This 294.5-mile drive from Hialeah, FL to Odessa, FL is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in one day. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 27 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $47. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it efficient for covering ground between these two Florida locations. With 93% of the drive on highways, it’s a great option if you're looking to get to your destination without many detours. This trip is designed for a single day of travel, keeping you moving through the Sunshine State.
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
147.2 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
272.6 mi
4h 53m
State Road 54
12.7 mi
18m
Gratigny Parkway
2.2 mi
2m
Palm Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
State Road 56
1 mi
1m
West 4th Avenue/Red Road
0.9 mi
1m
East 39th Street
0.3 mi
1m
West 65th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 272.6 mi, about 4h 53m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 93 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,058 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,706
Quietest
2 AM
~286 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
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 Odessa, 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
257 mi·4 hr 35 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit
2.2 mi·3 min
Exit 275Toward FL 56: Land O Lakes, Tarpon SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward FL 56 WestUse the slight left lane.
13
Turn left onto FL 56
1.0 mi·1 min·State Road 56
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on FL 54
13 mi·18 min·State Road 54
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on FL 54
246 ft·9 sec·State Road 54
16
Arrive at destination
FL 54
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5 hour and 27-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hialeah to avoid potential traffic, especially as you navigate through the Miami metropolitan area. With a total distance of 294.5 miles, you'll have one planned stop, which is ample for rest and refueling along the way. The majority of your travel will be on I-75, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer highway stretches. Budgeting around $47 for fuel should cover your trip comfortably.
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 147.2 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 272.6 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 65 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.2 miles or 2h 42m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Odessa, 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 294.5 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 272.6 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 280.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
278.5 mi into trip|~5h 3m in
Take the exit toward FL 56: Land O Lakes, Tarpon Springs
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 275
Toward FL 56: Land O Lakes, Tarpon Springs
7
280.7 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 56 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward FL 56 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.88 one way
$93.75 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$51.10
$102.19
premium
$4.74
$54.99
$109.99
diesel
$5.35
$62.03
$124.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.92
$14.14
Efficient EV
73.6
0
$25.77
$11.78
EV Truck/SUV
117.8
1
$41.23
$18.85
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Hialeah, FL
Evening
in Hialeah on Wednesday
Local time
5:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 10 to 14 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 5:09AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 5:09AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Odessa, FL
Evening
in Odessa on Wednesday
Local time
5:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 8 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 5:09AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued May 24 at 5:09AM EDT until May 26 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami 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
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
5h 27m 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
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 233.5
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 trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the 294.5 miles spent on major roadways like I-75 and Gratigny Parkway. You'll experience the efficiency of interstate travel for the vast majority of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 272.6 miles on I-75, allowing for consistent speed and minimal distractions. While State Road 54 offers a brief change of pace, the overall character is one of steady progress on well-maintained highways.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 272.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and State Road 54. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 294.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 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; at 21.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
58 ft7 ft
Total Climb
89 ft
Total Descent
38 ft
Highest Point
58 ft
~294.5 mi in
Elevation Range
51 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 Odessa, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples and Tarpon Springs.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 294.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 272.6 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Odessa, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 21.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Odessa, FL before the return drive.
