Miramar to Ruskin is 244.6 miles and takes about 4h 30m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the southern part of the state up towards the Tampa Bay area. Given its predominantly highway nature and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive well-suited for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Plan for a direct trip with minimal detours.
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
122.3 miles from Miramar, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
232.3 mi
4h 8m
Miramar Parkway
7.1 mi
11m
College Avenue
3 mi
4m
Tamiami Trail
0.5 mi
1m
Bahama Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Sun City Center Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Shell Point Road East
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 232.3 mi, about 4h 8m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 62 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,628 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,277
Quietest
2 AM
~215 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Ruskin, 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
223 mi·3 hr 59 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 240Toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City CenterUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Ruskin
8
Turn straight onto FL 674
0.1 mi·10 sec·Sun City Center Boulevard
9
Continue on FL 674
3.0 mi·4 min·College Avenue
10
Turn right onto US 41
0.5 mi·1 min·Tamiami Trail
11
Turn right onto Shell Point Road East
207 ft·11 sec·Shell Point Road East
12
Turn left
53 ft·3 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4.5-hour drive, consider leaving Miramar early in the morning to avoid peak traffic. With a longest stretch of 232.3 miles on I 75, you'll want to plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break. The $42 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, an early start will allow for a more relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the Ruskin area, as services can become less frequent on certain stretches of I 75.
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 122.3 miles from Miramar, FL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.3 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.3 miles or 2h 16m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ruskin, 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 244.6 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 232.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 240.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|CR 858 / Miramar Parkway
Turn right onto CR 858 / Miramar Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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
5
8 mi into trip|~14m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
8
240.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 240
Toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.03 one way
$74.05 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$40.63
$81.26
premium
$4.55
$43.82
$87.63
diesel
$4.80
$46.19
$92.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.4
0
$25.68
$11.74
Efficient EV
61.2
0
$21.40
$9.78
EV Truck/SUV
97.8
1
$34.24
$15.65
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Miramar, FL
Night
in Miramar on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 to 13 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ruskin, FL
Night
in Ruskin on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 9 to 14 mph65% chanceLive 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
2 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 30m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 227.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 98% highway, meaning you'll be on I 75 for the vast majority of the 244.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch on I 75 covers 232.3 miles. You'll experience a high volume of exits and potential traffic merging as you approach urban areas, especially as you get closer to the Tampa Bay region. The transition from Miramar Parkway and College Avenue onto I 75 marks the beginning of the long highway segment.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Miramar Parkway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near CR 858 / Miramar Parkway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 244.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.4 miles (CR 858 / Miramar Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
40 ft4 ft
Total Climb
51 ft
Total Descent
52 ft
Highest Point
40 ft
~227.2 mi in
Elevation Range
36 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 Ruskin, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 244.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m 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 232.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (CR 858 / Miramar Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Ruskin, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
