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Trip from Tavares, FL to Port Saint Lucie, 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 1m

Distance

156.3 mi

251 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 50m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 55m

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

Trip Overview

This 156.3-mile drive from Tavares, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 1 minute to complete. Primarily utilizing Florida's Turnpike, Western Beltway, and Wekiva Parkway, the route is heavily highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $25, it's an economical option for a quick excursion within Florida. The relatively short duration means you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stop.

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

78.1 miles from Tavares, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 123.8 mi 2h 12m
Western Beltway 10.8 mi 12m
Wekiva Parkway 5 mi 5m
East Alfred Street 3.1 mi 5m
CR Old 441 2.5 mi 5m
Sanford Road 2.2 mi 2m
FL 453 Toll 2 mi 2m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 123.8 mi, about 2h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tavares, FL and Port Saint Lucie, 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

124 mi · 2 hr 12 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 142 Toward Port Saint Lucie
16

Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard

483 ft · 15 sec · Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
17

Turn right onto FL 716

0.8 mi · 1 min · Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18

Turn left onto CR 615

1.6 mi · 2 min · Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Use the left / uturn lanes.
19

Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue

215 ft · 9 sec · Southwest Carter Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

Southwest Carter Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, starting your trip from Tavares in the morning will allow you to reach Port Saint Lucie with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one stop recommended, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps midway through the 156.3-mile journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major road change is 123.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The $25 fuel cost estimate suggests planning for a single fuel stop is likely sufficient for this route.

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 78.1 miles from Tavares, FL, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.8 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 34 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 78.1 miles or 1h 34m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Saint Lucie, 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 156.3 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Tavares, 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 123.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Orlando, FL

78 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.

Popular next leg

Orlando, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL

127 mi · 2h 23m

Pacing Suggestions

Lake Butler, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Haines City, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.1 miles from Tavares, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.8 miles.

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

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.5

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Paloma Parlor

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Windermere, Florida

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.5

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+14078760895

Visit website

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

Paloma Parlor

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.5

Windermere, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+14078760895

Visit website

True Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.3

Apopka, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14077032300

Ground Up Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Mt Dora, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15037479433

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 44.6

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14079894499

Visit website

Piccolo Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.3

Winter Garden, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

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

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 100.5

Okeechobee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

White Gator Swamp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 44.6

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078555496

Visit website

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 33.5

Orlando, Florida

+14073638000

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 156.3

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

Nehrling Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 33.5

Gotha, Florida

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+14074459977

Visit website

Fun Spot America

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 33.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 2 pm–12 am

+14073633867

Visit website

The Orlando Auto Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 33.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13217541700

Visit website

Crayola Experience Orlando

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 44.6

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+14077571700

Visit website

Discovery Cove

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Very expen mile 44.6

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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 153.8 — 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
6
19.5 mi into trip | ~29m in | FL 429 Toll / Western Beltway

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 429 Toll / Western Beltway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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...
6
153.8 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard

Turn right onto FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.88 one way

$49.76 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $27.06 $54.13
premium $4.72 $29.06 $58.13
diesel $5.61 $34.51 $69.02

Estimated Tolls: $8.67

Florida's Turnpike (123.8 mi) $8.67

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

$25

Tolls

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.9 0 $16.41 $7.50
Efficient EV 39.1 0 $13.68 $6.25
EV Truck/SUV 62.5 0 $21.88 $10.00

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% 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

8:06 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Morning in Port Saint Lucie on Sunday

Local time

8:06 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°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

13 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 1m 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?

Expect a highway-focused drive for 84% of this 156.3-mile journey. You'll spend a significant amount of time on Florida's Turnpike, including a continuous stretch of 123.8 miles. While predominantly highway, the use of the Western Beltway and Wekiva Parkway introduces some variations in the road environment as you transition between these major arteries. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, designed for covering distance quickly across the Florida landscape.

84% 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: 123.8 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Western Beltway. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 156.3 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 19.5 miles (FL 429 Toll / Western Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 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.

Between Tavares, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala, Orlando and Titusville.

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 156.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 123.8 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $8.67 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 Port Saint Lucie, 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 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.5 miles (FL 429 Toll / Western Beltway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Port Saint Lucie, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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