Wahneta to Pembroke Pines is 201.7 miles and takes about 3h 54m via Florida's Turnpike, FL 60, and South Rifle Range Road, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route spans across Florida, moving from one region to another without leaving the state. Given its relatively short duration and high highway percentage, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll likely find it's a practical option for getting from the central part of the state down towards South Florida.
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
100.9 miles from Wahneta, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
142.7 mi
2h 36m
FL 60
54.8 mi
1h 10m
South Rifle Range Road
2.5 mi
4m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Hollywood Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
9th Street West
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 142.7 mi, about 2h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wahneta, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on 9th Street West
118 ft·7 sec·9th Street West
2
Turn right onto CR 655
2.5 mi·4 min·South Rifle Range Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto FL 60
4.2 mi·4 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FL 60
4.3 mi·5 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on FL 60
46 mi·59 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on this road
295 ft·7 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: MiamiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
143 mi·2 hr 36 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Exit 49BToward SR 820 West: Pines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi·36 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
12
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Southwest 8th Street
14
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 54m drive time, leaving Wahneta in the morning will get you to Pembroke Pines by midday. The longest stretch without a significant exit is over 140 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you begin this segment. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost of $32, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily adjust your departure time or make an unplanned stop if needed, as you'll have plenty of daylight to complete the drive.
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 100.9 miles from Wahneta, FL, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.7 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 44 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.9 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pembroke Pines, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wahneta, 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 Wahneta, FL
This is one driving day of about 201.7 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Wahneta, 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 142.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 201 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|FL 60
At end of road, turn left onto FL 60
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
57.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
57.5 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
7
200.4 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49B
Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
6
201 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|Southwest 64th Way
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.53 one way
$61.07 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$33.50
$67.01
premium
$4.55
$36.13
$72.26
diesel
$4.80
$38.08
$76.17
Estimated Tolls: $9.99
Florida's Turnpike
(142.7 mi)$9.99
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
$31
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.5
0
$21.18
$9.68
Efficient EV
50.4
0
$17.65
$8.07
EV Truck/SUV
80.7
1
$28.24
$12.91
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Wahneta, FL
Morning
in Wahneta on Monday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 3 to 7 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Morning
in Pembroke Pines on Monday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 6 to 12 mph12% 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
7 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
3h 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 98% of it on limited-access roads. You'll spend the bulk of your time on Florida's Turnpike, covering a stretch of 142.7 miles without significant breaks. The transition to surface roads, FL 60 and South Rifle Range Road, will happen towards the end of your trip. Expect a significant number of exits as you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.7 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near FL 60.
Driving Effort6/10
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 201.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.5 miles (FL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
133 ft6 ft
Total Climb
5 ft
Total Descent
132 ft
Highest Point
133 ft
Elevation Range
127 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Wahneta, FL to Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.
Winter Haven is the second largest city in Polk County, Florida. The city was an agricultural center, but in the 1990s and 2000s, it has become a largely residential and manufacturing city. Winter Haven is home to Legoland and the "Chain of Lakes".
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 201.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.7 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.99 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 13 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 Pembroke Pines, 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (FL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Pembroke Pines, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
