This 249.5-mile drive from Hialeah, FL to Ruskin, FL is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 34 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on I-75, a major highway that makes up 97% of this route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $40. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey through Florida, perfect if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Given the relatively short duration and clear path, it's a manageable one-day excursion.
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
124.8 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
239.4 mi
4h 16m
College Avenue
3 mi
4m
Gratigny Parkway
2.2 mi
2m
Palm Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
West 4th Avenue/Red Road
0.9 mi
1m
Tamiami Trail
0.5 mi
1m
East 39th Street
0.3 mi
1m
West 65th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 239.4 mi, about 4h 16m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 62 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,628 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,277
Quietest
2 AM
~215 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
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 Ruskin, 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
223 mi·3 hr 59 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 240Toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City CenterUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Ruskin
13
Turn straight onto FL 674
0.1 mi·10 sec·Sun City Center Boulevard
14
Continue on FL 674
3.0 mi·4 min·College Avenue
15
Turn right onto US 41
0.5 mi·1 min·Tamiami Trail
16
Turn right onto Shell Point Road East
207 ft·11 sec·Shell Point Road East
17
Turn left
53 ft·3 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 34-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hialeah to take advantage of lighter traffic on I-75. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself; perhaps plan a break around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. The longest stretch on I-75 is nearly 240 miles, so be sure to have enough fuel before embarking on that segment to manage the $40 estimated fuel cost. This efficient route allows for a straightforward trip, making it easy to reach Ruskin without feeling rushed.
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 124.8 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.4 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 55 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 18m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ruskin, 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 249.5 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 239.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 245.6 — 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
245.3 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
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 240
Toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
5
245.6 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ruskin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Ruskin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.77 one way
$75.54 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$41.44
$82.89
premium
$4.55
$44.69
$89.39
diesel
$4.80
$47.11
$94.22
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: 87.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.20
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.83
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.93
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hialeah, FL
Morning
in Hialeah on Sunday
Local time
11:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 to 12 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ruskin, FL
Morning
in Ruskin on Sunday
Local time
11:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 7 to 14 mph65% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 34m 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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 232.3
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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 97% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-75. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 239.4 miles primarily on I-75, meaning you'll be in a consistent driving mode for a significant portion of the trip. While College Avenue and Gratigny Parkway offer brief introductions and conclusions to your journey, the character of this drive is largely defined by the efficiency of the interstate. This road profile suggests a journey where speed and directness are prioritized over scenic detours.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 239.4 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and College Avenue. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 249.5 miles you will encounter 11 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
54 ft4 ft
Total Climb
64 ft
Total Descent
67 ft
Highest Point
54 ft
~231.7 mi in
Elevation Range
50 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 Ruskin, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 249.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m 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 239.4 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Ruskin, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
