Sarasota to Pembroke Pines is 212.7 miles and takes about 3h 57m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, taking you from the Gulf Coast to the southeastern part of the state. The majority of this trip is on the interstate, making it a straightforward and efficient option for getting between these two cities. With a single day recommended, you can expect a relatively quick transit, so plan accordingly for your arrival in Pembroke Pines.
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
106.4 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
9 mi
10m
Fruitville Road
4.7 mi
8m
Florida's Turnpike
4.2 mi
4m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
SR 84
0.4 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 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 Pembroke Pines, 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
9.0 mi·10 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
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-BToward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.4 mi·37 sec·SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 8Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
13
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
4.2 mi·4 min·Florida's Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 49BToward SR 820 West: Pines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi·36 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
18
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 57m estimated drive time, leaving Sarasota in the morning should allow you to reach Pembroke Pines well before evening. You only have one recommended stop, so consider making it a break about halfway through your 212.7-mile trek. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimated cost suggests you'll want to fill up before starting or during your single stop. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed, but factor in potential traffic as you get closer to Pembroke Pines.
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 106.4 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 106.4 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 Pembroke Pines, 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 212.7 miles and 3h 57m.
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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 196.5 and 211.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
8
205.5 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike
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 8; 9A-B
Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
7
206.1 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando...
8
206.4 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
7
211.4 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.20 one way
$64.40 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$35.33
$70.66
premium
$4.55
$38.10
$76.20
diesel
$4.80
$40.16
$80.32
Estimated Tolls: $0.30
Florida's Turnpike
(4.2 mi)$0.30
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
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 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
$22.33
$10.21
Efficient EV
53.2
0
$18.61
$8.51
EV Truck/SUV
85.1
1
$29.78
$13.61
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
Late night
in Sarasota on Monday
Local time
3:31 AM
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
Pembroke Pines, FL
Late night
in Pembroke Pines on Monday
Local time
3:31 AM
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
3h 57m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all your time on high-speed roads. You'll cover a longest stretch of 191 miles on I 75 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach your destination, typical for a heavily developed area. The initial part of the drive will feel like cruising on a major interstate.
96% 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?
8/10
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 196.5 miles in near I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 212.7 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 196.5 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
34 ft6 ft
Total Climb
45 ft
Total Descent
61 ft
Highest Point
34 ft
~197.5 mi in
Elevation Range
28 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 Pembroke Pines, 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 3h 57m. Total distance: 212.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.
Expect about $0.30 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.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Pembroke Pines, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.1 miles: 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 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Pembroke Pines, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
