Hialeah to Alachua is 342.4 miles and takes about 6h 31m via Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, beginning in the Miami metro area and heading north. The vast majority of this trip is on major highways, making it a straightforward and efficient way to cover the distance. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip if you're looking to get to your destination quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
171.2 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
264.1 mi
4h 47m
I 75
56 mi
1h
Northwest 43rd Street
4.9 mi
8m
SR 9
2.6 mi
4m
ML King Memorial Highway
2.1 mi
2m
Southwest 34th Street
1.7 mi
3m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
1.4 mi
2m
Northwest 16th Boulevard
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 264.1 mi, about 4h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hialeah, FL and Alachua, FL.
1
Start on East 39th Street
191 ft·9 sec·East 39th Street
2
Turn right onto East 2nd Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·East 2nd Avenue
3
Turn right onto East 41st Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·East 41st Street
4
Turn left onto East 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·59 sec·East 4th Avenue
5
Turn right onto SR 932
0.5 mi·56 sec·East 49th Street
6
Turn left onto SR 953
0.7 mi·1 min·East 8th Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
Toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike TollUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
264 mi·4 hr 47 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
16
Merge onto I 75
56 mi·1 hr·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 384Toward FL 24: Archer Road, Gainesville, ArcherUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto FL 24
1.0 mi·1 min·Southwest Archer Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto FL 121
1.7 mi·3 min·Southwest 34th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on FL 121
1.0 mi·2 min·Northwest 34th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Boulevard
1.1 mi·2 min·Northwest 16th Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto CR 2053
4.9 mi·8 min·Northwest 43rd Street
Use the left lane.
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 441
2.1 mi·2 min·ML King Memorial Highway
24
Turn left onto Turkey Creek Boulevard
101 ft·5 sec·Turkey Creek Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on Turkey Creek Boulevard
0.1 mi·32 sec·Turkey Creek Boulevard
26
Turn right onto Palmetto Boulevard
0.3 mi·1 min·Palmetto Boulevard
27
Continue on Palmetto Boulevard
0.3 mi·1 min·Palmetto Boulevard
28
Turn left onto Creek Drive West
0.4 mi·1 min·Creek Drive West
29
Turn right onto Northwest 105th Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Northwest 105th Avenue
30
At end of road, turn left onto Palmetto Boulevard
461 ft·20 sec·Palmetto Boulevard
31
Arrive at destination
Palmetto Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 31m estimated drive time, leaving Hialeah in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Alachua with plenty of daylight. The route is mostly highway, so you can plan for a single stop to refuel and stretch, perhaps around the halfway point or closer to where Florida's Turnpike ends. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 264.1-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as services can sometimes be spread out on such long highway segments. A fuel budget of around $55 should cover the 342.4 miles.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.2 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.1 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 75 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.2 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alachua, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hialeah, 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 Hialeah, FL
This is one driving day of about 342.4 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Hialeah, 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 264.1 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 329 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
Keep slight right at fork onto Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.8 mi into trip|~9m in|SR 9
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 9
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
272.3 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
8
328.6 mi into trip|~6h 4m in
Take the exit toward FL 24: Archer Road, Gainesville, Archer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 384
Toward FL 24: Archer Road, Gainesville, Archer
6
329 mi into trip|~6h 4m in|FL 24 / Southwest Archer Road
Turn right onto FL 24 / Southwest Archer Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.50 one way
$109.00 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$59.29
$118.57
premium
$4.72
$63.67
$127.34
diesel
$5.61
$75.60
$151.20
Estimated Tolls: $18.47
Florida's Turnpike
(263.9 mi)$18.47
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
$55
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.7
1
$35.95
$16.44
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.96
$13.70
EV Truck/SUV
137
1
$47.94
$21.91
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Hialeah, FL
Late night
in Hialeah on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alachua, FL
Late night
in Alachua on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°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
3 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
6h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 94% of the 342.4 miles spent on major roadways like Florida's Turnpike and I-75. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 264.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. Surface roads appear closer to your destination in Alachua, with Northwest 43rd Street being one of the final segments. Expect a consistent cruising speed for most of the drive, with frequent exits and merges as you navigate through different sections of Florida.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 264.1 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 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector.
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 26 significant decision points across 342.4 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 2.1 miles (Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (SR 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.3 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 31m. Total distance: 342.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 264.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.47 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 30 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 Alachua, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (SR 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.3 miles (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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alachua, FL before the return drive.
