The drive from Palm Bay, FL to Apollo Beach, FL covers 145.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 4, New Haven Avenue, I 75 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.8 miles on I 4.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.19 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
72.9 miles from Palm Bay, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 145.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Palm Bay, FL to Apollo Beach, FL covers 145.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 51.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 145.7 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 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
8 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 192: West Melbourne, Melbourne
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 180
Toward US 192: West Melbourne, Melbourne
8
59.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward FL 417 Toll: Tampa, Daytona Beach
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 251
Toward FL 417 Toll: Tampa, Daytona Beach
8
59.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 417 Toll South: Tampa, Disney World
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 417 Toll South: Tampa, Disney World
8
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Ocala, Naples
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 9
Toward I 75: Ocala, Naples
7
125.8 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 South: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 75 South: Naples
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Palm Bay, FL and Apollo Beach, FL, road signs point toward Melbourne, Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll, Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala and Daytona Beach - among others.
Melbourne
8 mi in|~12m
Ocala
52.9 mi in|~1h 10m
Miami
52.9 mi in|~1h 10m
Florida's Turnpike Toll
52.9 mi in|~1h 10m
Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
53 mi in|~1h 11m
Daytona Beach
59.1 mi in|~1h 18m
Disney World
59.4 mi in|~1h 18m
Naples
125.5 mi in|~2h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
51.8 mi
56m
New Haven Avenue
37 mi
44m
I 75
13.8 mi
14m
Southern Connector Extension
8.2 mi
9m
Florida's Turnpike
5.5 mi
5m
Central Florida GreeneWay
5.2 mi
5m
Palm Bay Road Northeast
4 mi
7m
I 95
3.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 51.8 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Bay, FL and Apollo Beach, FL.
1
Start on Palm Bay Road Northeast
4.0 mi·7 min·Palm Bay Road Northeast
2
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
3
Merge onto I 95
3.6 mi·3 min·I 95
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 180Toward US 192: West Melbourne, MelbourneUse the slight right lane.
5
Continue on US 192
37 mi·44 min·New Haven Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on US 192; US 441
1.2 mi·1 min·East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 192; US 441
2.6 mi·5 min·13th Street
8
Continue on US 192; US 441
0.2 mi·21 sec·East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 192; US 441
3.3 mi·5 min·Bronson Highway
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
12
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
5.5 mi·5 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 251Toward FL 417 Toll: Tampa, Daytona BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward FL 417 Toll South: Tampa, Disney WorldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto FL 417 Toll
5.2 mi·5 min·Central Florida GreeneWay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 417 Toll
8.2 mi·9 min·Southern Connector Extension
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 4
52 mi·56 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 9Toward I 75: Ocala, NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: NaplesUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 75
14 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 246Toward CR 672: Apollo BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward CR 672 West: Apollo Beach, Manatee Viewing Centre
23
Turn straight onto CR 672
1.5 mi·2 min·Big Bend Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Turn left onto US 41
1.8 mi·2 min·Tamiami Trail
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Apollo Beach Boulevard
1.0 mi·1 min·Apollo Beach Boulevard
26
Turn left onto Fairway Boulevard
0.1 mi·27 sec·Fairway Boulevard
27
Arrive at destination
Fairway Boulevard
Trip Plan
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 72.9 miles from Palm Bay, FL, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.9 miles or 1h 34m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apollo Beach, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay, FL
This is one driving day of about 145.7 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Palm Bay, 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 51.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.9 mi from Palm Bay, FL
· 1h 34m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 145.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.19 one way
$46.38 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$25.23
$50.46
premium
$4.72
$27.09
$54.18
diesel
$5.61
$32.17
$64.34
Estimated Tolls: $0.38
Florida's Turnpike
(5.5 mi)$0.38
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51 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
43.7
0
$15.30
$6.99
Efficient EV
36.4
0
$12.75
$5.83
EV Truck/SUV
58.3
0
$20.40
$9.32
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
Palm Bay, FL
Morning
in Palm Bay on Friday
Local time
8:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Apollo Beach, FL
Morning
in Apollo Beach on Friday
Local time
8:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
13 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 59m 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 Palm Bay, FL to Apollo Beach, FL covers 145.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 4, New Haven Avenue, I 75. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.9 miles from Palm Bay, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 20 significant decision points across 145.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Palm Bay, FL and Apollo Beach, FL, road signs point toward Melbourne, Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll, Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala and Daytona Beach - among others.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
