Trip from Midway, FL to Harlem, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

11h 13m

Distance

582.5 mi

937 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$93

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

11h 3m ★

6 AM

11h 13m

8 AM

11h 33m

10 AM

11h 20m

12 PM

11h 18m

3 PM

11h 21m

5 PM

11h 32m

8 PM

11h 7m

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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Midway, FL

Arian Fernandez

neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

Harlem, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 582.5-mile journey from Midway, FL to Harlem, FL spans approximately 11 hours and 13 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-10, US-27, and I-75, this long-distance drive is best tackled over two days, given its substantial length. The estimated fuel cost is around $93. With three planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the nearly 600 miles. This route is a solid option for those looking to traverse a significant portion of Florida, offering a practical way to connect these two points within 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

291.3 miles from Midway, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	274 mi	4h 53m
US 27	148 mi	3h 12m
I 75	107.2 mi	1h 54m
Florida's Turnpike	29.2 mi	31m
Avalon Boulevard	9.4 mi	13m
Gulf Breeze Parkway	3.8 mi	5m
Citrus Tower Boulevard	2.5 mi	4m
North Hancock Road	2.4 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 274 mi, about 4h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Midway, FL and Harlem, FL.

Start on Cedar Street

388 ft · 19 sec · Cedar Street

Turn right onto Keystone Drive

477 ft · 24 sec · Keystone Drive

Turn left onto Wheeler Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Wheeler Road

At end of road, turn right onto US 98

3.8 mi · 5 min · Gulf Breeze Parkway

Turn right onto FL 281 Toll

5.5 mi · 7 min · Avalon Boulevard

Continue on FL 281 Toll

1.6 mi · 2 min · Garcon Point Road

Continue on FL 281 Toll

3.8 mi · 5 min · Avalon Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee

Merge onto I 10

274 mi · 4 hr 53 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 37 sec

Exit 296A Toward I-75 South: Tampa

Merge onto I 75

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 75

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike

29 mi · 31 min · Florida's Turnpike

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

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Exit 278 Toward Minneola Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto North Hancock Road

2.4 mi · 3 min · North Hancock Road

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto North Ridge Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Ridge Boulevard

Turn left onto Citrus Tower Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Citrus Tower Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Continue on Citrus Tower Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Citrus Tower Road

Turn left onto US 27

0.4 mi · 45 sec · US 27

Continue on US 27

11 mi · 14 min · US 27

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 27

13 mi · 18 min · US 27

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 27

0.4 mi · 36 sec · US 27

Continue on US 27

0.2 mi · 18 sec · US 27

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 27

2.7 mi · 3 min · US 27

Continue on US 27

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 27

Continue on US 27

39 mi · 50 min · US 27

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 27; US 98

10 mi · 14 min · US 27; US 98

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 27; US 98

55 mi · 1 hr 7 min · US 27; US 98

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 27; FL 78

0.2 mi · 18 sec · US 27; FL 78

Turn slight right

338 ft · 4 sec

Continue on US 27

15 mi · 19 min · US 27

Turn right onto Lewis Boulevard

1.1 mi · 2 min · Lewis Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto 13th Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 13th Street

Turn left onto Harlem Academy Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Harlem Academy Avenue

Turn left onto 10th Street

89 ft · 3 sec · 10th Street

Arrive at destination

10th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 11-hour duration, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. Plan for your stops strategically, perhaps around the 2-3 hour mark, to maintain alertness. For this route, be mindful of the extensive mileage on I-10; ensure you're well-fueled before entering longer stretches, as services can be spaced out. An overnight stay around the halfway point would make this journey much more manageable.

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 291.3 miles from Midway, FL, or about 5h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 274 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 128 miles or 2h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 291.3 miles or 5h 19m 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 291.3 miles or 5h 19m

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 9h 56m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Midway, 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 Midway, FL

Aim for roughly 291 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Harlem, FL

Aim for roughly 291 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 128 miles from Midway, 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 I 10 for about 274 miles.

Where to Stop

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

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Lake City, FL

192 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 Polk County, Florida, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Lakeland, FL

384 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 Lakeland, FL

Overnight Options

Night 1

Lake Butler, FL

291 mi · about 5.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Lake Butler, FL after about 291 miles or 5.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Dothan, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 128 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake City, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 291.3 miles from Midway, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 274 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 291 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

The Coffee Grove Corp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Davenport, Florida

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 2h 24m to go 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18634193212

Visit website

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ocala, Florida

3 mi

Best coffee break · around the midpoint

Opus Coffee - UF Health Springhill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 6h 25m in / 4h 48m to go 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+13522268512

Visit website

The Mission Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gainesville, Florida

3 mi

The Coffee Grove Corp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Davenport, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18634193212

Visit website

🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524219810

Visit website

Ellianos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Lake City, Florida

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13864388064

Visit website

Opus Coffee - UF Health Springhill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+13522268512

Visit website

Brick & Iron Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+13525812650

Visit website

The Mission Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+13523318554

Visit website

Sipping Grounds Midtown

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13522991294

Visit website

The Honeybee Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Canal Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Lake City, Florida

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+13864388426

Visit website

La Finca Coffee Shop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Haines City, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14075589131

CYM Coffee Co

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13522245101

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Avon Park, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Gulf Breeze, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.7 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Madison, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

0.4 mi from route

Scott Springs Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+13523685517

Visit website

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+13523955633

Visit website

Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Closed

+13523955381

Visit website

Ocala Downtown Square

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Ocala, Florida

Tuscawilla Art Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13526298447

Visit website

Tuscawilla Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Ocala, Florida

+13523685517

Visit website

Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Gainesville, Florida

+13529552008

Visit website

Possum Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Gainesville, Florida

+13523345067

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 397.1 and 580.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

397.1 mi into trip | ~7h 13m 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

426.3 mi into trip | ~7h 44m in

Take the exit toward Minneola

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 278 Toward Minneola

426.7 mi into trip | ~7h 45m in | North Hancock Road

Turn right onto North Hancock Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

429.7 mi into trip | ~7h 50m in | Citrus Tower Boulevard

Turn left onto Citrus Tower Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

580.8 mi into trip | ~11h 8m in | Lewis Boulevard

Turn right onto Lewis Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$92.72 one way

$185.44 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 204 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$100.86	$201.72
premium	$4.72	$108.31	$216.63
diesel	$5.61	$128.61	$257.22

Estimated Tolls: $2.04

Florida's Turnpike (29.2 mi) $2.04

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

$93

Tolls

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$225–$335

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 203.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $61 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	174.8	2	$61.16	$27.96
Efficient EV	145.6	1	$50.97	$23.30
EV Truck/SUV	233	2	$81.55	$37.28

Gas CO2

204 kg

EV CO2

68 kg (67% 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Midway, FL

Late night in Midway on Tuesday

Local time

4:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Harlem, FL

Late night in Harlem on Tuesday

Local time

5:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°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

24 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

11h 13m 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?

The drive is characterized by a high highway share of 96%, indicating a predominantly interstate experience. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 274 miles on I-10, meaning extended periods of consistent speed. This suggests a drive focused on efficient travel rather than winding, scenic byways. Expect mostly straightforward driving conditions with minimal deviations from major thoroughfares, making it a predictable, albeit long, road trip.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 274 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 27. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 397.1 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 582.5 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 397.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 426.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 426.7 miles (North Hancock Road): 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 Midway, FL and Harlem, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando and Minneola.

Florida's Turnpike South

397.1 mi in | ~7h 13m | via Florida's Turnpike

Orlando

397.1 mi in | ~7h 13m | via Florida's Turnpike

Minneola

426.3 mi in | ~7h 44m

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

11h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 274 miles on I 10. 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 291 miles on day one.

Expect about $2.04 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 51 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 Harlem, 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. There are 51 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 11.2 hours each way, a round trip means 22.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Harlem, 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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