Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Afternoon in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
4:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pembroke Pines, FL to Citra, FL
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
302.9 mi
487 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 22m
★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 2m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 42m
3 PM
5h 46m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Citra, FL
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
Traveling from Pembroke Pines to Citra covers 302.9 miles of Florida landscape, typically taking about 5 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is almost entirely highway-focused, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should set aside a fuel budget of approximately $51 to cover the distance. Navigating via Florida’s Turnpike, I-75, and US 301 keeps the trip straightforward and efficient. While this isn't a cross-country epic, it is a significant trek north through the state that moves you from the South Florida urban corridor toward the more rural, central-northern parts of the state. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that gets you to your destination quickly if you stay focused on the main arteries.
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
151.5 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 99% of this 302.9-mile route is comprised of highway travel. The vast majority of your time will be spent on Florida’s Turnpike, which accounts for a substantial 258.5-mile uninterrupted stretch. This segment provides a consistent, high-speed pace that allows you to cover most of the distance with minimal navigation changes. As you transition onto I-75 and eventually US 301, the character of the road remains efficient but shifts toward the flow of regional traffic. It is a utilitarian drive designed for speed rather than technical maneuvering, so prepare for a steady, focused atmosphere behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 258.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 302.9 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 0.7 miles (SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Turn right onto SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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
7
259.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
|
Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
7
288.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
Take the exit toward FL 326
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 358
Toward FL 326
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Florida's Turnpike | 258.5 mi | 4h 41m |
| I 75 | 28.9 mi | 31m |
| US 301 | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| Northwest 70th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| FL 326 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 64th Way | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 8th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Hollywood Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 258.5 mi, about 4h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pembroke Pines, FL and Citra, 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
Use the none lane.
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
258 mi
·
4 hr 40 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
Use the straight lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 75
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 358
Toward FL 326
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn slight right
144 ft
·
4 sec
11
Turn slight right onto FL 326
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
FL 326
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on FL 326
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 70th Street
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto US 301; US 441
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 301; US 441
Use the left lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 301
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 301
Toward North US 301: Starke
15
Arrive at destination
US 301
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim for a departure time that avoids peak rush hour traffic in the major metropolitan areas you are leaving. Since the journey is a single-day commitment, you only need to plan for one major stop to refuel and stretch your legs, which fits well within the 5-hour and 34-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 258.5-mile stint on the Turnpike, as service plazas are the most reliable spots to fill up without exiting the highway system. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to easily adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected congestion. Use the transition to US 301 as your natural signal that you are nearing the final leg of your trip to Citra.
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 151.5 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.5 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.5 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Citra, 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 302.9 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 258.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.5 mi from Pembroke Pines, FL · 2h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.5 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 258.5 miles.
Arriving in Citra, FL
The final approach into Citra, 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 Citra, 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
$50.60 one way
$101.20 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $54.81 | $109.62 |
| premium | $4.90 | $58.39 | $116.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $67.29 | $134.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $18.08
Florida's Turnpike
(258.3 mi)
$18.08
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
$51
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.9 | 1 | $31.80 | $14.54 |
| Efficient EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.50 | $12.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.2 | 1 | $42.41 | $19.39 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Citra, FL
Afternoon in Citra on Sunday
Local time
4:38 PM
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
10 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
5h 34m 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 Citra, FL covers 302.9 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, I 75, US 301. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.5 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 $50.60 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 9 significant decision points across 302.9 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 0.7 miles (SR 820 / Hollywood Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
The route from Pembroke Pines, FL to Citra, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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