Origin
Palatka, FL
Late night in Palatka on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palatka, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
199.9 mi
322 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palatka, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
This 199.9-mile drive from Palatka to Port Saint Lucie is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through Florida that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 51 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. The route predominantly utilizes I-95, making it a quick transit, though it also incorporates sections of FL 100 and US Highway 1. This drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, and is best suited for those who prefer efficient travel over extensive sightseeing.
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
100 miles from Palatka, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 153.2 mi | 2h 44m |
| FL 100 | 23.8 mi | 30m |
| US Highway 1 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| State Street | 6 mi | 8m |
| Memorial Bridge | 5 mi | 8m |
| Crosstown Parkway | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Reid Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Southeast Airoso Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 153.2 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palatka, FL and Port Saint Lucie, 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
153 mi
·
2 hr 44 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 120
Toward Crosstown Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto Crosstown Parkway
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Crosstown Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto CR 615
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
12
Turn right onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft
·
9 sec
·
Southwest Carter Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 51-minute duration, starting your drive from Palatka in the morning is recommended to maximize your day in Port Saint Lucie. Plan for one significant stop, as the longest stretch without a break is over 150 miles. While the highway share is high, keep an eye out for the transition from FL 100 or US Highway 1 onto I-95, as this is where you’ll need to be most attentive. With a fuel cost of around $32, ensure your tank is full before departing Palatka to minimize stops and maintain your schedule.
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 100 miles from Palatka, FL, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.2 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 44 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 1h 59m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Lucie, 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 199.9 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 153.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100 miles from Palatka, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 199.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
5.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
FL 100
Turn left onto FL 100
Navigation decision point
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.
7
195.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward Crosstown Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 120
Toward Crosstown Parkway
5
195.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
|
Crosstown Parkway
Turn left onto Crosstown Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
199.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
Southwest Carter Avenue
Turn right onto Southwest Carter Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.82 one way
$63.64 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $34.61 | $69.23 |
| premium | $4.72 | $37.17 | $74.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.14 | $88.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60 | 0 | $20.99 | $9.60 |
| Efficient EV | 50 | 0 | $17.49 | $8.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80 | 0 | $27.99 | $12.79 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Late night in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
7 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 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
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
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 82.7
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 27.6
View on nps.gov
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 highway-focused experience for 94% of this 199.9-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on I-95, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 153.2 miles. This section offers a consistent pace, ideal for covering ground efficiently. While the primary focus is interstate travel, you'll also encounter segments of FL 100 and US Highway 1, which may offer a slight change of scenery and pace before rejoining the main highway. This route is designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic detours.
94% 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: 153.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and FL 100. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near FL 100.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 51m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (FL 100): Navigation decision point; at 41.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 199.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.2 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 5.6 miles (FL 100): Navigation decision point; at 41.9 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Port Saint Lucie, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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