Trip from Melbourne, FL to Tallahassee, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 4m

Distance

318.8 mi

513 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 52m ★

6 AM

6h 5m

8 AM

6h 31m

10 AM

6h 14m

12 PM

6h 11m

3 PM

6h 15m

5 PM

6h 29m

8 PM

5h 57m

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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Melbourne, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 318.8-mile journey from Melbourne, FL, to Tallahassee, FL, is designed for efficient travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-75, Florida's Turnpike, and I-10, this drive is focused on highway travel, with 81% of the route on major interstates. Given its duration and highway-focused profile, it's entirely feasible as a single-day trip, though you might consider an overnight stop if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $51. This drive will take you across the state of Florida, connecting two distinct regions within the Sunshine 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

159.4 miles from Melbourne, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m 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	64.1 mi	1h 8m
New Haven Avenue	42.2 mi	54m
Mahan Drive	6.7 mi	11m
Bronson Highway	3.3 mi	5m
13th Street	2.6 mi	5m
East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway	1.5 mi	2m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Waverly Place

0.1 mi · 36 sec · Waverly Place

Turn right onto East Fee Avenue

0.8 mi · 2 min · East Fee Avenue

Turn left onto CR 507

0.2 mi · 36 sec · South Babcock Street

Turn right onto US 192

42 mi · 54 min · New Haven Avenue

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 192; US 441

1.2 mi · 1 min · East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway

Continue on US 192; US 441

2.6 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

Continue on US 192; US 441

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway

Continue on US 192; US 441

3.3 mi · 5 min · Bronson Highway

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

64 mi · 1 hr 8 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

To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Melbourne to maximize daylight hours and potentially avoid some traffic. With a longest stretch of 106.9 miles on I-75, plan your first significant break around that point to refuel and stretch your legs. The total fuel cost is estimated at $51, so ensure your tank is full before you begin. Since this route is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to stop more or less frequently as needed. A practical tip for this drive is to be aware of the transitions between I-75, Florida's Turnpike, and I-10, as these can sometimes involve more complex interchanges.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 159.4 miles from Melbourne, FL, or about 3h 6m 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 70 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 159.4 miles or 3h 6m 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 56m

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 Melbourne, 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 Melbourne, FL

This is one driving day of about 318.8 miles and 6h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Melbourne, 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.

city in Lake County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clermont, FL

159 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

Orlando, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Citra, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 159.4 miles from Melbourne, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Orlando, Florida

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 18m in 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.6 mi

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.4 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

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

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14077045878

Visit website

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18505366821

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

Visit website

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Wildwood, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13523523155

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.6 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Wildwood, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887518560

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Lake City, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Orlando, Florida

+14073638000

Visit website

Capital Cascades Trail Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18508913866

Visit website

Scott Springs Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ocala, Florida

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+13523685517

Visit website

Tomahawks 51

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Closed

+18509996339

Visit website

Kavakaze

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18505659955

The Orlando Auto Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Orlando, Florida

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13217541700

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 222.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 192 / New Haven Avenue

Turn right onto US 192 / New Haven Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

50.7 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll

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

Toward Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll

115.3 mi into trip | ~2h 19m 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

222.5 mi into trip | ~4h 14m 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

222.7 mi into trip | ~4h 14m 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

$50.74 one way

$101.49 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 112 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$55.20	$110.40
premium	$4.72	$59.28	$118.56
diesel	$5.61	$70.39	$140.77

Estimated Tolls: $4.47

Florida's Turnpike (63.8 mi) $4.47

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

$51

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	95.6	1	$33.47	$15.30
Efficient EV	79.7	0	$27.90	$12.75
EV Truck/SUV	127.5	1	$44.63	$20.40

Gas CO2

112 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Melbourne, FL

Late night in Melbourne on Tuesday

Local time

5:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Late night in Tallahassee on Tuesday

Local time

5:16 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°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

19 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

6h 4m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 81% of the drive on major interstates like I-75 and I-10. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 106.9 miles on I-75, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of your trip. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads, the transition between these main arteries will introduce variations in the driving environment. This profile suggests a journey where efficiency and covering ground are key, with less emphasis on winding backroads or frequent changes in scenery.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 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?

8/10

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 1.2 miles in near US 192 / New Haven Avenue.

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 16 significant decision points across 318.8 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 1.2 miles (US 192 / New Haven Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.3 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 Melbourne, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Ocala, Miami, Florida's Turnpike Toll and Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala.

Ocala

50.7 mi in | ~1h 9m

Miami

50.7 mi in | ~1h 9m

Florida's Turnpike Toll

50.7 mi in | ~1h 9m

Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala

50.9 mi in | ~1h 9m

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 6h 4m. Total distance: 318.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 $4.47 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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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Trip from Melbourne, 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

Stops Along Your Drive

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

Lucky Goat Coffee

Holy Grain Coffee Shop

Catalina Cafe

The Power Plant Cafe

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

Halisi Africa

Starbucks Coffee Company

LeRoc Bistro

Honest Living Tea House

Lucky Goat Coffee

La Florida Coffee & Wine

Argonaut Coffee

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

Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse

Lucky Goat Coffee

RedEye Coffee - Midtown

Midtown Reader & the Piebrary

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Cascades Park

Goodies Eatery

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Capital Cascades Trail Park

Scott Springs Park

Tomahawks 51

Kavakaze

The Orlando Auto Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Melbourne, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Same local time

19 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 4m 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

Explore More

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