This 390.1-mile drive from Carrabelle to Port Saint Lucie is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take around 7 hours and 49 minutes of pure driving time. With an 83% highway share, it's a route that prioritizes getting you there efficiently, making it feasible as a single-day trip if you're prepared for a long haul. You can expect to budget approximately $62 for fuel, and the drive is designed with just two planned stops in mind. The overall feel is a highway-focused journey across Florida, connecting two points within the same state, offering a straightforward path to your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195 miles from Carrabelle, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
165.2 mi
2h 57m
Byron Butler Parkway
58.3 mi
1h 14m
Coastal Highway
54.4 mi
1h 10m
US 27 Alternate
48 mi
1h 1m
I 75
24.7 mi
26m
US 98
20.6 mi
29m
US 19
8.3 mi
11m
Sopchoppy Highway
6.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 165.2 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrabelle, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
1
Start on Tallahassee Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Tallahassee Street
2
Turn left onto US 98; US 319
21 mi·29 min·US 98; US 319
3
Continue on US 319
6.6 mi·9 min·Sopchoppy Highway
4
Turn left onto US 98; US 319
54 mi·1 hr 10 min·Coastal Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 14 min·Byron Butler Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
8.3 mi·11 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
7
Turn left onto US 27 Alternate
48 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 27 Alternate
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
9
Merge onto I 75
25 mi·26 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
165 mi·2 hr 57 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 142Toward Port Saint Lucie
12
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
483 ft·15 sec·Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
13
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto CR 615
1.6 mi·2 min·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
15
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·9 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour, 49-minute estimated duration, an early morning departure from Carrabelle is advisable if you aim to complete this 390.1-mile trip in one day. Pace your two recommended stops to break up the drive, especially considering the 165.2-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $62 estimated cost suggests consistent refueling will be necessary. Being a highway-focused route with an 83% highway share, maintaining your speed and staying aware of traffic flow will be key for a smooth journey to Port Saint Lucie.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195 miles from Carrabelle, FL, or about 4h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195 miles or 4h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Lucie, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carrabelle, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carrabelle, FL
This is one driving day of about 390.1 miles and 7h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Carrabelle, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 165.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.3 and 388.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
27.3 mi into trip|~39m in|US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway
Turn left onto US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
196.3 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
8
221.3 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
6
387.6 mi into trip|~7h 44m in|FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Turn right onto FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
388.4 mi into trip|~7h 45m in|CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.09 one way
$124.19 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$67.55
$135.09
premium
$4.72
$72.54
$145.07
diesel
$5.61
$86.13
$172.26
Estimated Tolls: $11.56
Florida's Turnpike
(165.2 mi)$11.56
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
$62
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117
1
$40.96
$18.72
Efficient EV
97.5
1
$34.13
$15.60
EV Truck/SUV
156
1
$54.61
$24.97
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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 16, 2026
Origin
Carrabelle, FL
Morning
in Carrabelle on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Morning
in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
6:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:40AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM 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.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 49m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route will see you spending a significant portion of your time on well-maintained roadways. With 83% of the journey on highways, expect a steady pace for most of the 390.1 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a considerable 165.2 miles along Florida's Turnpike, so plan your breaks accordingly. While the bulk of the trip is on these faster roads, you'll also navigate segments of Byron Butler Parkway and Coastal Highway, which may offer a slightly different driving experience before returning to highway speeds.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.2 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Byron Butler Parkway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 27.3 miles in near US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 390.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 27.3 miles (US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 196.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 221.3 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 Carrabelle, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
221.3 mi in|~4h 44m|via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
221.3 mi in|~4h 44m|via Florida's Turnpike
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 49m. Total distance: 390.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.56 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Port Saint Lucie, 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 27.3 miles (US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 196.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 221.3 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Saint Lucie, FL before the return drive.
