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Trip from West DeLand, FL to Tallahassee, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 48m

Distance

239.3 mi

385 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 35m ★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m

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

Downtown West DeLand, FL, FL

West DeLand, FL

Arian Fernandez

Downtown Tallahassee, FL, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

West DeLand to Tallahassee is 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 48m via I-10 and I-75, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Florida, taking you from the central part of the state northwestward. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey, making it a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.

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

119.7 miles from West DeLand, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 10 87.7 mi 1h 34m
I 75 77.4 mi 1h 22m
West State Road 40 39.2 mi 54m
FL 326 9.9 mi 14m
North US Highway 17 9.4 mi 12m
Mahan Drive 6.7 mi 11m
South Spring Garden Avenue 4.6 mi 7m
Northwest 77th Street 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 10 — 87.7 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Mockingbird Lane

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Mockingbird Lane
2

Turn right onto West Winnemissett Avenue

0.1 mi · 30 sec · West Winnemissett Avenue
3

Turn left onto South Woodward Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Woodward Avenue
4

Turn right onto West Euclid Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Euclid Avenue
5

Turn left onto FL 15A

4.6 mi · 7 min · South Spring Garden Avenue
Use the left lane.
6

Turn left onto US 17

3.9 mi · 5 min · North US Highway 17
7

Enter roundabout onto US 17

137 ft · 2 sec · North US Highway 17
8

Continue on US 17

5.5 mi · 7 min · North US Highway 17
9

Turn left onto FL 40

39 mi · 54 min · West State Road 40
Use the left lane.
10

Turn right onto FL 326

9.9 mi · 14 min · FL 326
Use the left / straight lanes.
11

Continue on FL 326

1.1 mi · 1 min · Northwest 77th Street
Use the straight lane.
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Lake City
13

Merge onto I 75

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Exit 435 Toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 10 West: Tallahassee Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn left onto US 90

6.7 mi · 11 min · Mahan Drive
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on US 90

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tennessee Street
19

Turn left onto CR 1555

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20

Turn right onto East Pensacola Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street
21

Turn left onto CR 1559

210 ft · 9 sec · South Calhoun Street
22

Turn right onto US 27

339 ft · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway
23

Turn right onto US 27; FL 61

31 ft · 1 sec · South Monroe Street
24

Arrive at destination

US 27; FL 61

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 4-hour and 48-minute duration, starting your drive from West DeLand in the morning is a good plan. This allows you to reach Tallahassee with ample time to spare before evening. With only one stop suggested, you can choose a convenient point along I-10 or I-75 for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 87.7 miles on I-10, as services can be spaced out on interstate highways.

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 119.7 miles from West DeLand, FL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.7 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 53 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 119.7 miles or 2h 32m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 55m

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 West DeLand, 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 West DeLand, FL

This is one driving day of about 239.3 miles and 4h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from West DeLand, 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 10 for about 87.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

human settlement in Florida, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Citra, FL

120 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

Citra, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake City, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.7 miles from West DeLand, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 143.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | West Winnemissett Avenue

Turn right onto West Winnemissett Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Woodward Avenue

Turn left onto South Woodward Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | FL 15A / South Spring Garden Avenue

Turn left onto FL 15A / South Spring Garden Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
143 mi into trip | ~2h 58m 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
8
143.2 mi into trip | ~2h 58m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.09 one way

$76.18 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $41.43 $82.87
premium $4.72 $44.50 $88.99
diesel $5.61 $52.83 $105.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 71.8 0 $25.13 $11.49
Efficient EV 59.8 0 $20.94 $9.57
EV Truck/SUV 95.7 1 $33.50 $15.32

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

West DeLand, FL

Afternoon in West DeLand on Saturday

Local time

3:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tallahassee, FL

Afternoon in Tallahassee on Saturday

Local time

3:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Sunny

S 0 to 10 mph 0% chance 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

29 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

4h 48m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 77% of it on interstates. You'll experience 87.7 miles of uninterrupted driving on I-10, which forms the backbone of this trip for a significant portion. While the majority of the journey involves faster highway speeds, you'll also navigate segments on West State Road 40. The character of the drive is predominantly about covering distance efficiently rather than a winding, scenic exploration.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.7 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 75. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Winnemissett Avenue.

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 239.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.2 miles (West Winnemissett Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South Woodward Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (FL 15A / South Spring Garden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Tallahassee, FL

Full guide →

Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida, in the Florida Panhandle region of the state. In addition to housing the state government, it is a university town home to Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College. Tallahassee has a good selection of restaurants for a city of its size. The universities' theater, art, and music programs, in addition to an active Council of Culture and Arts, also make for an unusually vibrant arts scene.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 239.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 87.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tallahassee, FL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Winnemissett Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South Woodward Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (FL 15A / South Spring Garden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Tallahassee, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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