Arcadia to Tallahassee is 327 miles and takes about 6h 36m via I 75 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you across the heart of Florida, transitioning from the southern part of the state to the panhandle. With a high percentage of highway driving, you can expect a fairly direct trip. This route is best suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to cover a significant distance efficiently.
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
163.5 miles from Arcadia, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
114.4 mi
2h 2m
I 10
87.7 mi
1h 34m
FL 471
34.9 mi
46m
US 17
33.6 mi
48m
North Florida Avenue
15.9 mi
23m
Brevard Avenue
15.5 mi
19m
Bartow Road
11.9 mi
18m
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 114.4 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,129 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,226
Quietest
2 AM
~337 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arcadia, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on FL 70
41 ft·5 sec·East Hickory Street
2
Turn right onto US 17
16 mi·19 min·Brevard Avenue
3
Continue on US 17
2.5 mi·2 min·US 17
4
Continue on US 17
1.1 mi·1 min·US 17
5
Continue on US 17
30 mi·43 min·US 17
6
Turn left onto US 98
0.8 mi·1 min·Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto US 98
0.6 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on US 98
12 mi·18 min·Bartow Road
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto US 98
16 mi·23 min·North Florida Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto FL 471
35 mi·46 min·FL 471
11
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 471
293 ft·12 sec·FL 471
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 301; CR 470
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 301; CR 470
13
Turn right onto CR 470
2.5 mi·4 min·CR 470
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 75
114 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 10
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
21
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
23
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
24
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
25
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
For this 6.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Tallahassee before evening. The single-day nature of this trip means you can be flexible with your departure time. You'll encounter one major stretch of highway that's over 114 miles, so plan a quick stop before or after that segment. Keep in mind the estimated fuel cost of $52 for budgeting. Given the route is mostly highway, watch for the change in scenery and exit patterns when you transition to FL 471.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.5 miles from Arcadia, FL, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.4 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 72 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.5 miles or 3h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tallahassee, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arcadia, 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 Arcadia, FL
This is one driving day of about 327 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Arcadia, 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 114.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.1 and 230.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
49.1 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|US 98 / Van Fleet Drive
Turn left onto US 98 / Van Fleet Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
49.9 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|US 98 / Broadway Avenue
Turn right onto US 98 / Broadway Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
62.5 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 98 / North Florida Avenue
Turn right onto US 98 / North Florida Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
230.8 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
8
230.9 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.50 one way
$99.00 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$54.32
$108.63
premium
$4.55
$58.58
$117.15
diesel
$4.80
$61.74
$123.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.1
1
$34.34
$15.70
Efficient EV
81.8
0
$28.61
$13.08
EV Truck/SUV
130.8
1
$45.78
$20.93
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Arcadia, FL
Late night
in Arcadia on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 7 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Late night
in Tallahassee on Monday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
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
6h 36m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway, with 84% of the driving on major roads like I 75 and I 10. You'll experience a long stretch of uninterrupted driving for up to 114.4 miles on I 75. The transition to surface roads, like FL 471, will occur as you move between the major interstates, offering a change of pace from high-speed cruising. Expect frequent exits and entrances as you navigate the interstate system.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.4 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.1 miles in near US 98 / Van Fleet Drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 327 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 49.1 miles (US 98 / Van Fleet Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.9 miles (US 98 / Broadway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.5 miles (US 98 / North Florida Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida, in the Florida Panhandle region of the state. In addition to housing the state government, it is a university town home to Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College. Tallahassee has a good selection of restaurants for a city of its size. The universities' theater, art, and music programs, in addition to an active Council of Culture and Arts, also make for an unusually vibrant arts scene.
Top landmarks
•Florida State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Florida
•Florida Governor's Mansion — official residence of the governor of Florida
•Tallahassee — railway station in Tallahassee, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 36m. Total distance: 327 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.4 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Tallahassee, 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 49.1 miles (US 98 / Van Fleet Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.9 miles (US 98 / Broadway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.5 miles (US 98 / North Florida Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tallahassee, FL before the return drive.
