Hialeah to Lakeside is 344.1 miles and takes about 6h 31m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the South Florida region towards Central Florida. With 93% of the drive on highways, expect a mostly high-speed transit. This is a straightforward, single-day drive if you get an early start, making it a practical option for moving between these two areas.
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
172 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
207.8 mi
3h 43m
Florida's Turnpike
108.1 mi
2h
West Beltway
9.3 mi
10m
Blanding Boulevard
5 mi
9m
SR 9
2.6 mi
4m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
1.4 mi
2m
Northwest 135th Street
1 mi
2m
East 8th Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 207.8 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 59 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,206 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,966
Quietest
2 AM
~254 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hialeah, FL and Lakeside, 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
208 mi·3 hr 43 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 337Toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacksonville BeachesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 North: Orange Park, West Beltway
23
Merge onto I 295
9.3 mi·10 min·West Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward FL 21: Blanding Boulevard, Collins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward FL 21: Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park MallUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
335 ft·14 sec
Toward FL 21 South: Youngerman Circle East, Orange Park Mall, South Blanding Boulevard, Argyle Forest BoulevardUse the left lane.
27
Turn left onto FL 21
5.0 mi·9 min·Blanding Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto CR 224
0.5 mi·1 min·College Drive
29
Turn left onto Peoria Road
0.2 mi·42 sec·Peoria Road
30
Turn left onto Moody Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·Moody Avenue
31
Turn right onto Parkside Avenue
339 ft·19 sec·Parkside Avenue
32
Turn left onto Harden Road
222 ft·9 sec·Harden Road
33
Arrive at destination
Harden Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, consider leaving Hialeah early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. The route is primarily highway, so plan for fuel stops in advance, as services can be spread out. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility, but it's wise to take breaks every couple of hours to stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 207.8-mile stretch on I 95, to ensure you have enough to reach the next available service area.
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 172 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.8 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 76 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172 miles or 3h 17m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeside, 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 344.1 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 207.8 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 116.6 and 338 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
325.9 mi into trip|~6h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacksonville Beaches
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 337
Toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacks...
8
336.5 mi into trip|~6h 16m in
Take the exit toward FL 21: Blanding Boulevard, Collins Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward FL 21: Blanding Boulevard, Collins Road
8
337.4 mi into trip|~6h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 21: Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park Mall
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 21: Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park M...
8
338 mi into trip|~6h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 21 South: Youngerman Circle East, Orange Park Mall, South Blanding Boulevard, Argyle Forest Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward FL 21 South: Youngerman Circle East, Ora...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.77 one way
$109.54 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$59.70
$119.41
premium
$4.74
$64.25
$128.51
diesel
$5.35
$72.48
$144.96
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
$55
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.2
1
$36.13
$16.52
Efficient EV
86
0
$30.11
$13.76
EV Truck/SUV
137.6
1
$48.17
$22.02
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Hialeah, FL
Afternoon
in Hialeah on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 2 to 7 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 1 at 4:37AM EDT until June 2 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Lakeside, FL
Afternoon
in Lakeside on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 to 13 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 1 at 4:37AM EDT until June 2 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
1 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
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.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 284.8
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$15
near mile 308.5
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$25
near mile 225.4
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?
You'll spend most of your time on the highway, with 93% of the 344.1 miles covered on major routes like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 207.8 miles on I 95, so be prepared for extended periods of high-speed cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur closer to your destination in Lakeside, as the highway portion concludes.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 207.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 116.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 30 significant decision points across 344.1 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 116.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 325.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 336.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
64 ft7 ft
Total Climb
109 ft
Total Descent
53 ft
Highest Point
64 ft
~344.1 mi in
Elevation Range
57 ft
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 Lakeside, FL, road signs point toward Vero Beach, Orange Park, Jacksonville Beaches and Beltway.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 31m. Total distance: 344.1 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 207.8 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.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Lakeside, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 116.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 325.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 336.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore (4 total within detour distance). 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 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lakeside, FL before the return drive.
