Origin
Gulfport, FL
Morning in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gulfport, FL to Tallahassee, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 28m
Distance
261 mi
420 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 15m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gulfport, FL
Arian Fernandez
Tallahassee, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 261-mile drive from Gulfport, Florida, to Tallahassee, Florida, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including Young Boulevard and the Suncoast Parkway, with about 44% of the journey on highways. Plan for a fuel cost of around $42 for this excursion across the state. Given the duration, it’s a solid day trip, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could easily extend it into an overnight adventure. The route offers a straightforward connection between two distinct areas within Florida.
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
130.5 miles from Gulfport, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Young Boulevard | 89.3 mi | 1h 53m |
| Suncoast Parkway | 54.2 mi | 59m |
| Suncoast Boulevard | 47 mi | 59m |
| I 275 | 18.2 mi | 22m |
| Apalachee Parkway | 16.1 mi | 23m |
| US 19 | 13 mi | 16m |
| FL 589 Toll Express Lane | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Veterans Expressway | 5.5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Young Boulevard
— 89.3 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gulfport, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on CR 138
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Gulfport Boulevard South
2
Continue on CR 138
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
22nd Avenue South
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 275 North: Tampa
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 275
18 mi
·
22 min
·
I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 39
Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on West Kennedy Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto FL 60
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Highway
Toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Veterans Expressway
Toward FL 589 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
11
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
Veterans Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
Veterans Expressway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi
·
59 min
·
Suncoast Parkway
Toward Crystal River
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward FL 44: Gulf to Lake Highway
16
Turn left onto FL 44
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Gulf to Lake Highway
17
Continue on FL 44
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 5th Street
18
Turn right onto US 19; US 98
47 mi
·
59 min
·
Suncoast Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
89 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
Young Boulevard
20
Continue on US 19; US 27
13 mi
·
16 min
·
US 19; US 27
21
Continue on US 27
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Apalachee Parkway
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Apalachee Parkway
23
Continue on US 27
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Apalachee Parkway
Use the left lane.
24
At end of road, turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Monroe Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 28-minute drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially if you're aiming to complete it in a single day. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 89 miles. A practical tip for this route is to ensure you have a full tank before departing Gulfport, as the initial segment can be quite long before you reach major service areas.
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 130.5 miles from Gulfport, FL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.3 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 57 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.5 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
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 Gulfport, 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 Gulfport, FL
This is one driving day of about 261 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Gulfport, 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 Young Boulevard for about 89.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.5 miles from Gulfport, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Young Boulevard if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 20.1 and 35.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
20.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International Airport, Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard
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 39
Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa International A...
8
20.6 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shore Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 60 East: Kennedy Boulevard, West Shor...
6
21.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
FL 60 / Memorial Highway
Turn left onto FL 60 / Memorial Highway toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport, Clearwater
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward FL 589 Toll: Tampa International Airport...
7
21.9 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Veterans Expressway toward FL 589 Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 589 Toll
7
35.3 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll / Suncoast Parkway toward Crystal River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Crystal River
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.54 one way
$83.09 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $45.19 | $90.38 |
| premium | $4.72 | $48.53 | $97.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.63 | $115.25 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.69
Suncoast Parkway
(54.2 mi)
$3.25
Veterans Expressway
(5.5 mi)
$0.44
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
$42
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.3 | 0 | $27.40 | $12.53 |
| Efficient EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.84 | $10.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.4 | 1 | $36.54 | $16.70 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Morning in Tallahassee on Sunday
Local time
6:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
1 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
5h 28m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed character, blending highway speeds with more local road experiences. You'll spend a notable portion of your time on highways, accounting for 44% of the total mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 89.3 miles on Young Boulevard, offering a period of consistent travel. As you progress, expect the road to shift from the efficiency of parkways to potentially more varied conditions on other main roads. This blend means you'll experience both open-road cruising and more town-influenced driving.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.3 mi on Young Boulevard.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 261 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 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gulfport, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Tampa International Airport, Clearwater and Crystal River.
Tampa International Airport
20.1 mi in
|
~26m
Clearwater
21.2 mi in
|
~28m
|
via FL 60
Crystal River
35.3 mi in
|
~47m
|
via FL 589 Toll
About the Cities
Arriving in Tallahassee, FL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 261 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.3 miles on Young Boulevard. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.69 in tolls one way, starting with Suncoast Parkway. 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tallahassee, FL before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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