Coral Springs, FL to Panama City, FL is 550.3 miles and takes about 10 hours 22 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and I-10, with a fuel budget near $87 and an overnight stay recommended. This all-Florida route covers a significant distance across the state, transitioning from South Florida's busy corridors to the more open expanses of North Florida. Given the 10-hour driving time, it's structured as a two-day trip, allowing for a more relaxed pace. Plan for a substantial portion of your travel to be on major interstates.
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
275.2 miles from Coral Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
237 mi
4h 16m
I 10
121.8 mi
2h 10m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
FL 20
28.4 mi
39m
US 231
24.1 mi
32m
Bristol Highway
17.7 mi
23m
Sawgrass Expressway
3.7 mi
4m
Greensboro Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 237 mi, about 4h 16m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,501 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,043
Quietest
2 AM
~173 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Coral Springs, FL and Panama City, FL.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·47 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Sample Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·West Sample Road
3
Turn left onto Coral Springs Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·Coral Springs Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Wiles Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Wiles Road
5
Turn left onto North University Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·North University Drive
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SR 869 Toll North: OrlandoUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
3.7 mi·4 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Exit 21A-BToward Florida's TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21BToward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, OrlandoUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
237 mi·4 hr 15 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10
122 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 174Toward FL 12: Gretna, GreensboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
366 ft·11 sec
Toward FL `12 South: Greensboro
19
Turn straight onto FL 12
2.4 mi·3 min·Greensboro Highway
20
Continue on FL 12
0.6 mi·1 min·Selman Street
21
Turn left onto FL 12
0.4 mi·57 sec·Green Avenue
22
Continue on FL 12
18 mi·23 min·Bristol Highway
23
At end of road, turn right onto FL 20
28 mi·39 min·FL 20
24
Turn left onto US 231
24 mi·32 min·US 231
25
Turn left onto US 231
1.0 mi·2 min·Harrison Avenue
26
Turn left onto East 7th Street
228 ft·12 sec·East 7th Street
27
Turn right onto Luverne Avenue
429 ft·18 sec·Luverne Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Luverne Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total drive time exceeding 10 hours, breaking this trip into two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart Coral Springs early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight for the initial 5-6 hours of driving. You'll have two planned stops, which should be spaced out to avoid fatigue. Consider stopping for the night around the halfway point, perhaps near the intersection of I-75 and I-10. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially when on longer interstate stretches, as services can be spaced further apart in North Florida.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 275.2 miles from Coral Springs, FL, or about 5h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237 miles.
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 121 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 275.2 miles or 5h 2m 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 275.2 miles or 5h 2m
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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Panama City, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Coral 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.
+
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 Coral Springs, FL
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Panama City, FL
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 121 miles from Coral Springs, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 237 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 475.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21A-B
Toward Florida's Turnpike
9
8.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 21B
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
8
353 mi into trip|~6h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
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 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
8
353.2 mi into trip|~6h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
8
475.3 mi into trip|~8h 37m in
Take the exit toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
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 174
Toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$83.30 one way
$166.61 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg193 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$91.41
$182.81
premium
$4.55
$98.58
$197.15
diesel
$4.80
$103.91
$207.81
Estimated Tolls: $16.87
Florida's Turnpike
(236.7 mi)$16.57
Sawgrass Expressway
(3.7 mi)$0.30
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
$83
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$230–$340
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 192.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $58 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
165.1
2
$57.78
$26.41
Efficient EV
137.6
1
$48.15
$22.01
EV Truck/SUV
220.1
2
$77.04
$35.22
Gas CO2
193 kg
EV CO2
64 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Coral Springs, FL
Morning
in Coral Springs on Sunday
Local time
11:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 6 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 6:52AM EDT until July 16 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Panama City, FL
Morning
in Panama City on Sunday
Local time
10:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
W 15 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 6:52AM EDT until July 16 at 7:00PM 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.
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 22m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily an interstate cruise, with 95% of the 550.3 miles on highways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 237 miles on Florida's Turnpike before transitioning to I-75 and then I-10. Expect continuous highway driving for the majority of the day, with exits becoming less frequent as you head north. The final approach to Panama City will involve leaving the interstate for local roads.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 550.3 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 353 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
194 ft11 ft
Total Climb
269 ft
Total Descent
251 ft
Highest Point
194 ft
~471.7 mi in
Elevation Range
184 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coral Springs, FL and Panama City, FL, road signs point toward Tallahassee, Greensboro and Fl `12 South: Greensboro.
The longest stretch is about 237 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 275 miles on day one.
Expect about $16.87 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 48 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 Panama City, 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. There are 48 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 353 miles: 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 10.4 hours each way, a round trip means 20.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Panama City, FL before the return drive.
