Palm Shores to Port Saint Lucie is 77.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 31 minutes via I 95 and Crosstown Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same state. With 94% of the journey on highways, expect a relatively quick transit. The route is focused on efficient travel, so plan for a functional drive rather than a leisurely exploration. This is a perfect day trip for when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.9 miles from Palm Shores, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
67.5 mi
1h 12m
Crosstown Parkway
4.3 mi
7m
Pineda Causeway
3 mi
5m
US 1
1.6 mi
2m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Southwest Carter Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 67.5 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Shores, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
1
Start on US 1
1.6 mi·2 min·US 1
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward FL 404 WestUse the left lane.
3
Merge onto FL 404
3.0 mi·5 min·Pineda Causeway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: Miami
5
Merge onto I 95
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 120Toward Crosstown ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto Crosstown Parkway
4.3 mi·7 min·Crosstown Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto CR 615
0.2 mi·20 sec·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
9
Turn right onto Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·9 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
10
Arrive at destination
Southwest Carter Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over 1.5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering plenty of flexibility for departure time. You can leave Palm Shores in the morning and arrive in Port Saint Lucie with ample time to spare. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical journey. Since the longest stretch is 67.5 miles on I 95, consider a quick stop for gas or a stretch break just before you hit that segment, or plan for one shortly after, to ensure you're comfortable for the majority of the drive. There are no designated stops mentioned, so you can be spontaneous or plan your own rests.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.9 miles from Palm Shores, FL, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.5 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.9 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Lucie, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palm Shores, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palm Shores, FL
This is one driving day of about 77.9 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Palm Shores, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 67.5 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 73.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward FL 404 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward FL 404 West
5
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in|FL 404 / Pineda Causeway
Merge onto FL 404 / Pineda Causeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.5 mi into trip|~9m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward Crosstown Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 120
Toward Crosstown Parkway
5
73.4 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|Crosstown Parkway
Turn left onto Crosstown Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.40 one way
$24.80 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$13.49
$26.98
premium
$4.72
$14.49
$28.97
diesel
$5.61
$17.20
$34.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.4
0
$8.18
$3.74
Efficient EV
19.5
0
$6.82
$3.12
EV Truck/SUV
31.2
0
$10.91
$4.99
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 16, 2026
Origin
Palm Shores, FL
Afternoon
in Palm Shores on Sunday
Local time
12:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Afternoon
in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
12:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
12 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
1h 31m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the 77.9 miles utilizing major roadways like I 95 and Crosstown Parkway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 67.5 miles on I 95, offering a consistent pace. The profile suggests a drive where efficiency is key, meaning you'll likely be on well-maintained, high-speed roads for the majority of your travel time. While the route prioritizes speed, the inclusion of Pineda Causeway and Crosstown Parkway might offer brief transitions off the main interstate, though the overall character remains decidedly highway-centric.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Crosstown Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 31m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (FL 404 / Pineda Causeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 77.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 67.5 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (FL 404 / Pineda Causeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Port Saint Lucie, FL before heading back.
