Origin
Sunset, FL
Late night in Sunset on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sunset, FL to Palm Bay, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
184 mi
296 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 21m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sunset, FL
Arian Fernandez
Palm Bay, FL
Hetvi Patel
Trip Overview
This 184-mile journey from Sunset, Florida, to Palm Bay, Florida, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 94% of the drive utilizing them, making it a straightforward trip. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $29. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused nature, this drive is perfectly suited for a one-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop. It's a practical choice for getting from your starting point in Florida to your destination in Florida efficiently.
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
92 miles from Sunset, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 104.7 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 95 | 44 mi | 47m |
| Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike | 23.5 mi | 25m |
| Babcock Street Northeast | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Palm Bay Road Northeast | 2 mi | 3m |
| Southwest 56th Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Southwest 117th Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Southwest 97th Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 104.7 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunset, FL and Palm Bay, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 68th Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Southwest 68th Street
2
Turn left onto Southwest 97th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 97th Avenue
3
Turn left onto Southwest 56th Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southwest 56th Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Southwest 117th Avenue
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest 117th Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
22 mi
·
24 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
105 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft
·
5 sec
Toward FL 70 East: Fort Pierce
11
Merge onto FL 70
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Okeechobee Road
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 95
44 mi
·
47 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 173
Toward FL 514: Palm Bay, Malabar
16
Turn right onto FL 514
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Malabar Road
17
Turn left onto FL 507
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Babcock Street Northeast
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Palm Bay Road Northeast
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Palm Bay Road Northeast
19
Arrive at destination
Palm Bay Road Northeast
Trip Plan
With a duration under four hours, this trip offers flexibility, so consider an early morning departure to maximize your day. The longest stretch without a major break is over 100 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. You might want to fill up before embarking on that longest segment to ensure a smooth continuation. Given the efficiency of this highway-focused route, you can easily complete it in one day, arriving at your destination well before evening.
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 92 miles from Sunset, FL, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 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 40 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palm Bay, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sunset, 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 Sunset, FL
This is one driving day of about 184 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Sunset, 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 104.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92 miles from Sunset, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 178.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North
8
27.3 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
8
133.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
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 152
Toward FL 70: Fort Pierce, Vero Beach
7
134.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
6
178.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward FL 514: Palm Bay, Malabar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 173
Toward FL 514: Palm Bay, Malabar
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.29 one way
$58.58 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $31.86 | $63.72 |
| premium | $4.72 | $34.21 | $68.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.62 | $81.25 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.74
Florida's Turnpike
(104.7 mi)
$7.33
Homestead Extension
(23.5 mi)
$1.41
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
$29
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.32 | $8.83 |
| Efficient EV | 46 | 0 | $16.10 | $7.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.76 | $11.78 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Palm Bay, FL
Late night in Palm Bay on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
Caution: Boater Awareness
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a substantial 94% of the drive on major roads like Florida's Turnpike and I-95. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. This means you'll experience extended periods of consistent speed and road conditions, ideal for covering distance. While largely a highway drive, be aware that the transition between these main arteries will shape the overall feel of your journey.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.7 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 184 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 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.1 miles: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sunset, FL and Palm Bay, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll North and Vero Beach.
Orlando
27.3 mi in
|
~35m
|
via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike Toll North
27.3 mi in
|
~35m
|
via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Vero Beach
133.1 mi in
|
~2h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 184 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $8.74 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 Palm Bay, 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 4.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 27.3 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.1 miles: 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Palm Bay, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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