Tallahassee to Plantation is 454.7 miles and takes about 8h 20m via Florida's Turnpike, I 75, and I 10, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from the Panhandle region down to South Florida. Given the 8-hour driving time and 98% highway travel, this is best tackled as an overnight journey to avoid a very long day behind the wheel. You'll experience a mostly highway profile for nearly the entire distance.
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
227.4 miles from Tallahassee, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
249.3 mi
4h 29m
I 75
107.2 mi
1h 54m
I 10
86.9 mi
1h 33m
Mahan Drive
6.5 mi
11m
West Sunrise Boulevard
1.1 mi
2m
East Tennessee Street
0.6 mi
1m
South Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
East Pensacola Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 249.3 mi, about 4h 29m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,470 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,605
Quietest
2 AM
~399 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 100 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 Tallahassee, FL and Plantation, FL.
1
Start on US 27; FL 61
181 ft·8 sec·South Monroe Street
2
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·East Pensacola Street
3
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·South Franklin Boulevard
4
Turn right onto US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
5
Continue on US 90
6.5 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Lake CityUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 10
87 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 10
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
9
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
249 mi·4 hr 29 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 58Toward SR 838: Sunrise BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight
254 ft·8 sec
Toward SR 838 West: Plantation
13
Turn straight onto SR 838
1.1 mi·2 min·West Sunrise Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Northwest 65th Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·Northwest 65th Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto 8 Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·8 Street
16
Turn left onto Garden Court
0.1 mi·24 sec·Garden Court
17
Arrive at destination
Garden Court
Trip Plan
With an estimated driving time of over 8 hours, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Plan to depart Tallahassee in the morning and aim for a stop around the halfway point or slightly further south to break up the drive. The longest continuous stretch is nearly 250 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so be sure to fuel up before entering that segment. Keep an eye on fuel costs, estimated at $70 for the trip. Consider booking accommodation in advance, especially if traveling during peak season.
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 227.4 miles from Tallahassee, FL, or about 4h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 249.3 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.4 miles or 4h 11m 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 227.4 miles or 4h 11m
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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plantation, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee, FL
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Plantation, FL
Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Tallahassee, 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 249.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 454.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Pensacola Street
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
Navigation decision point
5
7.9 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Lake City
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Lake City
8
203 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
7
452.3 mi into trip|~8h 14m in
Take the exit toward SR 838: Sunrise Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 58
Toward SR 838: Sunrise Boulevard
6
454.1 mi into trip|~8h 18m in|Northwest 65th Avenue
Turn left onto Northwest 65th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.11 one way
$146.22 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg159 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$79.75
$159.50
premium
$4.78
$85.61
$171.21
diesel
$6.28
$112.35
$224.70
Estimated Tolls: $17.45
Florida's Turnpike
(249.3 mi)$17.45
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
$73
Tolls
$17
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.4
1
$47.74
$21.83
Efficient EV
113.7
1
$39.79
$18.19
EV Truck/SUV
181.9
2
$63.66
$29.10
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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Tallahassee, FL
Late night
in Tallahassee on Saturday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 23 at 3:13AM CDT until October 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 23 at 2:23AM EDT until October 26 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Plantation, FL
Late night
in Plantation on Saturday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 9 to 14 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 23 at 3:13AM CDT until October 26 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Watch issued October 23 at 2:23AM EDT until October 26 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
5 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 20m 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?
This drive is overwhelmingly on the highway, with 98% of the 454.7 miles spent on major roads like Florida's Turnpike, I 75, and I 10. You'll encounter a long stretch of 249.3 miles on Florida's Turnpike without needing to exit. Expect frequent exits and potential traffic as you approach South Florida, particularly as you get closer to Plantation.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 249.3 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Pensacola Street.
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 454.7 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (East Pensacola Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 203 miles (Florida's Turnpike): 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 ft6 ft
Total Climb
105 ft
Total Descent
304 ft
Highest Point
204 ft
Elevation Range
199 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tallahassee, FL and Plantation, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South and Orlando.
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
Plantation is a suburb of Fort Lauderdale in the US state of Florida. The area is the base for many large corporations, such as Motorola, Nortel and American Express.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 249.3 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 227 miles on day one.
Expect about $17.45 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.
Yes — we found about 43 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 Plantation, 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. There are 43 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Pensacola Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 203 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Plantation, FL before the return drive.
