Spanning 264.7 miles across Florida, this trip from Port Orange to Tallahassee typically takes about 3 hours and 56 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, you can easily complete this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $43 for fuel to cover the distance. The route transitions from the Atlantic coast in Port Orange toward the state capital in Tallahassee, providing a clear path between these two distinct Florida regions. Since the drive is relatively straightforward, it is an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a direct, one-day transit across the 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
130.9 miles from Port Orange, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m 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
3.1 mi
5m
East Tennessee Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 148.3 mi, about 2h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Orange, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on Locust Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Locust Street
2
Turn left onto Powers Avenue
222 ft·9 sec·Powers Avenue
3
Turn left onto FL 421
3.1 mi·5 min·Dunlawton Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 95 North: Jacksonville
5
Merge onto I 95
80 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 337Toward I 295 North: Beltway, Orange Park, Jacksonville BeachesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 295 North: Orange Park, West Beltway
8
Merge onto I 295
20 mi·22 min·West Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 21BToward I 10 West: Lake CityUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 10
148 mi·2 hr 39 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
13
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
15
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
16
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
17
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 56 minute journey, aim to depart early in the day to avoid peak congestion on local avenues. Since the route requires only one planned stop, use that flexibility to time your break based on your personal energy levels rather than a rigid schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local gas prices. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, ensure your GPS is mounted and ready before you pull out of Port Orange. Prioritize checking the traffic flow on Powers Avenue before you start, as local navigation will be the most demanding part of your transit.
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 130.9 miles from Port Orange, FL, or about 2h 27m 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 58 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.9 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 57m
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 Port Orange, 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 Port Orange, FL
This is one driving day of about 261.8 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Port Orange, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 105.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
84 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
5
85.3 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|I 295 / West Beltway
Merge onto I 295 / West Beltway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
105.1 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
$41.67 one way
$83.34 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$45.33
$90.66
premium
$4.72
$48.68
$97.36
diesel
$5.61
$57.80
$115.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.49
$12.57
Efficient EV
65.5
0
$22.91
$10.47
EV Truck/SUV
104.7
1
$36.65
$16.76
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Port Orange, FL
Morning
in Port Orange on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Morning
in Tallahassee on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph0% 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
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
4h 54m 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.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 45.1
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...
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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies on navigating Powers Avenue, Dunlawton Avenue, and I-95 North. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention on local roads. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Powers Avenue, emphasizing the stop-and-go nature of the initial segments. As you move away from the coast, the road’s personality shifts from dense local traffic to the flow of I-95. Staying alert is key, as the route demands frequent adjustments rather than long periods of cruising.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in near I 95.
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 261.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 3.7 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Port Orange, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Orange Park, Jacksonville Beaches and Beltway.
Port Orange is a city in Volusia County, East Central Florida. Port Orange is considered to be part of the Greater Daytona Beach Area, although Port Orange does have its own mailing address, separate from Daytona Beach. Tourism marketing continues to tie these two cities together.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 261.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Canaveral National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Tallahassee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
