Traveling from Gifford to Miami covers 144.1 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 36 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than an interstate sprint, you should plan for a full day of travel. Budget roughly $24 for fuel to complete the journey. Given the relatively short duration, this works perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will be navigating through Florida’s coastal landscape, transitioning from the quiet atmosphere of Gifford into the dense urban environment of Miami. It is a straightforward trek, but be prepared for a drive that prioritizes local roads over high-speed highway travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.4 miles from Gifford, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
108.4 mi
1h 59m
I 95
9 mi
11m
North Kings Highway
5.2 mi
7m
Indian River Boulevard
5.1 mi
8m
US Highway 1
3.7 mi
6m
Turnpike Feeder Road
3 mi
4m
South Kings Highway
2.4 mi
3m
45th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 108.4 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gifford, FL and Miami, FL.
1
Start on CR 5A
120 ft·8 sec·Old Dixie Highway
2
Turn left onto 45th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·45th Street
3
Turn right onto CR 603
5.1 mi·8 min·Indian River Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto US 1
3.7 mi·6 min·US Highway 1
Use the left lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 713
3.0 mi·4 min·Turnpike Feeder Road
6
Continue on FL 713
5.2 mi·7 min·North Kings Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FL 713
2.4 mi·3 min·South Kings Highway
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·26 sec·this road
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
108 mi·1 hr 59 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95, US 441
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95
9.0 mi·11 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 3BToward Northwest 8th Street, Port of MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Northwest 8th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Northwest 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Miami Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
North Miami Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a local-road-focused trip, timing your departure is key to avoiding the heaviest congestion often found on non-highway routes. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the constant turning. Keep in mind that your $24 fuel estimate is based on standard driving conditions, so factor in potential idling time if you encounter heavy traffic. Because you aren't tethered to an interstate, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed throughout the 144.1-mile journey. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to your navigation apps well in advance of turns, as the lack of highway signage means you will be relying heavily on local street markers to stay on track.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.4 miles from Gifford, FL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.4 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 31 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.4 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gifford, 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 Gifford, FL
This is one driving day of about 140.7 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Gifford, 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 108.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.2 and 140.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
20.2 mi into trip|~32m 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
6
129.4 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, US 441
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, US 441
7
130.2 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 South
8
139.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
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 3B
Toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
6
140.2 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|North Miami Avenue
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.40 one way
$44.79 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$24.36
$48.72
premium
$4.72
$26.16
$52.32
diesel
$5.61
$31.06
$62.13
Estimated Tolls: $7.80
Florida's Turnpike
(108.4 mi)$7.59
Turnpike Feeder Road
(3 mi)$0.21
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
$22
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.2
0
$14.77
$6.75
Efficient EV
35.2
0
$12.31
$5.63
EV Truck/SUV
56.3
0
$19.70
$9.00
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Gifford, FL
Late night
in Gifford on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Miami, FL
Late night
in Miami on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
7 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
2h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Biscayne National Park
National Park
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 140.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a departure from the typical interstate grind, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate a turn-heavy path primarily utilizing 45th Street, Indian River Boulevard, and Highway 1. Because there is no extended highway stretch, your longest uninterrupted segment on 45th Street is effectively zero miles, meaning you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions. The personality of this drive is distinctly local, requiring more active attention than a cruise-controlled highway journey. As you transition between these main roads, the character of the trip shifts from residential and local thoroughfares to the busier, more complex navigation required as you approach the Miami area.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.4 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.2 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 13 significant decision points across 140.7 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 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
27 ft14 ft
Total Climb
16 ft
Total Descent
3 ft
Highest Point
27 ft
~70.4 mi in
Elevation Range
13 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gifford, FL to Miami, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South along the way.
Miami is a major city in the southeastern United States and the second most populous city in Florida. The Greater Miami metropolitan area is the largest in the state with an estimated population just under 6.1 million (2021), which makes it the 9th most populous metro area in the United States.
Although tourists generally consider Miami Beach to be part of Miami, it is its own municipality. Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Miami and Biscayne Bay. It is home to lots of beach resorts, and is one of the most popular spring break party destinations in the world. This article only covers the city of Miami, not Miami Beach.
Top landmarks
•Little Havana — neighborhood in Miami, Florida
•Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — historic estate on Biscayne Bay; Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 140.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m 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 108.4 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.80 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.
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 Miami, 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: at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Miami, FL before heading back.
