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Trip from Zephyrhills, 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 41m

Distance

125.7 mi

202 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 31m ★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m

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 Pasco County, Florida, United States

Zephyrhills, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Palm Bay, FL, FL

Palm Bay, FL

Hetvi Patel

Trip Overview

This approximately 120-mile journey from Zephyrhills, Florida, to Palm Bay, Florida, is designed for a single day, with an estimated driving time of 2 hours and 23 minutes. You'll navigate primarily using local roads, including 5th Avenue, Gall Boulevard, and Paul S Buchman Highway, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $20. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. It's a straightforward drive within the state of Florida, connecting two distinct communities.

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

62.8 miles from Zephyrhills, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 4 39.7 mi 43m
Bronson Highway 37.2 mi 46m
Paul S Buchman Highway 9.8 mi 12m
Osceola Parkway 7.1 mi 10m
Palm Bay Road Northeast 4.3 mi 7m
Southern Connector Extension 4.2 mi 5m
Florida's Turnpike 3.5 mi 3m
I 95 3.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 4 — 39.7 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 5th Avenue

122 ft · 7 sec · 5th Avenue
2

Continue on 5th Avenue

304 ft · 18 sec · 5th Avenue
3

Turn left onto US 301

1.2 mi · 2 min · Gall Boulevard
4

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 39

9.8 mi · 12 min · Paul S Buchman Highway
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on FL 39

1.2 mi · 1 min · Alexander Street
6

Turn left onto FL 39A

2.1 mi · 3 min · Paul Buchman Highway
Use the left lane.
7

Turn slight right

182 ft · 6 sec
8

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 4 East: Orlando
9

Merge onto I 4

40 mi · 43 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 16 sec
Exit 62 Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Celebration Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on FL 417 Toll

4.2 mi · 5 min · Southern Connector Extension
Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Exit 3 Toward Osceola Parkway, Gaylord Convention Center Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn right onto CR 522

7.1 mi · 10 min · Osceola Parkway
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on CR 522

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Osceola Parkway
Use the left lane.
15

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll South
16

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

3.5 mi · 3 min · Florida's Turnpike
17

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 244 Toward US 192, ​US 441: Kissimmee, ​Saint Cloud Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

177 ft · 6 sec
Toward US 192 East, US 441 South: Saint. Cloud, Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital
19

Turn left onto US 192; US 441

3.4 mi · 5 min · Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
20

Continue on US 192; US 441

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
21

Continue on US 192; US 441

2.6 mi · 5 min · 13th Street
22

Continue on US 192; US 441

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
23

Continue on US 192; US 441

34 mi · 40 min · Bronson Highway
Use the left lane.
24

Continue on US 192

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 192
25

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 South: Miami
26

Merge onto I 95

3.4 mi · 3 min · I 95
27

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 176 Toward CR 516: Palm Bay Use the slight right lane.
28

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.
29

Turn straight onto CR 516

4.3 mi · 7 min · Palm Bay Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
30

Arrive at destination

Palm Bay Road Northeast

Trip Plan

With a total distance of just under 120 miles and a driving time of about 2 hours and 23 minutes, this route offers significant flexibility. You can depart Zephyrhills whenever it suits you best, and the $20 fuel cost makes budgeting straightforward. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it in one go. A practical tip for this turn-heavy local drive is to familiarize yourself with the main roads like 5th Avenue, Gall Boulevard, and Paul S Buchman Highway beforehand, as the lack of highway segments means you'll be making frequent turns and adjustments.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.8 miles from Zephyrhills, FL, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.7 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 28 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.8 miles or 1h 16m 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 11m

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 Zephyrhills, 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 Zephyrhills, FL

This is one driving day of about 125.7 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Zephyrhills, 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 I 4 for about 39.7 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

63 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 Palm Bay, FL

74.2 mi · 1h 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Lakeland, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Butler, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.8 miles from Zephyrhills, 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

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Celebration

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kissimmee, Florida

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.9

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14072719145

Visit website

XO Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kissimmee, Florida

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Castro's Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Polk City, Florida

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.9

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524670378

Visit website

World of Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Orlando, Florida

1.5 mi

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Celebration

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.9

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14072719145

Visit website

XO Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 62.8

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14075075607

Visit website

Susana's Cafe - Kissimmee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 71.8

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14072012627

Visit website

Café Barista - Kissimmee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 71.8

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14079351384

Visit website

The Coffee Grove Corp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 44.9

Davenport, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18634193212

Visit website

Castro's Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.9

Polk City, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524670378

Visit website

World of Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 62.8

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8:30 am–9 pm

+14072399262

Foxtail Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 62.8

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14073900219

Visit website

Pressed Books & Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 26.9

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18636033166

Visit website

Black & Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.9

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18635009500

Visit website

Foxtail Coffee & Kelly’s Ice Cream - Celebration at 192

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 62.8

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+14076760211

Visit website

Concord Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 26.9

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Zephyrhills, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Dare 2 Escape - Escape Room Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 62.8

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 11:30 am–10:30 pm

+14075070018

Visit website

Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 9

Plant City, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7:30 pm

+18137573713

Visit website

Reptile World Serpentarium

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 80.8

St Cloud, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078926905

Visit website

Bonnet Springs Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 26.9

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+18637327000

Visit website

Wallaby Ranch

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 44.9

Davenport, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

+18635574600

Visit website

White Gator Swamp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 62.8

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078555496

Visit website

Discovery Cove

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour Very expen mile 62.8

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14075134600

Visit website

Disney's Hollywood Studios

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 53.9

Bay Lake, Florida

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+14079395277

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 121 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in | FL 39 / Paul S Buchman Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto FL 39 / Paul S Buchman Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
9
54.8 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Celebration

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 62 Toward FL 417 North: Airport, Disney World, Cel...
8
59.2 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in

Take the exit toward Osceola Parkway, Gaylord Convention Center

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 3 Toward Osceola Parkway, Gaylord Convention Cent...
8
72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 29m 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
121 mi into trip | ~2h 32m 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

$20.01 one way

$40.02 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $21.76 $43.53
premium $4.72 $23.37 $46.75
diesel $5.61 $27.75 $55.51

Estimated Tolls: $0.25

Florida's Turnpike (3.5 mi) $0.25

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

$20

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.7 0 $13.20 $6.03
Efficient EV 31.4 0 $11.00 $5.03
EV Truck/SUV 50.3 0 $17.60 $8.04

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Zephyrhills, FL

Morning in Zephyrhills on Sunday

Local time

10:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palm Bay, FL

Morning in Palm Bay on Sunday

Local time

10:20 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

6 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

2h 41m 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 turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 120-mile route, as it features a 0% highway share. This means you'll be continuously engaged with a variety of local roads, including 5th Avenue, Gall Boulevard, and Paul S Buchman Highway. Without any long stretches of highway, your pace will be dictated by traffic signals and local speed limits. The character of the drive remains consistent, offering a true sense of navigating through communities rather than bypassing them on faster thoroughfares. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction and speed throughout the 2-hour and 23-minute journey.

46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.7 mi on I 4.

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 1.3 miles in near FL 39 / Paul S Buchman Highway.

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 20 significant decision points across 125.7 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 1.3 miles (FL 39 / Paul S Buchman Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 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 Zephyrhills, FL and Palm Bay, FL, road signs point toward Disney World, Celebration, Gaylord Convention Center, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll South and ​Us 441: Kissimmee - among others.

Disney World

54.8 mi in | ~1h 5m

Celebration

54.8 mi in | ~1h 5m

Gaylord Convention Center

59.2 mi in | ~1h 10m

Miami

68.1 mi in | ~1h 24m

Florida's Turnpike Toll South

68.1 mi in | ~1h 24m

​Us 441: Kissimmee

72.1 mi in | ~1h 29m

​Saint Cloud

72.1 mi in | ~1h 29m

Orlando Health Saint Cloud Hospital

72.7 mi in | ~1h 30m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 125.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 39.7 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.25 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. 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 1.3 miles (FL 39 / Paul S Buchman Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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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