West Palm Beach Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Palm Bay, FL to Avon Park, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
152.3 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palm Bay, FL
Hetvi Patel
Avon Park, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Palm Bay to Avon Park covers 152.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 56 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $25 on fuel for the trip. The route primarily utilizes Florida's Turnpike, I-95, and Babcock Street Northeast to navigate through the Florida region. Whether you are heading inland for business or a change of scenery, the trip is straightforward and manageable for a solo driver or a small group. It serves as an efficient connection between the coastal area of Palm Bay and the interior landscape of Avon Park.
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
76.2 miles from Palm Bay, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 97.4 mi | 1h 47m |
| I 95 | 43.4 mi | 46m |
| Babcock Street Northeast | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Griffin Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Palm Bay Road Northeast | 2 mi | 4m |
| Okeechobee Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Malabar Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 27th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 97.4 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Bay, FL and Avon Park, FL.
1
Start on Palm Bay Road Northeast
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Palm Bay Road Northeast
2
Turn left onto FL 507
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Babcock Street Northeast
3
Turn right onto FL 514
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Malabar Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
5
Turn sharp left
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 95
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 129
Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto FL 70
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Okeechobee Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
97 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53
Toward SR 818: Griffin Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto SR 818
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Griffin Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn slight left
107 ft
·
4 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Southwest 27th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southwest 27th Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Southwest 27th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While you only strictly need one stop to complete the trip comfortably, taking a break during your 152.3-mile journey helps keep you refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer stretches of the turnpike, as services can be spaced out. Because the route relies so heavily on major thoroughfares, checking local traffic conditions on I-95 before you pull out of your driveway can save you significant time. Planning your single stop in the middle of that 97.4-mile turnpike stretch is a smart way to break up the monotony of the highway driving.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.2 miles from Palm Bay, FL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.2 miles or 1h 28m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avon Park, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay, FL
This is one driving day of about 152.3 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Palm Bay, 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 97.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.2 miles from Palm Bay, 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 97.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pompano Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
40392
0.1 mi from route
40391
0.1 mi from route
Port Saint Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
50382
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
50381
0.7 mi from route
Riverbend Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617411359
Visit websiteIndian Creek Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Jupiter, Florida
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+15617412400
Visit websitePeaceful Waters Sanctuary
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Wellington, Florida
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+15617914005
Visit websiteMorikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Final third
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Moderately
Delray Beach, Florida
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15614950233
Visit websiteAnne Kolb Nature Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Hollywood, Florida
Hours: 8 am–7:30 pm
+19543575161
Visit websiteEscape Room PSL
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 4–10:30 pm
+17726266655
Visit websiteJoseph C. Carter Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19548285411
Visit websiteStuart Heritage Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Halfway reset
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Stuart, Florida
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+17722204600
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 148.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Turn sharp left toward I 95 South: Miami
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 South: Miami
8
49 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
49.5 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
50.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
7
148.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward SR 818: Griffin Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53
Toward SR 818: Griffin Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.24 one way
$48.48 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $26.37 | $52.74 |
| premium | $4.72 | $28.32 | $56.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.63 | $67.25 |
Estimated Tolls: $6.82
Florida's Turnpike
(97.4 mi)
$6.82
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
$24
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.99 | $7.31 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.33 | $6.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.32 | $9.75 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Palm Bay, FL
Late night in Palm Bay on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Avon Park, FL
Late night in Avon Park on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 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
1 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
2h 56m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
With 92% of this trip spent on highways, the route is designed for steady, consistent cruising rather than winding backroads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 97.4 miles along Florida's Turnpike. The experience shifts from the initial local navigation on Babcock Street Northeast to the high-speed corridors of the turnpike and I-95. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical turns or scenic detours. Staying alert is key, as the vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent maintaining highway speeds through the Florida landscape.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.4 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 5.1 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 152.3 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 5.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
30 ft
4 ft
Total Climb
8 ft
Total Descent
34 ft
Highest Point
30 ft
~32.6 mi in
Elevation Range
26 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Palm Bay, FL and Avon Park, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.
Fort Pierce
49 mi in
|
~57m
Miami
50.3 mi in
|
~1h
Florida's Turnpike South
50.3 mi in
|
~1h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 152.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m 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 97.4 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.82 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.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
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 Avon Park, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Avon Park, FL before heading back.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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