.80
$93.30
$186.59
Estimated Tolls: $2.96
Florida's Turnpike
(42.3 mi)$2.96
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
$75
Tolls
$3
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
148.2
1
$51.88
$23.72
Efficient EV
123.5
1
$43.23
$19.76
EV Truck/SUV
197.6
2
$69.17
$31.62
Gas CO2
173 kg
EV CO2
58 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Brent, FL
Evening
in Brent on Monday
Local time
7:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
W 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:35PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:26PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Merritt Island, FL
Evening
in Merritt Island on Monday
Local time
8:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSW 0 to 5 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:35PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:26PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
19 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 9m 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 B/D Loop Closure
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
$25
near mile 494.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway driving, with 93% of the 494.1 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 282.9 miles on I 10, which will feel like continuous cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near your destination after extensive highway travel.
93% 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: 282.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 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 494.1 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
240 ft2 ft
Total Climb
542 ft
Total Descent
638 ft
Highest Point
240 ft
~70.6 mi in
Elevation Range
238 ft
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 Merritt Island, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando and Titusville.
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 247 miles on day one.
Expect about $2.96 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.
Yes — we found about 50 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Merritt Island, 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. There are 50 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 and Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Merritt Island, FL before the return drive.
