How far is Palm Bay, FL from Merritt Island, FL?
The driving distance from Palm Bay, FL to Merritt Island, FL is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.2 miles (56.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 07m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Brevard County, Florida, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palm Bay and Merritt Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palm Bay and Merritt Island.
-
1
Start on Palm Bay Road Northeast
4 mi · 8 min · Palm Bay Road Northeast
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2
Take the ramp right toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
2517 ft · 1 min
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3
Merge slight left
25.7 mi · 28 min
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4
Take the exit slight right toward FL 524: Cocoa
1148 ft · 28 sec
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5
Keep slight right to continue on FL 524: UCF Cocoa Campus, Cocoa, Eastern Florida State College, Museum
76 m · 8 sec
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6
Turn right
2.8 mi · 4 min
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7
Continue straight
580 ft · 13 sec
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8
Turn left onto East Industry Road
117 m · 15 sec · East Industry Road
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward FL 528 East: Canaveral Cape-Port-AFS
3076 ft · 54 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Beachline Expressway
144 m · 7 sec · Beachline Expressway
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11
Continue on Bennett Causeway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Bennett Causeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward FL 3: Merritt Island, Kennedy Space Center
1011 ft · 25 sec
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13
Keep slight left
55 m · 7 sec
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14
Turn straight onto North Courtenay Parkway
7 mi · 11 min · North Courtenay Parkway
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15
Continue on Kennedy Parkway North
3.8 mi · 6 min · Kennedy Parkway North
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16
Turn left onto Roberts Road
1.1 km · 4 min · Roberts Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Roberts Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palm Bay and Merritt Island.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
25.7 mi · 00h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay to Merritt Island?
The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?
Rockledge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.4 miles from Palm Bay and 24.3 miles from Merritt Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.2 miles (56.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 4:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.13 one way or $14.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Palm Bay and Mostly Cloudy near Merritt Island.
Stop Ideas Near Rockledge
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rockledge.
Kissimmee
Winter Park
Orlando Health/Amtrak
Sanford
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palm Bay and Merritt Island. Straight-line distance: 35.24 mi (56.71 km).
#1 Palm Bay
The most populous city in Brevard County, Florida.
| Population | 116,932 |
| Coordinates | 28.0344600, -80.5886600 |
| Altitude | 5 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Merritt Island
Census designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States
| Population | 34,743 |
| Coordinates | 28.5391700, -80.6720000 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merritt Island (-80.672, 28.53917)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $7.13 | $14.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $7.91 | $15.81 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $7.48 | $14.96 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.