This 146.3-mile drive from Port Saint Lucie to South Gate Ridge, Florida, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 19 minutes. Given its relatively short duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You'll be spending approximately 75% of your time on highways, with a longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.3 miles on FL 70. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23. This route offers a practical way to travel within Florida, connecting two points without extensive detours or requiring an overnight stay.
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
73.2 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 70
67.3 mi
1h 29m
FL 72
33.6 mi
43m
Okeechobee Road
21.1 mi
25m
Proctor Road
5.2 mi
9m
I 95
4.9 mi
5m
West Midway Road
4.9 mi
8m
Crosstown Parkway
4.1 mi
7m
East Hickory Street
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
FL 70
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Saint Lucie, FL and South Gate Ridge, 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
67 mi·1 hr 29 min·FL 70
11
Turn straight onto FL 70
2.6 mi·4 min·East Hickory Street
12
Turn left onto FL 72
34 mi·43 min·FL 72
13
Enter roundabout onto FL 72
103 ft·1 sec·State Road 72
14
Continue on FL 72
1.3 mi·1 min·State Road 72
15
Continue on FL 72
513 ft·11 sec·Clark Road
16
Enter roundabout onto CR 72A
15 ft·0 sec·Proctor Road
17
Continue on CR 72A
5.2 mi·9 min·Proctor Road
18
Turn right onto CR 773
0.2 mi·20 sec·Beneva Road
19
Turn right onto Naomi Ridge Lane
242 ft·10 sec·Naomi Ridge Lane
20
Arrive at destination
Naomi Ridge Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour, 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Port Saint Lucie to avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being 67.3 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longer segments on FL 70. The estimated fuel cost is about $23, so factor that into your budget. This trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach South Gate Ridge without needing to split the journey.
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 73.2 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.2 miles or 1h 38m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Gate Ridge, 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 146.3 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 70 for about 67.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 73.2 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 FL 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 140.9 — 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
5
4.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
5
9.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward CR 712: Midway Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 126
Toward CR 712: Midway Road
5
10 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CR 712: Midway Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CR 712: Midway Road
5
140.9 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|CR 72A / Proctor Road
Enter roundabout onto CR 72A / Proctor Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.29 one way
$46.57 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$25.33
$50.66
premium
$4.72
$27.20
$54.41
diesel
$5.61
$32.30
$64.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 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
43.9
0
$15.36
$7.02
Efficient EV
36.6
0
$12.80
$5.85
EV Truck/SUV
58.5
0
$20.48
$9.36
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Afternoon
in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday
Local time
12:33 PM
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
South Gate Ridge, FL
Afternoon
in South Gate Ridge on Sunday
Local time
12:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Lake Placid, FL
73 mi in
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 19m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 146.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this trip, with 75% of the drive taking place on faster roads. You'll primarily navigate using FL 70 and FL 72, along with Okeechobee Road. The longest continuous segment you'll cover is 67.3 miles on FL 70, offering a substantial period of steady driving. While largely highway-focused, the route might present some variations as you transition between these main arteries, but the overall character remains one of efficient travel.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on FL 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 70 and FL 72. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 19m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 146.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on FL 70. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at South Gate Ridge, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
