Hialeah to De Leon Springs is 265.6 miles and takes about 5 hours 6 minutes via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving north from the Miami metro area into the central part of the state. Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. It's a practical route for getting from South Florida to a destination further north without needing an overnight stop, provided you're comfortable with several hours on the road.
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
132.8 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
119.8 mi
2h 8m
Florida's Turnpike
108.1 mi
2h
East New York Avenue
9.6 mi
12m
State Road 44
8.6 mi
10m
North Woodland Boulevard
3.6 mi
5m
North US Highway 17
2.8 mi
4m
SR 9
2.6 mi
4m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 119.8 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hialeah, FL and De Leon Springs, 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
108 mi·2 hr·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Exit 152Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero BeachUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft·5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
17
Merge onto FL 70
0.3 mi·35 sec·Okeechobee Road
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 95
120 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 249Toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna BeachUse the left lane.
22
Turn left onto FL 44
8.6 mi·10 min·State Road 44
23
Continue on FL 44
8.7 mi·11 min·East New York Avenue
24
Continue on FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·East New York Avenue
25
Turn right onto Blue Lake Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Blue Lake Avenue
26
Continue on East Plymouth Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·East Plymouth Avenue
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto US 17; US 92
1.8 mi·3 min·North Woodland Boulevard
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
1.8 mi·2 min·North Woodland Boulevard
29
Continue on US 17
2.8 mi·4 min·North US Highway 17
30
Turn left onto Wheeler Street
362 ft·15 sec·Wheeler Street
31
Arrive at destination
Wheeler Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Hialeah in the morning will allow you to reach De Leon Springs well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a 265.6-mile distance, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 119.8-mile stretch on I 95, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The $42 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to budget slightly more. Since this is a single-day trip, consider leaving with a full tank to maximize your time on the road.
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 132.8 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.8 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 58 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.8 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Leon Springs, 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 265.6 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 95 for about 119.8 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 237.9 — 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.
8
116.6 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
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 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
7
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
8
237.9 mi into trip|~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 249
Toward FL 44: DeLand, New Smyrna Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.28 one way
$84.55 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$45.99
$91.98
premium
$4.72
$49.39
$98.77
diesel
$5.61
$58.64
$117.28
Estimated Tolls: $7.57
Florida's Turnpike
(108.1 mi)$7.57
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
$42
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.89
$12.75
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.24
$10.62
EV Truck/SUV
106.2
1
$37.18
$17.00
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Hialeah, FL
Late night
in Hialeah on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
E 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Destination
De Leon Springs, FL
Late night
in De Leon Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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
5h 6m 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.
Canaveral National Seashore
National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 219.8
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
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 88% highway, so plan for a significant amount of time on faster roads like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 119.8 miles on I 95, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily a highway experience, the final leg will involve East New York Avenue, suggesting a transition to more local roads as you near your destination. This shift means the drive progresses from high-speed travel to a more suburban or town-like environment.
88% 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: 119.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 265.6 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 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 116.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 De Leon Springs, FL, road signs point toward Vero Beach and New Smyrna Beach.
Vero Beach
116.6 mi in|~2h 16m
New Smyrna Beach
237.9 mi in|~4h 28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 265.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m 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 119.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.57 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 De Leon Springs, 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 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 116.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at De Leon Springs, FL before the return drive.
