Fernandina Beach to Hialeah is 372.9 miles and takes about 7 hours 9 minutes via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the state's northern coast down to its southern tip. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll encounter two planned stops along the way, making it a manageable drive for one day.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
186.4 miles from Fernandina Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
202.9 mi
3h 38m
Florida's Turnpike
106.2 mi
1h 57m
East Beltway
21.4 mi
24m
US 17
12.6 mi
18m
South 8th Street
11.3 mi
19m
FL 9B
5.1 mi
5m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
2.8 mi
4m
Northwest 37th Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 202.9 mi, about 3h 38m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 53 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,082 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,862
Quietest
2 AM
~248 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
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 Fernandina Beach, FL and Hialeah, FL.
1
Start on Ash Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·Ash Street
2
Turn right onto SR A1A; FL 200
11 mi·19 min·South 8th Street
3
Turn sharp left onto US 17
1.1 mi·1 min·US 17
4
Continue on US 17
12 mi·16 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 SouthUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 295
8.5 mi·9 min·East Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
7.3 mi·8 min·East Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
5.6 mi·6 min·East Beltway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 9B
5.1 mi·5 min·FL 9B
Exit 58Toward I 795 South: Saint AugustineUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 4BToward I 95 South: Daytona Beach
11
Merge onto I 95
203 mi·3 hr 38 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 129Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort PierceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft·12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: OkeechobeeUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto FL 70
0.5 mi·57 sec·Okeechobee Road
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
106 mi·1 hr 57 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 2XToward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock StadiumUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·21 sec·this road
20
Turn right onto Northwest 199th Street
1.8 mi·2 min·Northwest 199th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Northwest 37th Avenue
2.6 mi·4 min·Northwest 37th Avenue
22
Continue on Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
With a 7-hour drive time, leaving Fernandina Beach in the morning is your best bet for arriving in Hialeah before dark. The two recommended stops are well-spaced to break up the 372.9-mile distance. Given the 86% highway share, keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches like the 202.9 miles on I 95. The fuel cost is estimated at $59, so plan accordingly. This is a comfortable one-day trip, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could split it, though it's not strictly necessary.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.4 miles from Fernandina Beach, FL, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.9 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 82 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.4 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fernandina Beach, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fernandina Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 372.9 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Fernandina Beach, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 202.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 46.2 and 362.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
46.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|FL 9B
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 9B toward I 795 South: Saint Augustine
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 58
Toward I 795 South: Saint Augustine
8
254.9 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
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 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
7
255.3 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
8
256.2 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
8
362.9 mi into trip|~6h 51m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2X
Toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadiu...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.45 one way
$112.90 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$61.94
$123.88
premium
$4.55
$66.80
$133.60
diesel
$4.80
$70.41
$140.82
Estimated Tolls: $7.43
Florida's Turnpike
(106.2 mi)$7.43
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
$56
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.9
1
$39.15
$17.90
Efficient EV
93.2
1
$32.63
$14.92
EV Truck/SUV
149.2
1
$52.21
$23.87
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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
Fernandina Beach, FL
Afternoon
in Fernandina Beach on Sunday
Local time
1:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
W 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Hialeah, FL
Afternoon
in Hialeah on Sunday
Local time
1:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
76°F
Titusville, FL
186 mi in
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
7h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 154.3
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 372.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 86% of the trip on major roads like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. You'll experience a long stretch of 202.9 miles on I 95 before transitioning to other main roads. Expect a high concentration of exits and merges for a significant portion of this drive.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.9 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.2 miles in near FL 9B.
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 21 significant decision points across 372.9 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 46.2 miles (FL 9B): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 254.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
42 ft7 ft
Total Climb
46 ft
Total Descent
49 ft
Highest Point
42 ft
~79.9 mi in
Elevation Range
36 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fernandina Beach, FL and Hialeah, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 372.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 202.9 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.43 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 29 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 Hialeah, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 46.2 miles (FL 9B): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 254.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument, Canaveral National Seashore and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hialeah, FL before the return drive.
