Origin
Highland City, FL
Morning in Highland City on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highland City, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
121.2 mi
195 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highland City, FL
Larry Milligan
Trip Overview
This 121.2-mile drive from Highland City to Port Saint Lucie is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 29 minutes. It's an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion, especially given the estimated fuel cost of just $19. You'll primarily navigate via FL 60 and Florida's Turnpike, with a segment on Bartow Road. The route is predominantly highway, making for efficient travel across Florida. This journey is best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness between these two points within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.6 miles from Highland City, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| FL 60 | 61.7 mi | 1h 19m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 49.8 mi | 53m |
| Bartow Road | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Southeast Airoso Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Broadway Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Van Fleet Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Bayshore Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
FL 60
— 61.7 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland City, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
1
Start on US 98
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bartow Road
2
Turn left onto CR 540
123 ft
·
10 sec
·
Clubhouse Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn sharp left onto US 98
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Bartow Road
4
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on FL 60
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
FL 60
7
Continue on FL 60
11 mi
·
13 min
·
FL 60
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on FL 60
46 mi
·
59 min
·
FL 60
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on this road
295 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
50 mi
·
53 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
14
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 142
Toward Port Saint Lucie
15
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
483 ft
·
15 sec
·
Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
16
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto CR 615
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
18
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft
·
9 sec
·
Southwest Carter Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
For this efficient, single-day trip of just over 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Aiming for an early morning departure can help you beat any potential traffic, especially as you approach your destination. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, keeping your tank topped up won't be a major concern, but it's always wise to be aware of your gauge. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 60 miles, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if you prefer to break up the driving. Given the route's highway focus, be prepared for consistent speeds and look for official service areas along the Turnpike for amenities.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.6 miles from Highland City, FL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.7 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 27 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.6 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Lucie, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Highland City, 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 Highland City, FL
This is one driving day of about 121.2 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Highland City, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on FL 60 for about 61.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.6 miles from Highland City, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before FL 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 119.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 540 / Clubhouse Road
Turn left onto CR 540 / Clubhouse Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
67.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
6
118.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Turn right onto FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
119.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.29 one way
$38.58 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $20.99 | $41.97 |
| premium | $4.72 | $22.54 | $45.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.76 | $53.52 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.49
Florida's Turnpike
(49.8 mi)
$3.49
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
$19
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.73 | $5.82 |
| Efficient EV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.61 | $4.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.97 | $7.76 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Morning in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
2 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
2h 29m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that is 92% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed, well-maintained roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61.7 miles, primarily on FL 60. This suggests a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While the profile is 'highway-focused,' the inclusion of Bartow Road indicates some potential for slightly more varied driving conditions as you transition between major arteries. Overall, it’s a route designed for covering distance efficiently.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.7 mi on FL 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and Florida's Turnpike. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near CR 540 / Clubhouse Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 121.2 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 0.2 miles (CR 540 / Clubhouse Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Highland City, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
67.6 mi in
|
~1h 28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 121.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.7 miles on FL 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.49 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, 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 0.2 miles (CR 540 / Clubhouse Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Port Saint Lucie, FL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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