Origin
Port Charlotte, FL
Morning in Port Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Port Charlotte, FL to Hollywood, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
170 mi
274 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Port Charlotte, FL
Jose Valverde
Trip Overview
Port Charlotte to Hollywood is 170 miles and takes about 3 hours and 11 minutes via I-75, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive connects two points within Florida, offering a direct path between these southern cities. Expect a straightforward journey primarily on interstates, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. The route is designed for efficiency, allowing you to cover the distance without significant detours. Consider this a dependable option when you need to get from point A to point B without complications.
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
85 miles from Port Charlotte, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 144.9 mi | 2h 35m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| I 95 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Tamiami Trail | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Olympia Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Hollywood Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Cross Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| SR 820 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 144.9 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Charlotte, FL and Hollywood, FL.
1
Start on US 41
121 ft
·
9 sec
·
Tamiami Trail
2
Continue on US 41
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Tamiami Trail
3
Continue on US 41
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Cross Street
4
Turn left onto US 17
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Olympia Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South: Naples
6
Merge onto I 75
145 mi
·
2 hr 35 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 10B
Toward I 95 South: Miami
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
10
Merge onto I 95
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 95
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 20
Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto SR 820
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on SR 820
391 ft
·
5 sec
·
SR 820
14
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Hollywood Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
SR 820
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 11-minute duration, leaving Port Charlotte anytime in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to reach Hollywood with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $27, you have flexibility in your timing. The longest stretch on I-75 is nearly 145 miles, so plan your last fuel stop before embarking on that segment. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 85 miles from Port Charlotte, FL, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.9 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollywood, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Port Charlotte, 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 Port Charlotte, FL
This is one driving day of about 170 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Port Charlotte, 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 144.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85 miles from Port Charlotte, 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 144.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 169.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
151.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
163.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Miami
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 95 South: Miami
7
168.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20
Toward SR 820: Hollywood Boulevard
7
169.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.06 one way
$54.12 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $29.44 | $58.87 |
| premium | $4.72 | $31.61 | $63.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.53 | $75.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51 | 0 | $17.85 | $8.16 |
| Efficient EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.87 | $6.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68 | 0 | $23.80 | $10.88 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Hollywood, FL
Morning in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
E 7 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
77°F
Naples, FL
85 mi in
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
8 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 11m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the journey on major interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I-75, including a significant stretch of 144.9 miles without needing to exit. The drive is characterized by its fast-paced nature, allowing for consistent speeds. Transitioning to the Port Everglades Expressway and I-95 near the destination keeps the momentum going. Expect a predictable driving experience geared towards covering ground quickly.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 6.4 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 170 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 6.4 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Port Charlotte, FL to Hollywood, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Fort Lauderdale
151.3 mi in
|
~2h 47m
|
via I 595
About the Cities
Starting in Port Charlotte, FL
Full guide →Port Charlotte is a city in Southwest Florida roughly 30 miles north of Fort Myers and 40 miles south of Sarasota on the gulf coast of Florida. Nestled in Charlotte Harbor, visitors can take cruises through the harbor, play a round of mini-golf or swim in the harbor.
Arriving in Hollywood, FL
Full guide →Hollywood is a city in Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. With a population of 153,000 people (2022), Hollywood is a relatively small city that retains an old, laid-back, Florida feel to it compared to the larger cities in the area.
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 11m. Total distance: 170 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m 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 144.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hollywood, 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 6.4 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Hollywood, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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