This 140-mile journey from Port Saint Lucie to San Carlos Park in Florida is a manageable one-day trip, typically taking around 3 hours and 14 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via FL 78 and Okeechobee Road, with a significant portion of the drive on well-maintained highways, making it a straightforward transit. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it’s an economical option for a quick getaway or a practical move. This route offers a mixed driving experience, so you can expect some variation in scenery and road type as you travel across the state. Given its relatively short duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing to stop overnight.
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
70 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 78
49.2 mi
1h 4m
Hickpochee Avenue
24 mi
34m
Okeechobee Road
21.1 mi
25m
I 75
10.8 mi
11m
I 95
4.9 mi
5m
West Midway Road
4.9 mi
8m
Crosstown Parkway
4.1 mi
7m
FL 29
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
FL 78
— 49.2 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Saint Lucie, FL and San Carlos Park, FL.
1
Start on Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·15 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 615
0.2 mi·20 sec·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Crosstown Parkway
4.1 mi·7 min·Crosstown Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
4.9 mi·5 min·I 95
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 126Toward CR 712: Midway Road
7
Keep slight left at fork
407 ft·12 sec
Toward CR 712: Midway Road
8
Turn straight onto CR 712
4.9 mi·8 min·West Midway Road
9
Turn left onto FL 70
21 mi·25 min·Okeechobee Road
10
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 70
3.4 mi·6 min·FL 70
11
Turn left onto Southeast 6th Avenue
0.3 mi·39 sec·Southeast 6th Avenue
12
At end of road, turn right onto Southeast 4th Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Southeast 4th Street
13
Turn left onto US 98; US 441
2.9 mi·5 min·Parrott Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto FL 78
4.4 mi·6 min·FL 78
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on FL 78
30 mi·39 min·FL 78
16
Turn right onto US 27; FL 78
3.7 mi·4 min·US 27; FL 78
17
Turn left onto FL 78
15 mi·18 min·FL 78
18
Turn left onto FL 29
4.0 mi·6 min·FL 29
19
Turn right onto FL 29; FL 80
24 mi·34 min·Hickpochee Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 SouthUse the straight lane.
21
Merge onto I 75
11 mi·11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Exit 128Toward CR 840: San Carlos Park, Southwest Florida International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward CR 840: Hertz Arena, San Carlos Park
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·55 sec
Exit 128Toward CR 840: Hertz Arena, San Carlos ParkUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto CR 840
0.2 mi·25 sec·Alico Road
26
Turn left onto Three Oaks Parkway
1.8 mi·2 min·Three Oaks Parkway
27
Turn right onto San Carlos Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·San Carlos Boulevard
28
Turn left onto Tampa Road
0.2 mi·49 sec·Tampa Road
29
Arrive at destination
Tampa Road
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 14-minute drive, starting your trip earlier in the day is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself and take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 49.2-mile stretch on FL 78, to ensure you don't run low between services. The total fuel cost is estimated at $22, so planning your fill-up points accordingly will be simple. Consider packing snacks and drinks to enjoy during the drive, as specific amenities might be spaced out.
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 70 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.2 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 31 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70 miles or 1h 39m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Carlos Park, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Port Saint Lucie, FL
This is one driving day of about 140 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Port Saint Lucie, 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 FL 78 for about 49.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 136.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Navigation decision point
6
123.8 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 South
8
135.2 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward CR 840: San Carlos Park, Southwest Florida International Airport
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 128
Toward CR 840: San Carlos Park, Southwest Flori...
6
135.7 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CR 840: Hertz Arena, San Carlos Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CR 840: Hertz Arena, San Carlos Park
9
136.9 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 840: Hertz Arena, San Carlos Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 128
Toward CR 840: Hertz Arena, San Carlos Park
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.28 one way
$44.57 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$24.24
$48.48
premium
$4.72
$26.03
$52.06
diesel
$5.61
$30.91
$61.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42
0
$14.70
$6.72
Efficient EV
35
0
$12.25
$5.60
EV Truck/SUV
56
0
$19.60
$8.96
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
3:37 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
San Carlos Park, FL
Late night
in San Carlos Park on Sunday
Local time
3:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
18 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 14m 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?
The drive features a mixed profile, with 59% of the route utilizing highway speeds, interspersed with local roads. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.2 miles on FL 78, which offers a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. Hickpochee Avenue and Okeechobee Road will guide you through different terrains as you progress westward. Expect the road to transition from more open highway driving to potentially more local traffic and varied speed limits as you approach your destination.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.2 mi on FL 78.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 140 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: near the start (CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 123.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 140 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.2 miles on FL 78. 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 San Carlos Park, 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: near the start (CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 123.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at San Carlos Park, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
