Wahneta to Brent is 469.6 miles and takes about 8h 50m via I-75 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $75 and an overnight recommendation. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the central part of the state up towards the panhandle. Given the nearly 9-hour drive time, it's best to plan for an overnight stop to make the most of your time and avoid fatigue. The route is predominantly highway driving, so expect a relatively straightforward path as you cover the 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
234.8 miles from Wahneta, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
283.4 mi
5h 3m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
Commonwealth Avenue North
26.7 mi
34m
Florida's Turnpike
19.1 mi
20m
South Berkley Road
8.7 mi
14m
Recker Highway
5.9 mi
9m
Howey Road
5.2 mi
7m
South Rifle Range Road
3.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 283.4 mi, about 5h 3m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 108 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,226 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,701
Quietest
2 AM
~148 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Wahneta, FL and Brent, FL.
1
Start on 9th Street West
118 ft·10 sec·9th Street West
2
Turn left onto CR 655
3.3 mi·6 min·South Rifle Range Road
3
Continue on Lake Shipp Drive
1.1 mi·2 min·Lake Shipp Drive
4
Turn right onto FL 655
5.9 mi·9 min·Recker Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto US 92
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 92
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn right onto CR 655
8.7 mi·14 min·South Berkley Road
7
Turn left onto FL 33
5.5 mi·7 min·Commonwealth Avenue North
8
Enter roundabout onto FL 33
131 ft·2 sec·Commonwealth Avenue North
9
Continue on FL 33
21 mi·27 min·Commonwealth Avenue North
10
Turn left onto FL 50; FL 33
0.3 mi·54 sec·Broad Street
11
Turn right onto FL 19
5.2 mi·7 min·Howey Road
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto Independence Boulevard
1.7 mi·4 min·Independence Boulevard
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 27
2.8 mi·3 min·US 27
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
15
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·48 sec·this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
16
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
19 mi·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
283 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 12Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 110
0.4 mi·29 sec·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 5Toward FL 750, FL 296: Airport Boulevard, Brent LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward FL 296: Brent LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto FL 296
0.3 mi·52 sec·Brent Lane
27
Continue on East Brent Lane
0.1 mi·29 sec·East Brent Lane
28
Turn left onto Sycamore Drive
218 ft·12 sec·Sycamore Drive
29
Turn left onto East Brent Lane
34 ft·1 sec·East Brent Lane
30
Arrive at destination
East Brent Lane
Trip Plan
With an 8-hour and 50-minute estimated drive, this trip is best split over two days. Plan to drive about half the distance on day one, aiming for a mid-point that allows for a comfortable evening. Leaving in the morning on your first day should give you ample time to reach your chosen overnight location. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 283.4-mile stretch on I-10, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer highway segments. The total fuel cost is estimated at $75, so budget accordingly.
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 234.8 miles from Wahneta, FL, or about 4h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 283.4 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 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 234.8 miles or 4h 36m 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 234.8 miles or 4h 36m
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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brent, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wahneta, 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 Wahneta, FL
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Brent, 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 Wahneta, 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 I 10 for about 283.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 75.5 and 467.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
182.7 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
182.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
8
466.6 mi into trip|~8h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
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 12
Toward I 110 South: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
8
467.9 mi into trip|~8h 47m in
Take the exit toward FL 750, FL 296: Airport Boulevard, Brent Lane
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 5
Toward FL 750, FL 296: Airport Boulevard, Brent...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.09 one way
$142.17 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg164 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$78.00
$156.00
premium
$4.55
$84.12
$168.24
diesel
$4.80
$88.67
$177.34
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
Florida's Turnpike
(18.9 mi)$1.32
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
$71
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 164.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
140.9
1
$49.31
$22.54
Efficient EV
117.4
1
$41.09
$18.78
EV Truck/SUV
187.8
2
$65.74
$30.05
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Wahneta, FL
Morning
in Wahneta on Monday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 3 to 7 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brent, FL
Late night
in Brent on Monday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 0 to 5 mph41% 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.
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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 50m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
National Seashore
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$25
near mile 469.6
Park Closure: Fort Pickens Campground Restroom A Loop Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is an 88% highway drive, so you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 283.4 miles on I-10. You'll transition from highway to surface roads, specifically Commonwealth Avenue North, toward the end of your drive. Expect a lot of exits and merging traffic as you navigate these primary roadways.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 283.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75.5 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 469.6 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 75.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
287 ft78 ft
Total Climb
394 ft
Total Descent
430 ft
Highest Point
287 ft
~402.5 mi in
Elevation Range
210 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wahneta, FL and Brent, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala and Tallahassee.
Winter Haven is the second largest city in Polk County, Florida. The city was an agricultural center, but in the 1990s and 2000s, it has become a largely residential and manufacturing city. Winter Haven is home to Legoland and the "Chain of Lakes".
The longest stretch is about 283.4 miles on I 10. 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 $1.32 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 49 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 Brent, 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 49 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 75.5 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gulf Islands National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brent, FL before the return drive.
