How far is Orlando, FL from Merritt Island, FL?

The driving distance from Orlando, FL to Merritt Island, FL is about 47.8 miles (77 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
47.85 mi
01h 08m
Flight
42.93 mi
69.09 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Orlando.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.93 mi
Kilometers
69.09 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
47.85 mi
Kilometers
77.01 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Merritt Island
Tue, Jun 2, 12:12 PM EDT
Return by in Orlando
Tue, Jun 2, 1:20 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Orlando
2026-06-02T11:03
Arrive Merritt Island
Tue, Jun 2, 12:12 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Orlando
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Christmas
FL

Unincorporated community in Florida, United States

From Orlando
23.9 mi
00h 34m
To Merritt Island
24 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph WNW
Destination
75°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Orlando and Merritt Island.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Orlando and Merritt Island.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    35 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Orange Avenue

    140 m · 18 sec · South Orange Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Anderson Street

    1578 ft · 57 sec · East Anderson Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left toward FL 408 Toll East: Titusville

    894 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto East-West Expressway

    11.6 mi · 13 min · East-West Expressway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 50

    1648 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on FL 50 East: Titusville

    885 ft · 22 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto East Colonial Drive

    16.1 mi · 22 min · East Colonial Drive

  9. 9

    Continue on Cheney Highway

    5.5 mi · 7 min · Cheney Highway

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Columbia Boulevard

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Columbia Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on NASA Causeway

    2.5 mi · 4 min · NASA Causeway

  12. 12

    Continue on NASA Parkway West

    5 mi · 7 min · NASA Parkway West

  13. 13

    Turn slight right

    989 ft · 43 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    43 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Kennedy Parkway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Kennedy Parkway

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Roberts Road

    1.1 km · 4 min · Roberts Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Roberts Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Orlando and Merritt Island.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Colonial Drive
16.1 mi · 34%
East-West Expressway
11.6 mi · 24%
Cheney Highway
5.49 mi · 11%
NASA Parkway West
5.01 mi · 10%
Columbia Boulevard
4.12 mi · 9%
NASA Causeway
2.51 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

East Colonial Drive

Merge slight left onto East Colonial Drive

16.1 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.9 mi
42.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Christmas
00h 34m from Orlando
Leave By
4:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Orlando and Mostly Cloudy near Merritt Island.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Orlando to Merritt Island?

The road trip is about 47.8 miles (77 km) and usually takes 01h 08m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Christmas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from Orlando and 24 miles from Merritt Island.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.01 one way or $14.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Orlando and Mostly Cloudy near Merritt Island.

Stop Ideas Near Christmas

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Christmas, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Christmas.

RAIL

Winter Park

33 mi away
150 West Morse Blvd
RAIL

Orlando Health/Amtrak

36 mi away
1400 Sligh Blvd.
RAIL

Sanford

40 mi away
600 South Persimmon Avenue
RAIL

Kissimmee

47 mi away
111 East Dakin Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Orlando and Merritt Island. Straight-line distance: 42.93 mi (69.09 km).

Orlando

#1 Orlando

The most populous city in Florida and the center of the Orlando metropolitan area.

Population289,457
Coordinates28.5383400, -81.3792400
Altitude30
CountryUnited States
Merritt Island

#2 Merritt Island

Census designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States

Population34,743
Coordinates28.5391700, -80.6720000
Altitude1
CountryUnited States
Start: Orlando (-81.37924, 28.53834)
End: Merritt Island (-80.672, 28.53917)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 77 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.69 gal
6.39 L · about $7.01
Round trip
$14.02
3.38 gal · 12.78 L
Estimated CO2
15 kg one way
Round trip: 30 kg / 66 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.15 $7.01 $14.02
Mid-grade $4.60 $7.77 $15.53
Premium $4.90 $8.27 $16.55
Diesel $4.35 $7.35 $14.70

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Florida · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Orlando and Merritt Island. The current time is 11:03:43.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.