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Trip from Umatilla, 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

4h 27m

Distance

225.4 mi

363 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 14m ★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 54m
10 AM
4h 37m
12 PM
4h 34m
3 PM
4h 38m
5 PM
4h 53m
8 PM
4h 19m

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

Downtown Umatilla, FL, FL

Umatilla, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Tallahassee, FL, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 225.4-mile drive from Umatilla, FL to Tallahassee, FL is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 27 minutes. It's ideal as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $36, making it a budget-friendly option for exploring Florida. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, with a significant portion on I-75 and I-10, offering a consistent driving experience. This trip is a good choice if you're looking for an efficient way to travel 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

112.7 miles from Umatilla, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 94.5 mi 1h 41m
I 10 87.7 mi 1h 34m
Southeast County Road 42 14.1 mi 23m
CR 450 6.8 mi 12m
Mahan Drive 6.7 mi 11m
CR 484 5.4 mi 7m
US 27 4 mi 5m
Southeast 132nd Street Road 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 94.5 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Umatilla, FL and Tallahassee, FL.

1

Start on North Trowell Avenue

0.1 mi · 33 sec · North Trowell Avenue
2

Turn left onto East Ocala Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · East Ocala Street
3

Continue on CR 450

6.0 mi · 10 min · CR 450
4

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 450

0.8 mi · 1 min · CR 450
5

At end of road, turn left onto CR 42

14 mi · 23 min · Southeast County Road 42
6

Turn right onto US 27; US 441

4.0 mi · 5 min · US 27; US 441
7

Turn left onto Southeast 132nd Street Road

2.8 mi · 4 min · Southeast 132nd Street Road
Use the left lane.
8

Continue on CR 484

0.4 mi · 37 sec · CR 484
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Continue on CR 484

5.0 mi · 7 min · CR 484
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 75 North: Ocala
11

Merge onto I 75

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Exit 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn left onto US 90

6.7 mi · 11 min · Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
16

Continue on US 90

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tennessee Street
17

Turn left onto CR 1555

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street
19

Turn left onto CR 1559

210 ft · 9 sec · South Calhoun Street
20

Turn right onto US 27

339 ft · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway
21

Turn right onto US 27; FL 61

31 ft · 1 sec · South Monroe Street
22

Arrive at destination

US 27; FL 61

Trip Plan

Given the 4 hour and 27-minute duration, starting your drive from Umatilla in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed arrival in Tallahassee. With only one suggested stop on this 225.4-mile route, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer 94.5-mile stretch on I-75, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is $36, so budgeting for this expense is straightforward.

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 112.7 miles from Umatilla, FL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.5 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 50 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 112.7 miles or 2h 19m 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 37m

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 Umatilla, 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 Umatilla, FL

This is one driving day of about 225.4 miles and 4h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Umatilla, 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 75 for about 94.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gainesville, FL

113 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Gainesville, FL to Tallahassee, FL

149 mi · 2h 54m

Pacing Suggestions

Citra, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake City, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.7 miles from Umatilla, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 34.6 and 217.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
34.6 mi into trip | ~55m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
129.1 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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
129.2 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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
5
129.5 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
217.2 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in | US 90 / Mahan Drive

Turn left onto US 90 / Mahan Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.88 one way

$71.76 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $39.03 $78.06
premium $4.72 $41.91 $83.82
diesel $5.61 $49.77 $99.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.6 0 $23.67 $10.82
Efficient EV 56.4 0 $19.72 $9.02
EV Truck/SUV 90.2 1 $31.56 $14.43

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Umatilla, FL

Evening in Umatilla on Sunday

Local time

5:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Sunny

NE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Evening in Tallahassee on Sunday

Local time

5:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Sunny

S 0 to 10 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.

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

1 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

4h 27m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 225.4-mile trip, with 88% of your journey on major roadways like I-75 and I-10. This means you'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a notable 94.5-mile segment on I-75 where you can make good time. While primarily interstate, you'll also navigate some local roads, such as Southeast County Road 42, which will offer a slight change of pace. The overall character is efficient and direct, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.5 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.6 miles in near I 75.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 225.4 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 34.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 225.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 94.5 miles on I 75. 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 34.6 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tallahassee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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