Origin
Tallahassee, FL
Evening in Tallahassee on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 33m
Distance
244.5 mi
393 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belleair Beach, FL
Brent Singleton
If you are planning a trip from Tallahassee to Belleair Beach, expect to cover 244.5 miles over approximately 5 hours and 33 minutes. This highway-focused route utilizes Apalachee Parkway, US 27, and US 19 to navigate from Florida’s capital down toward the coast. Budgeting around $41 for fuel is a safe bet for this journey, which is easily manageable as a single-day trip. While the drive is straightforward, the transition from the inland landscape of Tallahassee to the coastal atmosphere of Belleair Beach makes for a distinct change in scenery. You will find that this route offers a practical, direct path for travelers looking to reach the Gulf Coast efficiently.
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
122.2 miles from Tallahassee, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, with 97% of your time spent on highways. The road's personality is defined by its efficiency, highlighted by a significant 126.6-mile stretch along US 19. You will experience a mix of fast-paced highway driving that requires steady focus as you navigate through various Florida corridors. Because the route is so heavily focused on highway transit, you can maintain a consistent pace for the majority of the 5-hour and 33-minute duration. The drive feels purposeful and direct, prioritizing time-saving over winding, scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 19 and US 27. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 27 / Apalachee Parkway.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 33m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 27 / Apalachee Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 110.2 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 27 / Apalachee Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FL 686: Roosevelt Boulevard, East Bay Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto FL 686 / East Bay Drive
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto Gulf Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 19 | 126.6 mi | 2h 54m |
| US 27 | 94.1 mi | 1h 58m |
| Apalachee Parkway | 16.1 mi | 23m |
| East Bay Drive | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| West Bay Drive | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| South Belleair Causeway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Causeway Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Gulf Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tallahassee, FL and Belleair Beach, FL.
Start on US 27; FL 61
Turn left onto US 27
Continue on US 27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 19 Southbound Frontage Road
Turn right onto FL 686
Continue on CR 416
Continue on CR 416
Continue on CR 416
At end of road, turn right onto Gulf Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Since this is a 244.5-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving Tallahassee early in the morning helps you avoid the heaviest traffic patterns as you transition onto the major highway segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 126.6-mile stretch on US 19, as services can be spaced out depending on your exact location. Because this trip is designed as a one-day affair, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or your own energy levels. Aim to complete your primary driving blocks before hitting the final stretch into Belleair Beach to ensure you arrive feeling refreshed.
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.
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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.2 miles or 2h 38m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belleair Beach, FL than in the middle of the route.
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 244.5 miles and 5h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.2 mi from Tallahassee, FL · 2h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 122.2 miles from Tallahassee, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 19 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.6 miles.
The final approach into Belleair Beach, 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 Belleair Beach, 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.
Regular Gas
$40.84 one way
$81.69 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $44.24 | $88.48 |
| premium | $4.90 | $47.13 | $94.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.32 | $108.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.67 | $11.74 |
| Efficient EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.39 | $9.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.8 | 1 | $34.23 | $15.65 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Tallahassee on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Belleair Beach on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Road read
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.
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Return Trip
Belleair Beach, FL to Tallahassee, FLPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Tallahassee, FL or browse trips ending in Belleair Beach, FL.
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