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Trip from Hialeah, FL to Cortez, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 30m

Distance

237.2 mi

382 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 17m ★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 22m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Hialeah, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cortez, FL, FL

Cortez, FL

Matt Fitz Gibaud

Trip Overview

This 237.2-mile drive from Hialeah, FL to Cortez, FL will take approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day road trip. The majority of your journey, 92% to be exact, will be on highways, primarily I-75, with Cortez Road and 53rd Avenue East being the final stretches. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, this is an economical option for exploring more of Florida. The route is focused on efficient travel, so if you're looking to cover ground quickly, this is a solid choice. It's designed for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

118.6 miles from Hialeah, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 216.1 mi 3h 51m
Cortez Road 7.7 mi 14m
53rd Avenue East 5.3 mi 9m
Gratigny Parkway 2.2 mi 2m
Palm Avenue 1.6 mi 3m
301 Boulevard East 1 mi 1m
West 4th Avenue/Red Road 0.9 mi 1m
East 39th Street 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 216.1 mi, about 3h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hialeah, FL and Cortez, FL.

1

Start on East 39th Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · East 39th Street
2

Turn right onto Palm Avenue

1.6 mi · 3 min · Palm Avenue
3

Turn left onto West 65th Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · West 65th Street
Use the left lane.
4

Turn straight onto West 2nd Court

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West 2nd Court
5

Continue on West 68th Street

447 ft · 12 sec · West 68th Street
6

Turn right onto SR 823

0.9 mi · 1 min · West 4th Avenue/Red Road
7

Turn left

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward SR 924 Toll West
8

Merge onto SR 924 Toll

2.2 mi · 2 min · Gratigny Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 75

16 mi · 17 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

200 mi · 3 hr 34 min · I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward FL 70: Bradenton, Arcadia Use the left lane.
12

Turn left onto FL 70

0.2 mi · 24 sec · State Road 70
Use the left lane.
13

Continue on FL 70

5.3 mi · 9 min · 53rd Avenue East
14

Turn right onto 15th Street East

0.3 mi · 30 sec · 15th Street East
15

Keep slight left at fork onto 301 Boulevard East

1.0 mi · 1 min · 301 Boulevard East
16

Turn slight left onto 44th Avenue East

0.2 mi · 25 sec · 44th Avenue East
17

Continue on 44th Avenue Connector

0.1 mi · 13 sec · 44th Avenue Connector
18

Turn left onto US 41

7.7 mi · 14 min · Cortez Road
19

Arrive at destination

FL 684

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 30-minute duration, leaving Hialeah in the morning is ideal to maximize your time in Cortez. While the longest stretch on I-75 is over 200 miles, plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel if necessary, especially since the estimated fuel cost is $38. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you near the end of the I-75 segment, as services might be more spread out before you hit Cortez Road. This route's efficiency means you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best.

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 118.6 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 216.1 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 52 miles or 1h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 118.6 miles or 2h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cortez, 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 237.2 miles and 4h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 I 75 for about 216.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Gateway, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gateway, FL

119 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

Bonita Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gateway, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118.6 miles from Hialeah, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 216.1 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.

Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18555023851

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Punta Gorda, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Tesla Supercharger

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Punta Gorda, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Port Charlotte, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Punta Gorda, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Punta Gorda, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Punta Gorda, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447112474

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Fort Myers, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

10270

0.1 mi from route

Collier County Rest Area Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Charlotte County Truck Stop Northbound

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Collier County Rest Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Northbound

0.2 mi from route

Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

Broward County Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

10280

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from route

Captain Bam’s Jungle Float

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bradenton Beach, Florida

Hours: 9:30 am–5:30 pm

+19417203609

Visit website

Oscar Scherer State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Osprey, Florida

+19414835956

Visit website

Amelia Earhart Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hialeah, Florida

+13056858389

Visit website

CoastLine Dolphin & Snorkeling Excursions

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bradenton, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19412018429

Visit website

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Naples, Florida

Hours: Closed

+12392524021

Visit website

Wonder Gardens

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Bonita Springs, Florida

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12399922591

Visit website

The Historic Hampton House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13056385800

Visit website

Miramar Regional Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Miramar, Florida

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+19548836950

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 222 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | Palm Avenue

Turn right onto Palm Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
3.4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Turn left toward SR 924 Toll West

Navigation decision point

Toward SR 924 Toll West
5
3.7 mi into trip | ~7m in | SR 924 Toll / Gratigny Parkway

Merge onto SR 924 Toll / Gratigny Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
21.9 mi into trip | ~27m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
7
222 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in

Take the exit toward FL 70: Bradenton, Arcadia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward FL 70: Bradenton, Arcadia

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.76 one way

$75.51 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $41.07 $82.14
premium $4.72 $44.11 $88.21
diesel $5.61 $52.37 $104.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 71.2 0 $24.91 $11.39
Efficient EV 59.3 0 $20.76 $9.49
EV Truck/SUV 94.9 1 $33.21 $15.18

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Morning in Hialeah on Tuesday

Local time

8:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

NE 14 mph 49% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 3:53PM EDT until April 22 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 3:53PM EDT until April 22 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Destination

Cortez, FL

Morning in Cortez on Tuesday

Local time

8:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°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

8 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

4h 30m on the road

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

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.

De Soto National Memorial

De Soto National Memorial

National Memorial

In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 237.2
View on nps.gov
Biscayne National Park

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...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with I-75 dominating 92% of the route. You'll encounter one long, uninterrupted stretch of 216.1 miles on I-75, which means extended periods of consistent speed. As you approach Cortez, the roads will transition to Cortez Road and then 53rd Avenue East, offering a change from the interstate but still maintaining a generally efficient driving profile. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss, characterized by its highway nature.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 216.1 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Cortez Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Palm Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 237.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Palm Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (SR 924 Toll / Gratigny Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

Between Hialeah, FL and Cortez, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples and Arcadia.

Alligator Alley

21.9 mi in | ~27m | via I 75

Naples

21.9 mi in | ~27m | via I 75

Arcadia

222 mi in | ~4h 2m

About the Cities

Starting in Hialeah, FL

Full guide →

Hialeah is a city in the Greater Miami region of Florida.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 237.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 216.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 12 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 Cortez, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Palm Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (SR 924 Toll / Gratigny Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Cortez, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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