Port Saint Lucie to Pompano Beach Highlands is 79.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m via I 95 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same state. Given its relatively short distance and predominantly highway profile, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect typical highway conditions and traffic patterns for South Florida. Plan for a quick trip that gets you to your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.9 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
44.9 mi
51m
Florida's Turnpike
26.6 mi
28m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
South Dixie Highway
1.1 mi
2m
Southwest 10th Street
0.9 mi
1m
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Northeast 14th Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Northeast 48th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 44.9 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Pompano Beach Highlands, 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 left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike SouthUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
27 mi·28 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 116Toward FL 706: JupiterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto FL 706
499 ft·19 sec·Indiantown Road
10
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: West Palm Beach
11
Merge onto I 95
37 mi·42 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
7.4 mi·8 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 41Toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass Expressway, NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
135 ft·6 sec
Toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass Expressway, Deerfield BeachUse the left lane.
15
Turn left onto SR 869
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwest 10th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto SR 811
1.1 mi·2 min·South Dixie Highway
17
Turn left onto Northeast 48th Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·Northeast 48th Street
18
Turn right onto Northeast 14th Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Northeast 14th Avenue
19
At end of road, turn right onto Northeast 13th Avenue
0.1 mi·35 sec·Northeast 13th Avenue
20
Turn right onto Northeast 42nd Court
0.1 mi·30 sec·Northeast 42nd Court
21
Turn left onto Northeast 12th Avenue
305 ft·13 sec·Northeast 12th Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Northeast 12th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 38m estimated drive time, leaving Port Saint Lucie in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to arrive in Pompano Beach Highlands with plenty of daylight. The $13 fuel cost suggests a single fill-up might be sufficient, but it's always wise to check your tank before departing. Since this is a shorter, single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time. Pay attention to the transition from Florida's Turnpike to I 95, as this is a key point where you'll remain on I 95 for the longest stretch of the route.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.9 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.9 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.9 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pompano Beach Highlands, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Port Saint Lucie, FL
This is one driving day of about 79.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 44.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 76.8 — 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 left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
7
30.2 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward FL 706: Jupiter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 116
Toward FL 706: Jupiter
6
69.1 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 95
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
76.5 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass Expressway, Naples
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 41
Toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass...
9
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass Expressway, Deerfield Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward SR 869: Southwest 10th Street, Sawgrass...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.69 one way
$25.37 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$13.80
$27.60
premium
$4.72
$14.82
$29.64
diesel
$5.61
$17.60
$35.19
Estimated Tolls: $1.86
Florida's Turnpike
(26.6 mi)$1.86
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
$13
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.9
0
$8.37
$3.83
Efficient EV
19.9
0
$6.97
$3.19
EV Truck/SUV
31.9
0
$11.16
$5.10
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Morning
in Port Saint Lucie on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 15 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 9:56AM CDT until April 20 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 8:40AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Pompano Beach Highlands, FL
Morning
in Pompano Beach Highlands on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Rain Showers Likely
NE 12 to 15 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 9:56AM CDT until April 20 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 8:40AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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.
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
1 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
1h 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 90% highway, meaning you'll be on major interstates for the vast majority of the 79.7 miles. You'll experience a longest stretch of 44.9 miles on I 95 before transitioning. Southeast Airoso Boulevard marks the end of the high-speed cruising as you move onto surface roads for the final portion. Be prepared for numerous exits and potential merging traffic as you approach Pompano Beach Highlands.
90% 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: 44.9 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.7 miles you will encounter 18 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 79.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.9 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.86 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.
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 Pompano Beach Highlands, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles (I 95): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pompano Beach Highlands, FL before heading back.
