Hialeah to South Pasadena is 256.9 miles and takes about 4h 47m via I 75 and I 275, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the Miami metro area across the state to the Tampa Bay region. With over 90% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering distance efficiently. It's a solid option if you're looking for a single-day transit between these two Florida locales without much fuss.
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
128.4 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
226.9 mi
4h 3m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.3 mi
15m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
Gulfport Boulevard South
2.6 mi
5m
Gratigny Parkway
2.2 mi
2m
Palm Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
22nd Avenue South
1.3 mi
2m
West 4th Avenue/Red Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 226.9 mi, about 4h 3m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,635 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,399
Quietest
2 AM
~217 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 South Pasadena, 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
211 mi·3 hr 45 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
13
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 18Toward 26th Avenue SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto 26th Avenue South
0.2 mi·23 sec·26th Avenue South
17
Turn right onto US 19
0.2 mi·26 sec·34th Street South
18
Turn left onto CR 138
1.3 mi·2 min·22nd Avenue South
19
Continue on CR 138
2.6 mi·5 min·Gulfport Boulevard South
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto FL 693
0.3 mi·50 sec·Pasadena Avenue South
21
Arrive at destination
FL 693
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 47m drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential congestion, especially as you near the Tampa Bay area. With only one recommended stop and a short overall duration, flexibility is key; you can easily adjust your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $39, and plan your refueling before hitting the Sunshine Skyway Bridge for a smoother experience. The long stretch on I 75 means you can cover a lot of ground before needing to exit for amenities.
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 128.4 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.9 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.4 miles or 2h 21m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Pasadena, 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 256.9 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 226.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
$10 to $20
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–3 AM
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 252.2 — 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
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
7
232.8 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
7
252.1 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward 26th Avenue South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward 26th Avenue South
7
252.2 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.31 one way
$82.61 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$45.06
$90.12
premium
$4.78
$48.37
$96.73
diesel
$6.28
$63.48
$126.95
Estimated Tolls: $0.93
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.3 mi)$0.93
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
$41
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.1
0
$26.97
$12.33
Efficient EV
64.2
0
$22.48
$10.28
EV Truck/SUV
102.8
1
$35.97
$16.44
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Hialeah, FL
Night
in Hialeah on Friday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 15 to 21 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
South Pasadena, FL
Night
in South Pasadena on Friday
Local time
10:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
NE 17 to 22 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
4h 47m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 239.2
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 drive is primarily highway, with 91% of the 256.9 miles on major roads. You'll experience the longest stretch of continuous highway driving for 226.9 miles on I 75. Expect a high concentration of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach and navigate the urban areas around Tampa Bay. The final portion of your trip will transition from the interstate to more local roads as you reach your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 226.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 256.9 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 3.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.8 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
31 ft0 ft
Total Climb
58 ft
Total Descent
61 ft
Highest Point
31 ft
~183.5 mi in
Elevation Range
30 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 South Pasadena, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 256.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 226.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.93 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 16 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 South Pasadena, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 21.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.8 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at South Pasadena, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
