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Trip from Brandon, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h

Distance

144.6 mi

233 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 49m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m

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

census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States

Brandon, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Brandon, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL is 144.6 miles and takes about 3h via FL 60 and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within Florida, offering a straightforward highway-focused drive. It's a manageable distance for a single-day trip, making it convenient for those looking to get from the Tampa Bay area to the Treasure Coast efficiently. You'll spend a good portion of your time on well-maintained highways, so expect a direct journey.

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

72.3 miles from Brandon, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 144.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of FL 60 that lasts for 61.5 miles, providing an uninterrupted segment of highway travel. The overall profile suggests a consistent driving experience, likely involving interstate and turnpike sections. Expect to transition between these main arteries as you progress towards your destination, maintaining a steady pace for most of the trip.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
FL 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near FL 60 / West Brandon Boulevard.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 144.6 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 0.2 miles (FL 60 / West Brandon Boulevard): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles (Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | FL 60 / West Brandon Boulevard

Turn sharp left onto FL 60 / West Brandon Boulevard

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
27.9 mi into trip | ~37m in | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
90.8 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit

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

Use the left lane.
8
91 mi into trip | ~1h 59m 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
6
142.1 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.

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 Brandon, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.

Florida's Turnpike South: Miami

91 mi in | ~1h 59m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FL 60 61.5 mi 1h 18m
Florida's Turnpike 49.8 mi 53m
West Brandon Boulevard 19.9 mi 26m
Canal Street 7.2 mi 9m
Main Street 1.7 mi 3m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard 1.6 mi 2m
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard 0.8 mi 1m
Flamingo Drive 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: FL 60 — 61.5 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on FL 60

0.1 mi · 12 sec · West Brandon Boulevard
2

Take the exit

173 ft · 12 sec
3

Turn sharp left onto FL 60

20 mi · 26 min · West Brandon Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4

Continue on FL 60

7.2 mi · 9 min · Canal Street
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on FL 60

0.7 mi · 1 min · FL 60
Use the straight lane.
6

Turn right onto Main Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street
Use the right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto Flamingo Drive

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Flamingo Drive
8

Turn right onto FL 60

10 mi · 12 min · FL 60
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on FL 60

4.3 mi · 5 min · FL 60
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on FL 60

46 mi · 59 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
12

Continue on this road

295 ft · 7 sec · this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

50 mi · 53 min · Florida's Turnpike
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 relatively short 3-hour duration, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Brandon, FL in the morning will get you to Port Saint Lucie with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $23, you can easily complete this trip without extensive planning. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer 61.5-mile stretch on FL 60, ensuring you have enough to comfortably cover that segment.

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 72.3 miles from Brandon, FL, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 32 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.3 miles or 1h 35m 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 29m

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 Brandon, 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 Brandon, FL

This is one driving day of about 144.6 miles and 3h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Brandon, 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 FL 60 for about 61.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.3 mi from Brandon, FL · 1h 35m into the drive

city in Polk County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eagle Lake, FL

72 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

Eagle Lake, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL

114.2 mi · 2h 21m

Pacing Suggestions

Bartow, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Frostproof, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.3 miles from Brandon, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before FL 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 miles.

Arriving in Port Saint Lucie, FL

The final approach into Port Saint Lucie, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Port Saint Lucie, FL.

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.

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 41.2

Lake Wales, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18632968827

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 30.9

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 92.8

Okeechobee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 30.9

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 144.3

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.02 one way

$46.03 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $25.04 $50.07
premium $4.72 $26.89 $53.78
diesel $5.61 $31.93 $63.85

Estimated Tolls: $3.49

Florida's Turnpike (49.8 mi) $3.49

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

$23

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.4 0 $15.18 $6.94
Efficient EV 36.2 0 $12.65 $5.78
EV Truck/SUV 57.8 0 $20.24 $9.25

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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

Brandon, FL

Afternoon in Brandon on Friday

Local time

3:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Afternoon in Port Saint Lucie on Friday

Local time

3:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

62°F

Eagle Lake, FL

72 mi in

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 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Brandon, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL covers 144.6 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are FL 60, Florida's Turnpike, West Brandon Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72.3 miles from Brandon, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 144.6 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (FL 60 / West Brandon Boulevard): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles (Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Brandon, FL to Port Saint Lucie, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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