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Trip from South Venice, FL to Orlando, FL

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

Drive Time

2h 54m

Distance

147 mi

237 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 43m ★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m

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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Downtown South Venice, FL, FL

South Venice, FL

Arian Fernandez

city in and county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States

Orlando, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This approximately 147-mile drive from South Venice, Florida, to Orlando, Florida, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 54 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 94% of the journey utilizing interstates like I-4 and I-75, along with FL-681. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this highway-focused route is a straightforward connection between two points within Florida. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, it's designed for efficient travel, not necessarily for leisurely sightseeing, making it ideal for getting to your destination without a significant time commitment.

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

73.5 miles from South Venice, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 4 71.9 mi 1h 20m
I 75 59.2 mi 1h 4m
FL 681 4.3 mi 5m
Tamiami Trail 3.8 mi 6m
US 41 By-Pass 3 mi 5m
South Division Avenue 1.2 mi 3m
West Seminole Drive 0.4 mi 1m
Jamaica Road 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 4 — 71.9 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Venice, FL and Orlando, FL.

1

Start on Hudson Road

168 ft · 12 sec · Hudson Road
2

Turn left onto Sterling Road

498 ft · 24 sec · Sterling Road
3

Turn right onto Jamaica Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Jamaica Road
4

Continue on West Seminole Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Seminole Drive
5

Turn left onto US 41

1.0 mi · 1 min · Tamiami Trail
6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 41

3.0 mi · 5 min · US 41 By-Pass
Use the left lane.
7

Turn straight onto US 41

2.8 mi · 4 min · Tamiami Trail
8

Turn slight right onto FL 681

4.3 mi · 5 min · FL 681
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Merge onto I 75

59 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Toward I 4: Tampa, Orlando Use the right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 4 East: Orlando Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 4

52 mi · 56 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 4

13 mi · 16 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 4

6.3 mi · 7 min · I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 81 Toward Kaley Avenue, Michigan Street Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
17

Turn slight right onto West Kaley Street

264 ft · 14 sec · West Kaley Street
18

Turn left onto South Division Avenue

1.2 mi · 3 min · South Division Avenue
Use the left lane.
19

Turn right onto West South Street

0.3 mi · 51 sec · West South Street
20

Turn slight right

103 ft · 3 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 54-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Orlando. You'll be covering 147 miles, and while the route is primarily highway, it's good to plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and ensure you have enough to reach Orlando comfortably. The longest stretch is over 70 miles on I-4, so make sure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment, as services might be more spaced out.

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 73.5 miles from South Venice, FL, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.9 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 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.5 miles or 1h 29m 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 20m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving South Venice, 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 South Venice, FL

This is one driving day of about 147 miles and 2h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from South Venice, 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 4 for about 71.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

census designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gibsonton, FL

74 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.

Popular next leg

Gibsonton, FL to Orlando, FL

87.5 mi · 1h 43m

Pacing Suggestions

Bradenton, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mango, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.5 miles from South Venice, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.9 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

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 147

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+14077762900

Visit website

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Celebration

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kissimmee, Florida

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

CityArts Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14076487060

Visit website

Haan Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

1.4 mi

Qreate Coffee + Studio

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

1.4 mi

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 147

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+14077762900

Visit website

CFS Coffee For The Soul, Celebration

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 126

Kissimmee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14072719145

Visit website

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 136.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

The Coffee Grove Corp

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 115.5

Davenport, Florida

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18634193212

Visit website

CityArts Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14076487060

Visit website

Haan Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14079065119

Visit website

Qreate Coffee + Studio

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+14076011796

Visit website

Framework Craft Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

Lucid Beans Coffee - SODO

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Castro's Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 105

Polk City, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13524670378

Visit website

Pressed Books & Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 94.5

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18636033166

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 136.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+14079894499

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336224743

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

FPL EVolution Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Venice, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 10.5

Nokomis, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Jule Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Venice, Florida

+18555675853

Visit website

Orange County Regional History Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 147

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14078368500

Visit website

Oscar Scherer State Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 10.5

Osprey, Florida

+19414835956

Visit website

Big Cat Habitat

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 21

Sarasota, Florida

Hours: 12–4 pm

+19413716377

Visit website

Tom Bennett Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 31.5

Bradenton, Florida

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

Visit website

Showmen's Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 63

Riverview, Florida

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18136713503

Visit website

Bonnet Springs Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 94.5

Lakeland, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+18637327000

Visit website

Discovery Cove

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Very expen mile 136.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14075134600

Visit website

Fun Spot America

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 136.5

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 2 pm–12 am

+14073633867

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 144.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | US 41 / US 41 By-Pass

Keep slight right at fork onto US 41 / US 41 By-Pass

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
71.3 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the exit toward I 4: Tampa, 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 I 4: Tampa, Orlando
7
72.4 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 4 East: Orlando

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 4 East: Orlando
6
125.2 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | I 4

Keep slight left at fork onto I 4

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
144.9 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Take the exit toward Kaley Avenue, Michigan Street

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 81 Toward Kaley Avenue, Michigan Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.40 one way

$46.80 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $25.45 $50.91
premium $4.72 $27.33 $54.67
diesel $5.61 $32.46 $64.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 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 44.1 0 $15.43 $7.06
Efficient EV 36.8 0 $12.86 $5.88
EV Truck/SUV 58.8 0 $20.58 $9.41

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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

South Venice, FL

Evening in South Venice on Saturday

Local time

5:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Sunny

S 3 to 10 mph 0% 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

Orlando, FL

Evening in Orlando on Saturday

Local time

5:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

22 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 54m 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

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...

9 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 35.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 147-mile journey. With 94% of the route on interstates, you'll encounter fast-paced driving conditions for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 71.9 miles on I-4, indicating long periods of consistent highway travel. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes getting you from South Venice to Orlando efficiently, rather than offering winding scenic byways or challenging local roads. You'll be on well-maintained expressways for the bulk of your travel time.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.9 mi on I 4.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 41 / US 41 By-Pass.

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 14 significant decision points across 147 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 1.9 miles (US 41 / US 41 By-Pass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Orlando, FL

Full guide →

For the broader urban area including suburbs and other nearby destinations, please see the Greater Orlando article. Orlando deserves its reputation as the theme park capital of the world, with an estimated 52 million visitors a year. The city is best known for its theme parks Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but it holds a lot to offer besides those two amusement meccas. Countless hotels and restaurants cater to business conventions and other events hosted by organizations from all over the country. Outside the theme park districts and hotels, however, lies much more to be explored, including downtown, areas of untouched wilderness, world-class museums and theaters, and old towns with dining and nightlife. At the center of the state of Florida, in Orange County, Orlando is about an hour from each coast.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 147 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 71.9 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Orlando, 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 41 / US 41 By-Pass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Orlando, FL before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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