Trip from Sunny Isles Beach, 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

8h 42m

Distance

470.1 mi

756 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$75

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

8h 35m ★

6 AM

8h 43m

8 AM

8h 58m

10 AM

8h 48m

12 PM

8h 46m

3 PM

8h 49m

5 PM

8h 57m

8 PM

8h 38m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States of America

Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 474.8-mile journey from Sunny Isles Beach to Tallahassee is planned for a 6-hour and 55-minute drive, making it a manageable, albeit long, single-day trip. You'll navigate through Florida, staying within the state for the entire duration. The estimated fuel cost comes in around $79, which is a reasonable budget for this distance. This route is characterized by a high number of turns and a significant portion on local roads, rather than interstate highways, so expect a more engaged driving experience. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a fairly direct transit, but be prepared for a less highway-centric experience.

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

235 miles from Sunny Isles Beach, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Florida's Turnpike	240.6 mi	4h 20m
I 75	106.9 mi	1h 54m
I 10	87.7 mi	1h 34m
I 95	18.3 mi	21m
Mahan Drive	6.7 mi	11m
SR 856	1.9 mi	3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard	1.3 mi	2m
Ives Dairy Road	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 240.6 mi, about 4h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sunny Isles Beach, FL and Tallahassee, FL.

Start on 189th Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · 189th Street

Turn right onto SR A1A

368 ft · 14 sec · Collins Avenue

Continue on SR A1A

158 ft · 9 sec · Collins Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp onto SR 856

1.9 mi · 3 min · SR 856

Toward SR 856 West: William Lehman Causeway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto US 1

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Biscayne Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Turn slight right

420 ft · 15 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 33 sec · this road

Continue on Ives Dairy Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Ives Dairy Road

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach Use the straight / right lanes.

Merge onto I 95

18 mi · 21 min · I 95

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 36 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West Use the left / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto SR 814

0.4 mi · 44 sec · West Atlantic Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Andrews Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Northwest 16th Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

1.3 mi · 2 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Toward Florida's Turnpike: Miami, Orlando

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

240 mi · 4 hr 20 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

Given the 6-hour and 55-minute estimated duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, consider an early morning departure from Sunny Isles Beach to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. While a single day is feasible, be mindful that the numerous turns and local road segments can extend travel time beyond estimates. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep your eye on your navigation system, as this route relies heavily on precise turns rather than following a single highway for extended periods. Budgeting $79 for fuel is a good starting point, but it's always wise to have a little extra for unexpected detours or slower-than-expected travel.

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 235 miles from Sunny Isles Beach, FL, or about 4h 23m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.6 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 103 miles or 2h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 235 miles or 4h 23m 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 235 miles or 4h 23m

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 31m

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 Sunny Isles Beach, 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 Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Tallahassee, FL

Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 miles from Sunny Isles Beach, 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 240.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Palm Bay, FL

235 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Palm Bay, FL

Overnight Options

Night 1

Palm Bay, FL

235 mi · about 4.4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Palm Bay, FL after about 235 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 103 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clermont, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 235 miles from Sunny Isles Beach, 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 240.6 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 235 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.

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 470.1

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 470.1

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 470.1

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 470.1

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 470.1

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

Visit website

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 369.3

Lake City, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 470.1

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18505659955

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 100.7

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

Mission San Luis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 470.1

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 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 22.9 and 373.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

22.9 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 36

23.2 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / slight right lanes. Toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West

266.6 mi into trip | ~4h 57m 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

373.8 mi into trip | ~6h 52m 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

373.9 mi into trip | ~6h 52m 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

$74.83 one way

$149.65 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 165 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$81.40	$162.80
premium	$4.72	$87.41	$174.83
diesel	$5.61	$103.79	$207.58

Estimated Tolls: $16.83

Florida's Turnpike (240.4 mi) $16.83

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

$75

Tolls

$17

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$222–$332

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 164.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $49 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	141	1	$49.36	$22.56
Efficient EV	117.5	1	$41.13	$18.80
EV Truck/SUV	188	2	$65.81	$30.09

Gas CO2

164 kg

EV CO2

55 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Late night in Sunny Isles Beach on Sunday

Local time

4:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Late night in Tallahassee on Sunday

Local time

4:10 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 0% chance 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.

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

11 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 42m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Don't expect a high-speed highway cruise on this route; the profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' and you'll encounter a 0% highway share. This means you'll be on surface streets and state roads for the majority of the 474.8 miles, requiring constant attention to navigation and speed limits. Without any long, uninterrupted stretches, your longest segment will be determined by traffic lights and intersections rather than open road. The character of the drive will likely shift as you move from the bustling South Florida area towards the more rural or suburban landscapes further north, demanding adaptability behind the wheel.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 240.6 mi on Florida's Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 22.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 27 significant decision points across 470.1 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 22.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 266.6 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Sunny Isles Beach, FL and Tallahassee, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike: Miami, Orlando and Florida's Turnpike North.

Florida's Turnpike: Miami

25.7 mi in | ~36m

Orlando

25.7 mi in | ~36m

Florida's Turnpike North

25.9 mi in | ~36m

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 240.6 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 235 miles on day one.

Expect about $16.83 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 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.4 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.

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Explore more options from Sunny Isles Beach, FL or browse trips ending in Tallahassee, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Trip from Sunny Isles Beach, 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

Overnight Options

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 Flying J Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Cascades Park

Goodies Eatery

Capital Cascades Trail Park

Veterans Park

Tomahawks 51

Kavakaze

Escape Room PSL

Mission San Luis

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Same local time

11 degrees cooler at arrival

8h 42m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Tallahassee, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

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

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