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Trip from Pinecrest, FL to Tallahassee, FL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 25m

Distance

287.8 mi

463 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 13m ★
6 AM
5h 26m
8 AM
5h 53m
10 AM
5h 35m
12 PM
5h 33m
3 PM
5h 37m
5 PM
5h 51m
8 PM
5h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Pinecrest, FL, FL

Pinecrest, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Downtown Tallahassee, FL, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Pinecrest to Tallahassee covers 291.1 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 27 minutes. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, as it connects the southern portion of Florida to the capital city in the north. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating this path involves transitioning from local thoroughfares like Lithia Pinecrest Road and East Brandon Boulevard onto I-75 North. Because the drive is straightforward, you can comfortably manage it in one go without needing an overnight stay. It serves as a practical link between two distinct areas of the state, offering a direct transition from the local road network to the interstate system.

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

143.9 miles from Pinecrest, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 287.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions into higher-speed travel as you progress. You will spend time navigating local roads like Lithia Pinecrest Road and East Brandon Boulevard before merging onto I-75 North. With a highway share of 0% on the initial local segments, the route demands your full attention as you maneuver through suburban and local infrastructure. Because the longest stretch on Lithia Pinecrest Road is 0 miles, you will find yourself frequently adjusting your speed and navigation. The personality of this drive is defined by these initial technical turns, which eventually give way to the more consistent pace of the interstate.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 176.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

204 ft 39 ft

Total Climb

346 ft

Total Descent

250 ft

Highest Point

204 ft

~287.8 mi in

Elevation Range

166 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 10. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lithia Pinecrest Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 287.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lithia Pinecrest Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Lithia Pinecrest Road

Turn left onto Lithia Pinecrest Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
13.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward I 75 North: Ocala

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Ocala
5
14.9 mi into trip | ~26m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
191.6 mi into trip | ~3h 35m 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
191.7 mi into trip | ~3h 35m 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 75 176.7 mi 3h 9m
I 10 87.7 mi 1h 34m
Lithia Pinecrest Road 10.9 mi 18m
Mahan Drive 6.7 mi 11m
East Brandon Boulevard 2.8 mi 4m
East Tennessee Street 0.6 mi 1m
North Franklin Boulevard 0.5 mi 1m
East Pensacola Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 176.7 mi, about 3h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pinecrest, FL and Tallahassee, FL.

1

Start on CR 39

128 ft · 10 sec · South County Road 39
2

Turn left onto Lithia Pinecrest Road

11 mi · 18 min · Lithia Pinecrest Road
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto FL 60

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Brandon Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 75 North: Ocala Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Merge onto I 75

177 mi · 3 hr 9 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Exit 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn left onto US 90

6.7 mi · 11 min · Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on US 90

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tennessee Street
11

Turn left onto CR 1555

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street
13

Turn left onto CR 1559

210 ft · 9 sec · South Calhoun Street
14

Turn right onto US 27

339 ft · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway
15

Turn right onto US 27; FL 61

31 ft · 1 sec · South Monroe Street
16

Arrive at destination

US 27; FL 61

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour and 27-minute journey, consider timing your departure to avoid peak congestion on the local roads leading out of Pinecrest. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch before committing to the longer duration on I-75 North. Keep your $48 fuel budget in mind when selecting your rest stop, as prices can fluctuate between local and interstate exits. Being prepared for the turn-heavy nature of the first leg of your trip will help you stay focused behind the wheel. Given the total distance of 291.1 miles, maintaining a steady pace will ensure you reach Tallahassee without unnecessary fatigue.

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 143.9 miles from Pinecrest, FL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.7 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 143.9 miles or 2h 44m 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 23m

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 Pinecrest, 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 Pinecrest, FL

This is one driving day of about 287.8 miles and 5h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pinecrest, 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 176.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 143.9 mi from Pinecrest, FL · 2h 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gainesville, FL

144 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.

Popular next leg

Gainesville, FL to Tallahassee, FL

149 mi · 2h 54m

Pacing Suggestions

Lakeland, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gainesville, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.9 miles from Pinecrest, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.7 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

$45.81 one way

$91.62 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $49.83 $99.66
premium $4.72 $53.51 $107.03
diesel $5.61 $63.54 $127.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.3 1 $30.22 $13.81
Efficient EV 72 0 $25.18 $11.51
EV Truck/SUV 115.1 1 $40.29 $18.42

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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 13, 2026

Origin

Pinecrest, FL

Morning in Pinecrest on Thursday

Local time

11:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Morning in Tallahassee on Thursday

Local time

11:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Partly Cloudy

ESE 5 mph 0% chance 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

2 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

5h 25m 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 Pinecrest, FL to Tallahassee, FL covers 287.8 miles and takes about 5h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 10, Lithia Pinecrest Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143.9 miles from Pinecrest, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.81 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 287.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lithia Pinecrest Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pinecrest, FL to Tallahassee, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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