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Trip from Tavares, 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

2h 17m

Distance

105 mi

169 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Lake County, Florida, United States

Tavares, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Palm Bay, FL, FL

Palm Bay, FL

Hetvi Patel

Trip Overview

Traveling from Tavares to Palm Bay covers approximately 105 miles, typically taking about 2 hours and 17 minutes under normal conditions. You will navigate a mix of roadways including the Bronson Highway, Florida's Turnpike, and the Western Beltway. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $18 on fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. This drive transitions you from inland Central Florida toward the Atlantic coast, providing a straightforward connection between these two regions. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers looking to bridge the distance between these Florida hubs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.5 miles from Tavares, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Bronson Highway 37.2 mi 46m
Florida's Turnpike 22.6 mi 24m
Western Beltway 10.8 mi 12m
Wekiva Parkway 5 mi 5m
Palm Bay Road Northeast 4.3 mi 7m
I 95 3.4 mi 3m
East Alfred Street 3.1 mi 5m
US 192 2.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Bronson Highway — 37.2 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tavares, FL and Palm Bay, FL.

1

Start on CR Old 441

3.1 mi · 5 min · East Alfred Street
2

Turn right onto CR Old 441

2.5 mi · 5 min · CR Old 441
3

Turn right onto CR Old 441

0.3 mi · 43 sec · North Highland Street
4

Turn left onto CR 46

0.7 mi · 1 min · East 1st Avenue
5

Continue on FL 46

2.2 mi · 2 min · Sanford Road
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward FL 453 Toll South
7

Merge onto FL 453 Toll

2.0 mi · 2 min · FL 453 Toll
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward FL 429 Toll South: Orlando, Tampa Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto FL 429 Toll

5.0 mi · 5 min · Wekiva Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on FL 414 Toll; FL 429 Toll

2.8 mi · 3 min · Western Beltway
11

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 429 Toll

8.1 mi · 8 min · Western Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 22 Toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward Orlando, Titusville, Miami, South Florida’s Turnpike Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

23 mi · 24 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 244 Toward US 192, ​US 441: Kissimmee, ​Saint Cloud Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

177 ft · 6 sec
Toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud, Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
17

Turn left onto US 192; US 441

3.4 mi · 5 min · Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on US 192; US 441

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
19

Continue on US 192; US 441

2.6 mi · 5 min · 13th Street
20

Continue on US 192; US 441

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
21

Continue on US 192; US 441

34 mi · 40 min · Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
22

Continue on US 192

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 192
23

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 South: Miami
24

Merge onto I 95

3.4 mi · 3 min · I 95
25

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 176 Toward CR 516: Palm Bay Use the slight right lane.
26

Continue on this road

99 ft · 4 sec · this road
Exit 176 Toward CR 516: Palm Bay, Palm Bay Road Use the left / right lanes.
27

Turn straight onto CR 516

4.3 mi · 7 min · Palm Bay Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
28

Arrive at destination

Palm Bay Road Northeast

Trip Plan

Because this trip takes just over two hours, you have significant flexibility in your departure timing, though avoiding peak commuter hours is always a smart move. Since the route is relatively short, you likely won't need an elaborate stop schedule, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $18 estimated cost. Ensure you have your toll transponder ready before hitting Florida's Turnpike and the Western Beltway to keep your travel time to a minimum. Use the 37.2-mile stretch on the Bronson Highway to settle into your drive, as this is your longest period of continuous travel. By planning your departure to bypass heavy traffic, you can make this drive a stress-free experience.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.5 miles from Tavares, FL, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.2 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 23 miles or 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 52.5 miles or 1h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 51m

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 Tavares, 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 Tavares, FL

This is one driving day of about 105 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Tavares, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Bronson Highway for about 37.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Poinciana, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poinciana, FL

53 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

Winter Garden, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Poinciana, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.5 miles from Tavares, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.5

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.5

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14079894499

Visit website

Paloma Parlor

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Windermere, Florida

3 mi

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

Susana's Cafe - Kissimmee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.5

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14072012627

Visit website

Café Barista - Kissimmee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.5

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14079351384

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14079894499

Visit website

Paloma Parlor

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 30

Windermere, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+14078760895

Visit website

Calypso Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 15

Apopka, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14077037370

Visit website

Ground Up Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 7.5

Mt Dora, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15037479433

Visit website

Piccolo Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 30

Winter Garden, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

True Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.5

Apopka, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14077032300

Sprout & Bean | Play Café | Coffee Shop and Indoor Playground | Winter Garden

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 30

Winter Garden, Florida

+13522052589

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Tavares, Florida

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Tavares, Florida

+31880109500

Visit website

The Orlando Auto Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 37.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13217541700

Visit website

Fun Spot America

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 37.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 2 pm–12 am

+14073633867

Visit website

Nehrling Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 30

Gotha, Florida

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+14074459977

Visit website

White Gator Swamp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 45

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078555496

Visit website

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 37.5

Orlando, Florida

+14073638000

Visit website

Reptile World Serpentarium

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 60

St Cloud, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078926905

Visit website

Crayola Experience Orlando

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 37.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+14077571700

Visit website

Discovery Cove

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour Very expen mile 37.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14075134600

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 100.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
11.1 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 429 Toll South: Orlando, Tampa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward FL 429 Toll South: Orlando, Tampa
8
27.6 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala

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 22 Toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala
8
27.9 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Orlando, Titusville, Miami, South 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 Orlando, Titusville, Miami, South Florid...
8
51.4 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in

Take the exit toward US 192, ​US 441: Kissimmee, ​Saint Cloud

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 244 Toward US 192, ​US 441: Kissimmee, ​Saint Cloud
7
100.3 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward CR 516: Palm Bay

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 176 Toward CR 516: Palm Bay

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.71 one way

$33.43 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $18.18 $36.36
premium $4.72 $19.52 $39.05
diesel $5.61 $23.18 $46.37

Estimated Tolls: $1.58

Florida's Turnpike (22.6 mi) $1.58

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

$17

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.5 0 $11.02 $5.04
Efficient EV 26.3 0 $9.19 $4.20
EV Truck/SUV 42 0 $14.70 $6.72

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Tavares, FL

Morning in Tavares on Sunday

Local time

7:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palm Bay, FL

Morning in Palm Bay on Sunday

Local time

7:29 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 17m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This 105-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile, combining local thoroughfares with major toll roads. Approximately 34% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a balance between high-speed travel and regional connectivity. You should prepare for a longest uninterrupted stretch of 37.2 miles while navigating the Bronson Highway. As you transition from the Western Beltway onto Florida's Turnpike, the rhythm of the road shifts from regional connectors to the steady pace of a major artery. You will find that the drive maintains a consistent momentum, moving efficiently through these varied road types to get you to your destination.

34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.2 mi on Bronson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 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 19 significant decision points across 105 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 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Tavares, FL and Palm Bay, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala, Orlando and Titusville - among others.

Tampa

11.1 mi in | ~19m

Florida’s Turnpike

27.6 mi in | ~38m

Miami

27.6 mi in | ~38m

Ocala

27.6 mi in | ~38m

Orlando

27.9 mi in | ~39m

Titusville

27.9 mi in | ~39m

​Us 441: Kissimmee

51.4 mi in | ~1h 5m

​Saint Cloud

51.4 mi in | ~1h 5m

Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital

52 mi in | ~1h 6m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 105 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 37.2 miles on Bronson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.58 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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Palm Bay, FL before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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