Sarasota to Miramar is 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 1m via I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, covering ground between the Gulf Coast and South Florida. Given that it's mostly highway driving, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering distance efficiently. It's a route that doesn't demand a significant time commitment, making it a practical choice for a single-day drive.
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
106.2 miles from Sarasota, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
191 mi
3h 24m
Port Everglades Expressway
5.4 mi
6m
Fruitville Road
4.7 mi
8m
South University Drive
4.6 mi
8m
North University Drive
2.5 mi
4m
SR 84
1.6 mi
2m
Pembroke Road
0.6 mi
1m
Island Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 191 mi, about 3h 24m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,826 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,424
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sarasota, FL and Miramar, FL.
1
Start on Main Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Main Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto North School Avenue
442 ft·15 sec·North School Avenue
3
Turn right onto FL 780
4.7 mi·8 min·Fruitville Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 75 South: NaplesUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 75
9.7 mi·10 min·I 75
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
181 mi·3 hr 14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
5.4 mi·6 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort LauderdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 5; 6Toward SR 817: Pine Island Road|University DriveUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 5Toward SR 84 EastUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto SR 84
1.6 mi·2 min·SR 84
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto SR 817
3.6 mi·6 min·South University Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on SR 817
2.5 mi·4 min·North University Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on SR 817
1.0 mi·1 min·South University Drive
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto SR 824
0.6 mi·1 min·Pembroke Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Island Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Island Drive
16
Turn left onto Miramar Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Miramar Boulevard
17
Turn right onto Bahama Drive
91 ft·4 sec·Bahama Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Bahama Drive
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Sarasota in the morning to take advantage of the 4h 1m estimated drive time. With a total distance of 212.5 miles, this is easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility with timing. There's one recommended stop, but you can adjust based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel, budgeting around $33 for the trip, and be aware that the latter part of the drive on Port Everglades Expressway may have more traffic as you get closer to Miramar.
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 106.2 miles from Sarasota, FL, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 miles or 1h 58m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miramar, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sarasota, 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 Sarasota, FL
This is one driving day of about 212.5 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Sarasota, 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 I 75 for about 191 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 202.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|North School Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto North School Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
15.2 mi into trip|~20m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
196.5 mi into trip|~3h 35m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
7
201.9 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward SR 817: Pine Island Road|University Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5; 6
Toward SR 817: Pine Island Road|University Driv...
9
202.1 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SR 84 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward SR 84 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.17 one way
$64.34 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$35.30
$70.59
premium
$4.55
$38.07
$76.13
diesel
$4.80
$40.12
$80.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.8
0
$22.31
$10.20
Efficient EV
53.1
0
$18.59
$8.50
EV Truck/SUV
85
1
$29.75
$13.60
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Sarasota, FL
Evening
in Sarasota on Monday
Local time
8:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 8 to 12 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:52PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Miramar, FL
Evening
in Miramar on Monday
Local time
8:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 6 to 12 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:52PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
3 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
4h 1m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly highway, with 93% of the 212.5 miles spent on major roads like I 75. You'll experience a longest stretch of 191 miles on I 75 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits as you approach your destination in Miramar, indicating a more developed area after the extended highway cruising.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 191 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near North School Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 212.5 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 0.3 miles (North School Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 15.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.5 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
29 ft5 ft
Total Climb
14 ft
Total Descent
31 ft
Highest Point
29 ft
~45.5 mi in
Elevation Range
25 ft
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 Sarasota, FL to Miramar, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Lauderdale along the way.
Sarasota is a popular city on the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida. It is known for its vibrant arts community, excellent restaurants, unique shopping, and beautiful beaches. Sarasota, although a mid-sized city, is considered to be the cultural center of West Central Florida. The city has a metropolitan flavor unique to cities of its size and to cities in Florida.
Top landmarks
•John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art — art museum in Sarasota, Florida
•Mote Marine Laboratory — non-profit organization in the USA
•Sarasota Opera House — opera house in Sarasota, Florida, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 212.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m 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 191 miles on I 75. 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 Miramar, 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 0.3 miles (North School Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 15.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.5 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Miramar, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
