Ferry Pass, FL to Palm Bay, FL is 509.2 miles and takes about 9h 22m via I 10, I 75, and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $80 and an overnight stay recommended. This drive covers a significant portion of Florida, transitioning from the western panhandle region towards the central part of the state. Given the distance and duration, breaking this trip into two days is a practical approach for a more relaxed experience. You'll primarily be on major interstate highways, making it a straightforward, albeit long, transit across the state.
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
254.6 miles from Ferry Pass, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
282.8 mi
5h 3m
I 75
107.2 mi
1h 54m
Florida's Turnpike
63.9 mi
1h 8m
Bronson Highway
37.2 mi
46m
Palm Bay Road Northeast
4.3 mi
7m
I 95
3.4 mi
3m
US 192
2.9 mi
3m
13th Street
2.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 282.8 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,226 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,701
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
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 Ferry Pass, FL and Palm Bay, FL.
1
Start on CR 290
0.5 mi·58 sec·East Olive Road
Use the left lane.
2
Turn left onto FL 291
0.2 mi·37 sec·North Davis Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on FL 291
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Davis Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 291
0.2 mi·36 sec·FL 291
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 10 East: TallahasseeUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
8
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 244Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint CloudUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
177 ft·6 sec
Toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud, Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
12
Turn left onto US 192; US 441
3.4 mi·5 min·Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 192; US 441
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on US 192; US 441
2.6 mi·5 min·13th Street
15
Continue on US 192; US 441
1.4 mi·2 min·East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
16
Continue on US 192; US 441
34 mi·40 min·Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 192
2.9 mi·3 min·US 192
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: Miami
19
Merge onto I 95
3.4 mi·3 min·I 95
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 176Toward CR 516: Palm BayUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on this road
99 ft·4 sec·this road
Exit 176Toward CR 516: Palm Bay, Palm Bay RoadUse the left / right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto CR 516
4.3 mi·7 min·Palm Bay Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
Palm Bay Road Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 22m estimated drive time, it's best to plan for an overnight stop. Consider leaving Ferry Pass in the morning and driving for about 4-5 hours to reach a good stopping point along I 75. This splits the 509.2-mile route into two manageable days, with roughly 282.8 miles on your first day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer stretches, and budget around $80 for gas. The two recommended stops should be planned strategically to allow for rest and refueling.
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 254.6 miles from Ferry Pass, FL, or about 4h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.8 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 112 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 254.6 miles or 4h 34m 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 254.6 miles or 4h 34m
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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palm Bay, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ferry Pass, 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 Ferry Pass, FL
Aim for roughly 255 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Palm Bay, FL
Aim for roughly 255 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 miles from Ferry Pass, 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 282.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 504.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
8
391.8 mi into trip|~7h 1m 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
8
455.7 mi into trip|~8h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
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 244
Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
6
456.2 mi into trip|~8h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud, Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud,...
7
504.5 mi into trip|~9h 13m in
Take the exit toward CR 516: Palm Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176
Toward CR 516: Palm Bay
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.08 one way
$154.16 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg178 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$84.58
$169.16
premium
$4.55
$91.21
$182.43
diesel
$4.80
$96.15
$192.29
Estimated Tolls: $4.47
Florida's Turnpike
(63.9 mi)$4.47
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
$77
Tolls
$4
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 178.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
152.8
1
$53.47
$24.44
Efficient EV
127.3
1
$44.56
$20.37
EV Truck/SUV
203.7
2
$71.29
$32.59
Gas CO2
178 kg
EV CO2
60 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 16, 2026
Origin
Ferry Pass, FL
Late night
in Ferry Pass on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Palm Bay, FL
Late night
in Palm Bay on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSW 5 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:02PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:59PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
1 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
9h 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$25
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a long-haul drive with 90% on highways. You'll spend the longest stretch, 282.8 miles, on I 10. After that, you'll transition to I 75 and then Florida's Turnpike, which will likely involve more frequent exits and potentially denser traffic as you approach more populated areas. Expect a predominantly highway cruising experience for the vast majority of the trip.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 282.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 509.2 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 391.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 455.7 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
183 ft17 ft
Total Climb
251 ft
Total Descent
345 ft
Highest Point
183 ft
~109.1 mi in
Elevation Range
166 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ferry Pass, FL and Palm Bay, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando, Us 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud and Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital.
The longest stretch is about 282.8 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 255 miles on day one.
Expect about $4.47 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 49 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 Palm Bay, 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 49 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 391.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 455.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.4 hours each way, a round trip means 18.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Palm Bay, FL before the return drive.
