The drive from Orlando, FL to Panama City, FL covers 356.9 miles and takes about 6h 49m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 10, I 75, Florida's Turnpike for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 121.8 miles on I 10.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.81 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
178.4 miles from Orlando, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 49m. Total distance: 356.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 49m highway drive covering 356.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 10 and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 121.8 miles on I 10.
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 121.8 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 9.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 356.9 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 9.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.4 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
9.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
7
52.4 mi into trip|~58m 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
159.6 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
159.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
8
281.9 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
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 174
Toward FL 12: Gretna, Greensboro
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Orlando, FL and Panama City, FL, road signs point toward Tallahassee, Greensboro and Fl `12 South: Greensboro.
Tallahassee
159.6 mi in|~2h 53m
Greensboro
281.9 mi in|~5h 4m
Fl `12 South: Greensboro
282.1 mi in|~5h 5m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
121.8 mi
2h 10m
I 75
106.9 mi
1h 54m
Florida's Turnpike
42.6 mi
45m
FL 20
28.4 mi
39m
US 231
24.1 mi
32m
Bristol Highway
17.7 mi
23m
East-West Expressway
8.2 mi
9m
Greensboro Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 121.8 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orlando, FL and Panama City, FL.
1
Start on this road
113 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto FL 527
0.1 mi·26 sec·South Orange Avenue
3
Turn straight
238 ft·10 sec
4
Turn slight right onto Lucerne Circle West
285 ft·12 sec·Lucerne Circle West
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward FL 408 Toll West
6
Merge onto FL 408 Toll
8.2 mi·9 min·East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on FL 408 Toll
0.8 mi·53 sec·Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Ocala
9
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
42 mi·45 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·15 sec·Florida's Turnpike
Toward I 75 North: OcalaUse the straight lane.
11
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 435Toward I 10: Jacksonville, TallahasseeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 10 West: TallahasseeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 10
122 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 174Toward FL 12: Gretna, GreensboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
366 ft·11 sec
Toward FL `12 South: Greensboro
17
Turn straight onto FL 12
2.4 mi·3 min·Greensboro Highway
18
Continue on FL 12
0.6 mi·1 min·Selman Street
19
Turn left onto FL 12
0.4 mi·57 sec·Green Avenue
20
Continue on FL 12
18 mi·23 min·Bristol Highway
21
At end of road, turn right onto FL 20
28 mi·39 min·FL 20
22
Turn left onto US 231
24 mi·32 min·US 231
23
Turn left onto US 231
1.0 mi·2 min·Harrison Avenue
24
Turn left onto East 7th Street
228 ft·12 sec·East 7th Street
25
Turn right onto Luverne Avenue
429 ft·18 sec·Luverne Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Luverne Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.4 miles from Orlando, FL, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.8 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 79 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.4 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Panama City, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Orlando, 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 Orlando, FL
This is one driving day of about 356.9 miles and 6h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Orlando, 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 121.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 178.4 mi from Orlando, FL
· 3h 14m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.81 one way
$113.62 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$61.80
$123.59
premium
$4.72
$66.36
$132.73
diesel
$5.61
$78.80
$157.60
Estimated Tolls: $2.96
Florida's Turnpike
(42.3 mi)$2.96
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
$57
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
44 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Blink Charging Station
Minneola, Florida
Blink
1 DCFC
EVPassport Charging Station
Tallahassee, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Pilot Flying J Charging Station
Wildwood, Florida
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Ocala, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tallahassee, Florida
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Live Oak, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Ocala, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Lake City, Florida
Tesla
1 DCFC
Other: 10
ChargePoint: 10
Tesla: 9
Blink: 8
EV Connect: 4
Electrify America: 1
Shell Recharge: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.1
1
$37.47
$17.13
Efficient EV
89.2
1
$31.23
$14.28
EV Truck/SUV
142.8
1
$49.97
$22.84
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Orlando, FL
Afternoon
in Orlando on Friday
Local time
4:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Panama City, FL
Afternoon
in Panama City on Friday
Local time
3:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
6h 49m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Orlando, FL to Panama City, FL covers 356.9 miles and takes about 6h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, I 75, Florida's Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 178.4 miles from Orlando, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 356.9 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 9.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.4 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Orlando, FL and Panama City, FL, road signs point toward Tallahassee, Greensboro and Fl `12 South: Greensboro.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
