Alachua County Rest Area (I-75 southbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Walton Beach, FL to Palm Bay, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 5m
Distance
481.8 mi
775 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 57m
★
6 AM
9h 6m
8 AM
9h 22m
10 AM
9h 11m
12 PM
9h 10m
3 PM
9h 12m
5 PM
9h 21m
8 PM
9h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Palm Bay, FL
Hetvi Patel
Trip Overview
Fort Walton Beach to Palm Bay is 481.8 miles and takes about 9h 5m via I 10, I 75, and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $77 and an overnight recommended. This trip crosses the entire state of Florida, starting on the western coast and heading inland before turning south. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a straightforward drive. With a recommended two days for this route, you can comfortably split the driving and avoid a marathon session.
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
240.9 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 226.1 mi | 4h 2m |
| I 75 | 107.2 mi | 1h 54m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 63.9 mi | 1h 8m |
| Bronson Highway | 37.2 mi | 46m |
| North Partin Drive | 17.4 mi | 22m |
| Eglin Parkway Northeast | 7 mi | 12m |
| Palm Bay Road Northeast | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| I 95 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 226.1 mi, about 4h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Walton Beach, FL and Palm Bay, FL.
1
Start on Hummingbird Avenue Northwest
153 ft
·
8 sec
·
Hummingbird Avenue Northwest
2
Turn right onto Williams Street Northwest
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Williams Street Northwest
3
At end of road, turn left onto FL 189
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Beal Parkway Northwest
4
Turn sharp right onto Yacht Club Drive
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Yacht Club Drive
5
Turn left onto FL 85
7.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Eglin Parkway Northeast
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on FL 85
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Eglin Parkway
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on FL 85
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Government Avenue
8
Turn left onto FL 85
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West John Sims Parkway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto FL 285
17 mi
·
22 min
·
North Partin Drive
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
11
Merge onto I 10
226 mi
·
4 hr 2 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 296A
Toward I-75 South: Tampa
13
Merge onto I 75
107 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 244
Toward US 192, US 441: Kissimmee, Saint Cloud
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
177 ft
·
6 sec
Toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud, Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
17
Turn left onto US 192; US 441
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 192; US 441
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 192; US 441
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
20
Continue on US 192; US 441
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
21
Continue on US 192; US 441
34 mi
·
40 min
·
Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 192
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US 192
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 South: Miami
24
Merge onto I 95
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 95
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 176
Toward CR 516: Palm Bay
Use the slight right lane.
26
Continue on this road
99 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
Exit 176
Toward CR 516: Palm Bay, Palm Bay Road
Use the left / right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto CR 516
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Palm Bay Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
Palm Bay Road Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour drive time, splitting this into two days is highly recommended to make the most of your trip. Aim to leave Fort Walton Beach in the morning on your first day, allowing you to cover about half the distance. Your fuel cost is estimated at $77, so plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially during the 226.1-mile stretch on I 10 where services might be less frequent. The Florida Turnpike can have tolls, so be prepared for that. A good stopping point would be somewhere around central Florida to break up the driving.
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 240.9 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL, or about 4h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.1 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 106 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 240.9 miles or 4h 32m 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 240.9 miles or 4h 32m
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 46m
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 Fort Walton 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.
+
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 Fort Walton Beach, FL
Aim for roughly 241 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Palm Bay, FL
Aim for roughly 241 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 106 miles from Fort Walton Beach, 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 226.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
241 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Lake City, FLOvernight Options
Night 1
241 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Lake City, FL after about 241 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 106 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 240.9 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 226.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 241 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Turkey Lake Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Leon County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Leon County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Gadsden County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Jackson County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Jackson County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Madison County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Alachua County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Okahumpka Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Madison County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Suwannee County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 southbound)
0.2 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Ponce de Leon Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Busy Bee Truck Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Southbound
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Holmes County Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 477.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast
Turn left onto FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
364.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 44m 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
428.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 53m 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
7
477.1 mi into trip
|
~8h 56m 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
$76.69 one way
$153.38 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
169 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $83.42 | $166.85 |
| premium | $4.72 | $89.59 | $179.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $106.38 | $212.75 |
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
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 168.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 144.5 | 1 | $50.59 | $23.13 |
| Efficient EV | 120.5 | 1 | $42.16 | $19.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 192.7 | 2 | $67.45 | $30.84 |
Gas CO2
169 kg
EV CO2
56 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.
Origin
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Late night in Fort Walton Beach on Sunday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Palm Bay, FL
Morning in Palm Bay on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
E 10 mph
2% chance
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.
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
2 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
9h 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 86% of the 481.8 miles on interstates. The longest stretch without needing to exit is 226.1 miles on I 10, which is a significant segment of pure highway cruising. Expect a lot of straight driving with frequent exits and entrances as you navigate across the state. The profile is mostly highway, meaning you'll encounter consistent speed limits and traffic patterns for the majority of the trip.
86% 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: 226.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.2 miles in near FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 481.8 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 0.2 miles (FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 364.3 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Fort Walton Beach, 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.
Florida's Turnpike South
364.3 mi in
|
~6h 44m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
364.3 mi in
|
~6h 44m
|
via Florida's Turnpike
Us 441: Kissimmee
428.2 mi in
|
~7h 53m
Saint Cloud
428.2 mi in
|
~7h 53m
Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
428.7 mi in
|
~7h 54m
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 226.1 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 241 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 44 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 44 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 364.3 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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 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.
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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