Hialeah to Palatka is 305 miles and takes about 5h 53m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Florida, transitioning from the southern part of the state to a more central-northern area. Given its mostly highway profile, this route is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice if speed and directness are your main priorities. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits.
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
152.5 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
144.6 mi
2h 35m
Florida's Turnpike
108.1 mi
2h
FL 100
29.4 mi
40m
US Highway 1
6.5 mi
7m
US 1
6 mi
8m
SR 9
2.6 mi
4m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
1.4 mi
2m
Northwest 135th Street
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 144.6 mi, about 2h 35m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,092 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,829
Quietest
2 AM
~229 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.5×
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 Palatka, 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
145 mi·2 hr 35 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 273Toward US 1: Ormond Beach, BunnellUse the right lane.
22
Turn right onto US 1
6.5 mi·7 min·US Highway 1
23
Enter roundabout onto US 1
151 ft·2 sec·US 1
24
Continue on US 1
6.0 mi·8 min·US 1
25
Turn right onto FL 100
24 mi·30 min·FL 100
26
Take the ramp onto FL 100
5.7 mi·9 min·FL 100
27
Arrive at destination
US 17; FL 100
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 53-minute drive, leaving in the morning should give you plenty of time to reach Palatka before evening. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $53, and plan your last refueling stop before you get too far off the main interstates. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 144 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration between potential breaks. Consider the FL 100 segment at the end; it's a shift from interstate cruising to a more local road feel.
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 152.5 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.6 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 67 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.5 miles or 2h 56m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palatka, 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 305 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 144.6 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 262.8 — 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
262.8 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Ormond Beach, Bunnell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 273
Toward US 1: Ormond Beach, Bunnell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.55 one way
$97.10 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$52.92
$105.84
premium
$4.74
$56.95
$113.91
diesel
$5.35
$64.24
$128.48
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
$49
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.5
1
$32.03
$14.64
Efficient EV
76.3
0
$26.69
$12.20
EV Truck/SUV
122
1
$42.70
$19.52
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 2, 2026
Origin
Hialeah, FL
Evening
in Hialeah on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 3 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 1 at 3:42PM EDT until June 3 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Palatka, FL
Evening
in Palatka on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Patchy Fog
SW 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 1 at 3:42PM EDT until June 3 at 5:00AM 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
4 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
5h 53m 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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 220.8
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 273.4
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 97% of the 305 miles on major roads like I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 144.6 miles along I 95. You'll notice a lot of exits and merges as you navigate these high-speed corridors for the bulk of your travel. The transition to surface roads on FL 100 will occur near the end of your trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.6 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 22 significant decision points across 305 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
35 ft7 ft
Total Climb
39 ft
Total Descent
26 ft
Highest Point
35 ft
~152.5 mi in
Elevation Range
28 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 Palatka, FL, road signs point toward Vero Beach and Bunnell.
For the Russian town of the same name, please see Kolyma Highway.
Palatka is a town of 20,000 people (2020) on the banks of St. Johns River in North Central Florida. One of the earliest cities to develop in the state, the city is home to charming historic neighborhoods and notable state landmarks. The area also offers numerous outdoor activities. These range from skydiving and kayaking to boating and golfing. Home to many festivals throughout the year, one event in particular pays homage to the city's most popular flower, the azalea. The flower can be viewed prominently throughout the city in early March, coinciding with riverfront festivities. The unique mixture of southern hospitality and Florida culture make Palatka a "must experience" destination for the roaming traveler.
Top landmarks
•Palatka station — historic Atlantic Coast Line Railroad depot in Palatka, Florida
•Palatka North Historic District — human settlement in Palatka, Florida, United States of America
•Palatka South Historic District — human settlement in Palatka, Florida, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 305 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.6 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 19 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 Palatka, 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 19 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 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, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Biscayne National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Palatka, FL before the return drive.
