Bay Pines to Tallahassee is 261.6 miles and takes about 5h 33m via Young Boulevard and Suncoast Parkway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Florida coast inland towards the state capital. Expect a mixed driving experience with a significant portion on highways, balanced by stretches on surface roads. Given the relatively manageable distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
130.8 miles from Bay Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Young Boulevard
89.3 mi
1h 53m
Suncoast Parkway
54.2 mi
59m
Suncoast Boulevard
47 mi
59m
Apalachee Parkway
16.1 mi
23m
I 275
13.1 mi
16m
US 19
13 mi
16m
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
7.8 mi
9m
Veterans Expressway
5.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Young Boulevard
— 89.3 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bay Pines, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on this road
62 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn uturn onto US-19 ALT
193 ft·11 sec·Bay Pines Boulevard North
3
Continue on US-19 ALT
1.6 mi·3 min·Bay Pines Boulevard North
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on US-19 ALT
0.4 mi·40 sec·Tyrone Boulevard North
5
Turn left onto CR 184
5.3 mi·9 min·38th Avenue North
6
Turn slight left
165 ft·10 sec
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 275 North
8
Merge onto I 275
13 mi·16 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 39Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on West Kennedy Boulevard
0.3 mi·31 sec·West Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto FL 60
0.7 mi·1 min·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, ClearwaterUse the left / straight lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
4.5 mi·6 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
15
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
0.6 mi·48 sec·Veterans Expressway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
4.6 mi·5 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
0.4 mi·27 sec·Veterans Expressway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi·59 min·Suncoast Parkway
Toward Crystal RiverUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward FL 44: Gulf to Lake Highway
20
Turn left onto FL 44
4.8 mi·7 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
21
Continue on FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 5th Street
22
Turn right onto US 19; US 98
47 mi·59 min·Suncoast Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
89 mi·1 hr 53 min·Young Boulevard
24
Continue on US 19; US 27
13 mi·16 min·US 19; US 27
25
Continue on US 27
12 mi·15 min·Apalachee Parkway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·18 sec·Apalachee Parkway
27
Continue on US 27
4.2 mi·7 min·Apalachee Parkway
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
29
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Bay Pines to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $41, this trip is easily completed in one day. The longest stretch without a break is 89.3 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from highway to surface roads, as services might become less frequent.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.8 miles from Bay Pines, FL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.3 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 58 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.8 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 30m
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 Bay Pines, 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 Bay Pines, FL
This is one driving day of about 261.6 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Bay Pines, 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 Young Boulevard for about 89.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 35.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US-19 ALT / Bay Pines Boulevard North
Turn uturn onto US-19 ALT / Bay Pines Boulevard North
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
20.8 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard
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 39
Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International A...
8
21.3 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shor...
7
22.6 mi into trip|~34m in|FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 589 Toll
7
35.9 mi into trip|~51m in|FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway toward Crystal River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Crystal River
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.06 one way
$84.12 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$45.88
$91.77
premium
$4.78
$49.25
$98.50
diesel
$6.28
$64.64
$129.28
Estimated Tolls: $3.69
Suncoast Parkway
(54.2 mi)$3.25
Veterans Expressway
(5.5 mi)$0.44
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
$42
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.47
$12.56
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
EV Truck/SUV
104.6
1
$36.62
$16.74
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Bay Pines, FL
Late night
in Bay Pines on Saturday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Clear
NE 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 23 at 3:13AM CDT until October 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 23 at 2:23AM EDT until October 26 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Late night
in Tallahassee on Saturday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 23 at 3:13AM CDT until October 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 23 at 2:23AM EDT until October 26 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
10 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
5h 33m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 261.6-mile trip features 42% highway driving. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on Young Boulevard, covering 89.3 miles. After that, the profile shifts to a mix of highway and surface roads. Be prepared for a significant section of surface road driving, which may involve more frequent intersections and varied speed limits.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.3 mi on Young Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US-19 ALT / Bay Pines Boulevard North.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 261.6 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: near the start (US-19 ALT / Bay Pines Boulevard North): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
204 ft0 ft
Total Climb
322 ft
Total Descent
130 ft
Highest Point
204 ft
~261.6 mi in
Elevation Range
204 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bay Pines, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Tampa International Airport, Clearwater and Crystal River.
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 5h 33m. Total distance: 261.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.3 miles on Young Boulevard. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.69 in tolls one way, starting with Suncoast Parkway. 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.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US-19 ALT / Bay Pines Boulevard North): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
