Orlando to Springfield is 356 miles and takes about 6h 47m via I-75 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the central part of the state up towards the panhandle. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a straightforward route for a single-day trip. Expect a mostly highway profile, making it efficient for covering ground.
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
178 miles from Orlando, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
121.8 mi
2h 10m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
Florida's Turnpike
42.6 mi
45m
FL 20
28.4 mi
39m
US 231
20 mi
25m
Bristol Highway
17.7 mi
23m
East-West Expressway
8.2 mi
9m
Transmitter Road
4.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 121.8 mi, about 2h 10m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,501 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,043
Quietest
2 AM
~173 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
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 Orlando, FL and Springfield, FL.
1
Start on this road
113 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto FL 527
0.1 mi·26 sec·South Orange Avenue
3
Turn straight
238 ft·10 sec
4
Turn slight right onto Lucerne Circle West
285 ft·12 sec·Lucerne Circle West
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward FL 408 Toll West
6
Merge onto FL 408 Toll
8.2 mi·9 min·East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on FL 408 Toll
0.8 mi·53 sec·Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
9
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
42 mi·45 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 10
122 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 174Toward FL 12: Gretna, GreensboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
366 ft·11 sec
Toward FL `12 South: Greensboro
17
Turn straight onto FL 12
2.4 mi·3 min·Greensboro Highway
18
Continue on FL 12
0.6 mi·1 min·Selman Street
19
Turn left onto FL 12
0.4 mi·57 sec·Green Avenue
20
Continue on FL 12
18 mi·23 min·Bristol Highway
21
At end of road, turn right onto FL 20
28 mi·39 min·FL 20
22
Turn left onto US 231
20 mi·25 min·US 231
23
Turn left onto Transmitter Road
4.1 mi·7 min·Transmitter Road
24
Turn right onto FL 22
0.2 mi·27 sec·East 3rd Street
25
Arrive at destination
FL 22
Trip Plan
Leaving Orlando in the morning, ideally before 9 AM, will help you avoid the worst of the city's traffic. Since this trip is manageable in under 7 hours, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Plan for one fuel stop; the longest stretch without exiting is over 120 miles, so topping off before that segment on I-10 is a good idea. While the route is predominantly highway, be aware of the transition to surface roads for the final portion, which may involve more local traffic. The $53 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart.
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 178 miles from Orlando, FL, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.8 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 78 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Orlando, 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 Orlando, FL
This is one driving day of about 356 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Orlando, 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 10 for about 121.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.5 and 281.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
7
52.4 mi into trip|~58m 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
159.6 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
159.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
281.9 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
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 174
Toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.89 one way
$107.78 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$59.13
$118.26
premium
$4.55
$63.77
$127.54
diesel
$4.80
$67.22
$134.44
Estimated Tolls: $2.96
Florida's Turnpike
(42.3 mi)$2.96
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
$54
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Efficient EV
89
1
$31.15
$14.24
EV Truck/SUV
142.4
1
$49.84
$22.78
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 19, 2026
Origin
Orlando, FL
Late night
in Orlando on Sunday
Local time
5:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Springfield, FL
Late night
in Springfield on Sunday
Local time
4:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 0 to 5 mph40% 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.
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
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
6h 47m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 92% of the drive on major roads like I-75 and I-10. You'll encounter a long stretch of 121.8 miles on I-10 without needing to exit. The remaining 8% of your drive will be on surface roads, likely with more frequent intersections and slower speeds. The consistent highway travel means you'll experience a steady pace for most of the trip.
92% 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: 121.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 9.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 356 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 9.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.4 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 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
223 ft30 ft
Total Climb
318 ft
Total Descent
391 ft
Highest Point
223 ft
~279.7 mi in
Elevation Range
193 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Orlando, FL and Springfield, FL, road signs point toward Tallahassee, Greensboro and Fl `12 South: Greensboro.
For the broader urban area including suburbs and other nearby destinations, please see the Greater Orlando article.
Orlando deserves its reputation as the theme park capital of the world, with an estimated 52 million visitors a year. The city is best known for its theme parks Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, but it holds a lot to offer besides those two amusement meccas. Countless hotels and restaurants cater to business conventions and other events hosted by organizations from all over the country. Outside the theme park districts and hotels, however, lies much more to be explored, including downtown, areas of untouched wilderness, world-class museums and theaters, and old towns with dining and nightlife.
At the center of the state of Florida, in Orange County, Orlando is about an hour from each coast.
Top landmarks
•Universal Studios Florida — theme park in the United States
•Universal's Islands of Adventure — theme park, part of Universal Orlando Resort
•Universal Epic Universe — theme park in Orlando, Florida
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 47m. Total distance: 356 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.8 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.96 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 37 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 Springfield, 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.4 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Springfield, FL before the return drive.
