Spanning 359 miles from Starke to Miami, this trek across Florida typically takes about 6 hours and 47 minutes. Because the route is heavily highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day, though you should budget approximately $60 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily navigate via Florida's Turnpike, the Sid Martin Highway, and I-75. While the trip remains within the same state, you are moving from the northern interior toward the southern coastal region. It is a straightforward, efficient transit that prioritizes speed over scenic detours, making it ideal if your main goal is simply reaching Miami as reliably as possible.
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
179.5 miles from Starke, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
264.2 mi
4h 46m
Sid Martin Highway
39 mi
48m
I 75
29.3 mi
31m
US 301
9.1 mi
11m
I 95
9 mi
11m
Temple Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Northwest 70th Street
1.5 mi
2m
Northwest 77th Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 264.2 mi, about 4h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Starke, FL and Miami, FL.
1
Start on FL 230
294 ft·14 sec·West Call Street
2
Turn right onto South Thompson Street
258 ft·11 sec·South Thompson Street
3
Enter roundabout onto South Thompson Street
102 ft·4 sec·South Thompson Street
4
Continue on South Thompson Street
0.2 mi·55 sec·South Thompson Street
5
Turn left onto US 301
2.2 mi·3 min·Temple Avenue
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 301
9.1 mi·11 min·US 301
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301
39 mi·48 min·Sid Martin Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto FL 326
1.5 mi·2 min·Northwest 70th Street
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on FL 326
1.2 mi·2 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
11
Merge onto I 75
29 mi·31 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
264 mi·4 hr 46 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95, US 441, SR 826 West
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 95, US 441
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 95
9.0 mi·11 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 3BToward Northwest 8th Street, Port of MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Northwest 8th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Northwest 8th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Miami Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
North Miami Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your drive manageable, plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the long hours behind the wheel. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Miami area. Since you will be spending the vast majority of your time on the Turnpike, keep an eye on your fuel levels before merging, as the long, uninterrupted segments can limit your immediate access to off-highway services. Use your single planned stop to stretch and refuel, which will help keep you alert during the final push into South Florida.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.5 miles from Starke, FL, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.2 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 79 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.5 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 36m
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 Starke, 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 Starke, FL
This is one driving day of about 359 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Starke, 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 264.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 357.6 — 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|South Thompson Street
Enter roundabout onto South Thompson Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
11.6 mi into trip|~17m in|US 301 / Sid Martin Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301 / Sid Martin Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
7
348.5 mi into trip|~6h 31m 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
357.6 mi into trip|~6h 43m 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
$57.14 one way
$114.29 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$62.16
$124.32
premium
$4.72
$66.75
$133.51
diesel
$5.61
$79.26
$158.53
Estimated Tolls: $18.49
Florida's Turnpike
(264.2 mi)$18.49
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
$57
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.7
1
$37.70
$17.23
Efficient EV
89.8
1
$31.41
$14.36
EV Truck/SUV
143.6
1
$50.26
$22.98
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 14, 2026
Origin
Starke, FL
Morning
in Starke on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Miami, FL
Morning
in Miami on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 14 to 18 mph14% chanceLive 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
17 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
6h 47m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 359
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 87% of this trip is spent on major highways. The route transitions from local corridors like the Sid Martin Highway onto the massive artery of Florida's Turnpike. You should prepare for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 264.2 miles once you settle onto the Turnpike. This creates a rather consistent, fast-paced environment that demands focus rather than technical maneuvering. You will find that the personality of the road remains largely uniform, favoring steady cruising over winding local roads or complex navigation.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 264.2 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 Sid Martin Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Thompson Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 359 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 (South Thompson Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11.6 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.2 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Starke, FL and Miami, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
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 6h 47m. Total distance: 359 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.49 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 (South Thompson Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11.6 miles (US 301 / Sid Martin Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.2 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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.
