Traveling from Hollywood to Big Pine Key covers 150.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 36 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, the Dixie Highway, and the iconic Overseas Highway. Budgeting approximately $25 for fuel is a safe bet for this trek through the Florida landscape. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you do not necessarily need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a straightforward journey that transitions from the urban sprawl of South Florida into the unique island environment of the Keys. Use this route if you want a direct path to the lower islands without the need for an extended multi-day itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.3 miles from Hollywood, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Overseas Highway
77.4 mi
2h
Dixie Highway
19.2 mi
26m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16.7 mi
20m
Palmetto Expressway
11.5 mi
15m
Express Lanes
9.1 mi
9m
Don Shula Expressway
7.5 mi
9m
I 95
6.3 mi
8m
Hollywood Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Overseas Highway
— 77.4 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hollywood, FL and Big Pine Key, FL.
1
Start on SR 820
216 ft·12 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on SR 820
0.8 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.4 mi·56 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 95 South: MiamiUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
6.3 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward US 441 South, SR 9 South, SR 826 East, SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike TollUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto SR 826
348 ft·6 sec·SR 826
9
Take the exit onto SR 826
0.2 mi·41 sec·SR 826
Toward SR 826 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto SR 826
8.0 mi·11 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
9.1 mi·9 min·Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto SR 826
3.5 mi·4 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto SR 874 Toll
7.5 mi·9 min·Don Shula Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
17 mi·20 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
16
Merge onto US 1
19 mi·26 min·Dixie Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 1
77 mi·2 hr·Overseas Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Arrive at destination
US 1
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key to avoiding the heaviest traffic patterns common on these regional arteries. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to leave early and maximize your time at your destination. With only one recommended stop, you should pace yourself to ensure you remain refreshed for the longer stretches of driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you head further down the Overseas Highway where service intervals can vary. A smart strategy is to top off your tank before leaving the mainland to avoid any potential price spikes or limited availability once you are deep into your journey.
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 75.3 miles from Hollywood, FL, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.4 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 33 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.3 miles or 1h 39m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Pine Key, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hollywood, 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 Hollywood, FL
This is one driving day of about 150.7 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Hollywood, 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 Overseas Highway for about 77.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 8.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 95 South: Miami
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South: Miami
8
7.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward US 441 South, SR 9 South, SR 826 East, SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll
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 12
Toward US 441 South, SR 9 South, SR 826 East, S...
7
7.9 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll
7
8.4 mi into trip|~12m in|SR 826
Take the exit onto SR 826 toward SR 826 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 826 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.99 one way
$47.97 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$26.09
$52.19
premium
$4.72
$28.02
$56.04
diesel
$5.61
$33.27
$66.55
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
Homestead Extension
(16.7 mi)$1.00
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
$24
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.2
0
$15.82
$7.23
Efficient EV
37.7
0
$13.19
$6.03
EV Truck/SUV
60.3
0
$21.10
$9.64
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Hollywood, FL
Late night
in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
E 16 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Big Pine Key, FL
Late night
in Big Pine Key on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
6 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
3h 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of driving conditions that shift significantly as you move away from the mainland. While only 28% of the trip is on major highways, you will encounter a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs once you hit the Overseas Highway, where you will cruise for 77.4 miles. Transitioning from the turnpike onto the local highway system changes the rhythm of your drive, shifting from fast-paced transit to a more deliberate pace. Stay alert for frequent speed changes as the road personality evolves from high-speed corridors to the localized flow of the Florida Keys.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.4 mi on Overseas Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 150.7 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 0.8 miles (SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Hollywood is a city in Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. With a population of 153,000 people (2022), Hollywood is a relatively small city that retains an old, laid-back, Florida feel to it compared to the larger cities in the area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 150.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.4 miles on Overseas Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Big Pine Key, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Big Pine Key, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
