This 266.3-mile drive from Saint Leo to Miami is easily doable in a single day, with an estimated travel time of 5 hours and 27 minutes. Primarily utilizing Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and US 98, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, it's an economical trip for a day excursion. You'll be spending most of your time on high-speed roads, so plan for minimal time-off-highway exploration. This trip is a solid choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Florida region to the bustling city of Miami.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133.1 miles from Saint Leo, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
148.8 mi
2h 43m
FL 60
61.7 mi
1h 19m
US 98
37.7 mi
54m
I 95
9 mi
11m
Clinton Avenue
3.1 mi
5m
Old State Road 52
1.2 mi
1m
Broadway Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Van Fleet Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 148.8 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Leo, FL and Miami, FL.
1
Start on this road
279 ft·24 sec·this road
2
Turn left
209 ft·17 sec
3
Enter roundabout
55 ft·4 sec
4
Continue
279 ft·20 sec
5
At end of road, turn left onto CR 52
1.2 mi·1 min·Old State Road 52
6
Turn right onto CR 579
0.3 mi·41 sec·Prospect Road
7
Turn left onto FL 52
3.1 mi·5 min·Clinton Avenue
8
Turn right onto US 98; US 301
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 98; US 301
9
Turn left onto US 98
26 mi·35 min·US 98
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto US 98; FL 548
12 mi·18 min·US 98; FL 548
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
12
Turn left onto US 98; FL 60
0.5 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on FL 60
0.3 mi·26 sec·FL 60
14
Continue on FL 60
11 mi·13 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on this road
295 ft·7 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
149 mi·2 hr 43 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95, US 441
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 95
9.0 mi·11 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 3BToward Northwest 8th Street, Port of MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Northwest 8th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Northwest 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Miami Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
North Miami Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 27 minute duration, starting your drive from Saint Leo in the morning is advisable to arrive in Miami with ample daylight. With only one suggested stop and a longest stretch of 148.8 miles, you can easily manage this as a day trip. Factor in the $42 fuel cost and ensure your vehicle is topped up before you depart, as extended highway driving is the norm. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of Florida's Turnpike tolls, as they can add to your overall travel expense and time if not accounted for.
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 133.1 miles from Saint Leo, FL, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.8 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 59 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.1 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miami, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Leo, 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 Saint Leo, FL
This is one driving day of about 266.3 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Saint Leo, 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 148.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 264.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|US 98
Turn left onto US 98
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
105.6 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
7
255.8 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 South
8
264.9 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
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 3B
Toward Northwest 8th Street, Port of Miami
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.39 one way
$84.78 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$46.11
$92.22
premium
$4.72
$49.52
$99.03
diesel
$5.61
$58.80
$117.59
Estimated Tolls: $10.42
Florida's Turnpike
(148.8 mi)$10.42
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
$42
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.9
0
$27.96
$12.78
Efficient EV
66.6
0
$23.30
$10.65
EV Truck/SUV
106.5
1
$37.28
$17.04
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Saint Leo, FL
Morning
in Saint Leo on Sunday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Miami, FL
Morning
in Miami on Sunday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
62°F
Eagle Lake, FL
133 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
21 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
5h 27m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 266.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 97% of this 266.3-mile trip. The personality of the road is predominantly fast-paced, with a significant longest stretch of 148.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. This means extended periods of consistent speed and minimal need for frequent turns or slowdowns. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of FL 60 and US 98 offers a slight variation, though still within a highway context. You'll experience a consistent driving rhythm for much of the journey.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.8 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 266.3 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 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.1 miles (US 98): Lane positioning matters here; at 105.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Saint Leo, FL to Miami, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
Miami is a major city in the southeastern United States and the second most populous city in Florida. The Greater Miami metropolitan area is the largest in the state with an estimated population just under 6.1 million (2021), which makes it the 9th most populous metro area in the United States.
Although tourists generally consider Miami Beach to be part of Miami, it is its own municipality. Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Miami and Biscayne Bay. It is home to lots of beach resorts, and is one of the most popular spring break party destinations in the world. This article only covers the city of Miami, not Miami Beach.
Top landmarks
•Little Havana — neighborhood in Miami, Florida
•Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — historic estate on Biscayne Bay; Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 266.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.42 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 Miami, 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 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.1 miles (US 98): Lane positioning matters here; at 105.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Miami, FL before the return drive.
