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Trip from Pembroke Pines, FL to Apopka, FL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

4h 17m

Distance

231.2 mi

372 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
4h 5m ★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m

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

city in Orange County, Florida, United States

Apopka, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Pembroke Pines, FL to Apopka, FL covers 231.2 miles and takes about 4h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Florida's Turnpike, Western Beltway, FL 451 Toll for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 217.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.80 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

115.6 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 231.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 17m highway drive covering 231.2 miles, with most of the trip on Florida's Turnpike and Western Beltway. The longest continuous stretch is about 217.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike.

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 217.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Western Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 11 significant decision points across 231.2 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

8
1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando

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

Use the right lane. Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
6
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
8
218.5 mi into trip | ~4h in

Take the exit toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter Garden

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 267A Toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research...
7
226.8 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in

Take the exit toward FL 414 Toll East: Maitland

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 30 Toward FL 414 Toll East: Maitland
7
227.4 mi into trip | ~4h 12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FL 451 Toll North: Apopka

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward FL 451 Toll North: Apopka

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Pembroke Pines, FL and Apopka, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Uf Research & Education Center and Winter Garden.

Tampa

218.5 mi in | ~4h

Uf Research & Education Center

218.5 mi in | ~4h

Winter Garden

218.5 mi in | ~4h

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Florida's Turnpike 217.1 mi 3h 56m
Western Beltway 6.7 mi 7m
FL 451 Toll 1.9 mi 2m
Orange Blossom Trail 1 mi 1m
Southwest 64th Way 0.5 mi 1m
Southwest 8th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Hollywood Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
West 3rd Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 217.1 mi, about 3h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pembroke Pines, FL and Apopka, FL.

1

Start on Southwest 8th Street

0.2 mi · 58 sec · Southwest 8th Street
2

Continue on Southwest 64th Way

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southwest 64th Way
3

Turn right onto SR 820

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Hollywood Boulevard
4

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando Use the right lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
6

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

217 mi · 3 hr 56 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 267A Toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter Garden Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Merge onto FL 429 Toll

6.7 mi · 7 min · Western Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 41 sec
Exit 30 Toward FL 414 Toll East: Maitland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 47 sec
Toward FL 451 Toll North: Apopka Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on FL 451 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · FL 451 Toll
13

Turn right onto US 441

1.0 mi · 1 min · Orange Blossom Trail
Use the right lane.
14

Turn straight

186 ft · 6 sec
15

Continue on West 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 38 sec · West 3rd Street
16

Turn left onto Central Avenue

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Central Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

Central Avenue

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 115.6 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.1 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 51 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 115.6 miles or 2h 8m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 29m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pembroke Pines, 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 Pembroke Pines, FL

This is one driving day of about 231.2 miles and 4h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Pembroke Pines, 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 217.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 115.6 mi from Pembroke Pines, FL · 2h 8m into the drive

county seat of Indian River County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vero Beach, FL

116 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

Jupiter, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vero Beach, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 115.6 miles from Pembroke Pines, 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 217.1 miles.

Arriving in Apopka, FL

The final approach into Apopka, 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 Apopka, FL.

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

$36.80 one way

$73.60 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $40.03 $80.06
premium $4.72 $42.99 $85.98
diesel $5.61 $51.05 $102.09

Estimated Tolls: $15.19

Florida's Turnpike (217.1 mi) $15.19

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

$37

Tolls

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.4 0 $24.28 $11.10
Efficient EV 57.8 0 $20.23 $9.25
EV Truck/SUV 92.5 1 $32.37 $14.80

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Pembroke Pines, FL

Late night in Pembroke Pines on Friday

Local time

12:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Apopka, FL

Late night in Apopka on Friday

Local time

12:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

7 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

4h 17m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Pembroke Pines, FL to Apopka, FL covers 231.2 miles and takes about 4h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, Western Beltway, FL 451 Toll. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.6 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 231.2 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Pembroke Pines, FL and Apopka, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Uf Research & Education Center and Winter Garden.

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