Pembroke Pines to Lake Mary is 235.2 miles and takes about 4h 25m via Florida's Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the southern part of the state up towards the central region. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, it's a convenient option for a single-day excursion.
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
117.6 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
102.5 mi
1h 53m
I 95
76 mi
1h 21m
Beachline Expressway
25.7 mi
27m
Central Florida GreeneWay
11.3 mi
12m
Seminole Expressway
11.1 mi
11m
West Lake Mary Boulevard
1.9 mi
3m
East Lake Mary Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 102.5 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pembroke Pines, FL and Lake Mary, 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
102 mi·1 hr 53 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·53 sec
Exit 152Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero BeachUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft·5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
9
Merge onto FL 70
0.3 mi·35 sec·Okeechobee Road
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 95
76 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 205ABToward FL 528, FL 528 Toll: Port Canaveral, OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward FL 528 West Toll: OrlandoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·43 sec
Exit 205BToward FL 528 Toll West: OrlandoUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto FL 528
26 mi·27 min·Beachline Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 16Toward FL 417: Orlando, Tampa, Disney World, SanfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward FL 417 Toll North: Orlando, SanfordUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto FL 417 Toll
11 mi·12 min·Central Florida GreeneWay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on FL 417 Toll
11 mi·11 min·Seminole Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 49Toward CR 427: Orlando Sanford International Airport, Lake Mary BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·27 sec·this road
Toward FL 417 Toll NorthUse the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto East Lake Mary Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·East Lake Mary Boulevard
24
Continue on West Lake Mary Boulevard
1.9 mi·3 min·West Lake Mary Boulevard
25
Turn right onto Palmetto Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Palmetto Street
26
Arrive at destination
Palmetto Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 25m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. You'll want to plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when on Florida's Turnpike, as services can sometimes be spaced out. The $37 fuel cost is an estimate, so factoring in a little extra is always wise. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to depart a little later if needed, but aim to reach Lake Mary before dark.
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 117.6 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.5 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.6 miles or 2h 13m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Mary, 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 235.2 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 102.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 182.1 — 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
8
103.9 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
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 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
8
181.5 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward FL 528, FL 528 Toll: Port Canaveral, Orlando
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 205AB
Toward FL 528, FL 528 Toll: Port Canaveral, Orl...
8
181.8 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 528 West Toll: Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 528 West Toll: Orlando
9
182.1 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 528 Toll West: Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 205B
Toward FL 528 Toll West: Orlando
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.44 one way
$74.88 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$40.72
$81.45
premium
$4.72
$43.73
$87.47
diesel
$5.61
$51.93
$103.86
Estimated Tolls: $7.17
Florida's Turnpike
(102.5 mi)$7.17
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
$37
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.6
0
$24.70
$11.29
Efficient EV
58.8
0
$20.58
$9.41
EV Truck/SUV
94.1
1
$32.93
$15.05
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Late night
in Pembroke Pines on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lake Mary, FL
Late night
in Lake Mary on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°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
19 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
4h 25m 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.
Canaveral National Seashore
National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$25
near mile 186.5
Caution: Pavement Project- Playalinda District
Park Closure: Limited Access to Apollo District Parking Lots 2 and 3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 92% highway, so expect continuous travel on high-speed roads for the bulk of your trip. The longest stretch without a major change in direction is 102.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike. You'll encounter a high density of exits and merges as you navigate between different major arteries like I-95 and the Beachline Expressway. The transition to surface roads will only occur for a brief portion of the drive as you approach your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.5 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 235.2 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 103.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pembroke Pines, FL and Lake Mary, FL, road signs point toward Vero Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Disney World and Sanford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 235.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.17 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Lake Mary, 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Mary, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
