Traveling from Citrus Springs to Pembroke Pines covers 293 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Since this journey stays entirely within Florida, you will navigate local roads rather than relying on major interstates. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, though you should budget approximately $49 for fuel. Because the route relies on local thoroughfares, you will experience a significant shift from the quieter Citrus Springs area down to the denser urban environment of Pembroke Pines. Planning for one dedicated stop will help keep you refreshed throughout the 293-mile trek.
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
146 miles from Citrus Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
257.6 mi
4h 39m
Gulf to Lake Highway
15 mi
20m
Florida Avenue
14.3 mi
21m
North Citrus Springs Boulevard
1.5 mi
3m
Main Street
1 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
— 257.6 mi, about 4h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Citrus Springs, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on North Greco Terrace
484 ft·22 sec·North Greco Terrace
2
Turn right onto North Citrus Springs Boulevard
1.5 mi·3 min·North Citrus Springs Boulevard
3
Turn right onto US 41
14 mi·21 min·Florida Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 41; FL 44
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
5
Turn left onto FL 44
15 mi·20 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
258 mi·4 hr 39 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 49BToward SR 820 West: Pines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi·36 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
11
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
13
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 26-minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to beat the heaviest local traffic patterns. Since you are relying on local roads, your pace will be dictated by traffic lights and turn-heavy segments, so build in a little extra cushion for your arrival time. Planning at least one meaningful stop is essential to avoid fatigue given the technical nature of the drive. Keep your fuel budget of $49 in mind, and consider topping off your tank before leaving Citrus Springs to avoid searching for stations along the more congested sections of your route. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate the demands of the local roads.
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 146 miles from Citrus Springs, FL, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 257.6 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146 miles or 2h 53m 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 35m
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 Citrus Springs, 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 Citrus Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 292.1 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Citrus Springs, 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 257.6 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 1.6 and 291.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in|US 41 / Florida Avenue
Turn right onto US 41 / Florida Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
32.5 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
5
33.1 mi into trip|~51m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
290.7 mi into trip|~5h 30m 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
291.3 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|Southwest 64th Way
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.22 one way
$88.44 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$48.52
$97.04
premium
$4.55
$52.33
$104.65
diesel
$4.80
$55.15
$110.31
Estimated Tolls: $18.03
Florida's Turnpike
(257.6 mi)$18.03
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
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.2 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
87.6
1
$30.67
$14.02
Efficient EV
73
0
$25.56
$11.68
EV Truck/SUV
116.8
1
$40.89
$18.69
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
Citrus Springs, FL
Morning
in Citrus Springs on Sunday
Local time
11:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSE 3 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:05PM EDT until July 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:04PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Morning
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
11:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 2 to 10 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:05PM EDT until July 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:04PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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
8 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 that favors navigation over high-speed cruising. Unlike monotonous interstate travel, this route utilizes North Citrus Springs Boulevard, Florida Avenue, and Main Street, meaning your highway share is essentially zero percent. You will find yourself navigating frequent turns and transitions as you move between different local corridors. The road demands your full attention, as the technical nature of these local roads offers a much different experience than a typical highway commute. Prepare for a steady, hands-on driving pace that requires you to stay alert at every intersection.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 257.6 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 Gulf to Lake Highway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near US 41 / Florida Avenue.
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 292.1 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 1.6 miles (US 41 / Florida Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
208 ft6 ft
Total Climb
179 ft
Total Descent
270 ft
Highest Point
208 ft
~62.6 mi in
Elevation Range
203 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Citrus Springs, 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: 292.1 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 (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 257.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.03 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 18 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.
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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (US 41 / Florida Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
