Trip from South Miami, 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

9h 3m

Distance

486.9 mi

784 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$78

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

8h 55m ★

6 AM

9h 3m

8 AM

9h 19m

10 AM

9h 9m

12 PM

9h 7m

3 PM

9h 10m

5 PM

9h 18m

8 PM

8h 58m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

South Miami, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 486.9-mile drive from South Miami, FL, to Tallahassee, FL, will take approximately 9 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Given the distance and duration, it's best split over two days, especially considering the highway-focused profile of the trip. You'll be spending about 97% of your time on major highways, primarily Florida's Turnpike, I-75, and I-10. The estimated fuel cost is around $78, making it a relatively budget-friendly journey across the state. This route offers a straightforward way to travel between South Florida and the Florida Panhandle.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

243.5 miles from South Miami, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 486.9-mile trip, with 97% of the journey on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 264.1 miles along Florida's Turnpike. This means you'll experience primarily high-speed driving with limited deviations onto smaller roads. The character of the drive is consistent for much of the route, centered on efficient travel between your origin and destination within Florida.

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

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Florida's Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 264.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near I 95; US 1.

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 19 significant decision points across 486.9 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 6.2 miles (I 95; US 1): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 283.4 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

6.2 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 95; US 1

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1 toward I 95 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North

18.3 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the exit toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 12A Toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll

283.4 mi into trip | ~5h 17m 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

390.6 mi into trip | ~7h 12m 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

390.8 mi into trip | ~7h 12m 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
Florida's Turnpike	264.1 mi	4h 47m
I 75	106.9 mi	1h 54m
I 10	87.7 mi	1h 34m
I 95	12.2 mi	16m
Mahan Drive	6.7 mi	11m
South Dixie Highway	5.6 mi	10m
East Tennessee Street	0.6 mi	1m
North Franklin Boulevard	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Florida's Turnpike — 264.1 mi, about 4h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Southwest 68th Street

67 ft · 10 sec · Southwest 68th Street

Turn left onto Southwest 62nd Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Southwest 62nd Avenue

Turn left onto Southwest 70th Street

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Southwest 70th Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto US 1

5.6 mi · 10 min · South Dixie Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1

4.4 mi · 6 min · I 95; US 1

Toward I 95 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 95

7.8 mi · 9 min · I 95

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 12A Toward SR 826 West: Florida's Turnpike Toll Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Toward Florida's Turnpike

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

264 mi · 4 hr 47 min · Florida's Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Merge onto I 75

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Exit 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto US 90

6.7 mi · 11 min · Mahan Drive

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 90

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tennessee Street

Turn left onto CR 1555

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street

Turn left onto CR 1559

210 ft · 9 sec · South Calhoun Street

Turn right onto US 27

339 ft · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway

Turn right onto US 27; FL 61

31 ft · 1 sec · South Monroe Street

Arrive at destination

US 27; FL 61

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 9-hour drive, plan to split it over two days. This will allow for more relaxed driving and opportunities to take breaks. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. With 97% of the route on highways like Florida's Turnpike and I-75, you'll want to be mindful of fuel stops, as the longest stretch without a break is over 264 miles. Budgeting approximately $78 for fuel is a good starting point for your planning.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 243.5 miles from South Miami, FL, or about 4h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.1 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 107 miles or 2h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 243.5 miles or 4h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 243.5 miles or 4h 34m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 51m

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 South Miami, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from South Miami, FL

Aim for roughly 243 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Tallahassee, FL

Aim for roughly 243 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 107 miles from South Miami, FL.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Florida's Turnpike for about 264.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 243.5 mi from South Miami, FL · 4h 34m into the drive

city in and county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Orlando, FL

243 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Orlando, FL

Popular next leg

Orlando, FL to Tallahassee, FL

255.9 mi · 4h 43m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Orlando, FL

243 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Orlando, FL after about 243 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Port Saint Lucie, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 107 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Butler, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 243.5 miles from South Miami, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 264.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 243 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Tallahassee, FL with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 486.9

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.4 mi

Ellianos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake City, Florida

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 486.9

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+18505979737

Visit website

La Florida Coffee & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.2 mi

Argonaut Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

0.3 mi

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 486.9

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 486.9

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18505366821

Visit website

Ellianos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 382.6

Lake City, Florida

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13867520202

Visit website

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 486.9

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18503296466

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 486.9

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 347.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 382.6

Lake City, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 382.6

Lake City, Florida

+18887584389

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 486.9

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18505659955

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Coral Gables, Florida

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13056671651

Visit website

Mission San Luis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 486.9

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18502456406

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$77.50 one way

$155.00 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 170 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.40	$84.31	$168.61
premium	$4.72	$90.54	$181.07
diesel	$5.61	$107.50	$215.00

Estimated Tolls: $18.47

Florida's Turnpike (263.9 mi) $18.47

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

$78

Tolls

$18

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$226–$336

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 170.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	146.1	1	$51.12	$23.37
Efficient EV	121.7	1	$42.60	$19.48
EV Truck/SUV	194.8	2	$68.17	$31.16

Gas CO2

170 kg

EV CO2

57 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

South Miami, FL

Evening in South Miami on Friday

Local time

5:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Evening in Tallahassee on Friday

Local time

5:50 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

13 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

9h 3m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from South Miami, FL to Tallahassee, FL covers 486.9 miles and takes about 9h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Florida's Turnpike, I 75, I 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 243 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 243.5 miles from South Miami, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $77.50 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from South Miami, FL to Tallahassee, FL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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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Explore more options from South Miami, FL or browse trips ending in Tallahassee, FL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse FL road trips.

Trip from South Miami, FL to Tallahassee, FL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Tallahassee, FL

Nearby Places

Catalina Cafe

Lucky Goat Coffee

Catalina Cafe

The Power Plant Cafe

Ellianos Coffee

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

Two Cuban Guy's Home of Garcia's Place

Halisi Africa

Starbucks Coffee Company

LeRoc Bistro

Lucky Goat Coffee

La Florida Coffee & Wine

Argonaut Coffee

Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream - SoMo Walls

Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse

Lucky Goat Coffee

RedEye Coffee - Midtown

Midtown Reader & the Piebrary

Pilot EV Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Cascades Park

Goodies Eatery

Capital Cascades Trail Park

Tomahawks 51

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

Kavakaze

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Mission San Luis

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

South Miami, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Same local time

13 degrees warmer at arrival

9h 3m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from South Miami, FL to Tallahassee, FL?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from South Miami, FL to Tallahassee, FL?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from South Miami, FL to Tallahassee, FL?

How this page is built

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