Trip from Fort Walton Beach, FL to Miramar, FL

Drive Time

11h 32m

Distance

625.5 mi

1,007 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$104

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Fort Walton Beach, FL

Brent Singleton

Trip Overview

Spanning 625.5 miles from the Florida Panhandle to the edge of the Miami metropolitan area, this trip covers a significant portion of the state. You should anticipate roughly 11 hours and 32 minutes of total drive time, making this a journey best suited for a two-day itinerary rather than a single push. Your route utilizes a combination of I-10, I-75, and Florida's Turnpike to connect your origin in Fort Walton Beach to your destination in Miramar. Budgeting approximately $104 for fuel is a smart starting point for your planning. Because this route spans the length of Florida, you will transition from the quiet coastal atmosphere of the Panhandle to the dense urban environment of South Florida. Breaking the trip into two days ensures you arrive refreshed rather than exhausted.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

312.8 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed transit experience, as 96% of this route takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate system and the turnpike, which provides a very consistent, efficient driving rhythm. The longest uninterrupted section involves a 258-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, requiring you to remain alert for long periods of time. While the roads are designed for speed and efficiency, the environment shifts from the more open, rural stretches of North Florida to the heavily trafficked corridors as you approach Miramar. It is a straightforward, utilitarian drive that prioritizes miles covered over winding scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Florida's Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 258 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 10. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 625.5 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.2 miles (FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.7 miles (FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 364.3 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest

At end of road, turn left onto FL 189 / Beal Parkway Northwest

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast

Turn left onto FL 85 / Eglin Parkway Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

364.3 mi into trip | ~6h 44m in | Florida's Turnpike

Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 328 Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando

622.3 mi into trip | ~11h 24m 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

622.7 mi into trip | ~11h 25m in | SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard

Merge onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Fort Walton Beach, FL and Miramar, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.

Florida's Turnpike South

364.3 mi in | ~6h 44m | via Florida's Turnpike

Orlando

364.3 mi in | ~6h 44m | via Florida's Turnpike

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Florida's Turnpike	258 mi	4h 39m
I 10	226.1 mi	4h 2m
I 75	107.2 mi	1h 54m
North Partin Drive	17.4 mi	22m
Eglin Parkway Northeast	7 mi	12m
Eglin Parkway	2.9 mi	4m
West John Sims Parkway	1.4 mi	3m
Hollywood Boulevard	1.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 258 mi, about 4h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Walton Beach, FL and Miramar, FL.

Start on Hummingbird Avenue Northwest

153 ft · 8 sec · Hummingbird Avenue Northwest

Turn right onto Williams Street Northwest

0.2 mi · 56 sec · Williams Street Northwest

At end of road, turn left onto FL 189

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Beal Parkway Northwest

Turn sharp right onto Yacht Club Drive

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Yacht Club Drive

Turn left onto FL 85

7.0 mi · 12 min · Eglin Parkway Northeast

Use the none lane.

Continue on FL 85

2.9 mi · 4 min · Eglin Parkway

Use the none / right lanes.

Continue on FL 85

0.7 mi · 1 min · Government Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto FL 85

1.4 mi · 3 min · West John Sims Parkway

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto FL 285

17 mi · 22 min · North Partin Drive

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee

Merge onto I 10

226 mi · 4 hr 2 min · I 10

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 37 sec

Exit 296A Toward I-75 South: Tampa

Merge onto I 75

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 75

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike

258 mi · 4 hr 39 min · Florida's Turnpike

Exit 328 Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Exit 49B Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto SR 820

1.1 mi · 2 min · Hollywood Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Southwest 72nd Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · Southwest 72nd Avenue

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto SR 824

444 ft · 19 sec · Pembroke Road

Turn right onto West Arcadia Drive

527 ft · 25 sec · West Arcadia Drive

At end of road, turn right onto Tropicana Street

158 ft · 12 sec · Tropicana Street

Turn left onto Bahama Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · Bahama Drive

Arrive at destination

Bahama Drive

Trip Plan

To manage the 625.5-mile distance effectively, plan for at least three stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving early in the morning is highly recommended to avoid potential congestion as you transition toward the busy South Florida region. Since this is a long-distance drive, splitting your travel over two days will prevent fatigue and allow you to navigate the heavy traffic near your destination during daylight hours. Keep a close watch on the toll requirements for Florida's Turnpike, as this will be a major component of your travel path. By pacing yourself and utilizing the three planned stops, you can maintain a steady, stress-free pace all the way to Miramar.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 312.8 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL, or about 5h 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 138 miles or 2h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 312.8 miles or 5h 49m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 312.8 miles or 5h 49m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 10h 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miramar, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Fort Walton Beach, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Fort Walton Beach, FL

Aim for roughly 313 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Miramar, FL

Aim for roughly 313 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 138 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 258 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 312.8 mi from Fort Walton Beach, FL · 5h 49m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Tallahassee, FL

206 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Tallahassee, FL to Orlando, FL

255.8 mi · 4h 45m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Orlando, FL

413 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Orlando, FL

Overnight Options

Night 1

Gainesville, FL

313 mi · about 5.8h in

A practical overnight split lands near Gainesville, FL after about 313 miles or 5.8 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Tallahassee, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 138 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gainesville, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 312.8 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 258 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 313 miles or 5.8 hours on the road.

Arriving in Miramar, FL

The final approach into Miramar, 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 Miramar, FL.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Miramar, FL with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$104.49 one way

$208.98 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 219 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$113.18	$226.36
premium	$4.90	$120.57	$241.14
diesel	$5.64	$138.96	$277.93

Estimated Tolls: $18.06

Florida's Turnpike (258 mi) $18.06

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

$104

Tolls

$18

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$253–$363

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 218.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $66 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	187.7	2	$65.68	$30.02
Efficient EV	156.4	1	$54.73	$25.02
EV Truck/SUV	250.2	3	$87.57	$40.03

Gas CO2

219 kg

EV CO2

73 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Afternoon in Fort Walton Beach on Sunday

Local time

2:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Miramar, FL

Afternoon in Miramar on Sunday

Local time

3:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

6 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

11h 32m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Fort Walton Beach, FL to Miramar, FL covers 625.5 miles and takes about 11h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, I 10, I 75. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 313 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 312.8 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $104.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Fort Walton Beach, FL and Miramar, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.

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Trip from Fort Walton Beach, FL to Miramar, FL

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Miramar, FL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Miramar, FL

1 hour later

6 degrees warmer at arrival

11h 32m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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