Pembroke Pines to San Carlos Park is 125.5 miles and takes about 2h 23m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip connecting two points within Florida. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a quick and efficient journey. The drive is designed for speed and convenience, ideal if you're looking to get to your destination without much fuss. With a drive time under two and a half hours, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at either end.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.8 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
104.3 mi
1h 51m
Port Everglades Expressway
9.1 mi
10m
Florida's Turnpike
4.9 mi
5m
Three Oaks Parkway
2.8 mi
4m
Corkscrew Road
0.7 mi
1m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
San Carlos Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 104.3 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pembroke Pines, FL and San Carlos Park, 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, OrlandoUse 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
4.9 mi·5 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 54Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward SR 84 West, I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 595
9.1 mi·10 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 75
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 123Toward CR 850: EsteroUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
273 ft·8 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto CR 850
0.7 mi·1 min·Corkscrew Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Three Oaks Parkway
2.8 mi·4 min·Three Oaks Parkway
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto San Carlos Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·San Carlos Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Tampa Road
0.2 mi·49 sec·Tampa Road
18
Arrive at destination
Tampa Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 2h 23m, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing you to leave Pembroke Pines anytime. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, you'll want to ensure you start with a full tank to avoid any mid-drive stops. The longest stretch without a major break is over 100 miles on I 75, so plan for a brief rest stop before or after this segment. Keep an eye on traffic reports, especially around the initial merging onto the Port Everglades Expressway and Florida's Turnpike, as these can sometimes experience congestion.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.8 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.3 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.8 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Carlos Park, 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 125.5 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 104.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 120.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
6.3 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 595, SR 84, US 441
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 54
Toward I 595, SR 84, US 441
8
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 84 West, I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 84 West, I 595 West
7
7.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
7
120.9 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward CR 850: Estero
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123
Toward CR 850: Estero
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.98 one way
$39.95 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$21.73
$43.46
premium
$4.72
$23.34
$46.67
diesel
$5.61
$27.71
$55.42
Estimated Tolls: $0.34
Florida's Turnpike
(4.9 mi)$0.34
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
$20
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.7
0
$13.18
$6.02
Efficient EV
31.4
0
$10.98
$5.02
EV Truck/SUV
50.2
0
$17.57
$8.03
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 18, 2026
Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Afternoon
in Pembroke Pines on Saturday
Local time
2:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
E 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
San Carlos Park, FL
Afternoon
in San Carlos Park on Saturday
Local time
2:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Naples, FL
63 mi in
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
9 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 23m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey taking place on high-speed roads like I 75 and Florida's Turnpike. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including one continuous segment of 104.3 miles on I 75. The Port Everglades Expressway provides a brief transition before merging onto the main interstate system. The character of the drive is predominantly one of efficient travel, characterized by multiple lanes and higher speeds, minimizing the need for frequent slowdowns or complex navigation.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 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 15 significant decision points across 125.5 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 125.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.34 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Carlos Park, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Carlos Park, FL before heading back.
