This 238.7-mile drive from DeLand, FL to Tallahassee, FL takes approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-75 and I-10, with a portion on West State Road 40, offering a predominantly highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $38. With only one recommended stop and a longest uninterrupted stretch of 87.7 miles on I-10, this route is designed for efficient travel across Florida. It's a straightforward trip if you're looking to cover ground quickly between these two points within the state.
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
119.4 miles from DeLand, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 238.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 77% of this 238.7-mile journey. You'll spend a significant amount of time on interstates like I-75 and I-10, which are built for speed and direct travel. The longest stretch without a break is an impressive 87.7 miles on I-10, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the profile is largely highway, the inclusion of West State Road 40 might offer a slight change of pace before you rejoin the faster roads. Overall, this route prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 87.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.2 miles in near North Amelia Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 238.7 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 0.2 miles (North Amelia Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (North Amelia Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9 miles (US 17 / North US Highway 17): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|North Amelia Avenue
Turn left onto North Amelia Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|North Amelia Avenue
Enter roundabout onto North Amelia Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
9 mi into trip|~14m in|US 17 / North US Highway 17
Enter roundabout onto US 17 / North US Highway 17
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
142.5 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
142.6 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
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
North Woodland Boulevard
2.8 mi
4m
North Amelia Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 87.7 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeLand, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on FL 44
0.2 mi·51 sec·East New York Avenue
2
Turn left onto North Amelia Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·North Amelia Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto North Amelia Avenue
73 ft·1 sec·North Amelia Avenue
4
Continue on North Amelia Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·North Amelia Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 92
0.2 mi·30 sec·International Speedway Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto US 17
1.0 mi·1 min·North Woodland Boulevard
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
1.8 mi·2 min·North Woodland Boulevard
8
Continue on US 17
3.9 mi·5 min·North US Highway 17
9
Enter roundabout onto US 17
137 ft·2 sec·North US Highway 17
10
Continue on US 17
5.5 mi·7 min·North US Highway 17
11
Turn left onto FL 40
39 mi·54 min·West State Road 40
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto FL 326
9.9 mi·14 min·FL 326
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on FL 326
1.1 mi·1 min·Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lake City
15
Merge onto I 75
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 10
88 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 90
6.7 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
21
Turn left onto CR 1555
0.5 mi·1 min·North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Pensacola Street
23
Turn left onto CR 1559
210 ft·9 sec·South Calhoun Street
24
Turn right onto US 27
339 ft·12 sec·Apalachee Parkway
25
Turn right onto US 27; FL 61
31 ft·1 sec·South Monroe Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 27; FL 61
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 46-minute drive, starting early in the morning from DeLand is a good strategy to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight. Since the longest stretch is 87.7 miles on I-10, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or just before that long segment. With a total distance of 238.7 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $38, this trip is easily completed in a single day. You have flexibility with stops, but ensure you're aware of available services along I-10, especially when you hit that 87.7-mile stretch.
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 119.4 miles from DeLand, FL, or about 2h 31m 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 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.4 miles or 2h 31m 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 53m
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 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 DeLand, FL
This is one driving day of about 238.7 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.4 mi from DeLand, FL
· 2h 31m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.99 one way
$75.99 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$41.33
$82.66
premium
$4.72
$44.39
$88.77
diesel
$5.61
$52.70
$105.40
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: 83.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.89
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
DeLand, FL
Afternoon
in DeLand on Friday
Local time
4:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Afternoon
in Tallahassee on Friday
Local time
4:07 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
4h 46m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from DeLand, FL to Tallahassee, FL covers 238.7 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, I 75, West State Road 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.4 miles from DeLand, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.99 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 238.7 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 0.2 miles (North Amelia Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (North Amelia Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9 miles (US 17 / North US Highway 17): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from DeLand, FL to Tallahassee, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
