Origin
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Afternoon in Port Saint Lucie on Friday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Port Saint Lucie, FL to Alachua, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 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
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
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 highway-focused drive. 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 .
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.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 31m highway drive covering 238.3 miles, with most of the trip on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 165.1 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 24 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 165.1 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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
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
7
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
8
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
6
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.
6
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
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
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.
1
Start on Southwest Carter Avenue
215 ft
·
11 sec
·
Southwest Carter Avenue
2
Turn right onto CR 615
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Airoso Boulevard
3
Turn right onto FL 716
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Port Saint Lucie Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Southwest Bayshore Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
165 mi
·
2 hr 56 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 75
56 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 384
Toward FL 24: Archer Road, Gainesville, Archer
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto FL 24
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Archer Road
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto FL 121
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Southwest 34th Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on FL 121
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 34th Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 16th Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto CR 2053
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Northwest 43rd Street
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 441
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
ML King Memorial Highway
17
Turn left onto Turkey Creek Boulevard
101 ft
·
5 sec
·
Turkey Creek Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on Turkey Creek Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Turkey Creek Boulevard
19
Turn right onto Palmetto Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Palmetto Boulevard
20
Continue on Palmetto Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Palmetto Boulevard
21
Turn left onto Creek Drive West
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Creek Drive West
22
Turn right onto Northwest 105th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 105th Avenue
23
At end of road, turn left onto Palmetto Boulevard
461 ft
·
20 sec
·
Palmetto Boulevard
24
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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.1 mi from Port Saint Lucie, FL · 2h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.1 miles.
Arriving in Alachua, FL
The final approach into Alachua, 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 Alachua, 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
$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.
Destination
Alachua, FL
Afternoon in Alachua on Friday
Local time
4:40 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
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Port Saint Lucie, FL to Alachua, FL covers 238.3 miles and takes about 4h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, I 75, Northwest 43rd Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.1 miles from Port Saint Lucie, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.93 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 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.
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.
Between Port Saint Lucie, FL and Alachua, FL, road signs point toward Gainesville and Archer.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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