Hialeah to South Sarasota is 217.1 miles and takes about 4h 3m via I 75 and Clark Road, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the Miami metropolitan area up the west coast towards Sarasota. With 95% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path. The recommended single day for this trip means you can anticipate a straightforward drive without needing an overnight stay. It's a practical route for moving between these two parts of the state, primarily utilizing major roadways.
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
108.5 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
204.1 mi
3h 38m
Clark Road
3.9 mi
6m
Gratigny Parkway
2.2 mi
2m
Palm Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
Swift Road
1 mi
2m
Proctor Road
1 mi
1m
West 4th Avenue/Red Road
0.9 mi
1m
South Tamiami Trail
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 204.1 mi, about 3h 38m
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
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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 South Sarasota, 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
188 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 205Toward FL 72: Siesta Key, Arcadia
12
Keep slight left at fork
468 ft·13 sec
Toward FL 72 West
13
Turn straight onto FL 72
3.9 mi·6 min·Clark Road
14
Continue on FL 72
0.1 mi·14 sec·Stickney Point Road
15
Turn right onto Swift Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Swift Road
16
Turn left onto CR 72A
1.0 mi·1 min·Proctor Road
17
Turn right onto US 41
0.2 mi·29 sec·South Tamiami Trail
18
Continue on US 41
0.1 mi·23 sec·South Tamiami Trail
19
Turn right onto Fiesta Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Fiesta Drive
20
Arrive at destination
Fiesta Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Hialeah is ideal to ensure you arrive in South Sarasota with plenty of daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so ensure your tank is full before you depart or plan for one stop. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time. Pay attention to exits as you approach your destination, as the route transitions from I 75 to roads like Clark Road, which may have more localized traffic patterns.
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 108.5 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.1 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Sarasota, 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 217.1 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 204.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 210.4 — 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
6
210 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward FL 72: Siesta Key, Arcadia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 205
Toward FL 72: Siesta Key, Arcadia
5
210.4 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 72 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward FL 72 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.86 one way
$65.73 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$36.06
$72.12
premium
$4.55
$38.89
$77.78
diesel
$4.80
$40.99
$81.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.80
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$19.00
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.39
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
SE 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:08PM CDT until July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:05PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
South Sarasota, FL
Morning
in South Sarasota on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 8 to 13 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:08PM CDT until July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:05PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
79°F
Golden Gate, FL
109 mi in
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
13 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 3m 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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 217.1
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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the 217.1 miles on major roads like I 75. You'll experience a long stretch of 204.1 miles on I 75, indicating extended periods of cruising. The transition to surface streets will occur closer to your destination, with Clark Road and Gratigny Parkway being the final segments. Expect a relatively continuous flow of traffic typical of interstates for most of this drive.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Clark Road. You will hit about 13 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 217.1 miles you will encounter 13 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
30 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
59 ft
Total Descent
51 ft
Highest Point
30 ft
~155 mi in
Elevation Range
32 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 Sarasota, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Alligator Alley
21.9 mi in|~27m|via I 75
Naples
21.9 mi in|~27m|via I 75
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 217.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at South Sarasota, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
