Traveling from Brent to Tavares covers 417.6 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 43 minutes. Since this is a highway-focused route, you can expect a long day behind the wheel, though it is manageable as a single-day trip if you are prepared for the distance. You should budget approximately $70 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. The route primarily utilizes I-10 and I-75, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of your time on the road. Because you are crossing a significant portion of Florida, your day will be defined by steady interstate travel rather than local meandering. It is a straightforward, direct path that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.8 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
282.9 mi
5h 3m
I 75
105.9 mi
1h 53m
FL 44
12 mi
17m
East North Boulevard
7.8 mi
12m
West Main Street
3.7 mi
6m
FL 500A
1 mi
1m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
0.9 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 Tavares, 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
106 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward FL 44: Inverness, WildwoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto FL 44
12 mi·17 min·FL 44
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on West Main Street
3.7 mi·6 min·West Main Street
14
Turn left onto FL 44
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Dixie Avenue
15
Turn right onto US 441
7.8 mi·12 min·East North Boulevard
16
Turn slight right onto FL 500A
1.0 mi·1 min·FL 500A
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
CR Old 441
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 43-minute drive efficiently, plan for at least two designated stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue during the nearly 300-mile stretch on I-10. Since the route relies heavily on major interstates, keep a close eye on traffic reports, especially near major interchanges where congestion can quickly impact your arrival time. You will find that keeping your fuel costs around the $70 estimate is easiest if you fill up near the main highway exits. Prioritize these regular breaks to maintain your focus, as the high highway percentage can make the long, steady miles feel monotonous by the afternoon.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.8 miles from Brent, FL, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.9 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 92 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.8 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tavares, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brent, FL
This is one driving day of about 417.6 miles and 7h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Brent, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 392.5 — 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...
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
5
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
392.5 mi into trip|~7h 3m in
Take the exit toward FL 44: Inverness, Wildwood
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.
Toward FL 44: Inverness, Wildwood
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.47 one way
$132.94 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg146 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$72.31
$144.61
premium
$4.72
$77.65
$155.30
diesel
$5.61
$92.20
$184.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
125.3
1
$43.85
$20.04
Efficient EV
104.4
1
$36.54
$16.70
EV Truck/SUV
167
2
$58.46
$26.73
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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 20, 2026
Origin
Brent, FL
Late night
in Brent on Tuesday
Local time
5:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tavares, FL
Morning
in Tavares on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Perry, FL
209 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.
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
5 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
7h 43m 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.
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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 96% of the trip spent on highways, this drive is defined by consistent speeds and interstate travel. You will face a significant longest stretch of 282.9 miles while navigating I-10, so be prepared for long periods of highway driving. Transitioning from the interstate onto FL-44 toward the end of your trip provides a brief change in pace as you move toward your destination. The experience is largely a high-speed, functional transit across the state. Expect the personality of the road to remain fairly predictable, focusing on sustained momentum rather than technical maneuvering or winding backroads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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 13 significant decision points across 417.6 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: 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Brent, FL to Tavares, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Wildwood along the way.
Wildwood
392.5 mi in|~7h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 43m. Total distance: 417.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 — we found about 46 rest areas or service plazas 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 Tavares, 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. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tavares, FL before the return drive.
