Buenaventura Lakes to Tallahassee is 265.3 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I 75 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Florida, beginning in the Orlando area and heading north and west towards the state capital. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the trip, making it a straightforward drive. It’s a good option if you’re looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points in Florida, especially if you prefer staying on major roads.
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
132.6 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
I 10
87.7 mi
1h 34m
Florida's Turnpike
59.4 mi
1h 3m
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
East Osceola Parkway
1.1 mi
2m
Buenaventura Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
East Tennessee Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 106.9 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,189 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,924
Quietest
2 AM
~163 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 101 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buenaventura Lakes, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on Gardenia Road
466 ft·22 sec·Gardenia Road
2
Turn right onto Kumquat Lane
260 ft·16 sec·Kumquat Lane
3
Turn left onto Florida Parkway
0.2 mi·24 sec·Florida Parkway
4
Turn right onto Buenaventura Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Buenaventura Boulevard
5
Turn left onto CR 522
1.1 mi·2 min·East Osceola Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Ocala, Florida's Turnpike Toll NorthUse the right lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·50 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
8
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 10
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
16
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
18
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
19
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
20
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
For this 4h 54m drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Tallahassee. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but aim to start early to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 106.9-mile stretch on I 75, and plan your stops accordingly. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so factor that into your budget. Given the high highway percentage, you'll find plenty of service areas along I 75 and I 10 for rest and refueling.
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 132.6 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, FL, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.9 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 58 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 56m
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 Buenaventura Lakes, 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 Buenaventura Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 265.3 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Buenaventura Lakes, 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 75 for about 106.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 169.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Kumquat Lane
Turn right onto Kumquat Lane
Navigation decision point
6
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward Ocala, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Ocala, Florida's Turnpike Toll North
7
61.8 mi into trip|~1h 9m 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
8
169 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
8
169.1 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
$42.66 one way
$85.31 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.44
$46.40
$92.79
premium
$4.78
$49.91
$99.81
diesel
$6.18
$64.54
$129.08
Estimated Tolls: $4.14
Florida's Turnpike
(59.2 mi)$4.14
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
$43
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.6
0
$27.86
$12.73
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.21
$10.61
EV Truck/SUV
106.1
1
$37.14
$16.98
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Buenaventura Lakes, FL
Late night
in Buenaventura Lakes on Monday
Local time
3:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
NNE 15 to 20 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:21AM EDT until October 18 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Late night
in Tallahassee on Monday
Local time
3:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
NE 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:56AM EDT until October 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:21AM EDT until October 18 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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
4h 54m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 96% of this 265.3-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch without needing to exit is 106.9 miles on I 75. This means you'll experience mostly high-speed cruising, with frequent exits for services and potential traffic. The transition from Florida's Turnpike to I 75 and then I 10 will feel very similar, characterized by efficient travel on multi-lane roads.
96% 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: 106.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Kumquat Lane.
Driving Effort7/10
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 265.3 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 0.1 miles (Kumquat Lane): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4h 54m. Total distance: 265.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.14 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.
Yes — we found about 31 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 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Kumquat Lane): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Tallahassee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
