MERCI CAFÉ
Near the end, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2:30 PM
+19412174851
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 58m
Distance
212.6 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hollywood, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Siesta Key, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Hollywood, FL to Siesta Key, FL is 212.6 miles and takes about 3h 58m via I-75 and I-95, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Florida, crossing from the southeast coast inland toward the Gulf Coast. Given its relatively short duration and high highway percentage, it's a straightforward drive. Plan for a smooth transition from the busy South Florida metro area to the more relaxed atmosphere of the Gulf Coast. Most of the route is on major interstate highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion.
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
106.3 miles from Hollywood, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 186.4 mi | 3h 19m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| I 95 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Clark Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Stickney Point Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Midnight Pass Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Hollywood Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,831 veh/hr typical · worst 3,554
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Hollywood, FL and Siesta Key, FL.
Start on SR 820
Continue on SR 820
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 595
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto FL 72
Continue on FL 72
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto CR 758
Continue on CR 758
Turn right
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 3h 58m drive, leaving Hollywood, FL in the morning, ideally before 9 AM, will help you avoid the heaviest local traffic. Since the total distance is just over 200 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at $33, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. The longest stretch without a significant break is 186.4 miles on I-75, so consider a brief stop around the halfway point for stretching or a quick snack. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be more spread out on longer interstate stretches, especially once you're past the initial urban areas.
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.
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 47 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.3 miles or 1h 57m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Siesta Key, FL than in the middle of the route.
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 212.6 miles and 3h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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.
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 106.3 miles from Hollywood, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · home stretch
Sarasota, Florida
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 8 AM–2:30 PM
+19412174851
Best coffee break · home stretch
Sarasota, Florida
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7:30 AM–1:30 PM
+19413467170
Village Cafe
Siesta Key, Florida
Cafe Gabbiano
Siesta Key, Florida
Near the end, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2:30 PM
+19412174851
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 3–10 PM
+19412863296
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
+12397388582
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Port Charlotte, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–4 PM
+19412583500
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–2 PM
+12393341566
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+19412186418
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–3 PM
+19415751888
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–10 PM
+12393323673
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–1:30 PM
+19413467170
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Siesta Key, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–2 PM
+19413492822
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Siesta Key, Florida
Hours: 5–10 PM
+19413491423
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–4 PM
+19417696900
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–4 PM
+19414174092
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–7 PM
+12154946922
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Nokomis, Florida
Hours: 9 AM–8 PM
+19414124334
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Port Charlotte, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–2 PM
+19416253400
Later in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Port Charlotte, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336224743
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Davie, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm
+19542804359
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Plantation, Florida
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+19544522558
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Hallandale Beach, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+19544571452
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Osprey, Florida
+19414835956
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Hollywood, Florida
Hours: 8 am–7:30 pm
+19543575161
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
North Port, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–8 PM
+19412005130
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Bonita Springs, Florida
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+12399922591
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Aventura, Florida
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+13054668930
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 204.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FL 72: Siesta Key, Arcadia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$32.88 one way
$65.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.30 | $36.01 | $72.02 |
| premium | $4.63 | $38.72 | $77.44 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $46.86 | $93.73 |
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: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.32 | $10.20 |
| Efficient EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.60 | $8.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85 | 1 | $29.76 | $13.61 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Hollywood on Friday
Local time
5:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Siesta Key on Friday
Local time
5:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the 212.6 miles on interstates. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I-75, including a significant 186.4-mile stretch. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, likely occurring only in the immediate vicinity of your start and end points. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate through the South Florida urban corridor before reaching more open highway cruising.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 212.6 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
38 ft
Total Descent
44 ft
Highest Point
30 ft
~151.9 mi in
Elevation Range
27 ft
Founded 1921
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.
Top landmarks
Siesta Key is a barrier island in Southwest Florida, and has one of the most beautiful beaches in North America and possibly the world. The beach is a fine white powder that is never too hot to enjoy a walk. Calm Gulf waters are typically warmer than the Atlantic coast. It is a short distance west of Sarasota.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 212.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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