Port Saint Lucie to Gonzalez is 567.6 miles and takes about 10 hours 16 minutes via Southeast Airoso Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $87 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive entirely within Florida, connecting the Atlantic coast to the Florida Panhandle. Given the distance and duration, it's best treated as an overnight trip rather than a single-day push. You'll pass through various Floridian landscapes, so plan for a full day of driving if you attempt it in one go. Consider breaking it up to make the most of the scenery and avoid fatigue.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
283.8 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
285.8 mi
5h 6m
Florida's Turnpike
165.1 mi
2h 56m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
Pensacola Boulevard
3.9 mi
6m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
South Highway 29
1 mi
1m
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
North Palafox Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 285.8 mi, about 5h 6m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,467 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,968
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Lucie, FL and Gonzalez, FL.
1
Start on Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·11 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 615
1.6 mi·2 min·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
3
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike NorthUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
165 mi·2 hr 56 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10
286 mi·5 hr 6 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward US 29: Pensacola, Cantonment, Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 29 North: Cantonment, Pensacola Boulevard
15
Turn straight onto US 29
3.9 mi·6 min·Pensacola Boulevard
16
Continue on US 29
1.0 mi·1 min·South Highway 29
17
Turn sharp right onto Tate School Road
124 ft·9 sec·Tate School Road
18
Turn left onto CR 95A
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Palafox Road
19
Turn right onto CR 749
0.2 mi·30 sec·Old Chemstrand Road
20
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
82 ft·3 sec·3rd Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
3rd Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 567.6-mile drive, breaking it into two days is highly recommended to avoid a grueling 10+ hour day. Aim to depart in the morning, allowing you to cover about half the distance on day one. With two recommended stops, you can find places to rest and refuel strategically. Given the absence of highway driving, keep a close eye on your navigation as you'll be passing through numerous towns. The estimated fuel cost is $87, so ensure your tank is full before heading out from Port Saint Lucie.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 283.8 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 5h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 285.8 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 125 miles or 2h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 283.8 miles or 5h 7m 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 283.8 miles or 5h 7m
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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gonzalez, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Port Saint Lucie, 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 Lucie, FL
Aim for roughly 284 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Gonzalez, FL
Aim for roughly 284 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 125 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 285.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 561.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
7
168.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
8
275.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
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 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
8
275.6 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
8
561.6 mi into trip|~10h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 29: Pensacola, Cantonment,
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 10
Toward US 29: Pensacola, Cantonment,
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$91.26 one way
$182.53 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg199 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$99.55
$199.11
premium
$4.78
$106.86
$213.72
diesel
$6.28
$140.25
$280.49
Estimated Tolls: $11.54
Florida's Turnpike
(164.8 mi)$11.54
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
$91
Tolls
$12
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$233–$343
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 198.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
170.3
2
$59.60
$27.24
Efficient EV
141.9
1
$49.67
$22.70
EV Truck/SUV
227
2
$79.46
$36.33
Gas CO2
199 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Morning
in Port Saint Lucie on Thursday
Local time
7:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NE 15 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Gonzalez, FL
Morning
in Gonzalez on Thursday
Local time
6:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
22 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
10h 16m 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.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
$25
near mile 567.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has 0% highway, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire 567.6 miles. The longest stretch without a defined break is not specified, but expect consistent city and town driving. You will notice frequent intersections and traffic signals, as the primary roads are Southeast Airoso Boulevard, Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard, and Southwest Bayshore Boulevard. Prepare for a steady pace with consistent stops for traffic control.
98% 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: 285.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 567.6 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.2 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.4 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
198 ft17 ft
Total Climb
287 ft
Total Descent
149 ft
Highest Point
198 ft
~527 mi in
Elevation Range
181 ft
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 Saint Lucie, FL to Gonzalez, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tallahassee along the way.
Port St. Lucie is a sprawling tropical city on the Treasure Coast of Florida. The population is 202,000 and 438,000 in its metropolitan area (2019). Residents refer to the city by its initials, PSL. The spring training home of the New York Mets, this city has many fun activities if you know where to look; the new downtown area is in its infancy, but once complete will bring more activities for residents and visitors.
The longest stretch is about 285.8 miles on I 10. 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 284 miles on day one.
Expect about $11.54 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 59 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 Gonzalez, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 59 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.2 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.3 hours each way, a round trip means 20.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gonzalez, FL before the return drive.
