This 389.5-mile journey from Steinhatchee, Florida, to Miami, Florida, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 7 hours and 31 minutes. With 99% highway travel, you'll primarily be on Florida's Turnpike, US 27 Alternate, and US 19. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $62. Given the efficiency of the route, it's a manageable drive for one day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This highway-focused route is efficient for getting you from one part of Florida to another.
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
194.8 miles from Steinhatchee, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
264.2 mi
4h 46m
US 27 Alternate
48 mi
1h 1m
US 19
33 mi
44m
I 75
24.7 mi
26m
I 95
9 mi
11m
CR 358
6.4 mi
11m
1st Avenue South
0.6 mi
1m
North Miami Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 264.2 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 19 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,073
Quietest
2 AM
~284 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
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 Steinhatchee, FL and Miami, 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
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 make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Steinhatchee to avoid potential traffic as you approach Miami. With only 2 recommended stops, you can be strategic about where you refuel or take breaks. The longest stretch of 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long highway corridors.
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 194.8 miles from Steinhatchee, FL, or about 3h 54m 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 86 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.8 miles or 3h 54m 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 20m
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 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 389.5 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 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 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 113.7 and 389 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
378.2 mi into trip|~7h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, US 441
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95, US 441
7
379 mi into trip|~7h 15m 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
388.1 mi into trip|~7h 27m 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
6
389 mi into trip|~7h 29m in|North Miami Avenue
Turn right onto North Miami Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.96 one way
$117.92 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$64.70
$129.39
premium
$4.55
$69.77
$139.55
diesel
$4.80
$73.54
$147.09
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
$59
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.9
1
$40.90
$18.70
Efficient EV
97.4
1
$34.08
$15.58
EV Truck/SUV
155.8
1
$54.53
$24.93
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Steinhatchee, FL
Afternoon
in Steinhatchee on Sunday
Local time
1:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Miami, FL
Afternoon
in Miami on Sunday
Local time
1:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
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
6 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 31m 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 389.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 264.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike, indicating extended periods of consistent speed and minimal local traffic. While the highway infrastructure ensures a smooth pace, the character of the drive is largely about efficient travel rather than varied scenery. You'll experience a consistent driving environment for the majority of the trip.
99% 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 US 27 Alternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.7 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.
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 389.5 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 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; at 378.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 379 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
127 ft6 ft
Total Climb
182 ft
Total Descent
183 ft
Highest Point
127 ft
~83.5 mi in
Elevation Range
121 ft
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 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 7h 31m. Total distance: 389.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m 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.
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 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 378.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 379 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 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.
