Traveling from Sunrise to Tallahassee covers 455.4 miles of Florida terrain, a journey that typically takes about 8 hours and 29 minutes of drive time. Because this is a highway-focused route utilizing Florida's Turnpike, I-75, and I-10, you should budget approximately $76 for fuel. While it is technically possible to complete this drive in a single long day, breaking the journey into two days makes for a much more comfortable experience. You will transition from the densely populated southeastern coast into the more inland, northern reaches of the state. Planning for an overnight stay allows you to manage the fatigue that often accompanies such a significant distance on major interstates.
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
227.7 miles from Sunrise, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 17m 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
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
East Sunrise Boulevard
2.4 mi
5m
South Powerline Road
2.4 mi
4m
Northwest 9th Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Powerline Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 240.6 mi, about 4h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunrise, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on Northeast 7th Place
286 ft·15 sec·Northeast 7th Place
2
Turn left onto Northeast 25th Way
358 ft·13 sec·Northeast 25th Way
3
Turn right onto Northeast 8th Street
296 ft·15 sec·Northeast 8th Street
4
Turn left onto Northeast 26th Avenue
311 ft·15 sec·Northeast 26th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Northeast 9th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Northeast 9th Street
6
Continue on Northeast 24th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northeast 24th Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto SR 838
2.4 mi·5 min·East Sunrise Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto SR 845
1.9 mi·3 min·Northwest 9th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on SR 845
1.1 mi·2 min·Powerline Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on SR 845
2.4 mi·4 min·South Powerline Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on SR 845
1.0 mi·1 min·South Pompano Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto SR 814
0.6 mi·1 min·West Atlantic Boulevard
13
Turn right onto Northwest 31st Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Northwest 31st Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, OrlandoUse the straight / left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
16
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
240 mi·4 hr 20 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 10
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
24
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
26
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
27
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
28
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
29
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high, plan for at least two deliberate stops throughout the day. Leaving Sunrise early in the morning is your best bet to avoid peak traffic congestion, especially when navigating the transition points between the Turnpike and the interstates. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longest 240.6-mile stretch on the Turnpike to ensure you are not caught off guard by the distance between service plazas. If you decide to split the trip over two days, look for lodging options near the I-75 and I-10 junction to balance your mileage evenly. Flexibility is key, so monitor real-time traffic alerts as you approach the major interchange points where these highways meet.
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 227.7 miles from Sunrise, FL, or about 4h 17m 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 100 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.7 miles or 4h 17m 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 227.7 miles or 4h 17m
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 Sunrise, 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 Sunrise, FL
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Tallahassee, FL
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Sunrise, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 359.3 — 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|Northeast 25th Way
Turn left onto Northeast 25th Way
Navigation decision point
6
11.2 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
7
251.9 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
359.1 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
359.3 mi into trip|~6h 39m 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
$72.49 one way
$144.97 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg159 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$78.85
$157.70
premium
$4.72
$84.68
$169.36
diesel
$5.61
$100.55
$201.09
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
$72
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$219–$329
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.6
1
$47.82
$21.86
Efficient EV
113.9
1
$39.85
$18.22
EV Truck/SUV
182.2
2
$63.76
$29.15
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 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 16, 2026
Origin
Sunrise, FL
Late night
in Sunrise on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Late night
in Tallahassee on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:40AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM 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
20 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
8h 29m 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 highly efficient trip, as 96% of this route consists of high-speed highway driving. Your time behind the wheel will be dominated by a significant 240.6-mile stretch on Florida's Turnpike, which serves as the backbone of the first half of your journey. Transitioning onto I-75 and finally I-10 keeps your pace steady and consistent across the state. This is not a route for scenic, winding backroads; instead, it is a straightforward, utilitarian interstate grind. You will find that the road remains predictable, allowing you to maintain a steady rhythm as you navigate the transition between the state's major highway arteries.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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?
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 0.1 miles in near Northeast 25th Way.
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 22 significant decision points across 455.4 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 0.1 miles (Northeast 25th Way): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.9 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.
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 228 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Northeast 25th Way): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.9 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.
