Pompano Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Goulds, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
135.6 mi
218 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Goulds, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Trip Overview
Goulds, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL is 135.6 miles and takes about 2h 37m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, connecting two points in the southern part of the state. Expect a largely straightforward drive with minimal complexity, suitable for a single-day excursion. The route is primarily on toll roads, so be prepared for those costs beyond just fuel.
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
67.8 miles from Goulds, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 95.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | 35.1 mi | 40m |
| Dixie Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Southeast Airoso Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 118th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Bayshore Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Carter Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goulds, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 220th Street
76 ft
·
4 sec
·
Southwest 220th Street
2
Turn right onto Southwest 118th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Southwest 118th Avenue
3
Merge onto US 1
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
5
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
95 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142
Toward Port Saint Lucie
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
483 ft
·
15 sec
·
Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
13
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto CR 615
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
15
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft
·
9 sec
·
Southwest Carter Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 2h 37m drive, departing in the morning from Goulds, FL, is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only 135.6 miles, you have flexibility if you need to make an unplanned stop. The fuel cost is estimated at $22, and since it's a single-day trip, you'll want to ensure you have enough gas before hitting the longest stretch of 95.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. Consider checking toll pass options for smoother travel on the turnpike.
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 67.8 miles from Goulds, FL, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.8 miles or 1h 18m 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 7m
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 Goulds, 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 Goulds, FL
This is one driving day of about 135.6 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Goulds, 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 95.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.8 miles from Goulds, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Snapper Creek Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
West Palm Beach Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Port Saint Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Riverbend Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617411359
Visit websiteMorikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Moderately
Delray Beach, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15614950233
Visit websiteMiramar Regional Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Miramar, Florida
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+19548836950
Visit websiteEscape Room PSL
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 4–10:30 pm
+17726266655
Visit websiteIndian Creek Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617412400
Visit websiteZoo Miami
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Miami, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13052510400
Visit websiteJoseph C. Carter Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19548285411
Visit websiteIngalls Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Hallandale Beach, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+19544571452
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 132.3 — 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
|
~0m in
|
US 1 / Dixie Highway
Merge onto US 1 / Dixie Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
36.1 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
7
132.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward Port Saint Lucie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 142
Toward Port Saint Lucie
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.58 one way
$43.17 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $23.48 | $46.96 |
| premium | $4.72 | $25.21 | $50.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.77
Florida's Turnpike
(95.2 mi)
$6.67
Homestead Extension
(35.1 mi)
$2.10
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
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.24 | $6.51 |
| Efficient EV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.86 | $5.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.98 | $8.68 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Goulds, FL
Morning in Goulds on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Morning in Port Saint Lucie on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Miramar, FL
68 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
19 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
2h 37m 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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
Caution: Boater Awareness
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 96% of the 135.6 miles on major roads like Florida's Turnpike. You'll experience a longest stretch of 95.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads. Given the high percentage of highway driving, anticipate numerous exits and entrances as you make your way north. The final segment will involve navigating local streets as you approach Port Saint Lucie.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 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 Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. 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 US 1 / Dixie Highway.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 135.6 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 (US 1 / Dixie Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Goulds, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs point toward Orlando and Florida's Turnpike Toll North.
Orlando
36.1 mi in
|
~43m
|
via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike Toll North
36.1 mi in
|
~43m
|
via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 135.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.77 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 4 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 1 / Dixie Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): 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 Port Saint Lucie, FL before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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