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Trip from Carrollwood Village, FL to Miami, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

290.7 mi

468 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 16m ★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Carrollwood Village, FL, FL

Carrollwood Village, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Miami, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Carrollwood Village to Miami is 290.7 miles and takes about 5h 28m via I 75 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Florida, covering a substantial distance on major interstates. Given its highway-heavy nature and a single recommended day, this route is best suited for travelers looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a straightforward drive with minimal detours off the main highways.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

145.3 miles from Carrollwood Village, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 247.3 mi 4h 25m
Florida's Turnpike 10.4 mi 12m
Port Everglades Expressway 9 mi 10m
I 95 9 mi 11m
East Fletcher Avenue 6.1 mi 10m
West Fletcher Avenue 2.9 mi 5m
South Village Drive 0.6 mi 1m
North Miami Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 247.3 mi, about 4h 25m

Traffic on I-75

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 138 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,435 veh/hr typical · worst 4,023

Quietest

2 AM

~262 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

13.1×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Carrollwood Village, FL and Miami, FL.

1

Start on Glenside Circle

446 ft · 19 sec · Glenside Circle
2

Continue on Glenside Circle

161 ft · 11 sec · Glenside Circle
3

Turn left onto Lowell Road

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Lowell Road
4

Turn right onto South Village Drive

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Village Drive
5

Continue on West Fletcher Avenue

2.9 mi · 5 min · West Fletcher Avenue
Use the left lane.
6

Continue on FL 579

6.1 mi · 10 min · East Fletcher Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on CR 582A

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Morris Bridge Road
8

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 75 South: Naples Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto I 75

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

181 mi · 3 hr 14 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 595

9.0 mi · 10 min · Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-B Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn straight onto SR 84

0.4 mi · 37 sec · SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
14

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 8 Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
17

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

10 mi · 12 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95, US 441
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 South Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Merge onto I 95

9.0 mi · 11 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 3B Toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn left onto Northwest 8th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Northwest 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
24

Turn right onto North Miami Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Miami Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Arrive at destination

North Miami Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5h 28m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Carrollwood Village to avoid the worst of potential traffic, especially as you near Miami. With only one recommended day and a 247.3-mile longest stretch, you can comfortably complete this in one go without needing an overnight stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on the Turnpike, and budget around $46 for gas. A good strategy is to fill up before you get on the Turnpike to potentially find better prices.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.3 miles from Carrollwood Village, FL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247.3 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 64 miles or 1h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 145.3 miles or 2h 44m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Carrollwood Village, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Carrollwood Village, FL

This is one driving day of about 290.7 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Carrollwood Village, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 247.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Lee County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cape Coral, FL

145 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Gulf Gate Estates, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cape Coral, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.3 miles from Carrollwood Village, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 247.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

Ford's Garage - Brandon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Brandon, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 24min in 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 AM–10 PM

+18136613673

Visit website

Fred's Market Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Riverview, Florida

2.7 mi

Kiki's Restaurant & Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tampa, Florida

3 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Cafe Americano

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miami, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 9 AM–9 PM

+17864384286

Visit website

Bistro Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miami, Florida

1 mi

El Jefe Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1 mi

Ford's Garage - Brandon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Brandon, Florida

Hours: 11 AM–10 PM

+18136613673

Visit website

Fred's Market Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Riverview, Florida

Hours: 7 AM–9 PM

+18137419101

Visit website

The Stein & Vine

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Brandon, Florida

Hours: 12–10 PM

+18136554786

Visit website

Kiki's Restaurant & Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 5 AM–9 PM

+18134502176

Visit website

Maple Street Biscuit Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Brandon, Florida

Hours: 7 AM–2 PM

+18134093583

Visit website

Dockside Waterfront Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Venice, Florida

Hours: 11 AM–9 PM

+19412186418

Visit website

Lola's

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Riverview, Florida

Hours: 6–10 PM

+18134471057

Hometown Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Port Charlotte, Florida

Hours: 6:30 AM–8 PM

+19416295898

Visit website

Cafe Americano

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Miami, Florida

Hours: 9 AM–9 PM

+17864384286

Visit website

Bistro Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Miami, Florida

Hours: 8 AM–4 PM

+17865333876

Visit website

El Jefe Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 6:30 AM–3 PM

+18135155289

Visit website

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Brandon, FL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Brandon, Florida

Hours: 7 AM–4 PM

+18133814395

Visit website

Chick-N-Bones Cafe and Catering

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Brandon, Florida

Hours: 11 AM–8:30 PM

+18136899531

Visit website

Mon Ami Cafe a European and American Cafe Experience

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Venice, Florida

Hours: 9 AM–4 PM

+19413036621

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Brandon, Florida

Hours: 7 AM–2:30 PM

+18136550565

Visit website

Novela Cafe Social

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Miami, Florida

Hours: 8 AM–4 PM

+17867725615

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18555023851

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336224743

Visit website

Jule Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Venice, Florida

+18555675853

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Punta Gorda, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

10270

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Hillsborough County Rest Area Northbound

0.1 mi from route

Collier County Rest Area Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Charlotte County Truck Stop Northbound

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Collier County Rest Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

Hillsborough County Rest Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Northbound

0.2 mi from route

Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

10280

0.2 mi from route

ONE9 Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Broward County Rest Area

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.4 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

1.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from route

TA

1.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.9 mi from route

Maurice A. Ferré Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+13053587550

Visit website

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Naples, Florida

Hours: Closed

+12392524021

Visit website

The Horrorland Miami

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: Closed

+13054007000

Visit website

Little Havana Tours

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Visit website

Paradox Museum Miami

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 12–7 pm

+13056143808

Visit website

FunDimension Game Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+17863601766

Visit website

Wynwood Walls

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm

+13055763334

Visit website

Raining Berries - Brandon

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Brandon, Florida

Hours: 7 AM–9 PM

+18133248924

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 257.9 and 289.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
257.9 mi into trip | ~4h 45m in | I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 19 Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
8
267 mi into trip | ~4h 55m in

Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 8; 9A-B Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
7
267.5 mi into trip | ~4h 56m in

Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 8 Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando...
8
267.9 mi into trip | ~4h 57m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
8
289.3 mi into trip | ~5h 25m in

Take the exit toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami

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 3B Toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.01 one way

$88.01 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $48.29 $96.57
premium $4.55 $52.07 $104.15
diesel $4.80 $54.89 $109.78

Estimated Tolls: $0.73

Florida's Turnpike (10.4 mi) $0.73

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

$44

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87.2 1 $30.52 $13.95
Efficient EV 72.7 0 $25.44 $11.63
EV Truck/SUV 116.3 1 $40.70 $18.60

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Carrollwood Village, FL

Late night in Carrollwood Village on Monday

Local time

5:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

76°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

E 3 mph 36% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:40PM EDT until July 17 at 8:45PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:19PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL

Destination

Miami, FL

Late night in Miami on Monday

Local time

5:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy

S 7 to 12 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:40PM EDT until July 17 at 8:45PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:19PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL

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

6 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

5h 28m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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.

De Soto National Memorial

De Soto National Memorial

National Memorial

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 50.1
View on nps.gov
Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

20 mi from route ~49 min detour Free near mile 290.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll spend 95% of this 290.7-mile trip on highways, experiencing primarily high-speed cruising. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 247.3 miles, mainly on I 75. Expect a very urban feel with frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach and pass through populated areas.

95% 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: 247.3 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 257.9 miles in near I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 19 significant decision points across 290.7 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 257.9 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

46 ft 6 ft

Total Climb

16 ft

Total Descent

56 ft

Highest Point

46 ft

Elevation Range

40 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Carrollwood Village, FL and Miami, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale, Florida's Turnpike, Orlando, Miami South, Orlando North and Florida's Turnpike South.

Fort Lauderdale

257.9 mi in | ~4h 45m | via I 595

Florida's Turnpike

267 mi in | ~4h 55m

Orlando

267.1 mi in | ~4h 55m | via SR 84

Miami South

267.5 mi in | ~4h 56m

Orlando North

267.5 mi in | ~4h 56m

Florida's Turnpike South

268.3 mi in | ~4h 58m

About the Cities

Arriving in Miami, FL

Full guide →

“The Magic City” · Founded 1825

Miami is a major city in the southeastern United States and the second most populous city in Florida. The Greater Miami metropolitan area is the largest in the state with an estimated population just under 6.1 million (2021), which makes it the 9th most populous metro area in the United States. Although tourists generally consider Miami Beach to be part of Miami, it is its own municipality. Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Miami and Biscayne Bay. It is home to lots of beach resorts, and is one of the most popular spring break party destinations in the world. This article only covers the city of Miami, not Miami Beach.

Top landmarks

  • Little Havana — neighborhood in Miami, Florida
  • Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — historic estate on Biscayne Bay; Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 290.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 247.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.73 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 19 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 Miami, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 257.9 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Miami, FL before the return drive.

How this page is built

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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