Trip from Mexico Beach, FL to Miami, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

11h 16m

Distance

554.8 mi

893 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$88

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

11h 6m ★

6 AM

11h 16m

8 AM

11h 37m

10 AM

11h 24m

12 PM

11h 22m

3 PM

11h 25m

5 PM

11h 36m

8 PM

11h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Mexico Beach, FL

Brent Singleton

city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Miami, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Mexico Beach, FL to Miami, FL is 554.8 miles and takes about 11h 16m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $88 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight stop is recommended. This long-distance drive takes you across Florida, from the Panhandle region to the southern tip. While it's technically possible to complete in one go, breaking it up over two days will make for a much more comfortable journey. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward, albeit lengthy, traverse of the state.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

277.4 miles from Mexico Beach, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Florida's Turnpike	264.2 mi	4h 46m
Byron Butler Parkway	58.3 mi	1h 14m
Coastal Highway	54.4 mi	1h 10m
US 27 Alternate	48 mi	1h 1m
Market Street	43.1 mi	1h 4m
US 98	35.2 mi	52m
I 75	24.7 mi	26m
I 95	9 mi	11m

Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 264.2 mi, about 4h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mexico Beach, FL and Miami, FL.

Start on South 32nd Street

369 ft · 17 sec · South 32nd Street

Turn right onto US 98

35 mi · 52 min · US 98

Turn right onto US 98

43 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Market Street

Continue on US 319

6.6 mi · 9 min · Sopchoppy Highway

Turn left onto US 98; US 319

54 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Coastal Highway

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck

58 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Byron Butler Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate

8.3 mi · 11 min · US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate

Turn left onto US 27 Alternate

48 mi · 1 hr 1 min · US 27 Alternate

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward I 75 South: Tampa

Merge onto I 75

25 mi · 26 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike

264 mi · 4 hr 46 min · Florida's Turnpike

Exit 328 Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 95, US 441

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 95 South Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 95

9.0 mi · 11 min · I 95

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Exit 3B Toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto Northwest 8th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Northwest 8th Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto North Miami Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Miami Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

North Miami Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 11-hour duration, splitting this 554.8-mile drive into two days is highly advisable for safety and enjoyment. Aim to leave Mexico Beach early in the morning to maximize daylight. With three recommended stops, plan for breaks every few hours to stretch and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 264.2-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long highway segments. Consider an overnight stop around the halfway point to recharge before the second leg into Miami.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 277.4 miles from Mexico Beach, FL, or about 6h 9m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.2 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 122 miles or 2h 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 277.4 miles or 6h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 277.4 miles or 6h 9m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 10h 5m

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 Mexico Beach, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mexico Beach, FL

Aim for roughly 277 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Miami, FL

Aim for roughly 277 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 122 miles from Mexico Beach, FL.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 264.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Tallahassee, FL

183 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

city in and county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Orlando, FL

366 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Orlando, FL

Overnight Options

Night 1

Gainesville, FL

277 mi · about 5.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Gainesville, FL after about 277 miles or 5.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Tallahassee, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 122 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bushnell, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 277.4 miles from Mexico Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 264.2 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 277 miles or 5.6 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Ma Wish High Chai- Tea & Food

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Trenton, Florida

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 198.1

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+18004619211

Visit website

FunDimension Game Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miami, Florida

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Piccolo Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winter Garden, Florida

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 317

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Prairie House Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakland, Florida

2.1 mi

Legends Dessert Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Old Town, Florida

2.3 mi

Ma Wish High Chai- Tea & Food

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 198.1

Trenton, Florida

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+18004619211

Visit website

FunDimension Game Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 554.8

Miami, Florida

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+17863601766

Visit website

Cottage Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 198.1

Old Town, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+13525428080

Visit website

Sister's Place

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 237.8

Williston, Florida

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13525285500

Visit website

Piccolo Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 317

Winter Garden, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Prairie House Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 317

Oakland, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+14079060330

Visit website

Legends Dessert Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 198.1

Old Town, Florida

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13523567188

Dixie Nut House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 198.1

Old Town, Florida

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+13524401847

Sprout & Bean | Play Café | Coffee Shop and Indoor Playground | Winter Garden

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 317

Winter Garden, Florida

+13522052589

Visit website

Circle K

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 237.8

Williston, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13525284636

Visit website

All American Coffee LLC

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 198.1

Old Town, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13529004455

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 277.4

Wildwood, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13523523155

Visit website

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 396.3

Okeechobee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ABB Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 317

Clermont, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Big Reds Aucilla River Gas and Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 118.9

Lamont, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18505844595

Maurice A. Ferré Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 554.8

Miami, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+13053587550

Visit website

The Horrorland Miami

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 554.8

Miami, Florida

Hours: Closed

+13054007000

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 554.8

Miami, Florida

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+17865804678

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 278.9 and 554.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

278.9 mi into trip | ~6h 11m in | Florida's Turnpike

Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 328 Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando

543.4 mi into trip | ~10h 59m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, US 441

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 95, US 441

544.2 mi into trip | ~11h 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

553.4 mi into trip | ~11h 12m 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

554.3 mi into trip | ~11h 14m in | North Miami Avenue

Turn right onto North Miami Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$88.31 one way

$176.62 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 194 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$96.06	$192.13
premium	$4.72	$103.16	$206.32
diesel	$5.61	$122.49	$244.99

Estimated Tolls: $18.49

Florida's Turnpike (264.2 mi) $18.49

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

$88

Tolls

$18

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$237–$347

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 194.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $58 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	166.4	2	$58.25	$26.63
Efficient EV	138.7	1	$48.54	$22.19
EV Truck/SUV	221.9	2	$77.67	$35.51

Gas CO2

194 kg

EV CO2

65 kg (66% less)

Plan for 2 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 Jun 21, 2022

Origin

Mexico Beach, FL

Night in Mexico Beach on Saturday

Local time

9:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Miami, FL

Night in Miami on Saturday

Local time

10:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

5 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

11h 16m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect an 81% highway share on this trip, meaning much of your drive will be on faster-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. This suggests a significant portion of the drive will be on this major artery, offering a consistent speed for covering ground. While the majority is highway, the remaining percentage indicates some transitions onto other main roads like Byron Butler Parkway and Coastal Highway, which may offer a slight change of pace before reaching your destination.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 264.2 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 Byron Butler Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 278.9 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 16 significant decision points across 554.8 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 278.9 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 543.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 544.2 miles: 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 Mexico Beach, FL and Miami, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.

Florida's Turnpike South

278.9 mi in | ~6h 11m | via Florida's Turnpike

Orlando

278.9 mi in | ~6h 11m | via Florida's Turnpike

About the Cities

Arriving in Miami, FL

Full guide →

“The Magic City” · Founded 1825

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 277 miles on day one.

Expect about $18.49 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.

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 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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 11.3 hours each way, a round trip means 22.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Miami, FL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Mexico Beach, FL or browse trips ending in Miami, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Trip from Mexico Beach, FL to Miami, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Ma Wish High Chai- Tea & Food

Piccolo Coffee Co.

Ma Wish High Chai- Tea & Food

FunDimension Game Center

Cottage Cafe

Sister's Place

Piccolo Coffee Co.

Prairie House Coffee Co

Legends Dessert Shop

Dixie Nut House

Sprout & Bean | Play Café | Coffee Shop and Indoor Playground | Winter Garden

Circle K

All American Coffee LLC

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

ABB Charging Station

Big Reds Aucilla River Gas and Grill

Maurice A. Ferré Park

The Horrorland Miami

Little Havana Tours

Paradox Museum Miami

Wynwood Walls

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

Wynwood Art Walk Tours

Museum of Graffiti

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mexico Beach, FL

Miami, FL

1 hour later

5 degrees cooler at arrival

11h 16m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Miami, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Miami, FL

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