This 342.5-mile drive from Brent, FL to Waldo, FL will take approximately 6 hours and 23 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. The majority of your journey, 95%, will be on highways, primarily I-10 and FL 100, with a brief stint on the Starke Bypass. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, this route is an efficient way to travel within Florida. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that gets you from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
171.2 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
288 mi
5h 8m
FL 100
32.9 mi
43m
Starke Bypass
10.7 mi
13m
Northeast Bascom Norris Drive
2.6 mi
3m
Northwest US Highway 41
2.6 mi
3m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Northwest Main Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Sid Martin Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 288 mi, about 5h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brent, FL and Waldo, 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
288 mi·5 hr 8 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 301Toward US 41: Lake City, White SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 41
2.6 mi·3 min·Northwest US Highway 41
11
Continue on US 41
0.5 mi·38 sec·Northwest Main Boulevard
12
Enter roundabout onto US 41
121 ft·2 sec·Northwest Main Boulevard
13
Continue on US 41
0.3 mi·31 sec·Northwest Main Boulevard
14
Turn left onto US 441; FL 100A
0.4 mi·38 sec·Northwest Bascom Norris Drive
15
Continue on CR 100A
2.6 mi·3 min·Northeast Bascom Norris Drive
16
Continue on FL 100
33 mi·43 min·FL 100
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
18
Merge onto US 301 ALT
11 mi·13 min·Starke Bypass
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 301
0.3 mi·35 sec·Sid Martin Highway
20
Continue on US 301
0.2 mi·20 sec·Sid Martin Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
US 301
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 23-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to arrive with daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along the extensive 288-mile stretch on I-10 to break up the longest segment. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the long highway portions, as services can sometimes be spaced out. This route is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your stop timing.
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 171.2 miles from Brent, FL, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 288 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 75 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.2 miles or 3h 5m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waldo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brent, FL
This is one driving day of about 342.5 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Brent, 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 10 for about 288 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 291.2 — 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.
8
291.2 mi into trip|~5h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 41: Lake City, White Springs
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 301
Toward US 41: Lake City, White Springs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.52 one way
$109.03 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$59.30
$118.61
premium
$4.72
$63.69
$127.37
diesel
$5.61
$75.62
$151.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.8
1
$35.96
$16.44
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.97
$13.70
EV Truck/SUV
137
1
$47.95
$21.92
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 16, 2026
Origin
Brent, FL
Morning
in Brent on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:40AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Waldo, FL
Morning
in Waldo on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
6h 23m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 95% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I-10, including a continuous stretch of 288 miles, which suggests long, consistent driving segments. While FL 100 and the Starke Bypass will offer some variation, the overall character is one of steady progress on well-traveled routes. This isn't a winding scenic byway, but rather a direct connection built for efficient travel.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 288 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and FL 100. 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 12 significant decision points across 342.5 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 Waldo, FL, road signs begin pointing toward White Springs along the way.
White Springs
291.2 mi in|~5h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 342.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 288 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Waldo, 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 27 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waldo, FL before the return drive.
