Origin
Sanibel, FL
Night in Sanibel on Thursday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sanibel, FL to Pembroke Pines, FL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
145.1 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sanibel, FL
Arian Fernandez
Trip Overview
This 145.1-mile drive from Sanibel, Florida, to Pembroke Pines, Florida, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes. You'll primarily be on I 75, with portions of Port Everglades Expressway and Summerlin Road also part of the route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23, making it an economical option for a day trip. The route is overwhelmingly highway, so expect a relatively consistent driving experience. It's a practical choice for getting from the Gulf Coast to South Florida without needing to break it up into multiple days.
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
72.5 miles from Sanibel, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 145.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for 84% of this 145.1-mile journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 107.8 miles on I 75, indicating a period of consistent cruising. As you transition, you'll encounter sections of Port Everglades Expressway and Summerlin Road, which may offer slight variations in pace and environment before you reach your destination. This profile suggests a drive where you can settle into a rhythm on the interstate for the majority of the time.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 107.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 20 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 145.1 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 20 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.8 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.8 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.
7
20 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South: Naples
9
128.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Spr...
8
137.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike
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 8; 9A-B
Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpi...
7
138.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando...
8
138.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sanibel, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs point toward Naples and Fort Lauderdale.
Naples
19.8 mi in
|
~34m
Fort Lauderdale
128.8 mi in
|
~2h 33m
|
via I 595
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 107.8 mi | 1h 55m |
| Port Everglades Expressway | 9 mi | 10m |
| Summerlin Road | 6 mi | 9m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Alico Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Sanibel Causeway | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| South Tamiami Trail | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| McGregor Boulevard | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 107.8 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanibel, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL.
1
Start on this road
114 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Buttonwood Lane
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
Buttonwood Lane
3
Turn left onto Periwinkle Way
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Periwinkle Way
4
Turn slight right
239 ft
·
6 sec
5
Turn straight onto Causeway Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Causeway Road
6
Continue on Sanibel Causeway
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Sanibel Causeway
7
Continue on CR 867
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
McGregor Boulevard
8
Continue on CR 869
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Summerlin Road
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto CR 865
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Gladiolus Drive
10
Turn right onto US 41
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
South Tamiami Trail
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto CR 840
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Alico Road
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 75: Tampa, Naples
13
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 75 South: Naples
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 75
108 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Port Everglades Expressway
Exit 19
Toward SR 869 Toll North, I 595 East: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 8; 9A-B
Toward US 441: Orlando, Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto SR 84
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
SR 84
Toward SR 84 East, I 595 East, US 441: Florida's Turnpike, North Orlando, South Miami
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 8
Toward Florida's Turnpike, Miami South, Orlando North
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Miami, Florida's Turnpike South
21
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 49B
Toward SR 820 West: Pines Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto SR 820
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Hollywood Boulevard
24
Turn left onto Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 64th Way
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Southwest 8th Street
26
Arrive at destination
Southwest 8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 55-minute duration for the 145.1-mile trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving early can help you avoid potential traffic congestion in South Florida. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost of about $23, planning for a single fuel and rest break is sufficient. Pay attention to the 107.8-mile stretch on I 75; ensure you have enough fuel before entering this longer segment, as services can be spaced out on major interstates.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.5 miles from Sanibel, FL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.8 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 32 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.5 miles or 1h 32m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pembroke Pines, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sanibel, 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 Sanibel, FL
This is one driving day of about 145.1 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Sanibel, 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 I 75 for about 107.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.5 mi from Sanibel, FL · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.5 miles from Sanibel, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.8 miles.
Arriving in Pembroke Pines, FL
The final approach into Pembroke Pines, 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 Pembroke Pines, 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
$23.10 one way
$46.19 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $25.12 | $50.25 |
| premium | $4.72 | $26.98 | $53.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.04 | $64.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.30
Florida's Turnpike
(4.2 mi)
$0.30
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
$23
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.24 | $6.96 |
| Efficient EV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.70 | $5.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58 | 0 | $20.31 | $9.29 |
Gas CO2
51 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.
Destination
Pembroke Pines, FL
Night in Pembroke Pines on Thursday
Local time
9:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Sanibel, FL to Pembroke Pines, FL covers 145.1 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Port Everglades Expressway, Summerlin Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.5 miles from Sanibel, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.10 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 145.1 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 20 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.8 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Sanibel, FL and Pembroke Pines, FL, road signs point toward Naples and Fort Lauderdale.
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