Origin
Citrus Hills, FL
Late night in Citrus Hills on Saturday
Local time
1:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
77.6 mi
125 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Citrus Hills, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Orlando, FL
Wikimedia Commons
This 77.6-mile drive from Citrus Hills, FL to Orlando, FL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. You'll primarily be on major roads, with Florida's Turnpike, Gulf to Lake Highway, and East-West Expressway forming the backbone of your journey. The fuel cost is estimated at a reasonable $12, making it an economical option for reaching your destination. This highway-focused route offers a straightforward path through Florida, suitable for travelers prioritizing efficiency. Given its relatively short duration and minimal stops recommended, it's a convenient option for a quick transition between these two Florida locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.8 miles from Citrus Hills, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 77.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a drive that's predominantly highway, with 66% of the route utilizing these faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 41.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. This profile suggests a driving experience focused on covering ground efficiently, rather than winding through quaint towns or along scenic byways. While the specific road surfaces will vary, the overall character leans towards a modern, high-speed transit, allowing you to make good time between Citrus Hills and Orlando.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Gulf to Lake Highway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near North Citrus Hills Boulevard.
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 77.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.3 miles (North Citrus Hills Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.1 miles (FL 408 Toll / Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto North Citrus Hills Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto FL 408 Toll / Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway toward FL 408 Toll East: Orlando, Titusville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 17, US 92, US 441: Orange Blossom Trail
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto West Anderson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Citrus Hills, FL and Orlando, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Titusville.
Florida's Turnpike South
Titusville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| Gulf to Lake Highway | 19.4 mi | 26m |
| East-West Expressway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Kensington Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| North Citrus Hills Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Carter Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Citrus Hills, FL and Orlando, FL.
Start on East Glassboro Court
At end of road, turn right onto North Citrus Hills Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto East Reehill Street
Continue on North Kensington Avenue
Turn left onto FL 44
Continue on FL 44
Turn left onto FL 44
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto FL 408 Toll
Continue on FL 408 Toll
Take the exit
Continue on Carter Street
Enter roundabout onto Hicks Avenue
Continue on Hicks Avenue
Turn right onto West Anderson Street
Turn left onto Boone Avenue
Turn right onto West South Street
Turn slight right
Arrive at destination
For this relatively short 1 hour and 40-minute drive, flexibility is key. Leaving Citrus Hills in the morning, perhaps before peak traffic, will ensure a smoother arrival in Orlando. While only 77.6 miles, consider a brief stop for fuel or a stretch break, especially if you're heading straight into activities upon arrival. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike is over 40 miles, and it's always wise to have a buffer. The estimated $12 fuel cost is a good benchmark for your budget, but always check current prices.
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.
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 17 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orlando, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Citrus Hills, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Citrus Hills, FL
This is one driving day of about 77.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.8 mi from Citrus Hills, FL · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 38.8 miles from Citrus Hills, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Orlando, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.35 one way
$24.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $13.44 | $26.87 |
| premium | $4.72 | $14.43 | $28.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.13 | $34.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.93
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
$12
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.15 | $3.72 |
| Efficient EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.79 | $3.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31 | 0 | $10.86 | $4.97 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Late night in Citrus Hills on Saturday
Local time
1:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Orlando on Saturday
Local time
1:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
82°F
Wildwood, FL
39 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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