Pembroke Pines to Gulf Breeze is 658.5 miles and takes about 12 hours 2 minutes via Florida's Turnpike and I-10, with a fuel budget near $102 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's best as an overnight trip. This long-haul drive takes you entirely within Florida, connecting the southern part of the state to the panhandle. It's a straightforward route, mostly on major highways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll want to plan for at least one overnight stop to make the 12-hour driving time more manageable.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
329.2 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
269.9 mi
4h 49m
Florida's Turnpike
258.5 mi
4h 41m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
Garcon Point Road
8.8 mi
12m
Gulf Breeze Parkway
6.5 mi
11m
Avalon Boulevard
5.5 mi
7m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 269.9 mi, about 4h 49m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,276 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,813
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Pembroke Pines, FL and Gulf Breeze, 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
258 mi·4 hr 40 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 10
270 mi·4 hr 49 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 26Toward CR 191: Milton, BagdadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto CR 191
7.2 mi·10 min·Garcon Point Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto FL 281 Toll
1.6 mi·2 min·Garcon Point Road
15
Continue on FL 281 Toll
5.5 mi·7 min·Avalon Boulevard
16
Turn right onto US 98
6.5 mi·11 min·Gulf Breeze Parkway
17
Continue on US 98
402 ft·18 sec·Gulf Breeze Parkway
18
Turn right
278 ft·20 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 12-hour driving duration, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to cover a significant portion of the distance, perhaps around 6-7 hours of driving. Your planned stop should be somewhere along I-10 in the central part of the state to break up the drive evenly. Ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on the 269.9-mile segment on I-10, as services can be spaced out in certain areas of the panhandle. This route has 3 recommended stops, so factor those in for breaks.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 329.2 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 5h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.9 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 145 miles or 2h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 329.2 miles or 5h 59m 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 329.2 miles or 5h 59m
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 10h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulf Breeze, 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.
+
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 Pembroke Pines, FL
Aim for roughly 329 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Gulf Breeze, FL
Aim for roughly 329 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 145 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 269.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 637.3 — 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
7
259.7 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
366.9 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
367.1 mi into trip|~6h 40m 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
8
637.3 mi into trip|~11h 29m in
Take the exit toward CR 191: Milton, Bagdad
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 26
Toward CR 191: Milton, Bagdad
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$105.88 one way
$211.76 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg230 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$115.50
$230.99
premium
$4.78
$123.97
$247.95
diesel
$6.28
$162.71
$325.41
Estimated Tolls: $18.08
Florida's Turnpike
(258.3 mi)$18.08
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
$106
Tolls
$18
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$254–$364
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 230.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $69 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
197.6
2
$69.14
$31.61
Efficient EV
164.6
1
$57.62
$26.34
EV Truck/SUV
263.4
3
$92.19
$42.14
Gas CO2
230 kg
EV CO2
77 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Late night
in Pembroke Pines on Thursday
Local time
4:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 15 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Gulf Breeze, FL
Late night
in Gulf Breeze on Thursday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
NE 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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.
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
15 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
12h 2m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$25
near mile 658.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 97% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all of your time on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 269.9 miles on I-10, so be prepared for extended periods of cruising. You'll transition from Florida's Turnpike and I-75 onto I-10, which offers a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip. Expect numerous exits and services along I-10 as it passes through various towns and cities in northern Florida.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 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 13 significant decision points across 658.5 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.7 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 366.9 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
149 ft6 ft
Total Climb
208 ft
Total Descent
196 ft
Highest Point
149 ft
~376.3 mi in
Elevation Range
143 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 Pembroke Pines, FL to Gulf Breeze, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tallahassee along the way.
The longest stretch is about 269.9 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 329 miles on day one.
Expect about $18.08 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 61 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 Gulf Breeze, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 61 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 259.7 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 366.9 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 12.0 hours each way, a round trip means 24.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gulf Breeze, FL before the return drive.
