Trip from Port Saint Lucie, FL to Alachua, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 31m

Distance

238.3 mi

383 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 18m ★

6 AM

4h 32m

8 AM

4h 58m

10 AM

4h 41m

12 PM

4h 38m

3 PM

4h 42m

5 PM

4h 57m

8 PM

4h 24m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Alachua, FL

Larry Milligan

Trip Overview

The drive from Port Saint Lucie, FL to Alachua, FL covers 238.3 miles and takes about 4h 31m 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, I 75, Northwest 43rd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 165.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.93 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

119.1 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Florida's Turnpike	165.1 mi	2h 56m
I 75	56 mi	1h
Northwest 43rd Street	4.9 mi	8m
ML King Memorial Highway	2.1 mi	2m
Southwest 34th Street	1.7 mi	3m
Southeast Airoso Boulevard	1.6 mi	2m
Northwest 16th Boulevard	1.1 mi	2m
Northwest 34th Street	1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 165.1 mi, about 2h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Alachua, FL.

Start on Southwest Carter Avenue

215 ft · 11 sec · Southwest Carter Avenue

Turn right onto CR 615

1.6 mi · 2 min · Southeast Airoso Boulevard

Turn right onto FL 716

0.8 mi · 1 min · Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard

Turn left onto Southwest Bayshore Boulevard

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Southwest Bayshore Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

165 mi · 2 hr 56 min · Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight lane.

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.

Merge onto I 75

56 mi · 1 hr · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Exit 384 Toward FL 24: Archer Road, Gainesville, Archer Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto FL 24

1.0 mi · 1 min · Southwest Archer Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto FL 121

1.7 mi · 3 min · Southwest 34th Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on FL 121

1.0 mi · 2 min · Northwest 34th Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Northwest 16th Boulevard

1.1 mi · 2 min · Northwest 16th Boulevard

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 2053

4.9 mi · 8 min · Northwest 43rd Street

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto US 441

2.1 mi · 2 min · ML King Memorial Highway

Turn left onto Turkey Creek Boulevard

101 ft · 5 sec · Turkey Creek Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Continue on Turkey Creek Boulevard

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Turkey Creek Boulevard

Turn right onto Palmetto Boulevard

0.3 mi · 1 min · Palmetto Boulevard

Continue on Palmetto Boulevard

0.3 mi · 1 min · Palmetto Boulevard

Turn left onto Creek Drive West

0.4 mi · 1 min · Creek Drive West

Turn right onto Northwest 105th Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Northwest 105th Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Palmetto Boulevard

461 ft · 20 sec · Palmetto Boulevard

Arrive at destination

Palmetto Boulevard

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 119.1 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.1 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 52 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 119.1 miles or 2h 10m 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 32m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Port Saint Lucie, 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 Port Saint Lucie, FL

This is one driving day of about 238.3 miles and 4h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Port Saint Lucie, 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 165.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Butler, FL

119 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

Palm Bay, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Butler, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.1 miles from Port Saint Lucie, 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 165.1 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 119.1

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

Harvest Thyme Alachua

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Alachua, Florida

2.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.1

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14079894499

Visit website

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 119.1

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

Harvest Thyme Alachua

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 238.3

Alachua, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+13865883188

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.1

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14079894499

Visit website

The Kookaburra Alachua

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 238.3

Alachua, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+19042099391

Visit website

Prairie House Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 136.2

Oakland, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+14079060330

Visit website

Opus Coffee - UF Health Springhill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 238.3

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+13522268512

Visit website

Book Nook Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 221.3

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 7 am–1:30 pm

Visit website

Blue Deep Sea Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 136.2

Clermont, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 221.3

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Hampton Inn Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 221.3

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 119.1

Orlando, Florida

+14073638000

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

Scott Springs Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 187.2

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+13523685517

Visit website

Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 238.3

Gainesville, Florida

+13529552008

Visit website

Possum Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 238.3

Gainesville, Florida

+13523345067

Visit website

Crayola Experience Orlando

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 119.1

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+14077571700

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 238.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3.1 mi into trip | ~5m in

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

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

168.2 mi into trip | ~3h 3m 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

224.5 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in

Take the exit toward FL 24: Archer Road, Gainesville, Archer

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 384 Toward FL 24: Archer Road, Gainesville, Archer

224.9 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in | FL 24 / Southwest Archer Road

Turn right onto FL 24 / Southwest Archer Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

238.2 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in | Palmetto Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto Palmetto Boulevard

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.93 one way

$75.86 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$41.26	$82.52
premium	$4.72	$44.31	$88.62
diesel	$5.61	$52.61	$105.23

Estimated Tolls: $11.54

Florida's Turnpike (164.8 mi) $11.54

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

$38

Tolls

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	71.5	0	$25.02	$11.44
Efficient EV	59.6	0	$20.85	$9.53
EV Truck/SUV	95.3	1	$33.36	$15.25

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Afternoon in Port Saint Lucie on Saturday

Local time

4:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Patchy Fog

0 mph 1% chance Live 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

Alachua, FL

Afternoon in Alachua on Saturday

Local time

4:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

83°F

Lake Butler, FL

119 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

4h 31m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

238.3 mi in 4h 31m, mostly highway — 165.1 mi of that is on Florida's Turnpike.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 165.1 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 3.1 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 18 significant decision points across 238.3 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.2 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Alachua, FL, road signs point toward Gainesville and Archer.

Gainesville

224.5 mi in | ~4h 3m

Archer

224.5 mi in | ~4h 3m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 238.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 165.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $11.54 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Alachua, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Alachua, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Port Saint Lucie, FL to Alachua, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

Jabal Coffee House

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

Harvest Thyme Alachua

Jabal Coffee House

The Kookaburra Alachua

Prairie House Coffee Co

Opus Coffee - UF Health Springhill

Book Nook Cafe

Blue Deep Sea Coffee

Opus Coffee - UF Health East Tower

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Supercharger

Hampton Inn Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

The Orlando Auto Museum

Fun Spot America

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Escape Room PSL

Scott Springs Park

Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park

Possum Creek Park

Crayola Experience Orlando

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Alachua, FL

Same local time

9 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 31m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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