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Trip from Palatka, FL to Hialeah, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 52m

Distance

304.1 mi

489 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 39m ★
6 AM
5h 52m
8 AM
6h 18m
10 AM
6h 1m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 17m
8 PM
5h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Palatka, FL, FL

Palatka, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Hialeah, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 314.6-mile journey from Palatka to Hialeah, Florida, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. You'll navigate primarily using Memorial Bridge, State Street, and Highway 1, with no interstate highway driving involved. This route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $53, it's an economical option for a day trip, though you'll want to be mindful of the one planned stop. The drive keeps you within the state of Florida, offering a consistent regional experience.

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

152 miles from Palatka, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 144.1 mi 2h 35m
Florida's Turnpike 106.2 mi 1h 57m
FL 100 23.8 mi 30m
US Highway 1 6.3 mi 7m
State Street 6 mi 8m
Memorial Bridge 5 mi 8m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector 2.8 mi 4m
Northwest 37th Avenue 2.6 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 144.1 mi, about 2h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palatka, FL and Hialeah, FL.

1

Start on US 17; FL 100

0.6 mi · 1 min · Reid Street
2

Continue on US 17; FL 100

5.0 mi · 8 min · Memorial Bridge
3

Turn left onto FL 100

24 mi · 30 min · FL 100
4

Turn left onto US 1; FL 100

6.0 mi · 8 min · State Street
5

Enter roundabout onto US 1

115 ft · 2 sec · US Highway 1
6

Continue on US 1

6.3 mi · 7 min · US Highway 1
Use the left lane.
7

Turn left

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
8

Merge onto I 95

144 mi · 2 hr 35 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 129 Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

492 ft · 12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee Use the right lane.
11

Merge onto FL 70

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Okeechobee Road
12

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South Use the left lane.
14

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

106 mi · 1 hr 57 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 2X Toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium Use the slight right lane.
16

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 21 sec · this road
17

Turn right onto Northwest 199th Street

1.8 mi · 2 min · Northwest 199th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto Northwest 37th Avenue

2.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest 37th Avenue
19

Continue on Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector

2.8 mi · 4 min · Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
20

Continue on SR 953

0.7 mi · 1 min · East 8th Avenue
21

Turn right onto SR 932

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 49th Street
22

Turn left onto East 4th Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 4th Avenue
23

Turn right onto East 39th Street

0.2 mi · 49 sec · East 39th Street
24

Arrive at destination

East 39th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 58-minute duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip from Palatka to Hialeah. To make the most of the local driving experience, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic as you approach Hialeah. Since there are no significant highway stretches, your fuel cost of $53 should be fairly predictable, but it's always wise to top off your tank before you leave Palatka. Plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway mark, to break up the frequent turns and stay refreshed for the remainder of the 314.6 miles.

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 152 miles from Palatka, FL, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.1 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 67 miles or 1h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 152 miles or 2h 55m 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Palatka, 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 Palatka, FL

This is one driving day of about 304.1 miles and 5h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Palatka, 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 95 for about 144.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Port Saint Lucie, FL

152 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.

Pacing Suggestions

New Smyrna Beach, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palm Bay, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 152 miles from Palatka, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Boathouse Riverfront Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Palatka, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13863853662

Visit website

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 260.6

Delray Beach, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15614950233

Visit website

Project P.L.A.Y. Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Palatka, Florida

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

Amelia Earhart Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 304.1

Hialeah, Florida

+13056858389

Visit website

Joseph C. Carter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 282.3

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19548285411

Visit website

The Historic Hampton House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 304.1

Miami, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+13056385800

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 195.5

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

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 41.9 and 294 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
41.9 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
186.1 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in

Take the exit toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce

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 129 Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
7
186.5 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
8
187.3 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
8
294 mi into trip | ~5h 33m in

Take the exit toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium

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 2X Toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadiu...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.40 one way

$96.81 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $52.65 $105.31
premium $4.72 $56.55 $113.09
diesel $5.61 $67.14 $134.28

Estimated Tolls: $7.43

Florida's Turnpike (106.2 mi) $7.43

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

$48

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 91.2 1 $31.93 $14.60
Efficient EV 76 0 $26.61 $12.16
EV Truck/SUV 121.6 1 $42.57 $19.46

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

36 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Palatka, FL

Late night in Palatka on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hialeah, FL

Late night in Hialeah on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°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

22 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

5h 52m 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.

Canaveral National Seashore

Canaveral National Seashore

National Seashore

Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...

9 mi from route ~21 min detour $25 near mile 83.9
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
View on nps.gov
Fort Matanzas National Monument

Fort Matanzas National Monument

National Monument

Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free near mile 31.5
View on nps.gov
Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free near mile 304.1
View on nps.gov
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

National Monument

Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...

26 mi from route ~65 min detour $15
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this entire 314.6-mile trip. With a 0% highway share, you won't encounter any high-speed interstate stretches; instead, you'll be on roads like Memorial Bridge, State Street, and Highway 1 for the full duration. This means you'll be actively steering and navigating for most of the 4 hours and 58 minutes. The lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you'll have frequent opportunities to adjust your course and take in more local scenery, rather than long periods of monotonous driving.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.1 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.9 miles in near I 95.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 304.1 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 41.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Palatka, FL and Hialeah, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.

Fort Pierce

186.1 mi in | ~3h 32m

Miami

187.3 mi in | ~3h 35m

Florida's Turnpike South

187.3 mi in | ~3h 35m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 304.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 144.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $7.43 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 Hialeah, 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 41.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Canaveral National Seashore, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Biscayne National Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hialeah, FL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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