How Long Does It Take to Drive to Florida?

Quick Answer

Driving to Florida takes 4–20 hours depending on where you start and where in Florida you're headed. From nearby cities like Atlanta, the drive is 4–7 hours. From the Northeast or Midwest, expect a 14–20 hour drive that most travelers split into two days. Florida is about 450 miles long from the Georgia border to Key West, so your final destination within the state adds significant time.

Drive Times from Major US Cities

Starting City	To Jacksonville	To Orlando	To Miami	Distance to Miami
Atlanta, GA	5.5 hours	7.5 hours	10 hours	660 miles
Charlotte, NC	7 hours	9 hours	11.5 hours	750 miles
Nashville, TN	8.5 hours	10.5 hours	13 hours	870 miles
Washington, DC	10 hours	12.5 hours	15 hours	1,050 miles
Dallas, TX	14 hours	16 hours	18.5 hours	1,310 miles
New York, NY	12.5 hours	15 hours	18 hours	1,280 miles
Philadelphia, PA	11.5 hours	14 hours	17 hours	1,190 miles
Chicago, IL	13 hours	15.5 hours	18.5 hours	1,380 miles
Boston, MA	14.5 hours	17.5 hours	20.5 hours	1,500 miles
Detroit, MI	13 hours	15.5 hours	18.5 hours	1,370 miles

Times assume no major traffic delays and include brief fuel stops.

Best Interstate Routes

Route	Best For	Key Interstates
East Coast Corridor	Northeast cities	I-95 South through Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia
Appalachian Route	Midwest and Mid-Atlantic	I-75 South through Tennessee, Georgia
Gulf Coast Route	Texas and Deep South	I-10 East through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
Central Route	Chicago and Upper Midwest	I-65 South to I-75 through Alabama, Georgia

The I-95 corridor is the most popular but also the most congested, especially around Washington, DC, and through South Carolina. The I-75 route through Tennessee and Georgia is a strong alternative for drivers from the Midwest.

Florida Destinations and Added Drive Time

Once you cross the Florida border, you still have significant driving ahead depending on your destination.

Destination	From GA/FL Border	Key Route
Jacksonville	0.5 hours	I-95 or I-10
St. Augustine	1 hour	I-95 South
Daytona Beach	2 hours	I-95 South
Orlando / Disney World	3 hours	I-75 to Florida's Turnpike
Tampa / St. Petersburg	4 hours	I-75 South
Sarasota	4.5 hours	I-75 South
Fort Lauderdale	5 hours	I-95 South or Florida's Turnpike
Miami	5.5 hours	I-95 South or Florida's Turnpike
Key West	8.5 hours	US-1 South through the Keys

Tips for Driving to Florida

• Avoid I-95 through Virginia on weekends and holidays. Traffic near Richmond, VA and the I-95/I-4 interchange in Orlando can add 1–3 hours.
• Use SunPass or E-ZPass. Florida's Turnpike and many Florida toll roads are cashless. Pre-load a SunPass or confirm your E-ZPass works in Florida.
• Fuel up before the Florida Turnpike. Gas stations along the turnpike are spaced far apart and more expensive.
• Plan for weather. Summer afternoon thunderstorms in Florida are nearly daily and can reduce visibility.
• Drive overnight or early morning. Leaving at 4–5 AM helps you clear congested metro areas before rush hour.
• Split long drives into two days. For trips over 12 hours, stop overnight in Fayetteville, NC, Savannah, GA, or Chattanooga, TN.