Trip from Palm Beach Gardens, FL to Tallahassee, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 26m

Distance

405.3 mi

652 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

7h 16m ★

6 AM

7h 27m

8 AM

7h 47m

10 AM

7h 34m

12 PM

7h 32m

3 PM

7h 35m

5 PM

7h 46m

8 PM

7h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 405-mile drive from Palm Beach Gardens to Tallahassee is a straightforward, highway-focused journey across Florida. Expect to spend about 7 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. With 97% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel, though you'll want to budget around $65 for fuel. You'll be sticking to major interstates for the bulk of your travel, so pack your favorite podcasts for this 1-day adventure.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

202.6 miles from Palm Beach Gardens, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Florida's Turnpike	199.1 mi	3h 33m
I 75	106.9 mi	1h 54m
I 10	87.7 mi	1h 34m
Mahan Drive	6.7 mi	11m
Avenue of the Masters	1.1 mi	2m
East Tennessee Street	0.6 mi	1m
North Franklin Boulevard	0.5 mi	1m
General Drive	0.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 199.1 mi, about 3h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palm Beach Gardens, FL and Tallahassee, FL.

Start on Diamond Head Way

509 ft · 23 sec · Diamond Head Way

Turn left onto General Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · General Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Avenue of the Masters

1.1 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Masters

Turn right onto Avenue of the Champions

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Avenue of the Champions

Enter roundabout onto Avenue of the Champions

399 ft · 17 sec · Avenue of the Champions

Continue on Avenue of the Champions

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Avenue of the Champions

Turn right onto FL 786

0.2 mi · 29 sec · PGA Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Orlando, Miami Use the left lane.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · this road

Toward Florida's Turnpike

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

199 mi · 3 hr 33 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 7-hour and 26-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Palm Beach Gardens to avoid potential traffic. With only two planned stops recommended for this 405-mile journey, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you pass the longest stretch on Florida's Turnpike, where services might be more spaced out. A $65 fuel budget should cover the trip, but it's always wise to have a little extra for unexpected needs.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 202.6 miles from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, or about 3h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.1 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 89 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 202.6 miles or 3h 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 15m

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 Palm Beach Gardens, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Palm Beach Gardens, FL

This is one driving day of about 405.3 miles and 7h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 199.1 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

203 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

Palm Bay, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bushnell, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 202.6 miles from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 199.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 405.3

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.4 mi

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 405.3

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

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 405.3

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 405.3

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18505366821

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 405.3

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 260.5

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 260.5

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 405.3

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18505659955

Mission San Luis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 405.3

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18502456406

Visit website

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 1.8 and 309.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.8 mi into trip | ~5m in | Avenue of the Champions

Enter roundabout onto Avenue of the Champions

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

2.2 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Orlando, Miami

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Orlando, Miami

201.8 mi into trip | ~3h 41m 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

309 mi into trip | ~5h 36m 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

309.2 mi into trip | ~5h 36m 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

$64.51 one way

$129.03 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 142 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$70.18	$140.36
premium	$4.72	$75.36	$150.73
diesel	$5.61	$89.49	$178.97

Estimated Tolls: $13.92

Florida's Turnpike (198.8 mi) $13.92

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

$65

Tolls

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$103–$128

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 141.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	121.6	1	$42.56	$19.45
Efficient EV	101.3	1	$35.46	$16.21
EV Truck/SUV	162.1	2	$56.74	$25.94

Gas CO2

142 kg

EV CO2

47 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 15, 2026

Origin

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Morning in Palm Beach Gardens on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Morning in Tallahassee on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°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

3 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

7h 26m 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?

This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with an impressive 97% of the 405 miles spent on major roads like Florida's Turnpike, I-75, and I-10. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 199.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which means steady cruising for a significant portion of your journey. While not known for its winding backroads, this route prioritizes speed and directness, allowing you to cover ground efficiently across the state.

97% 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: 199.1 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 1.8 miles in near Avenue of the Champions.

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 19 significant decision points across 405.3 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 1.8 miles (Avenue of the Champions): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 7h 26m. Total distance: 405.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 199.1 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $13.92 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Palm Beach Gardens, FL or browse trips ending in Tallahassee, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Trip from Palm Beach Gardens, 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

Nearby Places

Catalina Cafe

Lucky Goat Coffee

Catalina Cafe

The Power Plant Cafe

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

Halisi Africa

Starbucks Coffee Company

LeRoc Bistro

Honest Living Tea House

Bruegger's Bagels

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

Pilot EV Charging Station

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Hampton Inn Charging Station

Cascades Park

Goodies Eatery

Capital Cascades Trail Park

White Gator Swamp

Tomahawks 51

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Kavakaze

Mission San Luis

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 26m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

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

Continue From Tallahassee, FL

More from Palm Beach Gardens, FL

More trips to Tallahassee, FL