Spanning 134.4 miles, this direct drive from Maitland to Port Saint Lucie typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes behind the wheel. Because the route is straightforward and heavily reliant on major corridors like Florida’s Turnpike and I-4, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to complete the journey, making it a cost-effective excursion for those looking to move between these two Florida locations. While you could technically break the trip up, the manageable duration means you won't need an overnight stay unless you choose to linger at your destination. Expect a practical, highway-focused experience that prioritizes efficiency over scenic winding roads.
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
67.2 miles from Maitland, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
115.8 mi
2h 4m
I 4
9.6 mi
12m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Orlando Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Lee Road
1.3 mi
2m
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Southwest Carter Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 115.8 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maitland, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
1
Start on this road
79 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Horatio Avenue
72 ft·3 sec·Horatio Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 17; US 92
1.5 mi·3 min·Orlando Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto FL 423; US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·Lee Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
6
Merge onto I 4
2.9 mi·3 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 84BToward Ivanhoe BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
10
Merge onto I 4
6.7 mi·8 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 77Toward Miami, OcalaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·15 sec·this road
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
116 mi·2 hr 4 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 142Toward Port Saint Lucie
16
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
483 ft·15 sec·Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
17
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto CR 615
1.6 mi·2 min·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
19
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·9 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive stress-free, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on I-4. Since the trip is relatively short, you only need to plan for one intentional stop to stretch your legs or refresh your supplies. Because the vast majority of your time is spent on the Turnpike, ensure your SunPass or toll payment method is ready before you start to keep your progress moving smoothly. The flexibility of this 2-hour and 35-minute drive allows you to easily adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during the long Turnpike stretch, as your $22 budget should cover your needs comfortably if you fill up before getting on the highway.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.2 miles from Maitland, FL, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.8 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 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.2 miles or 1h 20m 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 6m
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 Maitland, 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 Maitland, FL
This is one driving day of about 134.4 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Maitland, 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 115.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 132.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
8
13.8 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Ocala
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 77
Toward Miami, Ocala
8
14.6 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South, Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Miami
6
131.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Turn right onto FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
132.8 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / uturn lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.39 one way
$42.79 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$23.27
$46.54
premium
$4.72
$24.99
$49.98
diesel
$5.61
$29.67
$59.35
Estimated Tolls: $8.10
Florida's Turnpike
(115.8 mi)$8.10
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
$21
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.3
0
$14.11
$6.45
Efficient EV
33.6
0
$11.76
$5.38
EV Truck/SUV
53.8
0
$18.82
$8.60
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 18, 2026
Origin
Maitland, FL
Late night
in Maitland on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Late night
in Port Saint Lucie on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM 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
2 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 35m 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?
This trip is defined by its high-speed connectivity, with 93% of the journey spent on highways. You will settle into a rhythmic, efficient pace, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which covers 115.8 miles on Florida’s Turnpike. The character of the drive is consistent and functional, transitioning from the busy interstate environment near I-4 into the more streamlined flow of the Turnpike. As you approach Port Saint Lucie, you will exit the main highway system to navigate via Southeast Airoso Boulevard to reach your final destination. It is a straightforward, high-utility drive designed to minimize travel time.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.8 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 134.4 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 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
108 ft17 ft
Total Climb
51 ft
Total Descent
125 ft
Highest Point
108 ft
~5.6 mi in
Elevation Range
91 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maitland, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs point toward Miami, Ocala and Florida's Turnpike South.
Maitland is a city in Orange County, Florida and a suburb of Orlando. It is one of the most prosperous cities of Greater Orlando, and its downtown is more urbanized than those of surrounding neighborhoods. Lakes, parks, and woodlands have contributed to the town's classy, master-planned aesthetic.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 134.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.10 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Port Saint Lucie, FL before heading back.
