Trip from Winter Haven, FL to Tallahassee, FL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 23m

Distance

274.5 mi

442 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 10m ★

6 AM

5h 23m

8 AM

5h 50m

10 AM

5h 32m

12 PM

5h 30m

3 PM

5h 34m

5 PM

5h 49m

8 PM

5h 15m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Polk County, Florida, United States

Winter Haven, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 274.5 miles from Winter Haven to Tallahassee, this Florida journey typically requires about 5 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel. Given the duration, it is perfectly feasible as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach the state capital by afternoon if you depart early. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, specifically I-75 and I-10, with a final transition onto Commonwealth Avenue North. Budgeting approximately $46 for fuel should cover your transit across the state. This is a straightforward, highway-focused route that connects Central Florida to the Panhandle, making it a reliable option for travelers looking for efficiency over backroads exploration.

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

137.2 miles from Winter Haven, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	106.9 mi	1h 54m
I 10	87.7 mi	1h 34m
Commonwealth Avenue North	26.5 mi	34m
Florida's Turnpike	19.1 mi	20m
Mahan Drive	6.7 mi	11m
Howey Road	5.2 mi	7m
CR 557A	4.6 mi	8m
8th Street Northwest	3.8 mi	6m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 106.9 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on West Central Avenue

68 ft · 5 sec · West Central Avenue

Turn right onto US 17

1.2 mi · 2 min · 6th Street Northwest

Continue on US 17

3.8 mi · 6 min · 8th Street Northwest

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto CR 557

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Pomelo Street

Continue on CR 557

3.5 mi · 5 min · North Buena Vista Drive

Turn left onto CR 557A

169 ft · 3 sec · CR 557A

Turn right onto CR 557A

4.6 mi · 8 min · CR 557A

Continue on FL 559

1.8 mi · 2 min · Broadway Boulevard Southeast

Turn right onto FL 33

5.3 mi · 7 min · Commonwealth Avenue North

Enter roundabout onto FL 33

131 ft · 2 sec · Commonwealth Avenue North

Continue on FL 33

21 mi · 27 min · Commonwealth Avenue North

Turn left onto FL 50; FL 33

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Broad Street

Turn right onto FL 19

5.2 mi · 7 min · Howey Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Independence Boulevard

1.7 mi · 4 min · Independence Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto US 27

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 48 sec · this road

Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

19 mi · 20 min · Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Florida's Turnpike

Toward I 75 North: Ocala Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 75

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Exit 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto US 90

6.7 mi · 11 min · Mahan Drive

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 90

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tennessee Street

Turn left onto CR 1555

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street

Turn left onto CR 1559

210 ft · 9 sec · South Calhoun Street

Turn right onto US 27

339 ft · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway

Turn right onto US 27; FL 61

31 ft · 1 sec · South Monroe Street

Arrive at destination

US 27; FL 61

Trip Plan

To keep your drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the five-hour journey. Since the route is dominated by high-speed interstates, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion in the larger metropolitan areas you pass through. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 106.9-mile stretch on I-75 to ensure you aren't caught searching for a station in a remote section. Because the drive is under six hours, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace without needing to split the trip into two days. A great way to stay alert is to identify your single planned stop halfway through the drive before you even pull out of your driveway.

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 137.2 miles from Winter Haven, FL, or about 2h 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.9 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 60 miles or 1h 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 137.2 miles or 2h 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 23m

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 Winter Haven, 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 Winter Haven, FL

This is one driving day of about 274.5 miles and 5h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Winter Haven, 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 106.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Lake County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clermont, FL

137 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bushnell, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gainesville, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.2 miles from Winter Haven, 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 106.9 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.4 mi

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.8 mi

Best coffee break

Haven Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Winter Haven, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18632519619

Visit website

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.4 mi

La Florida Coffee & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.2 mi

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18505366821

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

Visit website

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Ocala, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18505659955

Mission San Luis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18502456406

Visit website

Secrets Escape Rooms - Tallahassee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 12–9 pm

+18505366529

Visit website

LEGO® NINJAGO® World

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Winter Haven, Florida

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

Visit website

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 41.9 and 178.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

41.9 mi into trip | ~1h in | FL 19 / Howey Road

Turn right onto FL 19 / Howey Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

52.1 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | Florida's Turnpike

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

71 mi into trip | ~1h 37m 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

178.2 mi into trip | ~3h 32m 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

178.3 mi into trip | ~3h 33m 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

$43.69 one way

$87.39 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$47.53	$95.06
premium	$4.72	$51.04	$102.08
diesel	$5.61	$60.61	$121.21

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

$44

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	82.4	1	$28.82	$13.18
Efficient EV	68.6	0	$24.02	$10.98
EV Truck/SUV	109.8	1	$38.43	$17.57

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 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 20, 2026

Origin

Winter Haven, FL

Late night in Winter Haven on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Late night in Tallahassee on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

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

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

5h 23m 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 high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 79% of this route is comprised of highways. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-75 for a significant portion of the trip, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 106.9 miles. Because the route relies so heavily on major thoroughfares, the character of the drive is consistent and functional rather than winding or technical. Once you transition from the interstate system toward your destination, the pace shifts slightly as you navigate the final approach via Commonwealth Avenue North. It is a classic Florida transit drive designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal deviation.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 106.9 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 41.9 miles in near FL 19 / Howey Road.

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 21 significant decision points across 274.5 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 41.9 miles (FL 19 / Howey Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.1 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Winter Haven, FL to Tallahassee, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala along the way.

Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala

51.6 mi in | ~1h 16m

About the Cities

Starting in Winter Haven, FL

Full guide →

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".

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 5h 23m. Total distance: 274.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 106.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.

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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Explore more options from Winter Haven, FL or browse trips ending in Tallahassee, FL.

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Trip from Winter Haven, FL to Tallahassee, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Catalina Cafe

Haven Coffee Roasters

Catalina Cafe

The Power Plant Cafe

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

Halisi Africa

Starbucks Coffee Company

LeRoc Bistro

Honest Living Tea House

Bruegger's Bagels

Haven Coffee Roasters

Lucky Goat Coffee

La Florida Coffee & Wine

Argonaut Coffee

Concord Coffee

Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream - SoMo Walls

Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse

Lucky Goat Coffee

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Pilot EV Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Destination Charger

Cascades Park

Goodies Eatery

Capital Cascades Trail Park

Tomahawks 51

Kavakaze

Mission San Luis

Secrets Escape Rooms - Tallahassee

LEGO® NINJAGO® World

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Winter Haven, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 23m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Winter Haven, FL

Arriving in Tallahassee, FL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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