Port Saint Lucie to Gulf Gate Estates is 148.2 miles and takes about 3h 22m via FL 70 and FL 72, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within Florida, taking you from the Atlantic coast towards the Gulf. It's a straightforward, single-day drive that focuses primarily on highway travel, making it a practical option for moving between these two points efficiently. You'll cover a significant portion of the distance on a single main road, which can simplify navigation and planning for a quick trip.
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
74.1 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FL 70
67.3 mi
1h 29m
FL 72
33.6 mi
43m
Okeechobee Road
21.1 mi
25m
Clark Road
5.7 mi
9m
I 95
4.9 mi
5m
West Midway Road
4.9 mi
8m
Crosstown Parkway
4.1 mi
7m
East Hickory Street
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
FL 70
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Gulf Gate Estates, FL.
1
Start on Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft·15 sec·Southwest Carter Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 615
0.2 mi·20 sec·Southeast Airoso Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Crosstown Parkway
4.1 mi·7 min·Crosstown Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 95 North: Daytona BeachUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
4.9 mi·5 min·I 95
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 126Toward CR 712: Midway Road
7
Keep slight left at fork
407 ft·12 sec
Toward CR 712: Midway Road
8
Turn straight onto CR 712
4.9 mi·8 min·West Midway Road
9
Turn left onto FL 70
21 mi·25 min·Okeechobee Road
10
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 70
67 mi·1 hr 29 min·FL 70
11
Turn straight onto FL 70
2.6 mi·4 min·East Hickory Street
12
Turn left onto FL 72
34 mi·43 min·FL 72
13
Enter roundabout onto FL 72
103 ft·1 sec·State Road 72
14
Continue on FL 72
1.3 mi·1 min·State Road 72
15
Continue on FL 72
513 ft·11 sec·Clark Road
16
Enter roundabout onto FL 72
113 ft·2 sec·Clark Road
17
Continue on FL 72
5.6 mi·9 min·Clark Road
18
Continue on FL 72
0.9 mi·1 min·Stickney Point Road
19
Turn left onto US 41
0.8 mi·1 min·South Tamiami Trail
20
Arrive at destination
US 41
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 22m drive time and 148.2-mile distance, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Gulf Gate Estates before evening. With only one recommended stop implied by the data, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break, or push through if you're comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the longest stretch on FL 70, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably within the estimated $24 fuel cost. This is a manageable drive, so consider leaving a bit later if you prefer to avoid early morning traffic.
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 74.1 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 33 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.1 miles or 1h 39m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulf Gate Estates, 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 148.2 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 FL 70 for about 67.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 74.1 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 FL 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 140.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
4.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
5
9.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward CR 712: Midway Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 126
Toward CR 712: Midway Road
5
10 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CR 712: Midway Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CR 712: Midway Road
5
140.9 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|FL 72 / Clark Road
Enter roundabout onto FL 72 / Clark Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.59 one way
$47.18 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$25.66
$51.32
premium
$4.72
$27.56
$55.11
diesel
$5.61
$32.72
$65.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.5
0
$15.56
$7.11
Efficient EV
37.1
0
$12.97
$5.93
EV Truck/SUV
59.3
0
$20.75
$9.48
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Afternoon
in Port Saint Lucie on Saturday
Local time
3:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:40AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Gulf Gate Estates, FL
Afternoon
in Gulf Gate Estates on Saturday
Local time
3:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
16 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
3h 22m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 148.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 74% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll experience a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 67.3 miles on FL 70, offering a consistent pace for a good part of your journey. While primarily highway, the route incorporates Okeechobee Road, which may offer a slightly different feel as you transition. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes covering ground over extensive scenic detours, making it a functional choice for reaching your destination.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on FL 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 70 and FL 72. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 22m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 148.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on FL 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 615 / Southeast Airoso Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Gulf Gate Estates, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
