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Trip from Richmond West, FL to Palm Bay, 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 42m

Distance

191.5 mi

308 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

28 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 30m ★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 35m

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

Downtown Richmond West, FL, FL

Richmond West, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Downtown Palm Bay, FL, FL

Palm Bay, FL

Hetvi Patel

Trip Overview

Richmond West, FL to Palm Bay, FL is 191.5 miles and takes about 3h 42m via Florida's Turnpike and I-95, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, primarily utilizing major highways to connect two points in the state. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on the road, making it a functional transit rather than a leisurely exploration.

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

95.7 miles from Richmond West, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 104.7 mi 1h 56m
I 95 44 mi 47m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike 29.7 mi 33m
Southwest 152nd Street 3 mi 6m
Babcock Street Northeast 2.5 mi 4m
Palm Bay Road Northeast 2 mi 3m
State Road 821 Access Road 1.1 mi 1m
Southwest 147th Avenue 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 104.7 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond West, FL and Palm Bay, FL.

1

Start on Southwest 168th Terrace

115 ft · 12 sec · Southwest 168th Terrace
2

Turn left onto Southwest 146th Court

250 ft · 19 sec · Southwest 146th Court
3

Turn left onto Southwest 168th Street

212 ft · 5 sec · Southwest 168th Street
4

Enter roundabout onto Southwest 147th Avenue

8 ft · 0 sec · Southwest 147th Avenue
5

Continue on Southwest 147th Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · Southwest 147th Avenue
6

At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 152nd Street

3.0 mi · 6 min · Southwest 152nd Street
Use the right lane.
7

Turn left onto Southwest 117th Avenue

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Southwest 117th Avenue
Use the left lane.
8

Turn left onto State Road 821 Access Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Road 821 Access Road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami International Airport, Orlando Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

1.6 mi · 2 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
11

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

27 mi · 30 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

1.0 mi · 1 min · Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

105 mi · 1 hr 56 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 53 sec
Exit 152 Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork

214 ft · 5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
16

Merge onto FL 70

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Okeechobee Road
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto I 95

44 mi · 47 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 173 Toward FL 514: Palm Bay, Malabar
21

Turn right onto FL 514

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Malabar Road
22

Turn left onto FL 507

2.5 mi · 4 min · Babcock Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto Palm Bay Road Northeast

2.0 mi · 3 min · Palm Bay Road Northeast
24

Arrive at destination

Palm Bay Road Northeast

Trip Plan

For this 3h 42m drive, departing in the morning should allow you to reach Palm Bay with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $30, this is a manageable one-day trip. Consider fueling up before you leave Richmond West, as the longest stretch without a major break is over 100 miles on the Turnpike. You'll want to be aware of the numerous exits on I-95 as you get closer to Palm Bay, so stay focused.

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 95.7 miles from Richmond West, FL, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 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 42 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 95.7 miles or 1h 53m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palm Bay, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Richmond West, 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 Richmond West, FL

This is one driving day of about 191.5 miles and 3h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Richmond West, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 104.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Broward County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Margate, FL

96 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.

Popular next leg

Margate, FL to Palm Bay, FL

138.7 mi · 2h 40m

Pacing Suggestions

Miramar, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Worth Corridor, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 95.7 miles from Richmond West, 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 104.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pompano Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

50381

0.1 mi from route

40392

0.1 mi from route

40391

0.1 mi from route

Snapper Creek Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Port Saint Lucie - Fort Pierce Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

West Palm Beach Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

50382

0.4 mi from route

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 68.4

Delray Beach, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15614950233

Visit website

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+13052530063

Visit website

Zoo Miami

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Miami, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13052510400

Visit website

Miramar Regional Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 27.4

Miramar, Florida

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+19548836950

Visit website

Peaceful Waters Sanctuary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 82.1

Wellington, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15617914005

Visit website

Stuart Heritage Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 123.1

Stuart, Florida

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+17722204600

Visit website

Riverbend Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 109.4

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617411359

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 141.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | Southwest 152nd Street

At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 152nd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
5.4 mi into trip | ~11m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami International Airport, Orlando

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami Internat...
8
34.8 mi into trip | ~45m in | Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
8
140.6 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 152 Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
7
141.6 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.48 one way

$60.96 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $33.16 $66.32
premium $4.72 $35.61 $71.22
diesel $5.61 $42.28 $84.56

Estimated Tolls: $9.11

Florida's Turnpike (104.7 mi) $7.33
Homestead Extension (29.7 mi) $1.78

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

$30

Tolls

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

28 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

The Falls - Tesla Supercharger

Miami, FL

Tesla

20 DCFC

Kendall Village Center - Tesla Supercharger

Miami, FL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Dadeland Station - Tesla Supercharger

Miami, FL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Bird Ludlam - Tesla Supercharger

Miami, FL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Cutler Bay, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Shops of Kendall

Miami, FL

eVgo Network

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Miami, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa

Miami, FL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 9 eVgo Network: 6 Electrify America: 4 CHARGESMART_EV: 2 FPLEV: 2 ChargePoint Network: 2 Blink Network: 1 Non-Networked: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.4 0 $20.11 $9.19
Efficient EV 47.9 0 $16.76 $7.66
EV Truck/SUV 76.6 0 $26.81 $12.26

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 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

Richmond West, FL

Late night in Richmond West on Sunday

Local time

12:24 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palm Bay, FL

Late night in Palm Bay on Sunday

Local time

12:24 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°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

11 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 42m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park

National Park

Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free
Caution: Boater Awareness
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll be on highways for 93% of this 191.5-mile trip, with a continuous stretch of 104.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike also contributes significantly to the highway mileage. Expect a consistent driving experience with frequent exits as you approach and depart urban areas, particularly around South Florida. Surface roads will become more prevalent only in the final miles.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.7 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Southwest 152nd Street.

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 20 significant decision points across 191.5 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 1.1 miles (Southwest 152nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.8 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Richmond West, FL and Palm Bay, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North and Vero Beach.

Orlando

34.8 mi in | ~45m | via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Florida's Turnpike Toll North

34.8 mi in | ~45m | via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike

Vero Beach

140.6 mi in | ~2h 42m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 191.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 104.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $9.11 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 Palm Bay, 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 1.1 miles (Southwest 152nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.8 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Palm Bay, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Palm Bay, FL to Richmond West, FL

Plan the drive back the other way.

191.5 mi 3h 42m

Explore more options from Richmond West, FL or browse trips ending in Palm Bay, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.