The drive from Tallahassee, FL to Kendall, FL covers 491 miles and takes about 9h 4m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Florida's Turnpike, I 75, I 10 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 261 miles on Florida's Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $78.15 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
245.5 miles from Tallahassee, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 31m into the drive
.
Drive Character
This is a 9h 4m highway drive covering 491 miles, with most of the trip on Florida's Turnpike and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 261 miles on Florida's Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 261 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 203 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 491 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 203 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 464 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 464.2 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
203 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 328
Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando
7
464 mi into trip|~8h 28m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Take the exit onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
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.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, Homestead
7
464.2 mi into trip|~8h 28m in|Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike toward Homestead
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Homestead
8
468 mi into trip|~8h 32m in
Take the exit toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 43
Toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th Avenue
8
489.6 mi into trip|~9h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 94 East: Southwest 88th Street, North Kendall Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward SR 94 East: Southwest 88th Street, North...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tallahassee, FL and Kendall, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Homestead.
Florida's Turnpike South
203 mi in|~3h 45m|via Florida's Turnpike
Orlando
203 mi in|~3h 45m|via Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike Toll South
464 mi in|~8h 28m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Homestead
464 mi in|~8h 28m|via Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
261 mi
4h 43m
I 75
107.2 mi
1h 54m
I 10
86.9 mi
1h 33m
Express Lanes
9.1 mi
9m
Palmetto Expressway
8.2 mi
11m
Mahan Drive
6.5 mi
11m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.9 mi
4m
Northwest 57th Avenue
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 261 mi, about 4h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tallahassee, FL and Kendall, 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
4
Turn right onto US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tennessee Street
5
Continue on US 90
6.5 mi·11 min·Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Lake CityUse 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 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
9
Merge onto I 75
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike
261 mi·4 hr 43 min·Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328Toward Florida's Turnpike South, OrlandoUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
0.2 mi·20 sec·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll South, HomesteadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
3.7 mi·4 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Toward HomesteadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 43Toward SR 823: Red Road, Northwest 57th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
203 ft·7 sec
Toward SR 823 South: HialeahUse the left lane.
15
Turn left onto SR 823
0.2 mi·22 sec·Red Road
16
Continue on SR 823
3.1 mi·5 min·Northwest 57th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Northwest 167th Street
295 ft·8 sec·Northwest 167th Street
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward SR 826 West: Miami International Airport
19
Merge onto SR 826
2.4 mi·3 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
9.1 mi·9 min·Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto SR 826
3.5 mi·4 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 826
2.3 mi·3 min·Palmetto Expressway
Toward SR 826 South: Palmetto ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward SR 94: Southwest 88th Street, North Kendall Drive, Metrorail, Dadeland Mall Circle, Dadeland MallUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward SR 94 East: Southwest 88th Street, North Kendall DriveUse the straight lane.
25
Turn straight onto SR 94
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest 88th Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto Dadeland Boulevard
0.3 mi·47 sec·Dadeland Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto US 1
0.5 mi·51 sec·Dixie Highway
Use the right lane.
28
Arrive at destination
US 1
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.
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 245.5 miles from Tallahassee, FL, or about 4h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261 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 108 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 245.5 miles or 4h 31m 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 245.5 miles or 4h 31m
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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kendall, 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.
+
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 Tallahassee, FL
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Kendall, FL
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Tallahassee, 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 261 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 245.5 mi from Tallahassee, FL
· 4h 31m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Biscayne National Park
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 491
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$78.15 one way
$156.31 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg172 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$85.02
$170.03
premium
$4.72
$91.30
$182.60
diesel
$5.61
$108.41
$216.81
Estimated Tolls: $18.50
Florida's Turnpike
(261 mi)$18.27
Homestead Extension
(3.9 mi)$0.23
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
$19
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$227–$337
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
147.3
1
$51.55
$23.57
Efficient EV
122.8
1
$42.96
$19.64
EV Truck/SUV
196.4
2
$68.74
$31.42
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
57 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Tallahassee, FL
Afternoon
in Tallahassee on Friday
Local time
12:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
W 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 7:03PM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 16 at 3:00AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
Destination
Kendall, FL
Afternoon
in Kendall on Friday
Local time
12:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
9 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 4m 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 Tallahassee, FL to Kendall, FL covers 491 miles and takes about 9h 4m 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 246 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 245.5 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 $78.15 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 491 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 203 miles (Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 464 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 464.2 miles (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Tallahassee, FL and Kendall, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando, Florida's Turnpike Toll South and Homestead.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Biscayne National Park.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
