West DeLand to Tallahassee is 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 48m via I-10 and I-75, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Florida, taking you from the central part of the state northwestward. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey, making it a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
119.7 miles from West DeLand, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
87.7 mi
1h 34m
I 75
77.4 mi
1h 22m
West State Road 40
39.2 mi
54m
FL 326
9.9 mi
14m
North US Highway 17
9.4 mi
12m
Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
11m
South Spring Garden Avenue
4.6 mi
7m
Northwest 77th Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 87.7 mi, about 1h 34m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,189 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,924
Quietest
2 AM
~163 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 101 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 West DeLand, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on Mockingbird Lane
0.2 mi·45 sec·Mockingbird Lane
2
Turn right onto West Winnemissett Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·West Winnemissett Avenue
3
Turn left onto South Woodward Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Woodward Avenue
4
Turn right onto West Euclid Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Euclid Avenue
5
Turn left onto FL 15A
4.6 mi·7 min·South Spring Garden Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto US 17
3.9 mi·5 min·North US Highway 17
7
Enter roundabout onto US 17
137 ft·2 sec·North US Highway 17
8
Continue on US 17
5.5 mi·7 min·North US Highway 17
9
Turn left onto FL 40
39 mi·54 min·West State Road 40
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto FL 326
9.9 mi·14 min·FL 326
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lake City
13
Merge onto I 75
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
19
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
21
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
22
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
23
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4-hour and 48-minute duration, starting your drive from West DeLand in the morning is a good plan. This allows you to reach Tallahassee with ample time to spare before evening. With only one stop suggested, you can choose a convenient point along I-10 or I-75 for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 87.7 miles on I-10, as services can be spaced out on interstate highways.
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 119.7 miles from West DeLand, FL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.7 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 53 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.7 miles or 2h 32m 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 55m
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 West DeLand, 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 West DeLand, FL
This is one driving day of about 239.3 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from West DeLand, 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 10 for about 87.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 143.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|West Winnemissett Avenue
Turn right onto West Winnemissett Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|South Woodward Avenue
Turn left onto South Woodward Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|FL 15A / South Spring Garden Avenue
Turn left onto FL 15A / South Spring Garden Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
143 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
143.2 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
$38.48 one way
$76.95 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$41.97
$83.94
premium
$4.78
$45.05
$90.10
diesel
$6.28
$59.13
$118.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.94
$9.57
EV Truck/SUV
95.7
1
$33.50
$15.32
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
West DeLand, FL
Morning
in West DeLand on Saturday
Local time
7:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
NNE 10 to 15 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Morning
in Tallahassee on Saturday
Local time
7:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
NNE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 7:08AM CDT until October 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:34AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM 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.
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
4 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 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 77% of it on interstates. You'll experience 87.7 miles of uninterrupted driving on I-10, which forms the backbone of this trip for a significant portion. While the majority of the journey involves faster highway speeds, you'll also navigate segments on West State Road 40. The character of the drive is predominantly about covering distance efficiently rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Winnemissett Avenue.
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 239.3 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 0.2 miles (West Winnemissett Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South Woodward Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (FL 15A / South Spring Garden Avenue): 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 239.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Winnemissett Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South Woodward Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (FL 15A / South Spring Garden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Tallahassee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
