How far is Merritt Island, FL from Tallahassee, FL?
The driving distance from Merritt Island, FL to Tallahassee, FL is about 311.2 miles (500.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 253.6 miles (408.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 48m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Alachua County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merritt Island and Tallahassee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merritt Island and Tallahassee.
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1
Start on Roberts Road
1.1 km · 4 min · Roberts Road
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2
Turn right onto Kennedy Parkway North
1.6 km · 1 min · Kennedy Parkway North
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3
Turn slight right
1128 ft · 49 sec
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4
Turn straight onto NASA Parkway
5 mi · 7 min · NASA Parkway
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5
Continue on NASA Causeway
2.5 mi · 4 min · NASA Causeway
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6
Continue on Columbia Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · Columbia Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto Challenger Memorial Parkway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Challenger Memorial Parkway
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8
Take the ramp straight toward FL 528 Toll West
1.4 km · 1 min · Challenger Memorial Parkway
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9
Merge slight left onto Beachline Expressway
32.2 mi · 36 min · Beachline Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 17, US 92, US 441
1428 ft · 35 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Florida's Turnpike, Oсala, Miami
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Continue on Orlando
1439 ft · 37 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Florida's Turnpike
53.3 mi · 57 min · Florida's Turnpike
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Florida's Turnpike
1281 ft · 16 sec · Florida's Turnpike
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15
Merge slight left
106.9 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 10: Jacksonville, Tallahassee
820 ft · 16 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Tallahassee
1569 ft · 30 sec
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18
Merge slight right
87.7 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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19
Turn left onto Mahan Drive
6.7 mi · 12 min · Mahan Drive
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20
Continue on East Tennessee Street
3252 ft · 1 min · East Tennessee Street
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21
Turn left onto North Franklin Boulevard
2568 ft · 1 min · North Franklin Boulevard
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22
Turn right onto East Pensacola Street
1087 ft · 40 sec · East Pensacola Street
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23
Turn left onto South Calhoun Street
64 m · 10 sec · South Calhoun Street
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24
Turn right onto Apalachee Parkway
103 m · 12 sec · Apalachee Parkway
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25
Turn right onto South Monroe Street
9 m · 1 sec · South Monroe Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Monroe Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merritt Island and Tallahassee.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Florida's Turnpike
Merge slight left
107 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Merritt Island and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Tallahassee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merritt Island to Tallahassee?
The road trip is about 311.2 miles (500.9 km) and usually takes 04h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Micanopy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.1 miles from Merritt Island and 157.1 miles from Tallahassee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 253.6 miles (408.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.55 one way or $91.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Merritt Island and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Tallahassee.
Stop Ideas Near Micanopy
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Micanopy.
Gainesville, Florida
Waldo, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Palatka
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merritt Island and Tallahassee. Straight-line distance: 253.59 mi (408.12 km).
#1 Merritt Island
Census designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States
| Population | 34,743 |
| Coordinates | 28.5391700, -80.6720000 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tallahassee
The capital of Florida.
| Population | 196,326 |
| Coordinates | 30.4382600, -84.2807300 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Monroe Street (-84.280628, 30.438261)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $45.55 | $91.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $50.46 | $100.93 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $53.76 | $107.52 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $47.76 | $95.53 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Florida · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.