🏆 The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala
Near the start, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524219810
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
287.6 mi
463 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ocala, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Ocala to Miramar is 287.6 miles and takes about 5h 18m via Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within Florida, connecting two distinct regions of the state. Expect a consistent pace for most of your journey, making it a solid choice for a single-day trip. You'll cover a significant distance, so plan for efficient travel. The route is well-suited for those prioritizing speed and directness between these two points.
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
143.8 miles from Ocala, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 258 mi | 4h 39m |
| I 75 | 23.3 mi | 24m |
| West Silver Springs Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Hollywood Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Southwest 72nd Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Bahama Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Arcadia Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Pembroke Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ocala, FL and Miramar, FL.
Start on FL 40
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit
Merge onto SR 820
Turn left onto Southwest 72nd Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto SR 824
Turn right onto West Arcadia Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Tropicana Street
Turn left onto Bahama Drive
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 18m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Ocala early in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. With a fuel cost estimate of $46, ensure your tank is full before you depart, as there's a long stretch on Florida's Turnpike with fewer immediate services. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the 258-mile segment on the Turnpike for a quick stretch or restroom break. The predominantly highway nature of this route means you can maintain a steady pace, but always be aware of Florida's Turnpike's potential for heavier traffic, especially as you approach Miramar.
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.
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 63 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.8 miles or 2h 37m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miramar, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ocala, 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 Ocala, FL
This is one driving day of about 287.6 miles and 5h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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.
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 143.8 miles from Ocala, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 258 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop
Ocala, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524219810
Best coffee break
Ocala, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+13525812650
Sipping Grounds Midtown
Ocala, Florida
Prairie House Coffee Co
Oakland, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13524219810
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+13525812650
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+13522991294
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Oakland, Florida
Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm
+14079060330
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+14079894499
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Winter Garden, Florida
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Winter Garden, Florida
+13522052589
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Clermont, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Clermont, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Oxford, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13527480449
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Wildwood, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13523523155
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+13526298447
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Ocala, Florida
+13523685517
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 9 am–7 pm
+13523685517
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14078555496
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Orlando, Florida
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+14077571700
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+13523685533
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Ocala, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13522914455
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 287.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Tampa
Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Southwest 72nd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto Tropicana Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Regular Gas
$45.78 one way
$91.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $49.80 | $99.60 |
| premium | $4.72 | $53.48 | $106.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.50 | $127.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $18.06
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
$46
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.20 | $13.80 |
| Efficient EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115 | 1 | $40.26 | $18.41 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Ocala on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Miramar on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey utilizing major roadways like Florida's Turnpike and I-75. You'll experience a consistent, high-speed environment for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 258 miles on Florida's Turnpike, meaning you can settle in for a long run without many interruptions. While the bulk is highway, the initial leg on West Silver Springs Boulevard provides a brief transition before merging onto the main thoroughfares. Expect a predictable driving experience throughout.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
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 287.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ocala, FL and Miramar, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
Orlando
Ocala is a city in North Central Florida. Here, rolling green pastures lead to crystal springs, gentle rivers and unspoiled lakes, and hundreds of horse farms gallop with thoroughbred natural charm and beauty.
Broward County is in the Greater Miami region of Florida.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 287.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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