Spanning 488.8 miles across the state of Florida, this journey from DeFuniak Springs to Port Saint Lucie is a significant trek that typically requires 7 hours of driving time. While it is technically possible to complete the trip in one day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $82 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Florida Panhandle and heading toward the Atlantic coast, you will utilize a combination of Highway 90 East, Highway 331 South, and I-10 East. Because this is a substantial drive, consider whether you prefer a single-day haul or if breaking the trip into two segments would better suit your travel pace.
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
245.1 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
211 mi
3h 46m
Florida's Turnpike
165.2 mi
2h 57m
I 75
107.2 mi
1h 54m
US Highway 331 South
2.1 mi
3m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
US Highway 90 East
0.3 mi
<1m
Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 211 mi, about 3h 46m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,258 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,768
Quietest
2 AM
~153 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
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 DeFuniak Springs, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
1
Start on South 9th Street
124 ft·13 sec·South 9th Street
2
Turn left onto US 90
0.3 mi·40 sec·US Highway 90 East
3
Turn left onto US 331
2.1 mi·3 min·US Highway 331 South
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 10 East: TallahasseeUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
211 mi·3 hr 46 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
7
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
165 mi·2 hr 57 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 142Toward Port Saint Lucie
10
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
483 ft·15 sec·Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
11
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto CR 615
1.6 mi·2 min·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
13
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·9 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour journey efficiently, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion near your destination. You have two planned stops integrated into the route, which serve as essential opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle. Given the total cost of $82 for gas, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transiting through the more rural sections of the Panhandle where stations may be spaced further apart. Since the route is turn-heavy, rely on a reliable navigation system to keep you on track through the local road segments. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to extend your rest periods if you find the technical nature of the driving tiring.
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 245.1 miles from DeFuniak Springs, FL, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211 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 108 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 245.1 miles or 4h 24m 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 245.1 miles or 4h 24m
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 7h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Lucie, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving DeFuniak 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 DeFuniak Springs, FL
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Port Saint Lucie, FL
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from DeFuniak 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 I 10 for about 211 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 488.5 — 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|US 90 / US Highway 90 East
Turn left onto US 90 / US Highway 90 East
Navigation decision point
5
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
8
321.4 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
6
487.7 mi into trip|~8h 46m in|FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Turn right onto FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
488.5 mi into trip|~8h 48m in|CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.21 one way
$148.41 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg172 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$81.42
$162.85
premium
$4.55
$87.81
$175.62
diesel
$4.80
$92.56
$185.12
Estimated Tolls: $11.56
Florida's Turnpike
(165.2 mi)$11.56
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
$74
Tolls
$12
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
147.1
1
$51.47
$23.53
Efficient EV
122.6
1
$42.89
$19.61
EV Truck/SUV
196.1
2
$68.63
$31.37
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
57 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 16, 2026
Origin
DeFuniak Springs, FL
Afternoon
in DeFuniak Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:35PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:26PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Afternoon
in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 5 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:35PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:26PM 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.
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
8h 51m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition between various road types throughout your 488.8-mile transit. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires your full attention as you navigate off the main highways and onto local connectors. The drive is characterized by a mix of surface streets and regional corridors rather than a high-speed highway percentage. You will find that the road's personality shifts from the quieter, winding stretches near DeFuniak Springs to the more complex navigation required as you approach the busier infrastructure near Port Saint Lucie. Stay alert, as the frequent turns and local road transitions make this a hands-on driving experience.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 211 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Florida's Turnpike. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 90 / US Highway 90 East.
Driving Effort6/10
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 490.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 (US 90 / US Highway 90 East): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 321.4 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
260 ft17 ft
Total Climb
333 ft
Total Descent
576 ft
Highest Point
260 ft
Elevation Range
244 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between DeFuniak Springs, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
321.4 mi in|~5h 46m|via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
321.4 mi in|~5h 46m|via Florida's Turnpike
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
DeFuniak Springs is a city of 7,000 people (2019) on the Emerald Coast of Florida. DeFuniak Springs is home to Lake DeFuniak, one of two spring-fed lakes in the world that is nearly perfectly round. The surrounding landscape around the lake is often decorated for the holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year's to celebrate.
Top landmarks
•DeFuniak Springs Historic District — historic district in Florida
•Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood — building in the United States of America
•Sun Bright — historic residence in DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, Florida
Port St. Lucie is a sprawling tropical city on the Treasure Coast of Florida. The population is 202,000 and 438,000 in its metropolitan area (2019). Residents refer to the city by its initials, PSL. The spring training home of the New York Mets, this city has many fun activities if you know where to look; the new downtown area is in its infancy, but once complete will bring more activities for residents and visitors.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 211 miles on I 10. 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 245 miles on day one.
Expect about $11.56 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 53 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 Port Saint Lucie, 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 53 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 90 / US Highway 90 East): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 321.4 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 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Saint Lucie, FL before the return drive.
