Indian Shores, FL to Tallahassee, FL is 263.7 miles and takes about 5h 39m via Young Boulevard and Suncoast Parkway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the coastal region of Florida inland towards its capital city. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a manageable trip for most drivers. The route offers a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a varied experience as you travel north. Consider this option if you're looking for a straightforward drive across the 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
131.9 miles from Indian Shores, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m 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
Apalachee Parkway
16.1 mi
23m
US 19
13 mi
16m
Courtney Campbell Causeway
8.2 mi
10m
FL 589 Toll Express Lane
7.8 mi
9m
Ulmerton Road
7.6 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Young Boulevard
— 89.3 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indian Shores, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on 199th Avenue
95 ft·10 sec·199th Avenue
2
Turn left onto FL 699
1.4 mi·3 min·Gulf Boulevard
3
Turn right onto FL 688
0.3 mi·46 sec·5th Avenue North
4
Continue on FL 688
461 ft·11 sec·Indian Rocks Causeway
5
Continue on FL 688
1.9 mi·3 min·Walsingham Road
6
Continue on FL 688
7.6 mi·12 min·Ulmerton Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto CR 611
0.9 mi·1 min·49th Street
Use the left lane.
8
Turn straight onto CR 611
3.4 mi·4 min·Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward FL 60: Clearwater, TampaUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
388 ft·10 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Merge onto FL 60
0.6 mi·1 min·Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on FL 60
8.2 mi·10 min·Courtney Campbell Causeway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on FL 60
0.7 mi·1 min·FL 60
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward FL 589 North Toll: Veterans Expressway, Air CargoUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto Memorial Highway
0.3 mi·29 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 589 Toll, CR 576, : Air Cargo
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll NorthUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
2.3 mi·2 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
19
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
0.6 mi·48 sec·Veterans Expressway
20
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.
21
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
0.4 mi·27 sec·Veterans Expressway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi·59 min·Suncoast Parkway
Toward Crystal RiverUse the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward FL 44: Gulf to Lake Highway
24
Turn left onto FL 44
4.8 mi·7 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
25
Continue on FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 5th Street
26
Turn right onto US 19; US 98
47 mi·59 min·Suncoast Boulevard
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
89 mi·1 hr 53 min·Young Boulevard
28
Continue on US 19; US 27
13 mi·16 min·US 19; US 27
29
Continue on US 27
12 mi·15 min·Apalachee Parkway
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·18 sec·Apalachee Parkway
31
Continue on US 27
4.2 mi·7 min·Apalachee Parkway
Use the left lane.
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
33
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 39m drive, consider an early morning departure from Indian Shores to avoid potential coastal traffic. With a total distance of 263.7 miles, it's entirely feasible to complete in a single day. The longest stretch on Young Boulevard is nearly 90 miles, so plan your first stop after this segment to refuel or take a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so budget accordingly. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your breaks.
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 131.9 miles from Indian Shores, FL, or about 2h 48m 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 58 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.9 miles or 2h 48m 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 35m
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 Indian Shores, 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 Indian Shores, FL
This is one driving day of about 263.7 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Indian Shores, 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.
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 15.7 and 38.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
15.7 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FL 60: Clearwater, Tampa
6
16 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
25.6 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward FL 589 North Toll: Veterans Expressway, Air Cargo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward FL 589 North Toll: Veterans Expressway,...
7
26.7 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 589 Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward FL 589 Toll North
7
38.1 mi into trip|~57m 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
$42.31 one way
$84.61 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.45
$46.19
$92.38
premium
$4.78
$49.67
$99.33
diesel
$6.20
$64.36
$128.71
Estimated Tolls: $3.52
Suncoast Parkway
(54.2 mi)$3.25
Veterans Expressway
(3.3 mi)$0.27
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
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-05.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.1
0
$27.69
$12.66
Efficient EV
65.9
0
$23.07
$10.55
EV Truck/SUV
105.5
1
$36.92
$16.88
Gas CO2
92 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.
Forecast as of Oct 9, 2026
Origin
Indian Shores, FL
Morning
in Indian Shores on Saturday
Local time
7:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 16 to 23 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued October 9 at 4:31AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued October 9 at 5:30AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Morning
in Tallahassee on Saturday
Local time
7:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 10 to 20 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued October 9 at 4:31AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued October 9 at 5:30AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee 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
10 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
5h 39m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 9.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 36% of this drive is on highways, with the remaining 64% on surface roads. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of 89.3 miles on Young Boulevard. Expect a shift from potentially busy coastal access roads to more open highway cruising on the Suncoast Parkway before transitioning back to surface streets. The profile is a mix of highway and surface driving, so be prepared for varying speed limits and traffic patterns.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 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?
10/10
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 15.7 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 263.7 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 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.6 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
204 ft6 ft
Total Climb
272 ft
Total Descent
74 ft
Highest Point
204 ft
~263.7 mi in
Elevation Range
198 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Indian Shores, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Tampa, Air Cargo, Cr 576, : Air Cargo and Crystal River.
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 5h 39m. Total distance: 263.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 $3.52 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.
Yes — we found about 2 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
