Pembroke Pines to Dade City is 248.8 miles and takes about 5h 4m via Florida's Turnpike and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Florida, moving from the southern part of the state toward the central region. Expect a route that is mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance without needing an overnight stop.
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
124.4 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
143 mi
2h 37m
FL 60
61.6 mi
1h 19m
North Florida Avenue
25.5 mi
35m
Bartow Road
11.9 mi
18m
US 98
2.1 mi
3m
7th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Van Fleet Drive
0.6 mi
1m
Broadway Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 143 mi, about 2h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pembroke Pines, FL and Dade City, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·58 sec·Southwest 8th Street
2
Continue on Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
3
Turn right onto SR 820
0.2 mi·31 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, OrlandoUse the right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
6
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
143 mi·2 hr 37 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 193Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
8
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft·6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto FL 60
62 mi·1 hr 19 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.6 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on US 98
12 mi·18 min·Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto US 98
26 mi·35 min·North Florida Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto US 98; US 301
1.1 mi·1 min·US 98; US 301
Toward Dade CityUse the right lane.
15
Continue on US 98; US 301
1.1 mi·1 min·US 98; US 301
16
Enter roundabout onto 7th Street
143 ft·2 sec·7th Street
17
Continue on 7th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·7th Street
18
Turn left onto CR 52
0.4 mi·1 min·Meridian Avenue
19
Turn right onto 14th Street
52 ft·1 sec·14th Street
20
Arrive at destination
14th Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Pembroke Pines to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 143-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as services can be spread out. The fuel cost is estimated around $43, so plan accordingly before you set off.
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 124.4 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.4 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dade City, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pembroke Pines, 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 Pembroke Pines, FL
This is one driving day of about 248.8 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Pembroke Pines, 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 143 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 245.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
6
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
6
144.5 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 193
Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
6
145.2 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
245.5 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|US 98; US 301
Turn right onto US 98; US 301 toward Dade City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Dade City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.66 one way
$75.33 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$41.33
$82.65
premium
$4.55
$44.57
$89.14
diesel
$4.80
$46.98
$93.96
Estimated Tolls: $10.01
Florida's Turnpike
(143 mi)$10.01
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
$38
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.12
$11.94
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.77
$9.95
EV Truck/SUV
99.5
1
$34.83
$15.92
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Evening
in Pembroke Pines on Monday
Local time
8:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
98°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 7 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:32PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Dade City, FL
Evening
in Dade City on Monday
Local time
8:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 9 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:32PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
96°F
Dundee, FL
124 mi in
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
5 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
5h 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 83% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 143 miles on Florida's Turnpike before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a significant number of exits and changes in speed limits as you approach the end of the highway portion and begin navigating FL 60 and North Florida Avenue.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143 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 FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 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 13 significant decision points across 248.8 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 248.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.01 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 13 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 Dade 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dade City, FL before the return drive.
