Trip from Avon Park, FL to Tallahassee, FL

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

Drive Time

8h 27m

Distance

460.4 mi

741 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$73

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

8h 19m ★

6 AM

8h 27m

8 AM

8h 42m

10 AM

8h 32m

12 PM

8h 31m

3 PM

8h 33m

5 PM

8h 42m

8 PM

8h 22m

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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town in Highlands County, Florida, United States

Avon Park, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Avon Park to Tallahassee covers 460.4 miles and typically takes about 8 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because this journey spans a significant portion of Florida, you should budget approximately $77 for fuel. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, the duration makes it a taxing haul; splitting the drive over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. You will rely heavily on major thoroughfares, including Florida's Turnpike, I-75, and I-10, to bridge the distance between the central inland region and the state capital. This is a straightforward, highway-focused route designed for efficiency rather than leisure, making it ideal for those who prioritize speed and reliability over scenic detours.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

230.2 miles from Avon Park, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Florida's Turnpike	254.1 mi	4h 35m
I 75	106.9 mi	1h 54m
I 10	87.7 mi	1h 34m
Mahan Drive	6.7 mi	11m
Griffin Road	2.5 mi	4m
East Tennessee Street	0.6 mi	1m
North Franklin Boulevard	0.5 mi	1m
Southwest 27th Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 254.1 mi, about 4h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Avon Park, FL and Tallahassee, FL.

Start on Southwest 27th Avenue

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Southwest 27th Avenue

Turn right onto SR 818

2.5 mi · 4 min · Griffin Road

Use the left lane.

Turn right

180 ft · 5 sec

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando Use the straight / left lanes.

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

254 mi · 4 hr 35 min · Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Florida's Turnpike

Toward I 75 North: Ocala Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 75

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Exit 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto US 90

6.7 mi · 11 min · Mahan Drive

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 90

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tennessee Street

Turn left onto CR 1555

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street

Turn left onto CR 1559

210 ft · 9 sec · South Calhoun Street

Turn right onto US 27

339 ft · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway

Turn right onto US 27; FL 61

31 ft · 1 sec · South Monroe Street

Arrive at destination

US 27; FL 61

Trip Plan

To manage your 460.4-mile trip effectively, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion near major interchanges. Plan for at least two designated stops to break up the long hours behind the wheel and keep your energy levels steady. Given the length of the longest stretch, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the Turnpike to avoid unnecessary anxiety. If you choose to split the drive into two days, look for lodging options near the transition points between I-75 and I-10 to keep your schedule flexible. Prioritizing these breaks will make the nearly nine-hour journey feel much more manageable.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 230.2 miles from Avon Park, FL, or about 4h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.1 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 101 miles or 1h 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 230.2 miles or 4h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 230.2 miles or 4h 12m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 15m

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 Avon Park, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Avon Park, FL

Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Tallahassee, FL

Aim for roughly 230 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Avon Park, FL.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 254.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Lake Butler, FL

230 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Lake Butler, FL

Popular next leg

Lake Butler, FL to Tallahassee, FL

249.5 mi · 4h 42m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Lake Butler, FL

230 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Lake Butler, FL after about 230 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 101 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Butler, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 230.2 miles from Avon Park, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 254.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 230 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.

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

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 460.4

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.4 mi

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 460.4

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+18505979737

Visit website

La Florida Coffee & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.2 mi

Argonaut Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.3 mi

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 460.4

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 460.4

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18505366821

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 460.4

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

Visit website

Argonaut Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 460.4

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 328.9

Alachua, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 296

Reddick, Florida

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+19499452000

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 263.1

Oxford, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13527480449

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 230.2

Minneola, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 460.4

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 460.4

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18505659955

Mission San Luis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 460.4

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18502456406

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 364.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 818 / Griffin Road

Turn right onto SR 818 / Griffin Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando

256.9 mi into trip | ~4h 41m in | Florida's Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 75 North: Ocala

364.1 mi into trip | ~6h 36m 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

364.3 mi into trip | ~6h 37m 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

$73.28 one way

$146.57 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 161 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$79.72	$159.44
premium	$4.72	$85.61	$171.22
diesel	$5.61	$101.65	$203.30

Estimated Tolls: $17.77

Florida's Turnpike (253.9 mi) $17.77

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

$73

Tolls

$18

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$221–$331

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 161.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	138.1	1	$48.34	$22.10
Efficient EV	115.1	1	$40.29	$18.42
EV Truck/SUV	184.2	2	$64.46	$29.47

Gas CO2

161 kg

EV CO2

54 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Avon Park, FL

Night in Avon Park on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Partly Cloudy

E 6 mph 4% 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

Tallahassee, FL

Night in Tallahassee on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Partly Cloudy

0 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

83°F

Lake Butler, FL

230 mi in

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

14 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

8h 27m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highly efficient transit, as 97% of this route consists of high-speed highway driving. You will face a significant initial leg, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 254.1 miles along Florida's Turnpike. As you transition from the Turnpike onto I-75 and finally I-10, the character of the road remains consistent, favoring fast, multi-lane interstate travel. This is a classic "grind" drive, characterized by steady speeds and limited technical navigation. You will rarely need to leave the major artery, as the route is engineered to move you quickly through the state's interior.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 254.1 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near SR 818 / Griffin Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 460.4 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 0.2 miles (SR 818 / Griffin Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 256.9 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

204 ft 4 ft

Total Climb

308 ft

Total Descent

107 ft

Highest Point

204 ft

~460.4 mi in

Elevation Range

201 ft

About the Cities

Arriving in Tallahassee, FL

Full guide →

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 254.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 230 miles on day one.

Expect about $17.77 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 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.

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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Avon Park, FL or browse trips ending in Tallahassee, FL.

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Trip from Avon Park, FL to Tallahassee, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Catalina Cafe

Lucky Goat Coffee

Catalina Cafe

The Power Plant Cafe

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

Halisi Africa

Starbucks Coffee Company

LeRoc Bistro

Honest Living Tea House

Bruegger's Bagels

Lucky Goat Coffee

La Florida Coffee & Wine

Argonaut Coffee

Doxa Coffee Co.

Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream - SoMo Walls

Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse

Lucky Goat Coffee

RedEye Coffee - Midtown

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EvGateway Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Cascades Park

Goodies Eatery

Riverbend Park

Capital Cascades Trail Park

White Gator Swamp

Tomahawks 51

Kavakaze

Mission San Luis

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Avon Park, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

8h 27m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Arriving in Tallahassee, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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