Spanning 153.6 miles across Florida, this trip from Palm Bay to Cooper City is an efficient journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 59 minutes. Because the route is compact and straightforward, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $26 on fuel for the trek, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily utilize Florida’s Turnpike and I-95 to navigate between these two points. Since the drive is entirely within the state of Florida, you can anticipate consistent road conditions and signage throughout your travel.
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
76.8 miles from Palm Bay, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
97.4 mi
1h 47m
I 95
43.4 mi
46m
Griffin Road
3.4 mi
6m
Babcock Street Northeast
2.5 mi
4m
Palm Bay Road Northeast
2 mi
4m
Okeechobee Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Southwest 90th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Malabar Road
0.4 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 Cooper City, 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: MiamiUse 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 129Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort PierceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
492 ft·12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: OkeechobeeUse 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 SouthUse 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 53Toward SR 818: Griffin RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto SR 818
3.4 mi·6 min·Griffin Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Southwest 90th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 90th Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Southwest 51st Street
474 ft·26 sec·Southwest 51st Street
17
Turn left
103 ft·7 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the three-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but leaving early helps you avoid the heaviest traffic common on these major Florida arteries. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the majority of your time is spent behind the wheel on the highway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the long 97.4-mile segment of the Turnpike to ensure you don't run low during that extended stretch. Since the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it in one go, but don't hesitate to take a break if you feel fatigued. Always double-check your GPS for live updates on I-95 congestion, as traffic patterns can shift quickly in this busy region.
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 76.8 miles from Palm Bay, FL, or about 1h 29m 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 76.8 miles or 1h 29m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cooper City, 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 153.6 miles and 2h 59m.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 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
$24.45 one way
$48.90 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$26.60
$53.19
premium
$4.72
$28.56
$57.12
diesel
$5.61
$33.91
$67.83
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: 53.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.1
0
$16.13
$7.37
Efficient EV
38.4
0
$13.44
$6.14
EV Truck/SUV
61.4
0
$21.50
$9.83
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 15, 2026
Origin
Palm Bay, FL
Morning
in Palm Bay on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cooper City, FL
Morning
in Cooper City on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
8 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 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this trip takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on Florida’s Turnpike, which features a long, uninterrupted 97.4-mile stretch that allows for steady cruising. The route eventually transitions into Griffin Road as you approach your destination, offering a brief change of pace from the high-speed interstate environment. This drive is designed for speed and directness rather than winding scenic detours. Prepare for a predictable, consistent flow that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal technical navigation.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 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 15 significant decision points across 153.6 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
29 ft4 ft
Total Climb
6 ft
Total Descent
31 ft
Highest Point
29 ft
~11 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.
Between Palm Bay, FL and Cooper City, 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 59m. Total distance: 153.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m 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.
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 Cooper City, 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 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 Cooper City, FL before heading back.
