This 174.5-mile drive from Orlando to Palm Springs, Florida, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 18 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, with a projected fuel cost of around $28. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B within the Sunshine State. With 95% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on the open road, traversing familiar Florida landscapes. This is a practical option for those looking to travel between these two Florida locations without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.2 miles from Orlando, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
142.6 mi
2h 32m
I 95
18 mi
20m
I 4
5.6 mi
7m
South Congress Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
Greenbrier Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Southern Boulevard
0.4 mi
<1m
West South Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Boone Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 142.6 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orlando, FL and Palm Springs, FL.
1
Start on this road
113 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto FL 527
458 ft·18 sec·South Orange Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Anderson Street
479 ft·17 sec·West Anderson Street
4
Turn right onto Boone Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·Boone Avenue
5
Turn left onto West South Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·West South Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 4 West
7
Merge onto I 4
5.6 mi·7 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 77Toward Miami, OcalaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·15 sec·this road
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
143 mi·2 hr 32 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 116Toward FL 706: JupiterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto FL 706
499 ft·19 sec·Indiantown Road
14
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: West Palm Beach
15
Merge onto I 95
18 mi·20 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 68Toward US 98, FL 80: Southern BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 98; FL 80
0.4 mi·47 sec·Southern Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward SR 807 South: Congress AvenueUse the left lane.
19
Continue on FL 807
2.9 mi·5 min·South Congress Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Greenbrier Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Greenbrier Drive
21
Turn left onto Tamoshanter Drive
145 ft·6 sec·Tamoshanter Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Tamoshanter Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart early to avoid potential traffic, especially as you'll be covering a good portion on Florida's Turnpike. Consider a single refueling stop before you leave Orlando or plan one near the halfway point to ensure you have ample fuel for the longest stretch. With only one stop recommended and a highway-centric profile, flexibility is your advantage; you can easily adjust your departure time. Keep an eye on the mileage, particularly the 142.6-mile segment on the Turnpike, to manage your fuel and rest breaks effectively.
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 87.2 miles from Orlando, FL, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.6 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palm Springs, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Orlando, 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 Orlando, FL
This is one driving day of about 174.5 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Orlando, 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 142.6 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 6.4 and 170.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.4 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Ocala
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 77
Toward Miami, Ocala
8
7.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South, Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Miami
7
150.3 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward FL 706: Jupiter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 116
Toward FL 706: Jupiter
8
169.7 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 98, FL 80: Southern Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 68
Toward US 98, FL 80: Southern Boulevard
6
170.8 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward SR 807 South: Congress Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward SR 807 South: Congress Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.78 one way
$55.55 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$30.21
$60.43
premium
$4.72
$32.45
$64.89
diesel
$5.61
$38.53
$77.05
Estimated Tolls: $9.98
Florida's Turnpike
(142.6 mi)$9.98
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
$28
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.4
0
$18.32
$8.38
Efficient EV
43.6
0
$15.27
$6.98
EV Truck/SUV
69.8
0
$24.43
$11.17
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 18, 2026
Origin
Orlando, FL
Late night
in Orlando on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Palm Springs, FL
Late night
in Palm Springs on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 18m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 95% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll primarily navigate using Florida's Turnpike, I-95, and I-4, which means consistent speed limits and predictable driving conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 142.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike, offering a significant period of cruising without many interruptions. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed is easy, and the focus is on efficient travel rather than intricate local roads or varied scenery.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.6 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 174.5 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
For the broader urban area including suburbs and other nearby destinations, please see the Greater Orlando article.
Orlando deserves its reputation as the theme park capital of the world, with an estimated 52 million visitors a year. The city is best known for its theme parks Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but it holds a lot to offer besides those two amusement meccas. Countless hotels and restaurants cater to business conventions and other events hosted by organizations from all over the country. Outside the theme park districts and hotels, however, lies much more to be explored, including downtown, areas of untouched wilderness, world-class museums and theaters, and old towns with dining and nightlife.
At the center of the state of Florida, in Orange County, Orlando is about an hour from each coast.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 174.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.6 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.98 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 Palm Springs, 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Palm Springs, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
