Spanning 184.5 miles from Kendall to Palm Bay, this Florida transit takes approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. Because it is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $31 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily utilize Florida’s Turnpike and I-95, leveraging express lanes to navigate the transit between these two South and Central Florida regions. It is a highly practical route for travelers who value efficiency over scenic detours.
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
92.3 miles from Kendall, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
104.7 mi
1h 56m
I 95
44 mi
47m
Express Lanes
10.9 mi
12m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
8 mi
8m
Palmetto Expressway
5.8 mi
7m
Babcock Street Northeast
2.5 mi
4m
Palm Bay Road Northeast
2 mi
3m
I 75
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 104.7 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kendall, FL and Palm Bay, FL.
1
Start on US 1
12 ft·2 sec·South Dixie Highway
2
Turn right
113 ft·10 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 98th Street
109 ft·5 sec·Southwest 98th Street
4
Turn left onto US 1
0.5 mi·57 sec·South Dixie Highway
5
Turn left onto Dadeland Boulevard
0.3 mi·45 sec·Dadeland Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto SR 94
0.2 mi·23 sec·Southwest 88th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SR 826 NorthUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto SR 826
5.8 mi·7 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
11 mi·12 min·Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens DriveUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 5Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Fort Lauderdale, OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
7.0 mi·7 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.0 mi·1 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
105 mi·1 hr 56 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Exit 152Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero BeachUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft·5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
18
Merge onto FL 70
0.3 mi·35 sec·Okeechobee Road
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 95
44 mi·47 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 173Toward FL 514: Palm Bay, Malabar
23
Turn right onto FL 514
0.5 mi·50 sec·Malabar Road
24
Turn left onto FL 507
2.5 mi·4 min·Babcock Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Palm Bay Road Northeast
2.0 mi·3 min·Palm Bay Road Northeast
26
Arrive at destination
Palm Bay Road Northeast
Trip Plan
To ensure the smoothest travel experience, plan your departure to avoid peak congestion times on the heavily trafficked Florida Turnpike and I-95 corridors. Since the total duration is under four hours, you only need to budget for one stop to refuel or stretch your legs. Keeping your $31 fuel estimate in mind, check for any tolls in advance, as the express lanes can significantly impact your total travel budget. Take advantage of the route's flexibility by choosing your single stop based on your personal energy levels rather than a rigid schedule. Keeping a consistent pace will help you navigate the highway-heavy sections efficiently.
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 92.3 miles from Kendall, FL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 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 41 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.3 miles or 1h 46m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palm Bay, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kendall, 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 Kendall, FL
This is one driving day of about 184.5 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Kendall, 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 104.7 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.1 and 134.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
18.1 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Ga...
8
19.9 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Fort Laud...
8
27.9 mi into trip|~34m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
8
133.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
7
134.7 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.37 one way
$58.73 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$31.95
$63.89
premium
$4.72
$34.31
$68.61
diesel
$5.61
$40.74
$81.47
Estimated Tolls: $7.81
Florida's Turnpike
(104.7 mi)$7.33
Homestead Extension
(8 mi)$0.48
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
$29
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.37
$8.86
Efficient EV
46.1
0
$16.14
$7.38
EV Truck/SUV
73.8
0
$25.83
$11.81
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 14, 2026
Origin
Kendall, FL
Late night
in Kendall on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 7:43PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 13 at 2:00AM EDT until April 14 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Palm Bay, FL
Late night
in Palm Bay on Tuesday
Local time
5:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
16 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
3h 32m 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.
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?
With 89% of your journey spent on high-speed highways, this route is built for steady cruising rather than winding exploration. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm during the 104.7-mile stretch on Florida’s Turnpike, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. The transition between the suburban sprawl of Kendall and the coastal feel of Palm Bay is largely defined by the predictable, fast-paced nature of major interstates. While the scenery remains consistent, the road demands your full attention as you move through high-traffic corridors. Prepare for a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.7 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 184.5 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 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
32 ft7 ft
Total Climb
49 ft
Total Descent
32 ft
Highest Point
32 ft
~7.7 mi in
Elevation Range
24 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kendall, FL and Palm Bay, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Vero Beach.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 184.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.81 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.
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 Palm Bay, 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 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Palm Bay, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
