Origin
Miami, FL
Morning in Miami on Tuesday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
308 mi
496 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Miami, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Miami to Dunnellon is 308 miles and takes about 5h 53m via Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, transitioning from the southern part of the state to the central region. Given its primarily highway profile, expect a straightforward trip with minimal detours. It’s a solid option for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.
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
154 miles from Miami, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 264.1 mi | 4h 47m |
| 80th Avenue Road | 12.4 mi | 21m |
| I 75 | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| I 95 | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| Southwest 135th Street | 5.7 mi | 9m |
| East Pennsylvania Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Miami Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Miami, FL and Dunnellon, FL.
Start on North Miami Avenue
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Turn left onto CR 484
Continue on CR 484
Continue on CR 484
Turn left
Arrive at destination
For this single-day trip covering 308 miles, leaving Miami in the morning, perhaps between 8 and 9 AM, will allow you to arrive in Dunnellon before dinner. The longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike is over 260 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you begin this major segment, as services can be spaced out. While the total duration is under 6 hours, factoring in a brief stop for a stretch or a quick bite will make the drive more comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you near the end of the Turnpike, as this is the most critical point for planning your next service opportunity.
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.
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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunnellon, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Miami, 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 Miami, FL
This is one driving day of about 308 miles and 5h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 154 miles from Miami, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 264.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 287.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 95
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CR 484: Belleview, Dunnellon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$49.03 one way
$98.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $53.33 | $106.66 |
| premium | $4.72 | $57.27 | $114.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.00 | $136.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $18.47
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
$49
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.34 | $14.78 |
| Efficient EV | 77 | 0 | $26.95 | $12.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.2 | 1 | $43.12 | $19.71 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Miami on Tuesday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Dunnellon on Tuesday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 308 miles spent on major roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 264.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike, indicating a long period of consistent cruising. After this extensive highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads like 80th Avenue Road before merging onto I-75, which will likely involve more frequent exits and varied traffic patterns.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and 80th Avenue Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 308 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 0.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
107 ft
Total Descent
65 ft
Highest Point
92 ft
~220 mi in
Elevation Range
86 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Miami, FL to Dunnellon, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 484: Belleview along the way.
Cr 484: Belleview
“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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 308 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Miami, FL or browse trips ending in Dunnellon, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.