Gandy, FL to Brent, FL is 477.2 miles and takes about 8h 42m via I-10, I-75, and I-275, with a fuel budget near $75 and an overnight recommendation. This trip stays within Florida, offering a predominantly highway experience. With a recommended two days for travel, you'll have ample time to break up the drive and avoid feeling rushed. It's a straightforward route for anyone looking to cover significant ground across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
238.6 miles from Gandy, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
283.4 mi
5h 3m
I 75
160.3 mi
2h 51m
I 275
16.5 mi
20m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
6.9 mi
9m
Gandy Boulevard
5.1 mi
7m
South Jefferson Street
0.7 mi
1m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
Brent Lane
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 283.4 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,325 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,879
Quietest
2 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Gandy, FL and Brent, FL.
1
Start on San Fernando Drive Northeast
523 ft·19 sec·San Fernando Drive Northeast
2
Turn right onto US 92
5.1 mi·7 min·Gandy Boulevard
3
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 618 Toll
6.9 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
429 ft·18 sec
Exit 6A; 6BToward Downtown East, Downtown West
5
Continue on this road
399 ft·11 sec·this road
Exit 6BToward Downtown-East, Channelside Drive
6
Turn slight left onto Channelside Drive
392 ft·13 sec·Channelside Drive
7
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Jefferson Street
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on North Orange Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·North Orange Avenue
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward North I 275
10
Merge onto I 275
17 mi·20 min·I 275
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 75
160 mi·2 hr 51 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 110
0.4 mi·29 sec·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 5Toward FL 750, FL 296: Airport Boulevard, Brent LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward FL 296: Brent LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto FL 296
0.3 mi·52 sec·Brent Lane
20
Continue on East Brent Lane
0.1 mi·29 sec·East Brent Lane
21
Turn left onto Sycamore Drive
218 ft·12 sec·Sycamore Drive
22
Turn left onto East Brent Lane
34 ft·1 sec·East Brent Lane
23
Arrive at destination
East Brent Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 42m estimated driving time, it's best to split this trip over two days. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight and cover a good portion of the distance. Consider stopping for the night after about half the mileage, or around the 250-mile mark, to ensure you're not fatigued. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the long 283.4-mile stretch on I-10, as services can be more spread out in certain sections. The $75 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 238.6 miles from Gandy, FL, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 283.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 105 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 238.6 miles or 4h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 238.6 miles or 4h 24m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brent, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gandy, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gandy, FL
Aim for roughly 239 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Brent, FL
Aim for roughly 239 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Gandy, FL.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 283.4 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 190.3 and 475.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
190.3 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
190.4 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
8
474.1 mi into trip|~8h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
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 12
Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
8
475.5 mi into trip|~8h 38m in
Take the exit toward FL 750, FL 296: Airport Boulevard, Brent Lane
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 5
Toward FL 750, FL 296: Airport Boulevard, Brent...
7
475.7 mi into trip|~8h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 296: Brent Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 296: Brent Lane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.73 one way
$153.46 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg167 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$83.70
$167.40
premium
$4.78
$89.84
$179.68
diesel
$6.28
$117.91
$235.82
Estimated Tolls: $0.69
Selmon Expressway
(6.9 mi)$0.69
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
$77
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 167 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
143.2
1
$50.11
$22.91
Efficient EV
119.3
1
$41.76
$19.09
EV Truck/SUV
190.9
2
$66.81
$30.54
Gas CO2
167 kg
EV CO2
56 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Gandy, FL
Night
in Gandy on Thursday
Local time
9:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Brent, FL
Evening
in Brent on Thursday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
16 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
8h 42m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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
near mile 477.2
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on major highways, with 98% of the 477.2 miles being on interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of 283.4 miles on I-10, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect a high density of exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas along the way. The transition to surface roads will be minimal and occur very late in the trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 283.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 190.3 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 477.2 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 190.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 474.1 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
200 ft4 ft
Total Climb
423 ft
Total Descent
330 ft
Highest Point
200 ft
~287.5 mi in
Elevation Range
196 ft
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 Gandy, FL to Brent, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Tallahassee along the way.
The longest stretch is about 283.4 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 239 miles on day one.
Expect about $0.69 in tolls one way, starting with Selmon Expressway. 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 53 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 Brent, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 53 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 190.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 474.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore and De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brent, FL before the return drive.
