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Trip from Pembroke Pines, FL to South Sarasota, FL

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Compiled 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

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Pembroke Pines, FL, FL

Pembroke Pines, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown South Sarasota, FL, FL

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
Longest stretch: I 75 — 186.4 mi, about 3h 19m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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.

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, Orlando Use 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 54 Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward SR 84 West, I 595 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 595 West Use 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

186 mi · 3 hr 19 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 205 Toward FL 72: Siesta Key, Arcadia
13

Keep slight left at fork

468 ft · 13 sec
Toward FL 72 West
14

Turn straight onto FL 72

3.9 mi · 6 min · Clark Road
15

Continue on FL 72

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Stickney Point Road
16

Turn right onto Swift Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · Swift Road
17

Turn left onto CR 72A

1.0 mi · 1 min · Proctor Road
18

Turn right onto US 41

0.2 mi · 29 sec · South Tamiami Trail
19

Continue on US 41

0.1 mi · 23 sec · South Tamiami Trail
20

Turn right onto Fiesta Drive

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Fiesta Drive
21

Arrive at destination

Fiesta Drive

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 105.1 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 186.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Estero, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Estero, FL

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

Bonita Springs, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Estero, FL

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

10270

0.1 mi from route

Collier County Rest Area Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Charlotte County Truck Stop Northbound

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Collier County Rest Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Northbound

0.2 mi from route

Big Cypress National Preserve Access Area Southbound

0.2 mi from route

Broward County Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

10280

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from 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 7.4 — 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
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.80 one way

$63.61 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
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

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

$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.

Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026

Origin

Pembroke Pines, FL

Morning in Pembroke Pines on Sunday

Local time

7:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 6 to 12 mph 12% chance Live forecast

Destination

South Sarasota, FL

Morning in South Sarasota on Sunday

Local time

7:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 10 mph 58% chance 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

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

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...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 210.1
View on nps.gov

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.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.4 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 Effort 9/10

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 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

30 ft 6 ft

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

The longest stretch is about 186.4 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 12 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 South Sarasota, 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 12 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 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.

Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at South Sarasota, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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