Lauderdale Lakes to Tallahassee is 451.1 miles and takes about 8h 17m via Florida's Turnpike and I-75, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route spans across Florida, taking you from the southern part of the state all the way to the panhandle. Given the majority of the drive is on highways, it's a fairly straightforward trip. You'll be covering a significant distance, so consider if you prefer to tackle it all in one go or break it into two days for a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost is a helpful budget point to keep in mind as you plan.
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
225.5 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
245.3 mi
4h 25m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
I 10
87.7 mi
1h 34m
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
State Road 7
1.1 mi
2m
East Tennessee Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
West Commercial Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 245.3 mi, about 4h 25m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,188 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,861
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Lauderdale Lakes, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on Northwest 44th Terrace
219 ft·11 sec·Northwest 44th Terrace
2
Turn right onto Northwest 33rd Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Northwest 33rd Street
3
Continue on Northwest 43rd Avenue
0.2 mi·55 sec·Northwest 43rd Avenue
4
Turn right onto Northwest 36th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 36th Street
5
Turn slight left onto Northwest 37th Street
442 ft·21 sec·Northwest 37th Street
6
Turn left onto US 441
1.1 mi·2 min·State Road 7
7
Turn left onto SR 870
0.4 mi·1 min·West Commercial Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
245 mi·4 hr 25 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
18
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
20
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
21
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
22
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
With an 8-hour drive time, this trip is manageable in one day, but splitting it over two days is also a good option for a more leisurely experience. Aim to depart early in the morning to make the most of daylight hours, especially if you plan to drive straight through. You'll have two recommended stops, which can be strategically placed to break up the 451.1 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as there are long stretches on highways like the Florida's Turnpike where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $71 is a good baseline for your budget.
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 225.5 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, FL, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 245.3 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 99 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 225.5 miles or 4h 8m 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 225.5 miles or 4h 8m
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 6m
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 Lauderdale Lakes, 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 Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Aim for roughly 226 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Tallahassee, FL
Aim for roughly 226 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Lauderdale Lakes, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 245.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 355 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Miami, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike
8
2.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
7
247.6 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
8
354.8 mi into trip|~6h 27m 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
355 mi into trip|~6h 27m 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
$68.29 one way
$136.57 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg158 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$74.93
$149.86
premium
$4.55
$80.81
$161.61
diesel
$4.80
$85.18
$170.35
Estimated Tolls: $17.15
Florida's Turnpike
(245.1 mi)$17.15
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
$68
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 157.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
135.3
1
$47.37
$21.65
Efficient EV
112.8
1
$39.47
$18.04
EV Truck/SUV
180.4
2
$63.15
$28.87
Gas CO2
158 kg
EV CO2
53 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Late night
in Lauderdale Lakes on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 7 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 7:58PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Late night
in Tallahassee on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 0 to 5 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 7:58PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 16 at 11:29AM EDT until July 17 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 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 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with a 98% highway share. You'll experience a longest stretch of 245.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike, meaning extended periods of cruising. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate the highway system for the bulk of your travel time. The transition from highway to surface roads will be minimal, so prepare for consistent highway speeds for most of 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: 245.3 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 451.1 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 247.6 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 245.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike. 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 226 miles on day one.
Expect about $17.15 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 43 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 43 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 247.6 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.6 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.
