Port Saint Lucie to Rock Island is 88.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 46 minutes via Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, making it a straightforward trip through familiar territory. Expect a drive primarily on major highways, offering a consistent pace for most of your journey. With a total estimated fuel cost of around $14, this is an economical option for a quick regional hop. Consider this a practical choice for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
79.8 mi
1h 27m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
State Road 7
1.5 mi
2m
West Oakland Park Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Northwest 26th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Northwest 31st Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Commercial Boulevard
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 79.8 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Rock Island, 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
80 mi·1 hr 27 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 62Toward SR 870: Commercial BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
423 ft·14 sec
Toward SR 870 East: Fort LauderdaleUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto SR 870
0.5 mi·58 sec·West Commercial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto US 441
1.5 mi·2 min·State Road 7
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto SR 816
1.0 mi·2 min·West Oakland Park Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto Northwest 26th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Northwest 26th Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Northwest 26th Avenue
0.2 mi·50 sec·Northwest 26th Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Northwest 26th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under two hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Starting in the morning or early afternoon will give you plenty of time to reach Rock Island without feeling rushed. The longest stretch of 79.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike means you can plan your fuel stops accordingly; ensure you have at least half a tank before embarking on this segment. While there are no designated stops in the data, factor in a brief pause if needed for comfort, especially during the longer highway portion.
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 44.2 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.8 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 51m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock Island, 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 88.5 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 79.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 44.2 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 87.1 — 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
83.4 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward SR 870: Commercial Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 62
Toward SR 870: Commercial Boulevard
7
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 870 East: Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward SR 870 East: Fort Lauderdale
6
84.6 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 441 / State Road 7
Turn right onto US 441 / State Road 7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
87.1 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|Northwest 31st Avenue
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.09 one way
$28.17 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$15.32
$30.65
premium
$4.72
$16.46
$32.91
diesel
$5.61
$19.54
$39.08
Estimated Tolls: $5.59
Florida's Turnpike
(79.8 mi)$5.59
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
$14
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.6
0
$9.29
$4.25
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
EV Truck/SUV
35.4
0
$12.39
$5.66
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 16, 2026
Origin
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Late night
in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:40AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Rock Island, FL
Late night
in Rock Island on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
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
13 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
1h 46m 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 overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 90% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 79.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. This means you can settle in and cover ground quickly. The profile suggests a consistent driving experience, largely free from the complexities of frequent turns or slower local roads. Prepare for a journey where efficiency and steady progress are the main themes.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.8 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Southeast Airoso Boulevard. 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 83.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 88.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m 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 79.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.59 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 Rock Island, 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 83.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles: 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 Rock Island, FL before heading back.
