Traveling from Miramar to Lake Alfred covers 214.5 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 17 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and heavily reliant on major corridors, it works perfectly as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to complete the journey. By utilizing Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and US 27, you will transition from the coastal metro area into the interior of the state. This drive is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing, making it a practical choice if you need to reach your destination quickly.
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
107.2 miles from Miramar, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
143 mi
2h 37m
FL 60
46.4 mi
59m
US 27
15.1 mi
20m
US 17
5.1 mi
6m
Pembroke Road
1.2 mi
2m
South 62nd Avenue
1 mi
2m
Bahama Drive
0.4 mi
1m
North Glencruiten Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 143 mi, about 2h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Miramar, FL and Lake Alfred, FL.
1
Start on Bahama Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Bahama Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Tropicana Street
158 ft·12 sec·Tropicana Street
3
Turn left onto West Arcadia Drive
527 ft·24 sec·West Arcadia Drive
4
Turn right onto SR 824
1.2 mi·2 min·Pembroke Road
5
Turn left onto South 62nd Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·South 62nd Avenue
6
Turn left onto SR 820
441 ft·25 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll: Miami, OrlandoUse the left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
9
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
143 mi·2 hr 37 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 193Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
11
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft·6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 27: Haines City, Avon Park
14
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·7 sec
15
Merge onto US 27
4.5 mi·6 min·US 27
16
Continue on US 27
11 mi·14 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
18
Merge onto US 17; US 92
5.1 mi·6 min·US 17; US 92
19
Turn left onto North Glencruiten Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·North Glencruiten Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto East Haines Boulevard
110 ft·4 sec·East Haines Boulevard
21
Arrive at destination
East Haines Boulevard
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour and 17-minute trek, aim to leave early in the morning to beat potential congestion along the major toll roads. You only need to plan for one significant stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits well within your $36 gas budget. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 143-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as service plazas are the most reliable spots for a break. Because the trip is short enough to handle in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns. Prioritize maintaining a steady pace on the turnpike to ensure you arrive in Lake Alfred feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 107.2 miles from Miramar, FL, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143 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 47 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Alfred, 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 214.5 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 143 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 147.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|West Arcadia Drive
Turn left onto West Arcadia Drive
Navigation decision point
9
2.8 mi into trip|~7m in
Turn left toward Florida's Turnpike Toll: Miami, Orlando
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll: Miami, Orlando
6
3 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
6
146.4 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 193
Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
6
147.1 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.14 one way
$68.29 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$37.14
$74.28
premium
$4.72
$39.89
$79.77
diesel
$5.61
$47.36
$94.72
Estimated Tolls: $10.01
Florida's Turnpike
(143 mi)$10.01
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
$34
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.4
0
$22.52
$10.30
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.77
$8.58
EV Truck/SUV
85.8
1
$30.03
$13.73
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Miramar, FL
Late night
in Miramar on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lake Alfred, FL
Late night
in Lake Alfred on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
18 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
4h 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused highway experience, as 98% of this trip takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 143 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which allows for consistent speeds and minimal navigation. As you move off the turnpike and transition to FL 60 and US 27, the character of the drive shifts from a major arterial highway to regional connectors. The route maintains a consistent pace throughout, offering a predictable ride that requires little technical maneuvering. It is a classic Florida highway-focused drive that prioritizes steady progress over scenic winding roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West Arcadia Drive.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 214.5 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 0.5 miles (West Arcadia Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Miramar, FL to Lake Alfred, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Avon Park along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 214.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.01 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 Lake Alfred, 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 0.5 miles (West Arcadia Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Alfred, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
