Alachua County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Palm Bay, FL to East Pensacola Heights, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 29m
Distance
511.5 mi
823 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
25 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 21m
★
6 AM
9h 30m
8 AM
9h 47m
10 AM
9h 36m
12 PM
9h 34m
3 PM
9h 36m
5 PM
9h 46m
8 PM
9h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palm Bay, FL
Hetvi Patel
East Pensacola Heights, FL
Brent Singleton
Trip Overview
Palm Bay to East Pensacola Heights is 511.5 miles and takes about 9h 29m via I 75, I 10, and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $80 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans across the state of Florida, connecting two distinct regions within the Sunshine State. Given its duration, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Expect a consistent travel experience primarily on major interstates, making it a straightforward option for reaching your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
255.7 miles from Palm Bay, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 279.6 mi | 4h 59m |
| I 75 | 106.9 mi | 1h 54m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| New Haven Avenue | 37 mi | 44m |
| Scenic Highway | 6 mi | 11m |
| Palm Bay Road Northeast | 4 mi | 7m |
| I 95 | 3.6 mi | 3m |
| Bronson Highway | 3.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 279.6 mi, about 4h 59m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,268 veh/hr typical · worst 1,749
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Bay, FL and East Pensacola Heights, FL.
1
Start on Palm Bay Road Northeast
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Palm Bay Road Northeast
2
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
3
Merge onto I 95
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 95
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 180
Toward US 192: West Melbourne, Melbourne
Use the slight right lane.
5
Continue on US 192
37 mi
·
44 min
·
New Haven Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on US 192; US 441
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 192; US 441
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
8
Continue on US 192; US 441
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 192; US 441
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Bronson Highway
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
12
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
Use the straight lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
107 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 10
280 mi
·
4 hr 59 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17
Toward US 90: Pensacola, Pace
19
Turn right onto US 90
6.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Scenic Highway
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto East Gonzalez Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Gonzalez Street
21
Turn right onto Knowles Avenue
182 ft
·
8 sec
·
Knowles Avenue
22
Turn right
96 ft
·
7 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of over 9 hours, splitting this trip into two days is the most sensible approach. Aim to depart early on your first day to cover a significant portion, perhaps around 5-6 hours of driving. This allows for a relaxed evening before continuing your journey. Plan for at least two stops to refuel and stretch your legs, especially during that long stretch on I 10. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be more spread out on certain segments of I 10.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 255.7 miles from Palm Bay, FL, or about 4h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 279.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 113 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 255.7 miles or 4h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 255.7 miles or 4h 49m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Pensacola Heights, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palm Bay, FL
Aim for roughly 256 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into East Pensacola Heights, FL
Aim for roughly 256 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Palm Bay, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 279.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
169 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
338 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Tallahassee, FLOvernight Options
Night 1
256 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Gainesville, FL after about 256 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 255.7 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 I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 279.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 256 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
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.
Turkey Lake Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Leon County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Leon County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Okaloosa County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Jackson County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Jackson County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Madison County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Madison County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Alachua County Rest Area (I-75 southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Okahumpka Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0.2 mi from route
Jefferson County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Santa Rosa County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Okaloosa County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area (I-75 northbound)
0.2 mi from route
Marion County Rest Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Ponce de Leon Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Busy Bee Truck Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Santa Rosa County Rest Area Westbound
0.3 mi from route
Suwannee County Rest Area Eastbound
0.3 mi from route
Wildwood I-75 Weigh Station Northbound
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Gadsden County Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Holmes County Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 504.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward US 192: West Melbourne, Melbourne
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 180
Toward US 192: West Melbourne, Melbourne
7
117.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
8
224.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
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 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
8
224.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
6
504.8 mi into trip
|
~9h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 90: Pensacola, Pace
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 17
Toward US 90: Pensacola, Pace
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.43 one way
$154.86 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
179 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $84.96 | $169.92 |
| premium | $4.55 | $91.63 | $183.25 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $96.58 | $193.16 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.47
Florida's Turnpike
(63.8 mi)
$4.47
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
$77
Tolls
$4
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 179 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
25 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Melbourne, FL - Norfolk Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Melbourne, FL
Tesla
20 DCFC
Orlando Lake Nona MP.HPC
Orlando, FL
MERCEDES_BENZ
20 DCFC
Kissimmee, FL - West Osceola Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Kissimmee, FL
Tesla
16 DCFC
West Melbourne, FL - Tesla Supercharger
West Melbourne, FL
Tesla
8 DCFC
Melbourne, FL - Tesla Supercharger
Melbourne, FL
Tesla
8 DCFC
FPL EVolution - Seaside Centre
Indialantic, FL
FPLEV
4 DCFC
Gary Yeomans Ford Palm Bay
Palm Bay, FL
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Comfort Suites
Palm Bay, FL
FPLEV
4 DCFC
EV Connect: 5
FPLEV: 4
ChargePoint Network: 4
Tesla: 4
Blink Network: 1
Electrify America: 1
eVgo Network: 1
7CHARGE: 1
CHARGEUP: 1
FORD_CHARGE: 1
MERCEDES_BENZ: 1
Non-Networked: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 153.5 | 1 | $53.71 | $24.55 |
| Efficient EV | 127.9 | 1 | $44.76 | $20.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 204.6 | 2 | $71.61 | $32.74 |
Gas CO2
179 kg
EV CO2
60 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.
Origin
Palm Bay, FL
Late night in Palm Bay on Sunday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
East Pensacola Heights, FL
Late night in East Pensacola Heights on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 5 mph
31% chance
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
9h 29m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$25
near mile 511.5
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure
Caution: Road workers on Park Road in Davis Bayou
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the route on major roads like I 10 and I 75. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 279.6 miles on I 10, so be prepared for extended periods of cruising. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads as you approach your destination, meaning you'll see a change in traffic density and speed limits.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 279.6 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 511.5 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 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
170 ft
17 ft
Total Climb
302 ft
Total Descent
275 ft
Highest Point
170 ft
~73.1 mi in
Elevation Range
153 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 East Pensacola Heights, FL, road signs point toward Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll, Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala and Tallahassee.
Ocala
52.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Miami
52.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Florida's Turnpike Toll
52.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
53 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Tallahassee
224.7 mi in
|
~4h 15m
About the Cities
Starting in Palm Bay, FL
Full guide →Founded 1960
Palm Bay is the largest city in Brevard County, with a population of over 115,000 in 2019. It is the core of the Palm Bay Metropolitan Area.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 279.6 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 256 miles on day one.
Expect about $4.47 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 49 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 East Pensacola Heights, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 49 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Pensacola Heights, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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