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Trip from Harlem, FL to Buenaventura Lakes, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

146.1 mi

235 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

Harlem, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Buenaventura Lakes, FL, FL

Buenaventura Lakes, FL

Matt Fitz Gibaud

Trip Overview

Harlem, FL to Buenaventura Lakes, FL is 146.1 miles and takes about 3 hours 5 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and US 441, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving from the northern part of the state to the central region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's ideal for a single day of travel. You'll encounter a mix of major roadways designed for efficient transit. Plan for a relatively quick journey, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points.

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

73 miles from Harlem, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 55 mi 58m
Industrial Drive 34.4 mi 46m
US 441 31.8 mi 40m
US 27 15.3 mi 19m
Parrott Avenue 4.3 mi 8m
Lewis Boulevard 1.1 mi 2m
East Osceola Parkway 1.1 mi 1m
Buenaventura Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 55 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Harlem, FL and Buenaventura Lakes, FL.

1

Start on 10th Street

89 ft · 5 sec · 10th Street
2

Turn right onto Harlem Academy Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Harlem Academy Avenue
3

At end of road, turn right onto 13th Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 13th Street
4

At end of road, turn left onto Lewis Boulevard

1.1 mi · 2 min · Lewis Boulevard
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 22 sec
6

Merge onto US 27; FL 80

4.9 mi · 5 min · US 27; FL 80
7

Continue on US 27; FL 80

10 mi · 14 min · US 27; FL 80
Use the left lane.
8

Turn right onto FL 78 Detour

34 mi · 46 min · Industrial Drive
9

Turn left onto Parrott Avenue

4.3 mi · 8 min · Parrott Avenue
10

Continue on US 441

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 441
11

Continue on US 441

31 mi · 39 min · US 441
12

Turn sharp right onto FL 60

0.4 mi · 49 sec · FL 60
Use the left lane.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on this road

295 ft · 7 sec · this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

55 mi · 58 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 249 Toward Osceola Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto CR 522

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Osceola Parkway
19

Turn right onto Buenaventura Boulevard

0.7 mi · 1 min · Buenaventura Boulevard
Use the right lane.
20

Turn left onto Florida Parkway

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Florida Parkway
21

Turn right onto Dorothy Lane

252 ft · 13 sec · Dorothy Lane
22

Turn right onto Gardenia Road

144 ft · 6 sec · Gardenia Road
23

Arrive at destination

Gardenia Road

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour travel time and 146.1-mile distance, this is a very manageable same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $23, you have considerable flexibility in your timing. The longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike is 55 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering that segment. Consider making your stop shortly before or after this long stretch to ensure you're comfortably fueled for the remainder of the drive.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73 miles from Harlem, FL, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 32 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73 miles or 1h 41m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buenaventura Lakes, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Harlem, 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 Harlem, FL

This is one driving day of about 146.1 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Harlem, 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 55 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

seat of Okeechobee County in Florida, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Okeechobee, FL

73 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

Buckhead Ridge, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Okeechobee, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73 miles from Harlem, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 143.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | 13th Street

At end of road, turn right onto 13th Street

Navigation decision point

5
87.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | FL 60

Turn sharp right onto FL 60

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
88 mi into trip | ~2h in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
88.2 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando
7
143.6 mi into trip | ~3h in

Take the exit toward Osceola Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 249 Toward Osceola Parkway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.26 one way

$46.51 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $25.30 $50.59
premium $4.72 $27.17 $54.33
diesel $5.61 $32.26 $64.51

Estimated Tolls: $3.85

Florida's Turnpike (55 mi) $3.85

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

$23

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.1 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 43.8 0 $15.34 $7.01
Efficient EV 36.5 0 $12.78 $5.84
EV Truck/SUV 58.4 0 $20.45 $9.35

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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

Harlem, FL

Morning in Harlem on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buenaventura Lakes, FL

Morning in Buenaventura Lakes on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

17 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

3h 5m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 71% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 55 miles on Florida's Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. The journey transitions from the Turnpike to Industrial Drive before merging onto US 441, introducing more local road elements as you get closer to your destination. Expect periods of efficient travel interspersed with sections that require more attention to local traffic. This blend means you'll get a taste of both high-speed transit and more grounded, community-level driving.

71% 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: 55 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Industrial Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near 13th Street.

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 17 significant decision points across 146.1 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 0.5 miles (13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.6 miles (FL 60): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 88 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from Harlem, FL to Buenaventura Lakes, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando along the way.

Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando

88.2 mi in | ~2h 1m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 146.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.85 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Buenaventura Lakes, 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 0.5 miles (13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.6 miles (FL 60): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 88 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Buenaventura Lakes, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Buenaventura Lakes, FL to Harlem, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

146.4 mi 3h 7m

Explore more options from Harlem, FL or browse trips ending in Buenaventura Lakes, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.