Traveling from Citra to Pembroke Pines covers a total of 303.5 miles, a distance that typically takes about 4 hours and 38 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively straightforward trek, you can easily complete it as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $50 for fuel to cover the journey south. The route relies heavily on Northwest 70th Street and Northwest 77th Street before transitioning onto I-75 South. Since both the origin and destination are located within Florida, you will remain within the same state throughout the entire drive. It is a practical route for those looking to reach the southern part of the state efficiently.
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
151.6 miles from Citra, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
258 mi
4h 39m
I 75
29.3 mi
31m
US 301
11.3 mi
14m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Northwest 77th Street
1.2 mi
2m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Hollywood Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 258 mi, about 4h 39m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
10 AM
~3,679 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 3 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 Citra, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on US 301
310 ft·10 sec·US 301
2
Continue on US 301
11 mi·14 min·US 301
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on FL 326
1.2 mi·2 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
6
Merge onto I 75
29 mi·31 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
258 mi·4 hr 39 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 49BToward SR 820 West: Pines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi·36 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
10
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
12
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 303.5-mile journey, try to depart early in the day to avoid peak traffic congestion. Since the trip only requires one stop, plan to take your break once you transition from the local streets onto the interstate to keep your momentum steady. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $50 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and speed. Remember that the initial navigation on Northwest 70th and 77th Streets requires more focus than the highway portion, so review your local turn sequence before you leave Citra. Having this flexibility allows you to manage the 4 hour and 38 minute duration comfortably in a single sitting.
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 151.6 miles from Citra, FL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258 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 67 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.6 miles or 2h 48m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pembroke Pines, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Citra, 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 Citra, FL
This is one driving day of about 303.2 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Citra, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 258 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 302.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.3 mi into trip|~14m in|FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street
Turn right onto FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
14.5 mi into trip|~19m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
43.8 mi into trip|~51m 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
301.8 mi into trip|~5h 31m in
Take the exit toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
6
302.5 mi into trip|~5h 32m in|Southwest 64th Way
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.90 one way
$91.80 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$50.36
$100.72
premium
$4.55
$54.31
$108.63
diesel
$4.80
$57.25
$114.50
Estimated Tolls: $18.06
Florida's Turnpike
(258 mi)$18.06
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
$46
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91
1
$31.84
$14.55
Efficient EV
75.8
0
$26.53
$12.13
EV Truck/SUV
121.3
1
$42.45
$19.40
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Citra, FL
Late night
in Citra on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph88% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:21PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:13PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Late night
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
5:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
97°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 12 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:21PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:13PM EDT by NWS Miami 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
3 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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate the initial portions of the trip. You will spend time on Northwest 70th Street, where there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch of road. The experience shifts once you merge onto I-75 South, which handles the majority of the distance for the remainder of the journey. Because the highway share is 0 percent for the local segments, you will need to stay alert for frequent turns before settling into the interstate flow. This combination of local maneuvering and highway cruising creates a distinct contrast that requires your full attention in the early stages of the drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 258 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 I 75. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 miles in near FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street.
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 303.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 11.3 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
133 ft6 ft
Total Climb
98 ft
Total Descent
171 ft
Highest Point
133 ft
~86.6 mi in
Elevation Range
127 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Citra, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 303.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 258 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.06 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles (FL 326 / Northwest 70th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.8 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pembroke Pines, FL before the return drive.
