Traveling from Pembroke Pines to Tallahassee covers 463.2 miles and typically takes about 8 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. Because this is a significant distance, splitting the journey over two days is highly recommended to keep the trip manageable. You will rely primarily on Florida's Turnpike, I-75, and I-10 to make your way north. With an estimated fuel cost of $76, it is a straightforward, highway-focused route that transitions from the dense urban landscape of South Florida to the state capital. Planning for an overnight stay allows you to navigate the long stretches without rushing, ensuring you arrive in Tallahassee refreshed.
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
231.6 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
258.5 mi
4h 41m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
I 10
87.7 mi
1h 34m
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
East Tennessee Street
0.6 mi
1m
Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi
1m
North Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 258.5 mi, about 4h 41m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 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 Pembroke Pines, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 8th Street
0.2 mi·58 sec·Southwest 8th Street
2
Continue on Southwest 64th Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 64th Way
3
Turn right onto SR 820
0.2 mi·31 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, OrlandoUse the right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
6
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
258 mi·4 hr 40 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 10
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
14
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
16
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
17
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
18
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8.5-hour trek, aim for an early departure to beat peak traffic near major hubs. Incorporating at least two planned stops will help you break up the monotony of the long interstate stretches. Since the majority of your travel is on high-speed roads, keep a close watch on your fuel gauge, especially during that initial 258.5-mile segment on the Turnpike where service plazas are your primary options for refueling. If you choose to split the drive into two days as recommended, look for a midpoint hotel location to balance your daily mileage. Staying flexible with your timing is key to managing this predominantly highway-based route successfully.
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 231.6 miles from Pembroke Pines, FL, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 258.5 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 102 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 231.6 miles or 4h 14m 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 231.6 miles or 4h 14m
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 18m
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 Pembroke Pines, 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 Pembroke Pines, FL
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Tallahassee, FL
Aim for roughly 232 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Pembroke Pines, 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 258.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 367.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
6
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
7
259.7 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
366.9 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
367.1 mi into trip|~6h 40m 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
$70.12 one way
$140.24 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg162 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$76.94
$153.88
premium
$4.55
$82.97
$165.95
diesel
$4.80
$87.46
$174.92
Estimated Tolls: $18.08
Florida's Turnpike
(258.3 mi)$18.08
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
$70
Tolls
$18
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$218–$328
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 162.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
139
1
$48.64
$22.23
Efficient EV
115.8
1
$40.53
$18.53
EV Truck/SUV
185.3
2
$64.85
$29.64
Gas CO2
162 kg
EV CO2
54 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 16, 2026
Origin
Pembroke Pines, FL
Late night
in Pembroke Pines on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 6 to 9 mph32% chanceLive forecast
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 Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 0 to 5 mph9% chanceLive forecast
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
5 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 30m 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?
Expect a dedicated highway-focused drive, as 98% of this route consists of major interstates and turnpikes. You will face a significant initial leg, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 258.5 miles along Florida's Turnpike. The experience is largely an interstate grind, prioritizing efficiency over backroad exploration. As you shift from the turnpike onto I-75 and eventually I-10, the road maintains a consistent pace, offering a steady, high-speed travel experience. Be prepared for a long haul behind the wheel that stays strictly on high-capacity thoroughfares.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 258.5 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 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 15 significant decision points across 463.2 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.7 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 258.5 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 232 miles on day one.
Expect about $18.08 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.7 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.0 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.
