Bunnell, FL to Tallahassee, FL is 230.5 miles and takes about 4h 20m via I-10, I-95, and West Beltway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily takes you across northern Florida, transitioning from the Atlantic coast region to the Panhandle. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single day of travel. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
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
115.2 miles from Bunnell, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
148.3 mi
2h 39m
I 95
38.2 mi
41m
West Beltway
19.7 mi
22m
State Street
9.9 mi
13m
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
US 1
4.2 mi
4m
East Tennessee Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 148.3 mi, about 2h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bunnell, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on US 1; FL 100
9.9 mi·13 min·State Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 1
100 ft·1 sec·US 1
3
Continue on US 1
4.2 mi·4 min·US 1
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
5
Merge onto I 95
38 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 337Toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacksonville BeachesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 North: Orange Park, West Beltway
8
Merge onto I 295
20 mi·22 min·West Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 21BToward I 10 West: Lake CityUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 10
148 mi·2 hr 39 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
13
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
15
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
16
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
17
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 20m estimated drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. With only one recommended stop, plan for a break roughly halfway through your journey, perhaps around the 115-mile mark, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 148.3-mile stretch on I-10, as services can sometimes be spread out on interstates.
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 115.2 miles from Bunnell, FL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 miles or 2h 10m 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 29m
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 Bunnell, 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 Bunnell, FL
This is one driving day of about 230.5 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Bunnell, 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 148.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.5 and 73.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
14.5 mi into trip|~19m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
52.7 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacksonville Beaches
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 337
Toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacks...
6
52.9 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 North: Orange Park, West Beltway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 North: Orange Park, West Beltway
5
54 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 295 / West Beltway
Merge onto I 295 / West Beltway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21B
Toward I 10 West: Lake City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.69 one way
$73.38 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$39.91
$79.82
premium
$4.72
$42.86
$85.72
diesel
$5.61
$50.89
$101.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.20
$11.06
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.17
$9.22
EV Truck/SUV
92.2
1
$32.27
$14.75
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Bunnell, FL
Late night
in Bunnell on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
E 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Late night
in Tallahassee on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM 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
1 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 20m 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.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 15.9
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 83% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 148.3 miles on I-10 without needing to exit, making for a continuous highway segment. The overall profile is a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads designed for efficient travel. Expect a consistent pace for much of the trip.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.3 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 95. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 14.5 miles in near I 95.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 230.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bunnell, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Orange Park, Jacksonville Beaches and Beltway.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 230.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.3 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Tallahassee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
