This 481-mile journey from Brent, FL to Balm, FL will take approximately 8 hours and 44 minutes of driving time, making it a substantial trip that's best split over two days. You'll primarily be on major interstates, with a 97% highway share, giving it a focused, efficient feel. With an estimated fuel cost of $77 and just two recommended stops, it's a straightforward drive through Florida. Considering the length, planning an overnight stay is highly recommended to avoid a grueling single-day push. This route is designed for covering distance effectively.
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
240.5 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
282.9 mi
5h 3m
I 75
184 mi
3h 17m
Balm Riverview Road
6.4 mi
10m
Gibsonton Drive
1.5 mi
2m
Balm Road
1.3 mi
2m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Boyette Road
0.8 mi
1m
Brent Lane
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 282.9 mi, about 5h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brent, FL and Balm, FL.
1
Start on East Brent Lane
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Brent Lane
2
Continue on FL 296
0.4 mi·1 min·Brent Lane
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I 110 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 110
0.9 mi·1 min·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 6Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
8
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
10
Merge onto I 75
161 mi·2 hr 52 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
23 mi·25 min·I 75
Toward South I 75: NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 250Toward Gibsonton, RiverviewUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight left
185 ft·4 sec
Toward Riverview
14
Keep slight left at fork
149 ft·11 sec
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto Gibsonton Drive
1.5 mi·2 min·Gibsonton Drive
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on Boyette Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Boyette Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto Balm Riverview Road
6.4 mi·10 min·Balm Riverview Road
Use the right lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto CR 672
0.4 mi·43 sec·Balm Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Balm Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Balm Road
20
Arrive at destination
Balm Wimauma Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 44-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially since it's a two-day trip. Splitting the drive over two days is strongly advised; aim to cover roughly half the distance on day one. With a 97% highway share, plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping in mind the longest stretch is over 280 miles on I-10. Factor in the $77 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip. Your two recommended stops should be strategically placed to allow for breaks and meals without significantly prolonging your travel time.
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 240.5 miles from Brent, FL, or about 4h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.9 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 106 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 240.5 miles or 4h 20m 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 240.5 miles or 4h 20m
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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Balm, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brent, 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 Brent, FL
Aim for roughly 241 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Balm, FL
Aim for roughly 241 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 106 miles from Brent, 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 I 10 for about 282.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 471 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 110 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 North
9
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Hi...
7
447.1 mi into trip|~8h 1m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward South I 75: Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South I 75: Naples
8
470.6 mi into trip|~8h 26m in
Take the exit toward Gibsonton, Riverview
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 250
Toward Gibsonton, Riverview
7
471 mi into trip|~8h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.56 one way
$153.12 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg168 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$83.28
$166.57
premium
$4.72
$89.44
$178.88
diesel
$5.61
$106.20
$212.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 168.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
144.3
1
$50.50
$23.09
Efficient EV
120.3
1
$42.09
$19.24
EV Truck/SUV
192.4
2
$67.34
$30.78
Gas CO2
168 kg
EV CO2
56 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Brent, FL
Late night
in Brent on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 4:28PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 12:29PM EDT until April 15 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Balm, FL
Late night
in Balm on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Perry, FL
241 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
18 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 44m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$25
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 481
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, covering 97% of the mileage on major interstates like I-10 and I-75. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 282.9 miles on I-10, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely interstate, the route does incorporate Balm Riverview Road as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a drive geared towards efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, allowing for a steady pace.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 282.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 481 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 447.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 282.9 miles on I 10. 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 241 miles on day one.
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 Balm, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 447.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore and De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Balm, FL before the return drive.
