Spanning 274.3 miles across Florida, this drive connects Palm Harbor to Hollywood in approximately 5 hours and 9 minutes. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You will primarily utilize I-75 and US Highway 19, with a notable crossing over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Budgeting roughly $46 for fuel should cover your expenses for the journey. Since this route remains entirely within Florida, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the Gulf Coast toward the Atlantic side of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
137.2 miles from Palm Harbor, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.3 mi
3h 44m
US Highway 19
13.8 mi
19m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
13.4 mi
15m
Port Everglades Expressway
12.4 mi
14m
I 275
11.2 mi
14m
US Highway 19 North
4.4 mi
6m
I 95
3.8 mi
4m
Nebraska Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Harbor, FL and Hollywood, FL.
1
Start on Florida Avenue
71 ft·5 sec·Florida Avenue
2
Turn right onto Omaha Street
357 ft·14 sec·Omaha Street
3
Turn right onto CR 776
1.5 mi·2 min·Nebraska Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 19
14 mi·19 min·US Highway 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19
4.4 mi·6 min·US Highway 19 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 19
0.6 mi·1 min·34th Street North
7
Turn left onto 54th Avenue North
0.8 mi·1 min·54th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 275 SouthUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 275
10 mi·11 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·17 sec
11
Merge onto I 275; US 19
13 mi·15 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 275
1.1 mi·2 min·I 275
Toward I 75 South: Naples
13
Merge onto I 75
28 mi·30 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
12 mi·14 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 10BToward I 95 South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
18
Merge onto I 95
3.8 mi·4 min·I 95
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 20Toward SR 820: Hollywood BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto SR 820
0.6 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on SR 820
391 ft·5 sec·SR 820
22
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.5 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Arrive at destination
SR 820
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour trek, plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the long interstate segments. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid peak traffic congestion, especially when moving between major metropolitan areas. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as prices and availability can fluctuate along the 209.3-mile I-75 stretch. Given the high highway percentage, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds. Use the flexibility of this one-day trip to time your departure around local rush hours for a much smoother arrival in Hollywood.
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 137.2 miles from Palm Harbor, FL, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.3 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 60 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollywood, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palm Harbor, 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 Harbor, FL
This is one driving day of about 274.3 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Palm Harbor, 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 75 for about 209.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First break
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
St. Petersburg, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–3 AM
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.4 and 273.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
15.4 mi into trip|~22m in|US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Keep slight left at fork onto US 19 / US Highway 19 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
255.6 mi into trip|~4h 45m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
268 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
272.7 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20
Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
7
273.8 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.52 one way
$83.05 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$45.56
$91.12
premium
$4.55
$49.14
$98.27
diesel
$4.80
$51.79
$103.59
Estimated Tolls: $0.94
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(13.4 mi)$0.94
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
$42
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.3
1
$28.80
$13.17
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.00
$10.97
EV Truck/SUV
109.7
1
$38.40
$17.56
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Palm Harbor, FL
Afternoon
in Palm Harbor on Sunday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 2 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:36PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Hollywood, FL
Afternoon
in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 3 to 9 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:36PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
4 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
5h 9m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 37.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 93% of this trip takes place on major thoroughfares. The journey features a significant 209.3-mile stretch on I-75, which serves as the primary artery for your travel. While the initial leg involves navigating US Highway 19, the route quickly transitions into a high-speed interstate grind. You should prepare for a consistent, straightforward driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads. The transition from local highways to the interstate allows for steady cruising, making this a functional rather than scenic-heavy drive.
93% 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: 209.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US Highway 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.4 miles in near US 19 / US Highway 19 North.
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 19 significant decision points across 274.3 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 15.4 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
51 ft7 ft
Total Climb
46 ft
Total Descent
88 ft
Highest Point
51 ft
Elevation Range
44 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Palm Harbor, FL to Hollywood, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Hollywood is a city in Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. With a population of 153,000 people (2022), Hollywood is a relatively small city that retains an old, laid-back, Florida feel to it compared to the larger cities in the area.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District — human settlement in Hollywood, Florida, United States of America
•Hollywood Garden Club — clubhouse in Hollywood, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 274.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.94 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 18 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 Hollywood, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.4 miles (US 19 / US Highway 19 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hollywood, FL before the return drive.
