Trip from Tallahassee, FL to Arcadia, FL

Drive Time

6h 38m

Distance

327.2 mi

527 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 26m ★
6 AM
6h 38m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 44m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 1m
8 PM
6h 31m

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

Downtown Arcadia, FL, FL

Arcadia, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

Traveling from Tallahassee to Arcadia covers 327.2 miles across the Florida landscape. Expect to spend approximately 6 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this a long but manageable single-day trip for most drivers. You will primarily utilize I-10, I-75, and FL-471 to complete the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, it is a relatively affordable trek if you keep a steady pace. Because the drive is highway-focused, you should anticipate a straightforward transit that prioritizes efficiency over scenic backroads. While it can be done in one day, be mindful that the duration is significant enough to warrant a planned stop to break up the time.

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

163.6 miles from Tallahassee, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 327.2-mile journey is defined by its reliance on major thoroughfares, with highways accounting for 96% of the route. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 114.5 miles along I-75. As you transition from the northern reaches of Tallahassee toward the interior destination of Arcadia, the road maintains a fast, highway-focused personality. Expect a steady, high-speed pace that favors interstate travel over local maneuvering. Navigating this path requires sustained focus, as the vast majority of your time will be spent cruising on major arteries through the state.

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 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 114.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 10. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Pensacola Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 327.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 (East Pensacola Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 90 / East Tennessee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Pensacola Street

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 90 / East Tennessee Street

Turn right onto US 90 / East Tennessee Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
7.9 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Lake City

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 10 East: Lake City
8
210.4 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee

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 321 Toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee
6
210.8 mi into trip | ~3h 53m in | CR 470

Turn sharp left onto CR 470

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Tallahassee, FL to Arcadia, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Panasoffkee along the way.

Lake Panasoffkee

210.4 mi in | ~3h 52m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 114.5 mi 2h 2m
I 10 86.9 mi 1h 33m
FL 471 34.9 mi 46m
Spessard Holland Parkway 30.1 mi 43m
US 17 19 mi 23m
US Highway 98 North 13.9 mi 19m
US 98 11.9 mi 18m
Mahan Drive 6.5 mi 11m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 114.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 27; FL 61

181 ft · 8 sec · South Monroe Street
2

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · East Pensacola Street
3

Turn left onto CR 1555

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Franklin Boulevard
Use the none lane.
4

Turn right onto US 90

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tennessee Street
Use the none lane.
5

Continue on US 90

6.5 mi · 11 min · Mahan Drive
Use the none lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 East: Lake City Use the slight right lane.
7

Merge onto I 10

87 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I 10
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 37 sec
Exit 296A Toward I-75 South: Tampa
9

Merge onto I 75

115 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 321 Toward FL 470: Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn sharp left onto CR 470

2.6 mi · 4 min · CR 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

At end of road, turn left onto US 301; CR 470

0.3 mi · 27 sec · US 301; CR 470
13

Turn right onto FL 471

35 mi · 46 min · FL 471
14

Turn left onto US 98

14 mi · 19 min · US Highway 98 North
Use the none lane.
15

Continue on US 98

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Florida Avenue
Use the none lane.
16

Turn left onto US 98; FL 548

12 mi · 18 min · US 98; FL 548
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on US 98

0.6 mi · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
Use the none lane.
18

Turn left onto US 98; FL 60

0.8 mi · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
Use the left lane.
19

Turn right onto US 17; US 98

30 mi · 43 min · Spessard Holland Parkway
Use the none lane.
20

Continue on US 17

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 17
Use the none lane.
21

Continue on US 17

2.5 mi · 2 min · US 17
Use the none lane.
22

Continue on US 17

15 mi · 19 min · US 17
Use the none lane.
23

Turn left onto Cypress Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Cypress Street
24

Turn right onto North Volusia Avenue

0.1 mi · 35 sec · North Volusia Avenue
25

Turn right onto FL 70

317 ft · 7 sec · East Hickory Street
26

Arrive at destination

FL 70

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour and 38-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the busier highway sections. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use this opportunity to stretch and refuel while staying within your $55 fuel budget. Because 96% of your travel is on highways, keep a close watch on your speed and traffic patterns, especially during the long 114.5-mile segment on I-75. If you find the distance taxing, remember that the highway-heavy nature of the route allows for predictable timing, giving you the flexibility to adjust your arrival based on your personal pace. Always check your tire pressure before heading out to ensure your vehicle handles the sustained highway speeds efficiently.

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 163.6 miles from Tallahassee, FL, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.5 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 163.6 miles or 3h 2m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arcadia, FL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee, FL

This is one driving day of about 327.2 miles and 6h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tallahassee, 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 114.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 163.6 mi from Tallahassee, FL · 3h 2m into the drive

Downtown Lakeland, FL, FL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lakeland, FL

164 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

Lake City, 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 163.6 miles from Tallahassee, 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 114.5 miles.

Arriving in Arcadia, FL

The final approach into Arcadia, 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 Arcadia, 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

$54.66 one way

$109.32 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 115 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $59.21 $118.41
premium $4.90 $63.07 $126.14
diesel $5.64 $72.69 $145.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 114.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 98.2 1 $34.36 $15.71
Efficient EV 81.8 0 $28.63 $13.09
EV Truck/SUV 130.9 1 $45.81 $20.94

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Tallahassee, FL

Afternoon in Tallahassee on Sunday

Local time

4:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arcadia, FL

Afternoon in Arcadia on Sunday

Local time

4:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°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

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 38m 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 Tallahassee, FL to Arcadia, FL covers 327.2 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 10, FL 471. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 163.6 miles from Tallahassee, FL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.66 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 327.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 (East Pensacola Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 90 / East Tennessee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tallahassee, FL to Arcadia, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Panasoffkee along the way.

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