Palm Bay to Wilton Manors is 143.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 50 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you primarily on major highways as you travel south through Florida. You'll be on a highway-focused route for about 90% of the journey, making it a straightforward trip between these two Florida locations. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a convenient option for a quick hop down the coast.
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
71.9 miles from Palm Bay, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
84.9 mi
1h 32m
I 95
43.4 mi
46m
South Powerline Road
3.2 mi
6m
Babcock Street Northeast
2.5 mi
4m
Palm Bay Road Northeast
2 mi
4m
South Pompano Parkway
1 mi
1m
West Oakland Park Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Northwest 31st Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Bay, FL and Wilton Manors, 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
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·6 sec
Toward East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard
15
Continue on Northwest 31st Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
At end of road, turn left onto SR 814
0.6 mi·1 min·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto SR 845
1.0 mi·1 min·South Pompano Parkway
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on SR 845
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Powerline Road
19
Continue on SR 845
3.2 mi·6 min·South Powerline Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto SR 816
1.0 mi·2 min·West Oakland Park Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Northeast 6th Avenue
0.4 mi·55 sec·Northeast 6th Avenue
22
Turn right onto Northeast 27th Court
137 ft·6 sec·Northeast 27th Court
23
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Terrace
190 ft·8 sec·Northeast 5th Terrace
24
Continue on Northeast 5th Terrace
163 ft·7 sec·Northeast 5th Terrace
25
Arrive at destination
Northeast 5th Terrace
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 50 minute drive time and 143.8 miles, this trip is easily doable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The longest stretch without a major road change is 84.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before embarking on that segment. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $23, it's a budget-friendly trip, and you'll likely only need one stop for gas and a quick break.
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 71.9 miles from Palm Bay, FL, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilton Manors, 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 143.8 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 84.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 135.6 — 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
8
135.6 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther King Boulevard
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 67
Toward Coconut Creek Parkway, Martin Luther Kin...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.48 one way
$46.97 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$26.02
$52.04
premium
$4.90
$27.72
$55.44
diesel
$4.35
$24.63
$49.25
Estimated Tolls: $5.94
Florida's Turnpike
(84.9 mi)$5.94
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
$23
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.1
0
$15.10
$6.90
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.58
$5.75
EV Truck/SUV
57.5
0
$20.13
$9.20
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Palm Bay, FL
Late night
in Palm Bay on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Wilton Manors, FL
Late night
in Wilton Manors on Sunday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°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 50m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major interstates and turnpikes. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted 84.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike. Expect a driving experience that is largely about covering ground efficiently, with minimal deviations from the fast-paced highway environment. The journey progresses by transitioning from Florida's Turnpike onto I-95, offering a predictable and direct path south.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 143.8 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.
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 Wilton Manors, 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 50m. Total distance: 143.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.94 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 Wilton Manors, 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 Wilton Manors, FL before heading back.
