Origin
Lake Hamilton, FL
Afternoon in Lake Hamilton on Friday
Local time
1:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Hamilton, FL to Tallahassee, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
272.3 mi
438 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 5m
★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 27m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Hamilton, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Tallahassee, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Lake Hamilton, FL to Tallahassee, FL covers 272.3 miles and takes about 5h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, I 10, US 27 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.9 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.34 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
136.1 miles from Lake Hamilton, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 272.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 18m highway drive covering 272.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and I 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 106.9 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 106.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.3 miles in near North Lake Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 272.3 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 0.3 miles (North Lake Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.5 miles (US 27): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Lake Street
Keep slight right at fork onto North Lake Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 27
At end of road, turn right onto US 27
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
68.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
8
176 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m 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
176.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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
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 Lake Hamilton, FL to Tallahassee, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala along the way.
Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
49.4 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 106.9 mi | 1h 54m |
| I 10 | 87.7 mi | 1h 34m |
| US 27 | 48.9 mi | 1h 9m |
| Florida's Turnpike | 19.1 mi | 20m |
| Mahan Drive | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| East Tennessee Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Franklin Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 106.9 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Hamilton, FL and Tallahassee, FL.
1
Start on North 6th Street
84 ft
·
4 sec
·
North 6th Street
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto North Lake Street
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Lake Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 27
22 mi
·
30 min
·
US 27
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 27
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 27
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 27
10 mi
·
14 min
·
US 27
7
Continue on US 27
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 27
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 27
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 27
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
10
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
this road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala
11
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 75
107 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 435
Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee
Use 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
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 136.1 miles from Lake Hamilton, FL, or about 2h 45m 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.1 miles or 2h 45m 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 18m
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 Lake Hamilton, 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 Lake Hamilton, FL
This is one driving day of about 272.3 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Lake Hamilton, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.1 mi from Lake Hamilton, FL · 2h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.1 miles from Lake Hamilton, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.9 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.34 one way
$86.69 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $47.15 | $94.30 |
| premium | $4.72 | $50.63 | $101.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.12 | $120.24 |
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
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.59 | $13.07 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.83 | $10.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.9 | 1 | $38.12 | $17.43 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Tallahassee, FL
Afternoon in Tallahassee on Friday
Local time
1:41 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 18m 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 Lake Hamilton, FL to Tallahassee, FL covers 272.3 miles and takes about 5h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 10, US 27. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.1 miles from Lake Hamilton, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.34 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 17 significant decision points across 272.3 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 0.3 miles (North Lake Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.5 miles (US 27): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.8 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lake Hamilton, FL to Tallahassee, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Florida's Turnpike North: Ocala along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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