🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524219810
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 19m
Distance
571.2 mi
919 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$91
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.
Brent, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Palm City, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Brent, FL to Palm City, FL is 571.2 miles and takes about 10h 19m via I 10 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $91 and an overnight recommendation. This long-distance journey takes you across the state of Florida, beginning in the western Panhandle and heading southeast towards the Atlantic coast. With a highway share of 99%, expect a fast-paced trip primarily on major interstates. This route is best split over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace and time to rest between the significant driving stretches. Consider this a straightforward, efficient way to traverse Florida from coast to coast.
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
285.6 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 8m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 282.9 mi | 5h 3m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 174.1 mi | 3h 6m |
| I 75 | 107.2 mi | 1h 54m |
| Southwest Martin Highway | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Mapp Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Brent Lane | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 30th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Brent, FL and Palm City, FL.
Start on East Brent Lane
Continue on FL 296
Turn left
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 110
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 714
Turn left onto Southwest Mapp Road
Turn right onto Southwest 30th Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 10-hour duration, this trip is best tackled over two days to avoid fatigue. Plan to depart early in the morning on your first day to cover a substantial portion, perhaps around 280 miles on I 10. For your second day, you'll continue on the Turnpike and I 75, aiming to arrive in Palm City by mid-afternoon. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the 282.9-mile stretch on I 10, as services can be spaced out. The recommended two-day approach allows for two stops, ideally for overnight lodging and a midday break on the second day, ensuring you're well-rested for the final leg.
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 126 miles or 2h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 285.6 miles or 5h 8m 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 285.6 miles or 5h 8m
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 9h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palm City, FL than in the middle of the route.
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 286 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Palm City, FL
Aim for roughly 286 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
188 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
377 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 Lake Butler, FLNight 1
286 mi · about 5.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Gainesville, FL after about 286 miles or 5.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 285.6 miles from Brent, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 282.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 286 miles or 5.2 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
Alachua, Florida
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm
+19042099391
The Juniper General Store
Ocala, Florida
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524219810
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Alachua, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+13865883188
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Madison, Florida
+18509737299
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Alachua, Florida
Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm
+19042099391
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+13525094006
Later in the drive, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+14079894499
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Alachua, Florida
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+13525812650
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+13522991294
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm
+13522268512
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Sumterville, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+13525694075
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Pensacola, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Pensacola, Florida
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Pensacola, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Pensacola, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13524029081
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Pensacola, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18334662474
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Stuart, Florida
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+17722204600
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+14077571700
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Pensacola, Florida
Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
+18504665220
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14078555496
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
+13523685517
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+13526298447
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Pensacola, Florida
Hours: 12–5 pm
+18779376377
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 568.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 110 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Take the exit toward FL 714: Stuart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto CR 714 / Southwest Martin Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$90.92 one way
$181.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $98.90 | $197.81 |
| premium | $4.72 | $106.21 | $212.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $126.11 | $252.23 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.19
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
$91
Tolls
$12
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$233–$343
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 199.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 171.4 | 2 | $59.98 | $27.42 |
| Efficient EV | 142.8 | 1 | $49.98 | $22.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 228.5 | 2 | $79.97 | $36.56 |
Gas CO2
200 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Brent on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Palm City on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
88°F
Lake Butler, FL
377 mi in
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 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is overwhelmingly an interstate experience, with 99% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 10, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 282.9 miles, before transitioning to Florida's Turnpike and I 75. The character of the road is consistent for the majority of the trip – think of it as a practical, high-speed transit rather than a winding scenic byway. While the scenery may not be the primary draw, the efficiency of these major roads ensures a consistent driving pace for most of the 10-hour journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 571.2 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 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brent, FL and Palm City, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
Orlando
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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