This 217-mile drive from Medulla to Hialeah, Florida, is an achievable one-day trip, estimated to take about 4 hours and 38 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 27 and I-75, with a brief segment on FL 60, the route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 91% of it being on major roads. A fuel cost of approximately $35 is expected for this journey. Given the manageable duration and straightforward highway profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently without needing an overnight stop. The drive offers a direct path through the heart of Florida.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
108.5 miles from Medulla, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
160.8 mi
3h 21m
I 75
18.8 mi
20m
FL 60
14.8 mi
18m
Boy Scout Ranch Road
4.8 mi
8m
Bartow Road
3.2 mi
4m
Express Lanes
3 mi
3m
Gratigny Parkway
2.1 mi
2m
CR 540A
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 160.8 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medulla, FL and Hialeah, FL.
1
Start on Old Road 37
1.0 mi·2 min·Old Road 37
2
Turn left onto CR 540A
1.5 mi·2 min·CR 540A
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on CR 540A
4.8 mi·8 min·Boy Scout Ranch Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·Bartow Road
5
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.5 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FL 60
0.3 mi·26 sec·FL 60
8
Continue on FL 60
11 mi·13 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on FL 60
3.7 mi·4 min·FL 60
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 27: Haines City, Avon ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
272 ft·7 sec
12
Merge onto US 27
23 mi·28 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 27; US 98
10 mi·14 min·US 27; US 98
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 27; US 98
55 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 27; US 98
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto US 27; FL 78
0.2 mi·18 sec·US 27; FL 78
16
Turn slight right
338 ft·4 sec
17
Continue on US 27
32 mi·42 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 27; FL 80
40 mi·48 min·US 27; FL 80
19
Continue on US 27
0.5 mi·33 sec·US 27
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, NaplesUse the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Miami, Fort Lauderdale
22
Merge onto I 75
4.6 mi·4 min·I 75
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
3.3 mi·3 min·I 75
Toward MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi·7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·28 sec
Toward Express LanesUse the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto Express Lanes
3.0 mi·3 min·Express Lanes
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
Toward Northwest 138th StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto I 75
3.7 mi·4 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on SR 924 Toll
2.1 mi·2 min·Gratigny Parkway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward SR 823: Northwest 57th Avenue, Red RoadUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn right onto SR 823
0.7 mi·1 min·West 4th Avenue/Red Road
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto West 68th Street
510 ft·19 sec·West 68th Street
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on West 2nd Court
0.2 mi·26 sec·West 2nd Court
34
Continue on West 65th Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·West 65th Street
35
Turn right onto Palm Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·Palm Avenue
36
Turn left onto East 41st Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·East 41st Street
37
Turn right onto East 2nd Avenue
504 ft·27 sec·East 2nd Avenue
38
Turn left onto East 39th Place
445 ft·21 sec·East 39th Place
39
Turn right onto East 2nd Court
182 ft·10 sec·East 2nd Court
40
Turn right onto East 39th Street
257 ft·11 sec·East 39th Street
41
Arrive at destination
East 39th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 38-minute drive from Medulla to Hialeah, departing earlier in the day is recommended to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you get closer to South Florida. With the longest stretch being 160.8 miles on US 27, plan for a mid-drive stop around that point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $35 makes budgeting straightforward. Since this is a feasible one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace, but be mindful of the highway-heavy nature and potential for varying traffic conditions on the final approach to Hialeah.
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 108.5 miles from Medulla, FL, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.8 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 48 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 22m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medulla, 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 Medulla, FL
This is one driving day of about 217 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Medulla, 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 US 27 for about 160.8 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 213.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|CR 540A
Turn left onto CR 540A
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
26.4 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
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.
Toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
7
187.5 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
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 I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
7
193.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami
7
213.4 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward SR 823: Northwest 57th Avenue, Red Road
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 823: Northwest 57th Avenue, Red Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.54 one way
$69.08 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$37.57
$75.15
premium
$4.72
$40.35
$80.70
diesel
$5.61
$47.91
$95.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.78
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$18.99
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Medulla, FL
Morning
in Medulla on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hialeah, FL
Morning
in Hialeah on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
21 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
4h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 217
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 217-mile journey, as 91% of the drive involves major roadways like US 27 and I-75. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 160.8 miles on US 27, offering a consistent pace. While largely a highway drive, the transition between these main roads will shape the feel of your trip, moving you from open stretches to potentially busier segments as you approach your destination. This route prioritizes directness over varied terrain, making it a predictable and efficient drive.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160.8 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near CR 540A.
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 25 significant decision points across 217 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 miles (CR 540A): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.5 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 Medulla, FL and Hialeah, FL, road signs point toward Avon Park, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Miami and Express Lanes.
Avon Park
26.4 mi in|~38m
Fort Lauderdale
187.5 mi in|~4h 1m
Naples
187.5 mi in|~4h 1m
Miami
193.2 mi in|~4h 8m|via I 75
Express Lanes
203.7 mi in|~4h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 217 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 160.8 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hialeah, 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 1 miles (CR 540A): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.5 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hialeah, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
