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Trip from Tallahassee, FL to Babson Park, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 43m

Distance

291.6 mi

469 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 30m ★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m

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

Downtown Tallahassee, FL, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Tallahassee, FL to Babson Park, FL covers 291.6 miles and takes about 5h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, I 10, US 27 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 107.2 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

145.8 miles from Tallahassee, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 291.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 43m highway drive covering 291.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and I 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 107.2 miles on I 75.

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.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 107.2 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 203 miles in near Florida's Turnpike.

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 291.6 miles you will encounter 14 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: 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 232.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.7 miles (North Hancock Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 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
232.2 mi into trip | ~4h 16m in

Take the exit toward Minneola

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 278 Toward Minneola
6
232.7 mi into trip | ~4h 17m in | North Hancock Road

Turn right onto North Hancock Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
235.6 mi into trip | ~4h 22m in | Citrus Tower Boulevard

Turn left onto Citrus Tower Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
287.3 mi into trip | ~5h 35m in | CR 640 / Pine Crest Road

Turn left onto CR 640 / Pine Crest Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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 Babson Park, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando and Minneola.

Florida's Turnpike South

203 mi in | ~3h 45m | via Florida's Turnpike

Orlando

203 mi in | ~3h 45m | via Florida's Turnpike

Minneola

232.2 mi in | ~4h 16m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 107.2 mi 1h 54m
I 10 86.9 mi 1h 33m
US 27 48.7 mi 1h 7m
Florida's Turnpike 29.2 mi 31m
Mahan Drive 6.5 mi 11m
North Scenic Highway 3 mi 4m
Citrus Tower Boulevard 2.5 mi 4m
North Hancock Road 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 107.2 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tallahassee, FL and Babson Park, 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 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

107 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit onto Florida's Turnpike

29 mi · 31 min · Florida's Turnpike
Exit 328 Toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Exit 278 Toward Minneola Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto North Hancock Road

2.4 mi · 3 min · North Hancock Road
Use the right lane.
13

Turn right onto North Ridge Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Ridge Boulevard
14

Turn left onto Citrus Tower Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Citrus Tower Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15

Continue on Citrus Tower Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Citrus Tower Road
16

Turn left onto US 27

0.4 mi · 45 sec · US 27
17

Continue on US 27

11 mi · 14 min · US 27
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on US 27

13 mi · 18 min · US 27
Use the right lane.
19

Continue on US 27

0.4 mi · 36 sec · US 27
20

Continue on US 27

0.2 mi · 18 sec · US 27
Use the left lane.
21

Continue on US 27

2.7 mi · 3 min · US 27
22

Continue on US 27

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 27
23

Continue on US 27

20 mi · 27 min · US 27
Use the left lane.
24

Turn left onto CR 640

1.0 mi · 1 min · Pine Crest Road
Use the left lane.
25

Turn right onto FL 17

3.0 mi · 4 min · North Scenic Highway
26

Turn left onto Rainbow Boulevard

408 ft · 13 sec · Rainbow Boulevard
27

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

0.2 mi · 28 sec · 5th Avenue
28

Arrive at destination

5th Avenue

Trip Plan

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 145.8 miles from Tallahassee, FL, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.2 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 64 miles or 1h 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 145.8 miles or 2h 43m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babson Park, 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 291.6 miles and 5h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 107.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 145.8 mi from Tallahassee, FL · 2h 43m into the drive

city in Lake County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clermont, FL

146 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

Live Oak, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gainesville, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.8 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 107.2 miles.

Arriving in Babson Park, FL

The final approach into Babson Park, 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 Babson Park, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Catalina Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tallahassee, Florida

0.4 mi

Ellianos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lake City, Florida

1.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tallahassee, Florida

Near the start, right off the route

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

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 start, right off the route

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

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18509991559

The Power Plant Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

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

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18505366821

Visit website

Ellianos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 104.2

Lake City, Florida

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13867520202

Visit website

The Sweet Shop Cafe & Lounge

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

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

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18503296466

Halisi Africa

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Closed

+18507393129

Visit website

Two Cuban Guy's Home of Garcia's Place

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 104.2

Lake City, Florida

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+13057755055

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+18505080224

Visit website

LeRoc Bistro

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18502246755

Visit website

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+18505979737

Visit website

La Florida Coffee & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

Visit website

Argonaut Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

Minch Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 250

Clermont, Florida

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+13529894129

Visit website

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

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14482302356

Visit website

Ground Ops Roastery + Bakehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18507278517

Visit website

Lucky Goat Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+18506885292

Visit website

RedEye Coffee - Midtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18504255701

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 145.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 145.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Hampton Inn Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 145.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 104.2

Lake City, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 83.3

Live Oak, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

2.6 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 145.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 104.2

Lake City, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Cascades Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18508913866

Visit website

Goodies Eatery

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+18506813888

Visit website

Capital Cascades Trail Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18508913866

Visit website

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 145.8

Gainesville, Florida

Hours: Closed

+13523724981

Visit website

Tomahawks 51

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: Closed

+18509996339

Visit website

Kavakaze

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+18505659955

Mission San Luis

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18502456406

Visit website

Secrets Escape Rooms - Tallahassee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Tallahassee, Florida

Hours: 12–9 pm

+18505366529

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.41 one way

$92.83 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $50.49 $100.98
premium $4.72 $54.22 $108.44
diesel $5.61 $64.38 $128.76

Estimated Tolls: $2.04

Florida's Turnpike (29.2 mi) $2.04

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

$46

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 102 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87.5 1 $30.62 $14.00
Efficient EV 72.9 0 $25.52 $11.66
EV Truck/SUV 116.6 1 $40.82 $18.66

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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 16, 2026

Origin

Tallahassee, FL

Morning in Tallahassee on Friday

Local time

10:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Sunny

SSW 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Babson Park, FL

Morning in Babson Park on Friday

Local time

10:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

26 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 43m 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 Tallahassee, FL to Babson Park, FL covers 291.6 miles and takes about 5h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, I 10, US 27. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 145.8 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 $46.41 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 291.6 miles you will encounter 14 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: 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 232.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.7 miles (North Hancock Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Between Tallahassee, FL and Babson Park, FL, road signs point toward Florida's Turnpike South, Orlando and Minneola.

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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