This 538.7-mile drive from Port Saint Joe, FL to Hialeah, FL is a significant undertaking, estimated to take around 10 hours and 54 minutes of pure driving time. Given its length, it's best planned as a two-day trip, allowing for a more relaxed pace and safer travel. You'll be utilizing major roads like Florida's Turnpike, Byron Butler Parkway, and Coastal Highway, with a substantial 74% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is approximately $86. This route traverses the state of Florida, taking you from the Panhandle region down towards South Florida.
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
269.4 miles from Port Saint Joe, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
262 mi
4h 44m
Byron Butler Parkway
58.3 mi
1h 14m
Coastal Highway
54.4 mi
1h 10m
US 27 Alternate
48 mi
1h 1m
Market Street
43.1 mi
1h 4m
I 75
24.7 mi
26m
Constitution Drive
22.8 mi
31m
US 19
8.3 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 262 mi, about 4h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
10 AM
~3,679 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 3 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 Port Saint Joe, FL and Hialeah, FL.
1
Start on FL 71
139 ft·10 sec·Cecil G Costin Senior Boulevard
2
Turn left onto US 98
0.3 mi·41 sec·Monument Avenue
3
Continue on US 98
23 mi·31 min·Constitution Drive
4
Turn right onto US 98
43 mi·1 hr 4 min·Market Street
5
Continue on US 319
6.6 mi·9 min·Sopchoppy Highway
6
Turn left onto US 98; US 319
54 mi·1 hr 10 min·Coastal Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 14 min·Byron Butler Parkway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
8.3 mi·11 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
9
Turn left onto US 27 Alternate
48 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 27 Alternate
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
11
Merge onto I 75
25 mi·26 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
262 mi·4 hr 44 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 2XToward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock StadiumUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·21 sec·this road
15
Turn right onto Northwest 199th Street
1.8 mi·2 min·Northwest 199th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Northwest 37th Avenue
2.6 mi·4 min·Northwest 37th Avenue
17
Continue on Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
For this 10-hour, 54-minute journey covering 538.7 miles, splitting the drive over two days is highly recommended for safety and enjoyment. Aim to start your first day early to maximize daylight driving. With three planned stops, you can break up the journey effectively, ensuring you have ample opportunities for rest and to refuel, which will cost around $86. Pay close attention to your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 262 miles on Florida's Turnpike, as services can sometimes be spaced out on major toll roads.
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 269.4 miles from Port Saint Joe, FL, or about 5h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262 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 119 miles or 2h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 269.4 miles or 5h 54m 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 269.4 miles or 5h 54m
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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Port Saint Joe, 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 Port Saint Joe, FL
Aim for roughly 269 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hialeah, FL
Aim for roughly 269 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 119 miles from Port Saint Joe, 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 262 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.7 and 528.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
72.7 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway
Turn left onto US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
241.7 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
5
242 mi into trip|~5h 24m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
266.7 mi into trip|~5h 51m in|Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
8
528.7 mi into trip|~10h 35m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium
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 2X
Toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadiu...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.55 one way
$163.09 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg189 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$89.48
$178.96
premium
$4.55
$96.50
$193.00
diesel
$4.80
$101.72
$203.43
Estimated Tolls: $18.34
Florida's Turnpike
(262 mi)$18.34
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
$82
Tolls
$18
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$230–$340
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 188.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
161.6
1
$56.56
$25.86
Efficient EV
134.7
1
$47.14
$21.55
EV Truck/SUV
215.5
2
$75.42
$34.48
Gas CO2
188 kg
EV CO2
63 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
Port Saint Joe, FL
Late night
in Port Saint Joe on Sunday
Local time
4:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
W 15 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:43PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Hialeah, FL
Late night
in Hialeah on Sunday
Local time
4:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 7 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:43PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
8 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 54m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Biscayne National Park
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 538.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a long-distance drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 74% of the route consisting of high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a considerable 262 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While much of this route involves efficient highway travel, the transition between road types will offer some variation. The drive features a mix of high-speed sections and potentially some more localized driving as you enter and exit urban areas.
74% 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: 262 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Byron Butler Parkway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 72.7 miles in near US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 538.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 72.7 miles (US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 241.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 242 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
123 ft6 ft
Total Climb
139 ft
Total Descent
139 ft
Highest Point
123 ft
~307.9 mi in
Elevation Range
117 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Port Saint Joe, FL and Hialeah, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 262 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 269 miles on day one.
Expect about $18.34 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 24 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 Hialeah, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.7 miles (US 98; US 319 / Coastal Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 241.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 242 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.9 hours each way, a round trip means 21.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hialeah, FL before the return drive.
