This 234.2-mile drive from Medulla, Florida to Miami, Florida is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes. The route primarily utilizes Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and I-95, making it a highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $37, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover a significant distance without much fuss. It's a practical option for getting from Central Florida to South 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
117.1 miles from Medulla, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
148.8 mi
2h 43m
FL 60
61.7 mi
1h 19m
I 95
9 mi
11m
Boy Scout Ranch Road
4.8 mi
8m
Bartow Road
3.2 mi
4m
CR 540A
1.5 mi
2m
Old Road 37
1 mi
2m
Broadway Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 148.8 mi, about 2h 43m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,073
Quietest
2 AM
~284 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medulla, FL and Miami, 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
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on this road
295 ft·7 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
149 mi·2 hr 43 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95, US 441
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95
9.0 mi·11 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 3BToward Northwest 8th Street, Port of MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Northwest 8th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Northwest 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Miami Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
North Miami Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 41-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Medulla to avoid potential traffic closer to Miami. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of nearly 150 miles, pacing yourself on Florida's Turnpike is key. You'll want to ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that long segment. Keep an eye on the fuel cost estimate of $37 to manage your budget. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have flexibility, but planning around the main roads like Florida's Turnpike and I-95 will streamline your navigation.
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 117.1 miles from Medulla, FL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.8 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 52 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.1 miles or 2h 27m 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 Miami, 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 234.2 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 148.8 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 1 and 232.9 — 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.
6
73.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
73.6 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
7
223.7 mi into trip|~4h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 South
8
232.9 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
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 3B
Toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.45 one way
$70.91 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$38.90
$77.80
premium
$4.55
$41.95
$83.91
diesel
$4.80
$44.22
$88.44
Estimated Tolls: $10.42
Florida's Turnpike
(148.8 mi)$10.42
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
$35
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.59
$11.24
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.49
$9.37
EV Truck/SUV
93.7
1
$32.79
$14.99
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Medulla, FL
Evening
in Medulla on Monday
Local time
7:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 12 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Miami, FL
Evening
in Miami on Monday
Local time
7:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 13 mph17% chanceLive 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
4h 41m 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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 233
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 148.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so prepare for extended periods of consistent driving. This means you'll likely encounter smooth sailing on well-maintained highways for most of the trip. The character of the drive is less about winding country roads and more about covering ground efficiently, transitioning from the central part of the state towards the bustling South Florida region.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.8 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. 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 Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 234.2 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 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
162 ft6 ft
Total Climb
13 ft
Total Descent
169 ft
Highest Point
162 ft
Elevation Range
156 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Medulla, FL to Miami, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
73.6 mi in|~1h 39m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County, Florida. It is home to Florida Southern College, which has the largest collection of buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright at a single site in the world.
Miami is a major city in the southeastern United States and the second most populous city in Florida. The Greater Miami metropolitan area is the largest in the state with an estimated population just under 6.1 million (2021), which makes it the 9th most populous metro area in the United States.
Although tourists generally consider Miami Beach to be part of Miami, it is its own municipality. Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Miami and Biscayne Bay. It is home to lots of beach resorts, and is one of the most popular spring break party destinations in the world. This article only covers the city of Miami, not Miami Beach.
Top landmarks
•Little Havana — neighborhood in Miami, Florida
•Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — historic estate on Biscayne Bay; Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 234.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.42 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 13 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 Miami, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CR 540A): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Miami, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
