Miramar, FL to East Lake, FL is 276.3 miles and takes about 5h 15m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, primarily utilizing I-75 for most of the journey. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, this is a straightforward, same-day trip. Expect a consistent driving experience as you head north through the state. Plan for this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between South Florida and the Tampa Bay area.
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
138.2 miles from Miramar, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
219.8 mi
3h 55m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
23.3 mi
27m
Miramar Parkway
7.1 mi
11m
McMullen Booth Road
6.6 mi
10m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
East Lake Road
4.3 mi
6m
Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge
3.7 mi
4m
Roosevelt Boulevard North
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 219.8 mi, about 3h 55m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,635 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,399
Quietest
2 AM
~217 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Miramar, FL and East Lake, FL.
1
Start on Bahama Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Bahama Drive
2
Turn right onto CR 858
7.1 mi·11 min·Miramar Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: NaplesUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 75
9.0 mi·9 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
211 mi·3 hr 45 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
8
Merge onto I 275; US 19
23 mi·27 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 30Toward FL 686: Largo
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward FL 686 West, CR 296: Roosevelt Boulevard, 118th Avenue NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·27 sec
Toward 686 NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Turn straight onto FL 686
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard North
13
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 686
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard North
14
Turn straight onto FL 686; FL 688
0.6 mi·1 min·Ulmerton Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn slight right onto FL 686
0.6 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard
Toward Roosevelt Boulevard, St. Petersburg–Clearwater International AirportUse the right lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
17
Merge onto FL 686A Toll
0.6 mi·48 sec·Gateway Expressway
18
Turn straight onto FL 686
473 ft·10 sec·Roosevelt Boulevard
19
Turn slight right
243 ft·8 sec
Toward CR 611 North: Bayside Bridge, ClearwaterUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
21
Merge onto CR 611
3.7 mi·4 min·Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on CR 611
6.6 mi·10 min·McMullen Booth Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on CR 611
4.0 mi·6 min·East Lake Road
24
Continue on CR 611
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Lake Road
25
Arrive at destination
CR 611
Trip Plan
For this single-day drive of 5h 15m, leaving Miramar, FL in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. You'll cover 276.3 miles, with the longest stretch being 219.8 miles on I-75, so plan for one substantial stop. The estimated fuel cost is $42, and while there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long highway segment. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility, but consider traffic around the Tampa Bay area as you near East Lake.
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 138.2 miles from Miramar, FL, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.8 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.2 miles or 2h 33m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Lake, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Miramar, 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 Miramar, FL
This is one driving day of about 276.3 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Miramar, 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 219.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 257.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 North: Naples
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 North: Naples
8
17 mi into trip|~23m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
7
227.9 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
8
257.4 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 686 West, CR 296: Roosevelt Boulevard, 118th Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 686 West, CR 296: Roosevelt Boulevard...
7
257.9 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 686 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward 686 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.43 one way
$88.85 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.44
$48.32
$96.64
premium
$4.78
$51.97
$103.95
diesel
$6.18
$67.21
$134.43
Estimated Tolls: $1.63
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(23.3 mi)$1.63
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
$44
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.9
1
$29.01
$13.26
Efficient EV
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.05
EV Truck/SUV
110.5
1
$38.68
$17.68
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Miramar, FL
Morning
in Miramar on Sunday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 6 mph94% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:40AM EDT until October 20 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:10AM EDT until October 18 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
East Lake, FL
Morning
in East Lake on Sunday
Local time
7:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 2 to 14 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:40AM EDT until October 20 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:10AM EDT until October 18 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
9 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 15m 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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 238.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 84% of the 276.3 miles being on high-speed roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 219.8 miles on I-75, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect dense exits as you navigate through populated areas along I-75. Surface roads will likely come into play more significantly in the final miles approaching East Lake.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 276.3 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 7.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.9 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
37 ft0 ft
Total Climb
54 ft
Total Descent
41 ft
Highest Point
37 ft
~217.1 mi in
Elevation Range
37 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Miramar, FL and East Lake, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley, Naples, 118Th Avenue North, St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport and Clearwater.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 276.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.63 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 East Lake, 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 7.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.9 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Lake, FL before the return drive.
