Ponce Inlet to Tallahassee is 267.9 miles and takes about 5 hours 7 minutes via I-95 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, moving from the Atlantic coast region to the Florida Panhandle. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that's easy to complete in a single day. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates, making it a practical choice for getting between these two points with minimal fuss.
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
133.9 miles from Ponce Inlet, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
148.3 mi
2h 39m
I 95
80.4 mi
1h 27m
West Beltway
19.7 mi
22m
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
Dunlawton Avenue
4.7 mi
8m
South Atlantic Avenue
4.3 mi
9m
East Tennessee Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 148.3 mi, about 2h 39m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,069 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,741
Quietest
2 AM
~151 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 101 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 Ponce Inlet, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on Montrose Avenue
278 ft·15 sec·Montrose Avenue
2
Turn right onto Oceanview Avenue
0.1 mi·33 sec·Oceanview Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 4075
4.3 mi·9 min·South Atlantic Avenue
4
Turn left onto SR A1A
0.2 mi·22 sec·Dunlawton Boulevard
5
Continue on SR A1A
4.7 mi·8 min·Dunlawton Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
7
Merge onto I 95
80 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 337Toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacksonville BeachesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 North: Orange Park, West Beltway
10
Merge onto I 295
20 mi·22 min·West Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 21BToward I 10 West: Lake CityUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 10
148 mi·2 hr 39 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
15
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
17
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
18
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
19
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning from Ponce Inlet is your best bet to arrive in Tallahassee with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this drive without needing to split it over two days. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 148.3-mile stretch on I-10 where services might be less frequent. A fuel cost estimate of $42 suggests planning for at least one fill-up along the way.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.9 miles from Ponce Inlet, FL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 59 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.9 miles or 2h 37m 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 9m
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 Ponce Inlet, 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 Ponce Inlet, FL
This is one driving day of about 267.9 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Ponce Inlet, 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 148.3 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 0.1 and 111.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Oceanview Avenue
Turn right onto Oceanview Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 4075 / South Atlantic Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto CR 4075 / South Atlantic Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
90.1 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacksonville Beaches
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 337
Toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacks...
6
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 295 North: Orange Park, West Beltway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 295 North: Orange Park, West Beltway
7
111.1 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Lake City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21B
Toward I 10 West: Lake City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.43 one way
$82.86 round trip
$3.93/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.30
$45.37
$90.75
premium
$4.63
$48.79
$97.58
diesel
$5.60
$59.05
$118.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.13
$12.86
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.44
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Aug 29, 2026
Origin
Ponce Inlet, FL
Late night
in Ponce Inlet on Friday
Local time
5:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 29 at 3:48AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Late night
in Tallahassee on Friday
Local time
5:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 29 at 3:48AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville 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.
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
5h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 55.4
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history. Immerse yourself...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 85% highway, so expect long stretches of interstate driving. The longest continuous segment is 148.3 miles on I-10. You'll primarily be on I-95 and I-10, which means you'll encounter frequent exits and merges as you pass through populated areas. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near your destination or origin points.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.3 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 95. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Oceanview Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 267.9 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Oceanview Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CR 4075 / South Atlantic Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 90.1 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
204 ft11 ft
Total Climb
266 ft
Total Descent
72 ft
Highest Point
204 ft
~267.9 mi in
Elevation Range
194 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ponce Inlet, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Orange Park, Jacksonville Beaches and Beltway.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 267.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.3 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Oceanview Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CR 4075 / South Atlantic Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 90.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
