Fern Park to Tallahassee is 264.9 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I-75 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused journey within Florida, making it an easy one-day trip. You'll primarily be on major interstates, so expect consistent driving conditions for most of the 4 hours and 56 minutes. The total distance of 264.9 miles means you can comfortably complete this drive without needing an overnight stay. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points in the Sunshine 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
132.4 miles from Fern Park, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m 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
40 mi
42m
Western Beltway
7 mi
7m
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
US 17 Truck
6.2 mi
9m
Apopka Expressway
3.6 mi
4m
John Land Apopka Expressway
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 106.9 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,470 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,605
Quietest
2 AM
~399 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 100 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 Fern Park, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on Garden Edge Point
37 ft·3 sec·Garden Edge Point
2
Turn right onto US 17; US 92
0.6 mi·1 min·US 17; US 92
3
Continue on US 17; US 92
217 ft·4 sec·US 17; US 92
4
Turn slight right onto US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
6.2 mi·9 min·US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on FL 414 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·Apopka Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on FL 414 Toll
1.7 mi·1 min·John Land Apopka Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.5 mi·1 min
Exit 4BToward FL 429 South Toll: TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto FL 429 Toll
7.0 mi·7 min·Western Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 22Toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, OcalaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Ocala, North Florida’s TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
40 mi·42 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
19
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
21
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
22
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
23
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 56-minute duration, departing Fern Park in the morning will allow you to reach Tallahassee with plenty of daylight to spare. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so ensure your tank is full before you leave, as the longest stretch without services could be up to 106.9 miles on I-75. While there's only one recommended stop, it's wise to take short breaks every couple of hours to stay alert. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 132.4 miles from Fern Park, FL, or about 2h 27m 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 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 27m 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 58m
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 Fern Park, 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 Fern Park, FL
This is one driving day of about 264.9 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Fern Park, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.2 and 168.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12.2 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward FL 429 South Toll: Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4B
Toward FL 429 South Toll: Tampa
8
20.7 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala
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 22
Toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami, Ocala
8
20.9 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Ocala, North Florida’s Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Ocala, North Florida’s Turnpike
8
168.6 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
$42.59 one way
$85.19 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.44
$46.33
$92.65
premium
$4.78
$49.83
$99.66
diesel
$6.18
$64.44
$128.88
Estimated Tolls: $2.78
Florida's Turnpike
(39.7 mi)$2.78
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
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 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
79.5
0
$27.81
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.18
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.09
$16.95
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 15, 2026
Origin
Fern Park, FL
Morning
in Fern Park on Friday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
ENE 5 to 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued October 15 at 5:57AM EDT until October 15 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 15 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Morning
in Tallahassee on Friday
Local time
7:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued October 15 at 5:57AM EDT until October 15 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 15 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 56m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 93% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-75 and I-10. You'll encounter long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 106.9 miles on I-75. The character of the road remains largely the same throughout, offering a predictable driving experience. Expect smooth, fast travel for the majority of your 4-hour-plus journey, minimizing the need to navigate complex local roads.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
10/10
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 12.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 264.9 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 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
204 ft66 ft
Total Climb
308 ft
Total Descent
203 ft
Highest Point
204 ft
~264.9 mi in
Elevation Range
139 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fern Park, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Florida’s Turnpike, Miami and Ocala.
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 56m. Total distance: 264.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 $2.78 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 29 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tallahassee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
