Traveling from Key Largo to Pembroke Pines covers 80 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes of driving time. Since this journey is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your Florida travel. The route transitions from the island atmosphere of the Keys toward the more urbanized landscape of the mainland. By utilizing the Overseas Highway, Dixie Highway, and the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, you get a direct path between these two points. It is a straightforward commute that serves as an efficient way to transition between the southern tip of the state and the suburban regions near Pembroke Pines.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40 miles from Key Largo, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
47.4 mi
55m
Dixie Highway
19.4 mi
26m
Overseas Highway
9.3 mi
15m
Florida's Turnpike
2 mi
2m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
Hollywood Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Harbor Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
— 47.4 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Key Largo, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on Harbor Drive
308 ft·15 sec·Harbor Drive
2
Turn right onto US 1
9.3 mi·15 min·Overseas Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 1
19 mi·26 min·Dixie Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
13 mi·15 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.6 mi·4 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
2.5 mi·3 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
27 mi·30 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
2.0 mi·2 min·Florida's Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 49Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard, Pines BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
12
At end of road, turn left onto SR 820
0.3 mi·54 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
15
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
Because this 80-mile route is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Aiming to hit the road outside of peak commuting hours will help you maintain that estimated 1 hour and 45 minute travel time without unnecessary delays. Since there are no designated stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the drive in one go, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Key Largo to ensure you are covered by your $13 budget. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your toll pass ready, as the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike is a toll-heavy segment that requires seamless payment for the smoothest experience.
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 40 miles from Key Largo, FL, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.4 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 18 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pembroke Pines, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Key Largo, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Key Largo, FL
This is one driving day of about 80 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Key Largo, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike for about 47.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 78.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 1 / Overseas Highway
Turn right onto US 1 / Overseas Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
28.7 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
6
42.3 mi into trip|~59m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
75.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
78.4 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard, Pines Boulevard
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 49
Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard, Pines Boule...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.73 one way
$25.47 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$13.85
$27.70
premium
$4.72
$14.88
$29.75
diesel
$5.61
$17.66
$35.33
Estimated Tolls: $2.98
Homestead Extension
(47.4 mi)$2.84
Florida's Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$13
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.40
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$7.00
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.20
$5.12
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Key Largo, FL
Morning
in Key Largo on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Morning
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
3 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
1h 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 62% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of road types, starting with the iconic Overseas Highway before connecting to the faster pace of the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Turnpike, where you can settle into a steady rhythm for 47.4 miles. While the initial leg offers a unique coastal transit, the personality of the road shifts significantly as you merge onto the multi-lane expressway system. Expect a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours, allowing you to cover the distance with minimal navigation stress.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.4 mi on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike and Dixie Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 1 / Overseas Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80 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 0.1 miles (US 1 / Overseas Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.3 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): 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.
Between Key Largo, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North and Florida's Turnpike Toll North.
Miami
28.7 mi in|~42m
Orlando
28.7 mi in|~42m
Florida's Turnpike North
28.7 mi in|~42m
Florida's Turnpike Toll North
75.4 mi in|~1h 37m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 80 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.4 miles on Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.98 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.
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 Pembroke Pines, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 1 / Overseas Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.3 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): 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 Pembroke Pines, FL before heading back.
