Origin
Crystal River, FL
Night in Crystal River on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Crystal River, FL to Pembroke Pines, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
293.6 mi
472 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 21m
★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crystal River, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crystal River, FL to Pembroke Pines, FL is 293.6 miles and takes about 5h 34m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip primarily focused on highway driving, taking you across Florida from the Gulf Coast region to the southern part of the state. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for most travelers. You'll spend the majority of your time on the Turnpike, making it a practical option if you want to get to your destination efficiently. Consider this route for its directness and simplicity.
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
146.8 miles from Crystal River, 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 | 30 mi | 42m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Northeast 5th Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 64th Way | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Suncoast Boulevard | 0.4 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 Crystal River, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on this road
25 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Northeast Crystal Street
180 ft
·
10 sec
·
Northeast Crystal Street
3
Turn left onto CR 495
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Citrus Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 19; US 98
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Suncoast Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on FL 44
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Gulf to Lake Highway
7
Continue on FL 44
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
8
Turn left onto FL 44
15 mi
·
20 min
·
Gulf to Lake Highway
9
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
258 mi
·
4 hr 39 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 49B
Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Hollywood Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Southwest 8th Street
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic, especially as you approach Pembroke Pines. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed, but the longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike is over 250 miles, so plan for at least one substantial stop around the halfway point for fuel and a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as services can be more spaced out on the turnpike compared to local roads. A good tip is to ensure you have a full tank before merging onto the Turnpike for that long segment.
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 146.8 miles from Crystal River, 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 65 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.8 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 Crystal River, 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 Crystal River, FL
This is one driving day of about 293.6 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Crystal River, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 146.8 miles from Crystal River, 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 257.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 292.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northeast Crystal Street
Turn right onto Northeast Crystal Street
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 495 / North Citrus Avenue
Turn left onto CR 495 / North Citrus Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
34 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
7
292.2 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
292.8 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
$46.73 one way
$93.47 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $50.84 | $101.67 |
| premium | $4.72 | $54.59 | $109.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.82 | $129.65 |
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
$47
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.1 | 1 | $30.83 | $14.09 |
| Efficient EV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.69 | $11.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.4 | 1 | $41.10 | $18.79 |
Gas CO2
103 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.
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Night in Pembroke Pines on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 257.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike, offering a consistent and uninterrupted driving experience for the bulk of your trip. The initial and final segments will likely involve local roads like Gulf to Lake Highway and Main Street, providing a brief change of pace before and after the main highway portion. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive, with minimal distractions on the extensive turnpike section.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Gulf to Lake Highway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast Crystal Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 293.6 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (Northeast Crystal Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (CR 495 / North Citrus Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 34 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crystal River, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
34 mi in
|
~50m
Orlando
34 mi in
|
~50m
About the Cities
Arriving in Pembroke Pines, FL
Full guide →Broward County is in the Greater Miami region of 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 34m. Total distance: 293.6 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.
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.
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 Pembroke Pines, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Northeast Crystal Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (CR 495 / North Citrus Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 34 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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