Traveling from Hialeah to Tavares covers 258.4 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 1 minute of driving time. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused route, you can easily complete the journey in a single day. You will spend the vast majority of your time on Florida's Turnpike, eventually transitioning to the Western Beltway and Orange Blossom Trail to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, it is an affordable trip for those looking to cross the state efficiently. While you are staying within Florida, the transition from the dense urban landscape of Hialeah to the lake-focused environment of Tavares offers a distinct change in scenery. It is a practical drive for travelers who prioritize speed and direct access over winding backroads.
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
129.2 miles from Hialeah, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
222.7 mi
4h 3m
Western Beltway
10.4 mi
11m
Orange Blossom Trail
7.2 mi
10m
CR Old 441
3.2 mi
5m
SR 9
2.6 mi
4m
East 5th Avenue
2.5 mi
5m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
1.4 mi
2m
South Highland Street
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 222.7 mi, about 4h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hialeah, FL and Tavares, 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
223 mi·4 hr 3 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 267AToward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter GardenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Merge onto FL 429 Toll
10 mi·11 min·Western Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 34Toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Plymouth Sorrento RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
368 ft·15 sec
Toward Orange Blossom TrailUse the left lane.
20
Continue on SR 429 Connector Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·SR 429 Connector Road
21
Turn right onto US 441
7.2 mi·10 min·Orange Blossom Trail
22
Turn slight left onto CR 500A
1.0 mi·1 min·Old Highway 441
23
Continue on CR Old 441
1.0 mi·2 min·South Highland Street
24
Turn left onto CR Old 441
2.5 mi·5 min·East 5th Avenue
25
Turn left onto CR Old 441
3.1 mi·5 min·CR Old 441
26
Turn slight left onto CR Old 441
399 ft·13 sec·CR Old 441
27
Turn left onto North Saint Clair Abrams Avenue
349 ft·17 sec·North Saint Clair Abrams Avenue
28
Turn left onto CR Old 441
56 ft·1 sec·East Alfred Street
29
Arrive at destination
CR Old 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a five-hour trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near major hubs. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $43 budget in mind as you monitor your gas levels during the long Turnpike stretches. Because the highway share is so high, stay alert for changing speed limits and merging traffic as you approach the Western Beltway. The flexibility of a one-day trip means you can easily adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort, but try to avoid peak rush hour times to keep your travel time closer to the 5-hour mark. A smart tip for this route is to utilize the electronic toll collection lanes on the Turnpike to keep your progress steady and uninterrupted.
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 129.2 miles from Hialeah, FL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222.7 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 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.2 miles or 2h 28m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tavares, 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 258.4 miles and 5h 1m.
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 Florida's Turnpike for about 222.7 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 243.2 — 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
231.1 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter Garden
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 267A
Toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research...
8
243.1 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Plymouth Sorrento Road
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 34
Toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Pl...
8
243.2 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Orange Blossom Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Orange Blossom Trail
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.13 one way
$82.26 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$44.74
$89.48
premium
$4.72
$48.05
$96.10
diesel
$5.61
$57.05
$114.10
Estimated Tolls: $15.59
Florida's Turnpike
(222.7 mi)$15.59
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
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.5
0
$27.13
$12.40
Efficient EV
64.6
0
$22.61
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.18
$16.54
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Hialeah, FL
Morning
in Hialeah on Tuesday
Local time
9:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 14 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 3:53PM EDT until April 22 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 3:53PM EDT until April 22 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Tavares, FL
Morning
in Tavares on Tuesday
Local time
9:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live 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
17 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 1m 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.
Biscayne National Park
National Park
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 high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 88% of this trip is dedicated to highway driving. The journey is defined by a significant, 222.7-mile uninterrupted stretch along Florida's Turnpike, which allows for consistent pacing and minimal navigation stress. As you transition off the main turnpike onto the Western Beltway and Orange Blossom Trail, the road character shifts from long-distance highway cruising to more localized traffic flow. Being behind the wheel here feels like a standard, efficient Florida commute, lacking the technical challenges of mountain passes or winding rural routes. You should be prepared for the monotonous rhythm of long, straight highway segments that dominate this 258.4-mile transit.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 222.7 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Western Beltway. 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 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 23 significant decision points across 258.4 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 231.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Tavares, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Uf Research & Education Center and Winter Garden.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 258.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 222.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $15.59 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 14 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 Tavares, 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 14 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 231.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tavares, FL before the return drive.
