Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop
Early in the drive, short detour
Lake Wales, Florida
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+18632968827
Visit websiteCompiled 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandon, FL
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp left onto FL 60 / West Brandon Boulevard
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South: Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto FL 716 / Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
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
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, FL and Port Saint Lucie, FL.
Start on FL 60
Take the exit
Turn sharp left onto FL 60
Continue on FL 60
Continue on FL 60
Turn right onto Main Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Flamingo Drive
Turn right onto FL 60
Continue on FL 60
Continue on FL 60
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit
Continue on Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
Turn right onto FL 716
Turn left onto CR 615
Turn left onto Southwest Carter Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before FL 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 miles.
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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Early in the drive, short detour
Lake Wales, Florida
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+18632968827
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bartow, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Okeechobee, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bartow, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the end, short detour
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Hours: 4–10:30 pm
+17726266655
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$23.02 one way
$46.03 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Brandon on Friday
Local time
3:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Port Saint Lucie on Friday
Local time
3:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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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