Trip from Pembroke Pines, FL to South Sarasota, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
210.1 mi
338 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pembroke Pines, FL
Wikimedia Commons
South Sarasota, FL
Jeffrey Eisen
Trip Overview
Pembroke Pines to South Sarasota is 210.1 miles and takes about 3h 56m via I 75 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, primarily utilizing major expressways to connect South Florida with the Gulf Coast. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it’s a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads, making it an efficient way to cover the distance.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
105.1 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 186.4 mi | 3h 19m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Clark Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Swift Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Proctor Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 64th Way | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Tamiami Trail | 0.4 mi | <1m |
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
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 South Sarasota, FL.
Start on Southwest 8th Street
Continue on Southwest 64th Way
Turn right onto SR 820
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 595
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto FL 72
Continue on FL 72
Turn right onto Swift Road
Turn left onto CR 72A
Turn right onto US 41
Continue on US 41
Turn right onto Fiesta Drive
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of under 4 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow ample daylight for the drive, and you can plan your fuel stops efficiently, keeping in mind the estimated $33 cost. The longest stretch without a major break is on I 75, so consider a brief stop before embarking on that 186.4-mile segment. Since you're staying within Florida, you won't encounter significant weather changes, but always check local traffic conditions before you depart.
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.
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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Sarasota, 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 210.1 miles and 3h 56m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 105.1 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Collier County Rest Area Southbound
Charlotte County Truck Stop Northbound
Pilot Travel Center
Collier County Rest Area Southbound
Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Northbound
Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Southbound
Broward County Rest Area
10280
Love's Travel Stop
Pilot Travel Center
Service Plaza
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 7.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.80 one way
$63.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $34.90 | $69.80 |
| premium | $4.55 | $37.64 | $75.27 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.67 | $79.34 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63 | 0 | $22.06 | $10.08 |
| Efficient EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84 | 1 | $29.41 | $13.45 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Morning in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
7:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
South Sarasota, FL
Morning in South Sarasota on Sunday
Local time
7:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
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
3 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
3h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the 210.1 miles on high-speed roads like I 75 and Florida's Turnpike. You'll experience a long stretch of 186.4 miles on I 75 without significant breaks. Expect a consistent cruising speed for the majority of your trip. The transition to surface roads will occur near your destination, where exits become more frequent.
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.
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 16 significant decision points across 210.1 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 6.3 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
Total Climb
32 ft
Total Descent
23 ft
Highest Point
30 ft
~150.1 mi in
Elevation Range
24 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Pembroke Pines, FL
Full guide →Founded 1956
Broward County is in the Greater Miami region of Florida.
Arriving in South Sarasota, FL
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 210.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From South Sarasota, FL
More trips to South Sarasota, FL
Explore more options from Pembroke Pines, FL or browse trips ending in South Sarasota, FL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.