Pembroke Pines to Port Saint Joe is 526.7 miles and takes about 10h 37m via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $83 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from South Florida up through the heart of the state, ending on the Panhandle. It's a long-haul drive, best split over two days for a more relaxed pace. You'll want to plan your overnight stop around the halfway point or a bit beyond. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path across Florida, with a significant portion on well-maintained highways.
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
263.3 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
258.5 mi
4h 41m
Young Boulevard
66.5 mi
1h 25m
Hampton Springs Avenue
54.4 mi
1h 11m
US 27
48 mi
1h 1m
US 319
32.6 mi
49m
I 75
24.6 mi
26m
Avenue E
22.7 mi
31m
Sopchoppy Highway
17 mi
24m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 258.5 mi, about 4h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pembroke Pines, FL and Port Saint Joe, 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
25 mi·26 min·I 75
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 27: Ocala, Williston
10
Keep slight left at fork
295 ft·9 sec
Toward US 27 North: WillistonUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto US 27
48 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
0.1 mi·15 sec·Main Street
13
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
67 mi·1 hr 25 min·Young Boulevard
14
Turn left onto US 98
54 mi·1 hr 11 min·Hampton Springs Avenue
15
Turn slight right onto US 319
6.5 mi·9 min·Sopchoppy Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 319
11 mi·14 min·Sopchoppy Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 319
33 mi·49 min·US 319
18
Turn left onto US 98
23 mi·31 min·Avenue E
19
Continue on US 98
0.4 mi·52 sec·Monument Avenue
20
Turn right onto FL 71
283 ft·12 sec·Cecil G Costin Senior Boulevard
21
Continue on FL 71
197 ft·11 sec·Cecil G Costin Senior Boulevard
22
Arrive at destination
FL 71
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning from Pembroke Pines to maximize your daylight hours. Plan to stop for the night around the halfway mark, approximately 5-6 hours into your drive. This allows for a comfortable pace and avoids fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 258.5-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. Having a rough idea of your overnight location before you leave will streamline your planning.
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 263.3 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 4h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.5 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 116 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 263.3 miles or 4h 48m 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 263.3 miles or 4h 48m
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 9h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Joe, 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 263 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Port Saint Joe, FL
Aim for roughly 263 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 116 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 258.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 284.8 — 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
5
1.5 mi into trip|~4m in|Florida's Turnpike
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
284.8 mi into trip|~5h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 27 North: Williston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 27 North: Williston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.73 one way
$159.46 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg184 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$87.49
$174.97
premium
$4.55
$94.35
$188.70
diesel
$4.80
$99.45
$198.90
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
$80
Tolls
$18
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$228–$338
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 184.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
158
1
$55.30
$25.28
Efficient EV
131.7
1
$46.09
$21.07
EV Truck/SUV
210.7
2
$73.74
$33.71
Gas CO2
184 kg
EV CO2
62 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Late night
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 6 to 9 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:02PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:59PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Port Saint Joe, FL
Late night
in Port Saint Joe on Sunday
Local time
4:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
W 15 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:02PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:59PM 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 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
10h 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 69% of the 526.7 miles on major roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of uninterrupted highway at 258.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike. After this, you'll transition to surface roads, including segments on Young Boulevard and Hampton Springs Avenue. Expect a shift from high-speed cruising to more local traffic and variable speed limits as you approach your destination.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 258.5 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 10h 37m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. 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 16 significant decision points across 526.7 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 1.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
115 ft6 ft
Total Climb
133 ft
Total Descent
133 ft
Highest Point
115 ft
~225.7 mi in
Elevation Range
109 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 Port Saint Joe, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Williston along the way.
The longest stretch is about 258.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike. 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 263 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.
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 Port Saint Joe, 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. 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 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.6 hours each way, a round trip means 21.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Saint Joe, FL before the return drive.
