Madeira Beach, FL to Brent, FL is 491.3 miles and takes about 9h 4m via I-275, I-75, and I-10, with a fuel budget near $85 and an overnight stay recommended. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the Gulf Coast inland toward the Panhandle. Given the nearly 500-mile distance and 9-hour estimated drive time, planning for two days is a sensible approach. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making this a straightforward, albeit long, point-to-point drive.
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
245.6 miles from Madeira Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
283.4 mi
5h 3m
I 75
160.3 mi
2h 51m
I 275
32.3 mi
40m
Park Boulevard North
6.1 mi
11m
Seminole Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
Gandy Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
Tom Stuart Causeway
1.2 mi
2m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 283.4 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 108 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,226 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,701
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
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 Madeira Beach, FL and Brent, FL.
1
Start on this road
65 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 146th Avenue
69 ft·5 sec·146th Avenue
3
Turn right onto FL 699
0.3 mi·40 sec·Gulf Boulevard
4
Turn right onto FL 666
1.2 mi·2 min·Tom Stuart Causeway
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on FL 666
0.4 mi·46 sec·Welch Causeway
Toward Seminole, Clearwater
6
Turn straight onto US-19 ALT
43 ft·0 sec·Bay Pines Boulevard North
Toward ALT US 19: Seminole, Clearwater
7
Continue on US-19 ALT
1.5 mi·2 min·Seminole Boulevard
8
Turn right onto CR 694
6.1 mi·11 min·Park Boulevard North
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on FL 694
1.4 mi·2 min·Gandy Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 275: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 North: TampaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 275
32 mi·40 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 75
160 mi·2 hr 51 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 110
0.4 mi·29 sec·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 5Toward FL 750, FL 296: Airport Boulevard, Brent LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward FL 296: Brent LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto FL 296
0.3 mi·52 sec·Brent Lane
22
Continue on East Brent Lane
0.1 mi·29 sec·East Brent Lane
23
Turn left onto Sycamore Drive
218 ft·12 sec·Sycamore Drive
24
Turn left onto East Brent Lane
34 ft·1 sec·East Brent Lane
25
Arrive at destination
East Brent Lane
Trip Plan
With a 9h 4m drive time, breaking this trip into two days is highly advisable. Aim to leave Madeira Beach early to maximize daylight for your first leg. Consider stopping for the night around the halfway point to avoid fatigue. Look for lodging and dining options near exits along I-10, as this will be your longest stretch. Ensure your vehicle is well-fueled before departing, as the 283.4-mile segment on I-10 could mean longer distances between major services.
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 245.6 miles from Madeira Beach, FL, or about 4h 39m 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 108 miles or 2h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 245.6 miles or 4h 39m 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 245.6 miles or 4h 39m
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 58m
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 Madeira Beach, 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 Madeira Beach, FL
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Brent, FL
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Madeira Beach, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 11 and 489.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 275 North: Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 275 North: Tampa
8
204.3 mi into trip|~3h 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
8
204.5 mi into trip|~3h 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
8
488.2 mi into trip|~8h 59m 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
489.5 mi into trip|~9h 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.37 one way
$148.74 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg172 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$81.61
$163.21
premium
$4.55
$88.01
$176.02
diesel
$4.80
$92.77
$185.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
147.4
1
$51.59
$23.58
Efficient EV
122.8
1
$42.99
$19.65
EV Truck/SUV
196.5
2
$68.78
$31.44
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
57 kg (67% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Madeira Beach, FL
Morning
in Madeira Beach on Monday
Local time
6:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 13 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brent, FL
Late night
in Brent on Monday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 0 to 5 mph41% chanceLive 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.
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
2 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
9h 4m 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 491.3
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom B/D Loop Closure
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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the trip on interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 283.4 miles on I-10, so expect extended periods of consistent speed. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur only in the immediate vicinity of your start and end points. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll likely notice frequent exits and varying traffic patterns as you pass through different Florida regions.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 11 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 19 significant decision points across 491.3 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 11 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
222 ft4 ft
Total Climb
574 ft
Total Descent
481 ft
Highest Point
222 ft
~421.1 mi in
Elevation Range
218 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 Madeira Beach, 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 246 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 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.
