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Trip from Palm Bay, FL to Avon Park, FL

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

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

152.3 mi

245 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 45m ★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m

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

Downtown Palm Bay, FL, FL

Palm Bay, FL

Hetvi Patel

town in Highlands County, Florida, United States

Avon Park, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Palm Bay to Avon Park covers 152.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 56 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $25 on fuel for the trip. The route primarily utilizes Florida's Turnpike, I-95, and Babcock Street Northeast to navigate through the Florida region. Whether you are heading inland for business or a change of scenery, the trip is straightforward and manageable for a solo driver or a small group. It serves as an efficient connection between the coastal area of Palm Bay and the interior landscape of Avon Park.

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

76.2 miles from Palm Bay, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 152.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

With 92% of this trip spent on highways, the route is designed for steady, consistent cruising rather than winding backroads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 97.4 miles along Florida's Turnpike. The experience shifts from the initial local navigation on Babcock Street Northeast to the high-speed corridors of the turnpike and I-95. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical turns or scenic detours. Staying alert is key, as the vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent maintaining highway speeds through the Florida landscape.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 97.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

30 ft 4 ft

Total Climb

8 ft

Total Descent

34 ft

Highest Point

30 ft

~32.6 mi in

Elevation Range

26 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.

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 14 significant decision points across 152.3 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 5.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

7
5.1 mi into trip | ~9m in

Turn sharp left toward I 95 South: Miami

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

Use the left lane. Toward I 95 South: Miami
8
49 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce

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 129 Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce
7
49.5 mi into trip | ~58m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee
8
50.3 mi into trip | ~1h in

Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
7
148.2 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in

Take the exit toward SR 818: Griffin Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 53 Toward SR 818: Griffin Road

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 Avon Park, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.

Fort Pierce

49 mi in | ~57m

Miami

50.3 mi in | ~1h

Florida's Turnpike South

50.3 mi in | ~1h

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 97.4 mi 1h 47m
I 95 43.4 mi 46m
Babcock Street Northeast 2.5 mi 4m
Griffin Road 2.5 mi 4m
Palm Bay Road Northeast 2 mi 4m
Okeechobee Road 0.5 mi <1m
Malabar Road 0.4 mi <1m
Southwest 27th Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 97.4 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palm Bay, FL and Avon Park, FL.

1

Start on Palm Bay Road Northeast

2.0 mi · 4 min · Palm Bay Road Northeast
2

Turn left onto FL 507

2.5 mi · 4 min · Babcock Street Northeast
3

Turn right onto FL 514

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Malabar Road
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
5

Turn sharp left

0.4 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 95

43 mi · 46 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Exit 129 Toward FL 70: Okeechobee, Fort Pierce Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

492 ft · 12 sec
Toward FL 70 West: Okeechobee Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto FL 70

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Okeechobee Road
10

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Use the left / uturn lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South Use the left lane.
12

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

97 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 2 min
Exit 53 Toward SR 818: Griffin Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto SR 818

2.5 mi · 4 min · Griffin Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Turn slight left

107 ft · 4 sec
Use the left lane.
16

Turn left onto Southwest 27th Avenue

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Southwest 27th Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

Southwest 27th Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a sub-three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While you only strictly need one stop to complete the trip comfortably, taking a break during your 152.3-mile journey helps keep you refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer stretches of the turnpike, as services can be spaced out. Because the route relies so heavily on major thoroughfares, checking local traffic conditions on I-95 before you pull out of your driveway can save you significant time. Planning your single stop in the middle of that 97.4-mile turnpike stretch is a smart way to break up the monotony of the highway driving.

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 76.2 miles from Palm Bay, FL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 34 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.2 miles or 1h 28m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avon Park, 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 152.3 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 97.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.2 mi from Palm Bay, FL · 1h 28m into the drive

Downtown Stuart, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Stuart, FL

76 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Vero Beach, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stuart, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.2 miles from Palm Bay, 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 97.4 miles.

Arriving in Avon Park, FL

The final approach into Avon Park, 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 Avon Park, FL.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.24 one way

$48.48 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $26.37 $52.74
premium $4.72 $28.32 $56.64
diesel $5.61 $33.63 $67.25

Estimated Tolls: $6.82

Florida's Turnpike (97.4 mi) $6.82

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

$24

Tolls

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.7 0 $15.99 $7.31
Efficient EV 38.1 0 $13.33 $6.09
EV Truck/SUV 60.9 0 $21.32 $9.75

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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

6:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Avon Park, FL

Morning in Avon Park on Friday

Local time

6:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°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

8 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 56m 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 Avon Park, FL covers 152.3 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, I 95, Babcock Street Northeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 76.2 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 $24.24 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 14 significant decision points across 152.3 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 5.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Palm Bay, FL and Avon Park, FL, road signs point toward Fort Pierce, Miami and Florida's Turnpike South.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 4 ft to 30 ft elevation with about 8 ft of total climbing.

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. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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