This straightforward 117.7-mile drive from Brent, FL to Laguna Beach, FL is easily accomplished in about 2 hours and 20 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The journey primarily utilizes I-10 and US Highway 331 South before transitioning to US Highway 98 West, with 97% of the route on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a single day. You'll travel entirely within Florida, making for a simple transition between these two points. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to reach your destination without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.8 miles from Brent, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 117.7-mile journey, as 97% of the drive is on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion on I-10, including a substantial stretch of 71.2 miles without needing to exit. The route transitions to US Highway 331 South and then US Highway 98 West, offering a consistent pace for most of the drive. This profile suggests a route where maintaining speed is generally possible, with minimal exposure to slower, local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US Highway 331 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Route Complexity7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 117.7 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 110 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 North
9
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Hi...
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
5
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 331: DeFuniak Springs, Freeport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 85
Toward US 331: DeFuniak Springs, Freeport
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 Brent, FL to Laguna Beach, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Freeport along the way.
Freeport
74.5 mi in|~1h 22m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
71.2 mi
1h 16m
US Highway 331 South
23.8 mi
30m
US Highway 98 West
14.9 mi
20m
Panama City Beach Parkway
3.7 mi
5m
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Brent Lane
0.4 mi
1m
West Toledo Place
0.4 mi
<1m
East Brent Lane
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brent, FL and Laguna Beach, FL.
1
Start on East Brent Lane
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Brent Lane
2
Continue on FL 296
0.4 mi·1 min·Brent Lane
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward I 110 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 110
0.9 mi·1 min·Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 6Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
8
Merge onto I 10
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 85Toward US 331: DeFuniak Springs, Freeport
10
Turn right onto US 331
24 mi·30 min·US Highway 331 South
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 98
15 mi·20 min·US Highway 98 West
12
Continue on US 98
3.7 mi·5 min·Panama City Beach Parkway
13
Turn right onto West Toledo Place
0.4 mi·59 sec·West Toledo Place
14
Turn left
142 ft·10 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 20 minutes for this 117.7-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Brent, FL in the morning will have you in Laguna Beach, FL with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 71.2 miles on I-10, so plan for a fuel stop before you begin if your tank is low, as services might be less frequent during that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical journey, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during that longer interstate portion.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.8 miles from Brent, FL, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.8 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laguna Beach, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brent, 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 Brent, FL
This is one driving day of about 117.7 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brent, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.8 mi from Brent, FL
· 1h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 58.8 miles from Brent, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
Arriving in Laguna Beach, FL
The final approach into Laguna Beach, FL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Laguna Beach, FL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.73 one way
$37.47 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$20.38
$40.76
premium
$4.72
$21.89
$43.77
diesel
$5.61
$25.99
$51.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.30
$4.71
EV Truck/SUV
47.1
0
$16.48
$7.53
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 data refreshed 7 hours ago
Origin
Brent, FL
Late night
in Brent on Wednesday
Local time
1:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 4:28PM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 14 at 12:29PM EDT until April 15 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Laguna Beach, FL
Late night
in Laguna Beach on Wednesday
Local time
1:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
9 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
2h 20m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brent, FL to Laguna Beach, FL covers 117.7 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, US Highway 331 South, US Highway 98 West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.8 miles from Brent, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 117.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Brent, FL to Laguna Beach, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Freeport along the way.
