Brent, FL to Rock Island, FL is 644.1 miles and takes about 11 hours 41 minutes via I-10, Florida's Turnpike, and I-75, with a fuel budget near $103 and an overnight stay recommended. This long-distance drive spans across Florida, connecting the western part of the state to the central region. Given the nearly 12-hour travel time, planning for at least two days is essential for a comfortable journey. You'll be covering a significant portion of the state, so be prepared for a substantial drive that requires careful pacing.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
322.1 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
282.9 mi
5h 3m
Florida's Turnpike
245.3 mi
4h 24m
I 75
107.2 mi
1h 54m
State Road 7
1.5 mi
2m
West Oakland Park Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Northwest 26th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Northwest 31st Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 282.9 mi, about 5h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brent, FL and Rock 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
245 mi·4 hr 24 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 62Toward SR 870: Commercial BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
423 ft·14 sec
Toward SR 870 East: Fort LauderdaleUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto SR 870
0.5 mi·58 sec·West Commercial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto US 441
1.5 mi·2 min·State Road 7
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto SR 816
1.0 mi·2 min·West Oakland Park Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto Northwest 26th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Northwest 26th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Northwest 26th Avenue
0.2 mi·50 sec·Northwest 26th Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Northwest 26th Avenue
Trip Plan
With an estimated 11-hour drive time, this route is best tackled over two days. Plan to depart early to maximize daylight for your first leg, especially if starting in the morning. Consider breaking the journey roughly in half to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on fuel stops, as the 282.9-mile stretch on I-10 could mean a longer gap between services than you might expect. It's wise to fill up before embarking on that particular segment to ensure you have ample range.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 322.1 miles from Brent, FL, or about 5h 47m 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 142 miles or 2h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 322.1 miles or 5h 47m 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 322.1 miles or 5h 47m
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 10h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock 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 322 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Rock Island, FL
Aim for roughly 322 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 142 miles from Brent, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 639.7 — 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
7
639.1 mi into trip|~11h 29m in
Take the exit toward SR 870: Commercial Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 62
Toward SR 870: Commercial Boulevard
7
639.7 mi into trip|~11h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 870 East: Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward SR 870 East: Fort Lauderdale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$102.52 one way
$205.05 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg225 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$111.53
$223.05
premium
$4.72
$119.77
$239.53
diesel
$5.61
$142.21
$284.42
Estimated Tolls: $17.17
Florida's Turnpike
(245.3 mi)$17.17
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
$103
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$250–$360
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 225.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $68 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
193.2
2
$67.63
$30.92
Efficient EV
161
1
$56.36
$25.76
EV Truck/SUV
257.6
3
$90.17
$41.22
Gas CO2
225 kg
EV CO2
75 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Brent, FL
Evening
in Brent on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rock Island, FL
Night
in Rock Island on Saturday
Local time
9:10 PM
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.
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
12 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
11h 41m 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 trip is characterized by a high percentage of highway driving, with 99% of the route on major interstates like I-10, Florida's Turnpike, and I-75. Expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 282.9-mile segment on I-10. The road primarily offers a consistent, fast-paced driving experience, suitable for covering ground efficiently. While not particularly winding or technically challenging, the sheer length of the longest stretch means you'll be settling in for extended periods on the open highway.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 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.
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 17 significant decision points across 644.1 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.
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 Rock Island, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
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
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 322 miles on day one.
Expect about $17.17 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 Rock 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 3 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 11.7 hours each way, a round trip means 23.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rock Island, FL before the return drive.
