🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala
Around the midpoint, short 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 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 30m
Distance
516.8 mi
832 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$82
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.
Chattahoochee, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Hialeah, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Chattahoochee, FL to Hialeah, FL is 516.8 miles and takes about 9h 30m via Florida's Turnpike and I-10/I-75, with a fuel budget near $82 and best split over two days. This long-distance drive covers significant ground within Florida, transitioning from the panhandle region towards South Florida. Given its 9h 30m estimated duration, this trip is best enjoyed at a more relaxed pace, breaking it into two days to avoid excessive fatigue. Plan for a journey where the majority of your travel will be on major highways.
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
258.4 miles from Chattahoochee, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 42m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 262 mi | 4h 44m |
| I 10 | 129.9 mi | 2h 19m |
| I 75 | 107.2 mi | 1h 54m |
| Bonnie Hill Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Northwest 37th Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Northwest 199th Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chattahoochee, FL and Hialeah, FL.
Start on US 90
Turn right onto Main Street
Continue on Mainstreet
Continue on South Main Street
Continue on CR 269
Continue on CR 269
Turn left onto CR 270A
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Turn right onto Northwest 199th Street
Turn left onto Northwest 37th Avenue
Continue on Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
Continue on SR 953
Turn right onto SR 932
Turn left onto East 4th Avenue
Turn right onto East 39th Street
Arrive at destination
For this 516.8-mile journey, splitting the drive over two days is highly recommended to ensure safety and enjoyment. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to make significant progress, potentially covering around 260 miles. Your second day will involve completing the remaining distance to Hialeah. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches on Florida's Turnpike, as services can sometimes be spaced out. Plan your overnight stop around the halfway point to break up the 9h 30m total driving time.
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 114 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 258.4 miles or 4h 42m 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 258.4 miles or 4h 42m
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 8h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Chattahoochee, 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 Chattahoochee, FL
Aim for roughly 258 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hialeah, FL
Aim for roughly 258 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
171 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
341 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 Palm Bay, FLNight 1
258 mi · about 4.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Orlando, FL after about 258 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 114 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 258.4 miles from Chattahoochee, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 262 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 258 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Ocala, Florida
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524219810
Starbucks
Tallahassee, Florida
Top Coffee Stop
Gainesville, Florida
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
Jabal Coffee House
Orlando, Florida
CYM Coffee Co
Gainesville, Florida
Around the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524219810
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Tallahassee, Florida
Hours: 5 am–8 pm
+18505621373
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13867520202
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+13057755055
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14077045878
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Tallahassee, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+18503919512
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Tallahassee, Florida
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+18503856038
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+13864388064
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+14079894499
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+13522245101
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lake City, Florida
Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm
+13864388553
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+13523318554
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Tallahassee, Florida
Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm
+14793589274
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13523326466
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Tallahassee, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Tallahassee, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19292971722
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 12–9 pm
+13217541700
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 2 pm–12 am
+14073633867
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 9 am–7 pm
+13523685517
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hialeah, Florida
+13056858389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: 9 am–3 pm
+13523955633
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Gainesville, Florida
Hours: Closed
+13523955381
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+14077571700
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Orlando, Florida
+14073638000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 506.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I-75 South: Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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 Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$82.26 one way
$164.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $89.48 | $178.97 |
| premium | $4.72 | $96.10 | $192.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $114.10 | $228.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $18.34
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
$82
Tolls
$18
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$231–$341
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 180.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 155 | 1 | $54.26 | $24.81 |
| Efficient EV | 129.2 | 1 | $45.22 | $20.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 206.7 | 2 | $72.35 | $33.08 |
Gas CO2
181 kg
EV CO2
60 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Chattahoochee on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Hialeah on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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.
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 97% of this drive utilizing major interstates like I-10, I-75, and Florida's Turnpike. The character of this route is largely that of efficient, long-distance travel. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 262 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so be prepared for extended periods on high-speed, multi-lane roads. While the focus is on covering distance quickly, the sheer length of the drive means you'll experience varied Florida landscapes from the highway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 10. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in near I 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 516.8 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 7.3 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 137.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chattahoochee, FL and Hialeah, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
Orlando
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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