Traveling from Coral Springs to Tavares covers 231.9 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 29 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a straightforward highway-focused journey, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You should budget approximately $39 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Utilizing Florida's Turnpike, the Western Beltway, and the Orange Blossom Trail, you will transition from the southeastern part of the state into the heart of Central Florida. It is a practical, efficient path that prioritizes speed and connectivity over local sightseeing detours.
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
116 miles from Coral Springs, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
195.5 mi
3h 31m
Western Beltway
10.4 mi
11m
Orange Blossom Trail
7.2 mi
10m
Sawgrass Expressway
3.7 mi
4m
CR Old 441
3.2 mi
5m
East 5th Avenue
2.5 mi
5m
Coral Springs Drive
1 mi
2m
South Highland Street
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 195.5 mi, about 3h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coral Springs, FL and Tavares, FL.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·47 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Sample Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·West Sample Road
3
Turn left onto Coral Springs Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·Coral Springs Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Wiles Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Wiles Road
5
Turn left onto North University Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·North University Drive
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward SR 869 Toll North: OrlandoUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto SR 869 Toll
3.7 mi·4 min·Sawgrass Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Exit 21A-BToward Florida's TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21BToward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, OrlandoUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
196 mi·3 hr 31 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 267AToward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter GardenUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto FL 429 Toll
10 mi·11 min·Western Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 34Toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Plymouth Sorrento RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
368 ft·15 sec
Toward Orange Blossom TrailUse the left lane.
17
Continue on SR 429 Connector Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·SR 429 Connector Road
18
Turn right onto US 441
7.2 mi·10 min·Orange Blossom Trail
19
Turn slight left onto CR 500A
1.0 mi·1 min·Old Highway 441
20
Continue on CR Old 441
1.0 mi·2 min·South Highland Street
21
Turn left onto CR Old 441
2.5 mi·5 min·East 5th Avenue
22
Turn left onto CR Old 441
3.1 mi·5 min·CR Old 441
23
Turn slight left onto CR Old 441
399 ft·13 sec·CR Old 441
24
Turn left onto North Saint Clair Abrams Avenue
349 ft·17 sec·North Saint Clair Abrams Avenue
25
Turn left onto CR Old 441
56 ft·1 sec·East Alfred Street
26
Arrive at destination
CR Old 441
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4 hour and 29 minute drive, try to leave early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns often found along major Florida corridors. You only need one planned stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the route is manageable in a single push. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 195.5-mile segment on the Turnpike to ensure you don't run low between service plazas. Because the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon travel.
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 116 miles from Coral Springs, FL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.5 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 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116 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 31m
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 Coral Springs, 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 Coral Springs, FL
This is one driving day of about 231.9 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Coral Springs, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 195.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 216.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21A-B
Toward Florida's Turnpike
9
8.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 21B
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
8
204.7 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research & Education Center, Winter Garden
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 267A
Toward FL 429 Toll: Apopka, Tampa, UF Research...
8
216.6 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Plymouth Sorrento Road
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 34
Toward US 441, CR 437: Orange Blossom Trail, Pl...
8
216.7 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Orange Blossom Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Orange Blossom Trail
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.91 one way
$73.82 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$40.15
$80.31
premium
$4.72
$43.12
$86.24
diesel
$5.61
$51.20
$102.40
Estimated Tolls: $13.99
Florida's Turnpike
(195.5 mi)$13.69
Sawgrass Expressway
(3.7 mi)$0.30
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
$37
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 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
69.6
0
$24.35
$11.13
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.29
$9.28
EV Truck/SUV
92.8
1
$32.47
$14.84
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 15, 2026
Origin
Coral Springs, FL
Late night
in Coral Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tavares, FL
Late night
in Tavares on Sunday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 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
4h 29m 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?
Expect a highly efficient trip, as 86% of your total mileage is spent on highways. The journey is defined by a significant, uninterrupted 195.5-mile stretch along Florida's Turnpike, which sets a steady, consistent pace for the bulk of your travel. While the drive is largely a highway-focused grind, the character of the road shifts as you navigate off the Turnpike onto the Western Beltway and finally the Orange Blossom Trail. You will spend most of your time maintaining highway speeds, making this an ideal route for drivers who prefer a predictable, direct path to their destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.5 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and Western Beltway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 231.9 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
100 ft11 ft
Total Climb
113 ft
Total Descent
50 ft
Highest Point
100 ft
~198.8 mi in
Elevation Range
90 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Coral Springs, FL and Tavares, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Uf Research & Education Center and Winter Garden.
Tampa
204.7 mi in|~3h 46m
Uf Research & Education Center
204.7 mi in|~3h 46m
Winter Garden
204.7 mi in|~3h 46m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 231.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.5 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $13.99 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 13 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Tavares, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
