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Trip from Port Saint Lucie, FL to Temple Terrace, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 17m

Distance

159.2 mi

256 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 6m ★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States

Temple Terrace, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Port Saint Lucie to Temple Terrace is 159.2 miles and takes about 3h 17m via FL 60 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Florida, taking you from the Atlantic coast inland towards the Tampa Bay area. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single day of driving. You'll experience mostly interstate travel, making it a functional way to get from point A to point B without significant detours. Plan for a relatively quick transit with minimal time commitment.

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

79.6 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FL 60 61.6 mi 1h 19m
Florida's Turnpike 49.6 mi 53m
I 4 18.5 mi 19m
Polk Parkway 9.9 mi 11m
Bartow Road 7 mi 9m
North 56th Street 2.5 mi 4m
US 92 2.4 mi 3m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: FL 60 — 61.6 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Temple Terrace, 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 North Use the slight right lane.
7

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

50 mi · 53 min · Florida's Turnpike
8

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 193 Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
9

Keep slight right at fork

245 ft · 6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto FL 60

62 mi · 1 hr 19 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto US 98; FL 60

0.6 mi · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right onto US 98

0.6 mi · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
13

Continue on US 98

7.0 mi · 9 min · Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
14

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway West Use the right lane.
15

Merge onto FL 570 Toll

9.9 mi · 11 min · Polk Parkway
Use the right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min
Toward I 4 West: Tampa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 4

18 mi · 19 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 7 Toward US 92 West: Hillsborough Avenue, Busch Gardens Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn straight onto US 92

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 92
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20

Turn right onto FL 583

2.5 mi · 4 min · North 56th Street
Use the right lane.
21

Turn right onto Bullard Parkway

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Bullard Parkway
22

Turn left onto Ridgedale Road

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Ridgedale Road
Use the left lane.
23

Arrive at destination

Ridgedale Road

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 17m estimated drive time and 159.2-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Tampa Bay region. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, it's wise to fill up before you leave Port Saint Lucie. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye out for service plazas along Florida's Turnpike for convenient rest breaks and fuel if needed; the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 60 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly.

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 79.6 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 35 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 79.6 miles or 1h 35m 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 Temple Terrace, 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 159.2 miles and 3h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 60 for about 61.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Polk County, Florida, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Frostproof, FL

80 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Okeechobee County, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Frostproof, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.6 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 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 159 — 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
6
53 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 193 Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
7
133.8 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 4 West: Tampa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 4 West: Tampa
8
153.3 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in

Take the exit toward US 92 West: Hillsborough Avenue, Busch Gardens

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 7 Toward US 92 West: Hillsborough Avenue, Busch G...
7
159 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in | Ridgedale Road

Turn left onto Ridgedale Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.34 one way

$50.68 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $27.57 $55.13
premium $4.72 $29.60 $59.20
diesel $5.61 $35.15 $70.30

Estimated Tolls: $3.47

Florida's Turnpike (49.6 mi) $3.47

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

$25

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.8 0 $16.72 $7.64
Efficient EV 39.8 0 $13.93 $6.37
EV Truck/SUV 63.7 0 $22.29 $10.19

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Morning in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday

Local time

9:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Temple Terrace, FL

Morning in Temple Terrace on Sunday

Local time

9:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°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

20 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

3h 17m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 89% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll encounter stretches like FL 60, which offers a continuous 61.6-mile segment, allowing for steady progress. The journey is characterized by its focus on efficient travel, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads like Florida's Turnpike and I-4. While not designed for scenic exploration, this highway-centric profile ensures a predictable and relatively smooth ride for most of the 159.2 miles.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.6 mi on FL 60.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 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 Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 159.2 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 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 159.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.6 miles on FL 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.47 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.

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 Temple Terrace, 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: at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Temple Terrace, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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