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Trip from Miami, FL to Odessa, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 39m

Distance

303.4 mi

488 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 27m ★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 6m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 46m
3 PM
5h 50m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m

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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city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Miami, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Odessa, FL, FL

Odessa, FL

Larry Milligan

Trip Overview

This 303.4-mile drive from Miami to Odessa, Florida, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 39 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-75 and Florida's Turnpike, with a brief stint on State Road 54. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward journey through Florida. Given its duration and the continuous nature of the drive, it's perfectly manageable as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stop. This route is a practical choice for getting across the state efficiently.

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

151.7 miles from Miami, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 254.9 mi 4h 34m
State Road 54 12.7 mi 18m
Florida's Turnpike 10.5 mi 12m
I 95 9.8 mi 12m
Port Everglades Expressway 9.1 mi 10m
State Road 56 1 mi 1m
North Miami Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 254.9 mi, about 4h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Miami Avenue

499 ft · 16 sec · North Miami Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2

Take the ramp

472 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 95 Use the slight right lane.
3

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North Use the slight right lane.
4

Merge onto I 95

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 12A Toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll Use the slight left lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike
8

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

10 mi · 12 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 54 Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward SR 84 West, I 595 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 595 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 595

9.1 mi · 10 min · Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 75

255 mi · 4 hr 34 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

2.2 mi · 3 min
Exit 275 Toward FL 56: Land O Lakes, Tarpon Springs Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward FL 56 West Use the slight left lane.
16

Turn left onto FL 56

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Road 56
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on FL 54

13 mi · 18 min · State Road 54
Use the left / straight lanes.
18

Continue on FL 54

246 ft · 9 sec · State Road 54
19

Arrive at destination

FL 54

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour, 39-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Miami to avoid potential traffic congestion. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. The longest stretch without a significant road change is over 250 miles on I-75, so ensure you're comfortable with extended periods of highway driving. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get closer to Odessa, and plan your refueling accordingly within the estimated $48 budget. This route is best tackled head-on as a single-day excursion.

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 151.7 miles from Miami, FL, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.9 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 67 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 151.7 miles or 2h 50m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Odessa, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 303.4 miles and 5h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Miami, 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 I 75 for about 254.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Punta Gorda, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Punta Gorda, FL

152 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bonita Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Punta Gorda, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.7 miles from Miami, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 254.9 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 287.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 95 North
7
10.5 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 12A Toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll
8
22.2 mi into trip | ~28m in

Take the exit toward I 595, SR 84, US 441

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 54 Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441
8
22.7 mi into trip | ~29m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 84 West, I 595 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward SR 84 West, I 595 West
8
287.5 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in

Take the exit toward FL 56: Land O Lakes, Tarpon Springs

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 275 Toward FL 56: Land O Lakes, Tarpon Springs

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.29 one way

$96.59 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $52.53 $105.07
premium $4.72 $56.42 $112.83
diesel $5.61 $66.99 $133.97

Estimated Tolls: $0.73

Florida's Turnpike (10.5 mi) $0.73

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

$48

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.2 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 91 1 $31.86 $14.56
Efficient EV 75.9 0 $26.55 $12.14
EV Truck/SUV 121.4 1 $42.48 $19.42

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Miami, FL

Night in Miami on Saturday

Local time

10:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Sunny

E 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 4:28PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 12:29PM EDT until April 15 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL

Destination

Odessa, FL

Night in Odessa on Saturday

Local time

10:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

16 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

5h 39m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused experience, with 94% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The bulk of your travel, a continuous 254.9 miles, will be on I-75. This means you'll encounter consistent speeds and limited need for navigation adjustments for much of the journey. While the profile is predominantly highway, be prepared for the transition onto State Road 54 as you near your destination. The character of the drive is one of steady progress, with the emphasis on reaching your destination efficiently.

94% 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: 254.9 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and State Road 54. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 303.4 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 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; at 22.2 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.

On the drive from Miami, FL to Odessa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tarpon Springs along the way.

Tarpon Springs

287.5 mi in | ~5h 16m

About the Cities

Starting 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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 303.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 39m 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 254.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.73 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 Odessa, 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 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; at 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Odessa, 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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