Trip from Horizon West, 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

4h 44m

Distance

251.6 mi

405 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 31m ★

6 AM

4h 45m

8 AM

5h 12m

10 AM

4h 54m

12 PM

4h 52m

3 PM

4h 56m

5 PM

5h 11m

8 PM

4h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Horizon West, FL

Arian Fernandez

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Horizon West, FL to Tallahassee, FL is 251.6 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I 75, I 10, and Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that keeps you moving efficiently between two points within Florida. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip when you need to get from one area of the state to another without much fuss. Consider this route if your priority is speed and minimizing travel time.

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

125.8 miles from Horizon West, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m 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	35.4 mi	37m
Avalon Road	9.4 mi	14m
Mahan Drive	6.7 mi	11m
West Colonial Drive	1.8 mi	2m
Phil Ritson Way	0.8 mi	1m
East Tennessee Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 106.9 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Horizon West, FL and Tallahassee, FL.

Start on Winter Stay Drive

311 ft · 15 sec · Winter Stay Drive

Turn right onto Summerlake Groves Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Summerlake Groves Street

Turn left onto Phil Ritson Way

0.8 mi · 1 min · Phil Ritson Way

Turn right onto CR 545

5.9 mi · 8 min · Avalon Road

Continue on CR 545

1.7 mi · 3 min · Avalon Road

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto CR 545

1.9 mi · 3 min · Avalon Road

Turn left onto FL 50

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Colonial Drive

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala Use the right lane.

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

35 mi · 37 min · Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Florida's Turnpike

Toward I 75 North: Ocala Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 75

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Exit 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto US 90

6.7 mi · 11 min · Mahan Drive

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 90

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tennessee Street

Turn left onto CR 1555

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street

Turn left onto CR 1559

210 ft · 9 sec · South Calhoun Street

Turn right onto US 27

339 ft · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway

Turn right onto US 27; FL 61

31 ft · 1 sec · South Monroe Street

Arrive at destination

US 27; FL 61

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 44m estimated drive time, departing from Horizon West in the morning allows ample time to reach Tallahassee before evening. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, you can be quite flexible with your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the longest stretch of 106.9 miles on I 75, as services can be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $40 is a good baseline for budgeting your trip.

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 125.8 miles from Horizon West, FL, or about 2h 22m 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 125.8 miles or 2h 22m 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 49m

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 Horizon West, 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 Horizon West, FL

This is one driving day of about 251.6 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Horizon West, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gainesville, FL

126 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.

Popular next leg

Gainesville, FL to Tallahassee, FL

149 mi · 2h 54m

Pacing Suggestions

Bushnell, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gainesville, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.8 miles from Horizon West, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 251.6

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.4 mi

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 251.6

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+18505979737

Visit website

La Florida Coffee & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.2 mi

Argonaut Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.3 mi

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 251.6

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 251.6

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18505366821

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 251.6

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

Visit website

Argonaut Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 251.6

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 71.9

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 251.6

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 107.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 71.9

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 71.9

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 53.9

Oxford, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13527480449

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 107.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13523326466

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 251.6

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18505659955

Mission San Luis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 251.6

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18502456406

Visit website

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 107.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+13523955633

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 155.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9 mi into trip | ~15m in | CR 545 / Avalon Road

At end of road, turn left onto CR 545 / Avalon Road

Navigation decision point

12.6 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala

48.2 mi into trip | ~59m in | Florida's Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike toward I 75 North: Ocala

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 75 North: Ocala

155.3 mi into trip | ~2h 54m 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

155.5 mi into trip | ~2h 54m 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

$40.05 one way

$80.10 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$43.56	$87.13
premium	$4.72	$46.78	$93.57
diesel	$5.61	$55.55	$111.10

Estimated Tolls: $2.46

Florida's Turnpike (35.1 mi) $2.46

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

$40

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	75.5	0	$26.42	$12.08
Efficient EV	62.9	0	$22.01	$10.06
EV Truck/SUV	100.6	1	$35.22	$16.10

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 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 17, 2026

Origin

Horizon West, FL

Late night in Horizon West on Sunday

Local time

3:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Patchy Fog

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Late night in Tallahassee on Sunday

Local time

3:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 0% chance 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

3 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 44m 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?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 91% of the journey on major roadways like I 75 and I 10. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 106.9 miles on I 75 where you can maintain a steady pace. The character is largely that of an efficient interstate transit, designed for covering distance quickly rather than for sightseeing. Expect smooth, direct travel for the vast majority of your trip.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

22 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?

7/10

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 9 miles in near CR 545 / Avalon Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 251.6 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 9 miles (CR 545 / Avalon Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Horizon West, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike North and Ocala.

Florida's Turnpike North

12.6 mi in | ~21m

Ocala

12.6 mi in | ~21m

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 4h 44m. Total distance: 251.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). 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 $2.46 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.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Tallahassee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Trip from Horizon West, FL to Tallahassee, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Catalina Cafe

Lucky Goat Coffee

Catalina Cafe

The Power Plant Cafe

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

Halisi Africa

Starbucks Coffee Company

LeRoc Bistro

Honest Living Tea House

Bruegger's Bagels

Lucky Goat Coffee

La Florida Coffee & Wine

Argonaut Coffee

The Honeybee Café

CYM Coffee Co

Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream - SoMo Walls

BW Blacksmith Coffee Drive-Thru | HWY 47

Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Supercharger

Cascades Park

Goodies Eatery

Capital Cascades Trail Park

Tomahawks 51

Scott Springs Park

Kavakaze

Mission San Luis

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Horizon West, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 44m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Tallahassee, FL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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