This 385.7-mile drive from Steinhatchee to Hialeah, Florida, will take approximately 7 hours and 29 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. Expect a fuel cost of around $61 for this journey, which is primarily highway-focused. You'll be navigating on Florida's Turnpike, US 27 Alternate, and US 19 for the majority of the route. With two recommended stops, you can break up the drive effectively. This is a straightforward, practical journey through Florida.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
192.8 miles from Steinhatchee, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
262 mi
4h 44m
US 27 Alternate
48 mi
1h 1m
US 19
33 mi
44m
I 75
24.7 mi
26m
CR 358
6.4 mi
11m
Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
2.8 mi
4m
Northwest 37th Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Northwest 199th Street
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 262 mi, about 4h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Steinhatchee, FL and Hialeah, FL.
1
Start on FL 51
70 ft·2 sec·Riverside Drive
2
Turn right onto Park Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Park Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 361
0.6 mi·1 min·1st Avenue South
4
Turn right onto 10th Street East
0.2 mi·25 sec·10th Street East
5
Continue on Steinhatchee Bridge
0.3 mi·39 sec·Steinhatchee Bridge
6
Turn left onto CR 358
6.4 mi·11 min·CR 358
7
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
25 mi·32 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
8.3 mi·11 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
9
Turn left onto US 27 Alternate
48 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 27 Alternate
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
11
Merge onto I 75
25 mi·26 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
262 mi·4 hr 44 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 2XToward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock StadiumUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·21 sec·this road
15
Turn right onto Northwest 199th Street
1.8 mi·2 min·Northwest 199th Street
Use the left / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Northwest 37th Avenue
2.6 mi·4 min·Northwest 37th Avenue
17
Continue on Northwest 42nd Avenue-37th Avenue Connector
For this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Steinhatchee to maximize daylight and reach Hialeah comfortably. With 97% highway driving, you'll want to plan your two stops strategically, perhaps for fuel and a meal. The longest stretch of 262 miles on Florida's Turnpike means you'll have ample opportunity to maintain speed, so be mindful of your fuel gauge as you approach that segment. This drive is well-suited for a single day, giving you flexibility to depart and arrive on your own schedule.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 192.8 miles from Steinhatchee, FL, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262 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 85 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.8 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Steinhatchee, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Steinhatchee, FL
This is one driving day of about 385.7 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Steinhatchee, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 262 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 88.6 and 376.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
88.6 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
5
89 mi into trip|~2h in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
113.7 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
8
375.7 mi into trip|~7h 10m in
Take the exit toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadium
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 2X
Toward Northwest 199th Street, Hard Rock Stadiu...
5
376.4 mi into trip|~7h 12m in|Northwest 199th Street
Turn right onto Northwest 199th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.39 one way
$122.79 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$66.78
$133.57
premium
$4.72
$71.72
$143.44
diesel
$5.61
$85.16
$170.32
Estimated Tolls: $18.34
Florida's Turnpike
(262 mi)$18.34
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
$61
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.7
1
$40.50
$18.51
Efficient EV
96.4
1
$33.75
$15.43
EV Truck/SUV
154.3
1
$54.00
$24.68
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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 18, 2026
Origin
Steinhatchee, FL
Late night
in Steinhatchee on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hialeah, FL
Late night
in Hialeah on Sunday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
E 10 mph0% 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
4 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
7h 29m 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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 385.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of it utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 262 miles on Florida's Turnpike. While primarily highway, the inclusion of US 27 Alternate and US 19 offers some variation from the fastest interstates. The character of the drive is largely about covering distance efficiently, with the majority of your time spent on high-speed roads.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 262 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and US 27 Alternate. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 88.6 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 385.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 88.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 89 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.7 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 Steinhatchee, FL and Hialeah, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
Florida's Turnpike South
113.7 mi in|~2h 26m|via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
113.7 mi in|~2h 26m|via Florida's Turnpike
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 385.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 262 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.34 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 24 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hialeah, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 88.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 89 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.7 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hialeah, FL before the return drive.
