Origin
Dade City, FL
Evening in Dade City on Wednesday
Local time
7:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dade City, FL to Tallahassee, FL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
246 mi
396 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dade City, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Tallahassee, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Dade City to Tallahassee spans 246 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 42 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you can comfortably complete it in a single day. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since you are moving across the Florida landscape from Dade City toward the state capital, you will find this route functions best as a straightforward, single-day transit. It is a practical choice for those who prefer local roads over the monotony of major highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
123 miles from Dade City, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route lacks any significant highway stretches. You will navigate via Lock Street, Cortez Boulevard, and various local connections, making this a turn-heavy journey that demands your full attention. Unlike an interstate cruise, this path keeps you off high-speed thoroughfares entirely, resulting in a 0% highway share. The personality of the drive is defined by its local character, requiring you to stay alert through constant transitions rather than settling into a long, uninterrupted stretch.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lock Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 42m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dade City, FL to Tallahassee, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lock Street | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
| Cortez Boulevard | — | — |
| I 75 North | — | — |
| I 10 | — | — |
| I 10 West | — | — |
| Mahan Drive | — | — |
| East Tennessee Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Lock Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dade City, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on 14th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
2
Turn right onto Lock Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Lock Street
3
Turn sharp left
5.5 mi
·
8 min
4
Turn left
0.7 mi
·
1 min
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
138 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
6
Exit the roundabout
3.1 mi
·
4 min
7
Turn left onto Cortez Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Cortez Boulevard
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Ocala
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75 North: Ocala
9
Merge slight left
133 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Tallahassee
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 10 West: Tallahassee
12
Merge slight right
88 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
13
Turn left onto Mahan Drive
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Mahan Drive
14
Continue on East Tennessee Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Tennessee Street
15
Turn left onto North Franklin Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Franklin Boulevard
16
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Pensacola Street
17
Turn left onto South Calhoun Street
210 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Calhoun Street
18
Turn right onto Apalachee Parkway
338 ft
·
12 sec
·
Apalachee Parkway
19
Turn right onto South Monroe Street
30 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Monroe Street
20
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 42 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid the busiest local traffic patterns. You should account for at least one planned stop to break up the drive, which helps keep you refreshed on these winding local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $41 estimate is based on the specific distance of 246 miles. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, ensure your GPS is updated to navigate the frequent turns on Lock Street and Cortez Boulevard effectively.
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 123 miles from Dade City, FL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
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 54 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123 miles or 1h 51m 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 2m
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 Dade City, 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 Dade City, FL
This is one driving day of about 246 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Dade City, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123 mi from Dade City, FL · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 123 miles from Dade City, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tallahassee, FL
The final approach into Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee, 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
$39.16 one way
$78.31 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $42.59 | $85.19 |
| premium | $4.72 | $45.74 | $91.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.31 | $108.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.83 | $11.81 |
| Efficient EV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.53 | $9.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.4 | 1 | $34.44 | $15.74 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Evening in Tallahassee on Wednesday
Local time
7:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
22 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
3h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dade City, FL to Tallahassee, FL covers 246 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lock Street, the route, Cortez Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123 miles from Dade City, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 42m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dade City, FL to Tallahassee, FL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dade City, FL to Tallahassee, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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