Pembroke Pines to Ruskin is 242.6 miles and takes about 4h 27m via I 75 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, starting in the south and heading north. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you want to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits for most people.
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
121.3 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
221.7 mi
3h 57m
Port Everglades Expressway
9.1 mi
10m
Florida's Turnpike
4.9 mi
5m
College Avenue
3 mi
4m
Tamiami Trail
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Hollywood Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 221.7 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Ruskin, 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
4.9 mi·5 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 54Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward SR 84 West, I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 595
9.1 mi·10 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 75
222 mi·3 hr 57 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 240Toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City CenterUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Ruskin
14
Turn straight onto FL 674
0.1 mi·10 sec·Sun City Center Boulevard
15
Continue on FL 674
3.0 mi·4 min·College Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 41
0.5 mi·1 min·Tamiami Trail
17
Turn right onto Shell Point Road East
207 ft·11 sec·Shell Point Road East
18
Turn left
53 ft·3 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 27m estimated driving time, starting your trip in the morning is recommended to allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of time to break up the drive as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 221.7-mile stretch on I 75, as services can be spaced out. The fuel cost estimate of $38 is based on average prices, so adjust if you know your vehicle's specific consumption.
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 121.3 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.7 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.3 miles or 2h 14m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ruskin, 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 242.6 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 I 75 for about 221.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 238.3 — 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
8
6.3 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 595, SR 84, US 441
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 54
Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441
8
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 84 West, I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 84 West, I 595 West
7
7.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
8
238.3 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
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 240
Toward FL 674: Ruskin, Sun City Center
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.72 one way
$73.45 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$40.30
$80.59
premium
$4.55
$43.46
$86.92
diesel
$4.80
$45.81
$91.61
Estimated Tolls: $0.34
Florida's Turnpike
(4.9 mi)$0.34
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.8
0
$25.47
$11.64
Efficient EV
60.7
0
$21.23
$9.70
EV Truck/SUV
97
1
$33.96
$15.53
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 18, 2026
Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Morning
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 7 to 13 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ruskin, FL
Morning
in Ruskin on Sunday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 9 to 14 mph65% chanceLive 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
2 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 27m 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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 225.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the trip on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on I 75, including one continuous stretch of 221.7 miles. Expect a high concentration of exits and merges as you navigate this extensive highway section. The final 3% of the drive will be on surface roads as you approach your destination.
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: 221.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. 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 14 significant decision points across 242.6 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 242.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.34 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 15 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 Ruskin, 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 15 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Ruskin, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
