If you are planning to head north from Kendall to Port Saint Lucie, you are looking at a straightforward 127.5-mile journey. Under normal traffic conditions, this drive typically takes about 2 hours and 29 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. Since the entire route takes place within Florida, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the Miami-Dade area toward the Treasure Coast. Overall, it is a convenient, highway-reliant route that gets you to your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.7 miles from Kendall, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
95.2 mi
1h 46m
Express Lanes
10.9 mi
12m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
8 mi
8m
Palmetto Expressway
5.8 mi
7m
I 75
1.6 mi
1m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
South Dixie Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kendall, FL and Port Saint Lucie, 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
95 mi·1 hr 46 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 142Toward Port Saint LucieUse the right lane.
17
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
483 ft·15 sec·Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
18
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto CR 615
1.6 mi·2 min·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
20
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·9 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 29-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid the peak congestion often found on the Turnpike's busiest segments. Because this is a direct, highway-heavy route with zero designated stops, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you merge onto the Homestead Extension to avoid unnecessary detours. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the lack of required stops allows you to set your own pace and arrive in Port Saint Lucie exactly when you need to be there. Keep a close eye on the overhead signage for Express Lanes, as utilizing these can significantly streamline your travel time during high-traffic periods.
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 63.7 miles from Kendall, FL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.7 miles or 1h 15m 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
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 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 127.5 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Kendall, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 95.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 124.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Southwest 98th Street
At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 98th Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
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
7
124.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward Port Saint Lucie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 142
Toward Port Saint Lucie
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.29 one way
$40.59 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$22.08
$44.15
premium
$4.72
$23.71
$47.42
diesel
$5.61
$28.15
$56.30
Estimated Tolls: $7.15
Florida's Turnpike
(95.2 mi)$6.67
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
$20
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 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
38.3
0
$13.39
$6.12
Efficient EV
31.9
0
$11.16
$5.10
EV Truck/SUV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Kendall, FL
Evening
in Kendall on Sunday
Local time
7:37 PM
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
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Evening
in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
7:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph2% 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
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
4 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
2h 29m 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?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 87% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will rely heavily on Florida's Turnpike, including the Homestead Extension, to navigate the distance. Expect a fast-paced experience, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 95.2 miles along the Turnpike. While the use of Express Lanes can help manage your time, the character of the road remains consistent and functional rather than scenic. You should prepare for a steady, high-speed pace as you move through the suburban corridors of South Florida into the slightly more open stretches leading toward Port Saint Lucie.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 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 Express Lanes. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest 98th Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 127.5 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: near the start (Southwest 98th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.
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 Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike Toll North
19.9 mi in|~25m
Fort Lauderdale
19.9 mi in|~25m
Orlando
19.9 mi in|~25m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 127.5 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 (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.15 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.
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 Port Saint Lucie, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Southwest 98th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Port Saint Lucie, FL before heading back.
