Honestly, the answer to "how far is Florida" depends entirely on whether you’re talking about the state line or the actual beach where you want to stick your toes in the sand. Florida is deceptively long. You can cross into the state from Georgia and still have a nine-hour drive ahead of you before you hit Miami.
If you’re sitting in a cold office in New York City, Florida is about 1,100 miles away. By plane, you’re looking at roughly three hours in the air. If you’re driving, it’s a marathon. You’re looking at 16 to 19 hours on I-95, depending on how many times you stop for coffee or gas.
I’ve done that drive. It's basically a straight shot south, but the traffic in DC and Richmond can turn a "quick" trip into a nightmare real fast.
How Far Is Florida From Major US Cities?
When people ask this, they’re usually looking for a road trip estimate or a flight time. Let's break down the reality of getting there from the most common starting points.
From the Northeast (New York, Philly, Boston)
If you're coming from New York City, the road distance to Jacksonville—the first major city you hit—is about 935 miles. Most people aim for Orlando or Miami, though.
- NYC to Orlando: Approximately 1,075 miles. That’s a solid two-day drive for most sane humans.
- Boston to Orlando: You’re looking at 1,300 miles. That’s roughly 20-22 hours behind the wheel.
From the Midwest (Chicago, Detroit, Ohio)
The "Midwest to Florida" pipeline is real.
- Chicago to Orlando: It's about 1,150 miles. Most folks take I-65 south through Nashville and Atlanta. It’s roughly an 18-hour drive.
- Ohio to Florida: If you’re leaving from Columbus, you’re about 900 miles from the Florida border. You can usually make it to the northern beaches in about 14 hours.
From the West (California, Texas)
This is where things get gnarly. Driving from the West Coast is a cross-country expedition.
- Los Angeles to Orlando: You are looking at a massive 2,500 miles. That’s 36 to 40 hours of pure driving. Unless you love the desert and endless stretches of I-10, just book the 5-hour flight.
- Houston to Orlando: Much more manageable. It’s about 960 miles and takes roughly 14-15 hours.
The Florida "Length" Trap: Why the Border Is Only the Start
Here is the thing most people get wrong. Crossing the border into Florida does not mean you "arrived."
Florida is shaped like a giant L. If you enter at the top-west corner (Pensacola) and want to get to the bottom (Key West), you still have 830 miles to go.
That is roughly a 13 to 14-hour drive inside the same state. For perspective, you could drive from New York City to South Carolina in that same amount of time.
The geography is a bit of a mind-bender. Jacksonville is significantly further west than most people realize—it’s actually almost directly south of Cleveland, Ohio. Meanwhile, Miami is much further east. If you’re driving down the peninsula, you aren't just going south; you're cutting diagonally across the map.
International Perspectives
If you’re coming from across the pond, the scale is even more striking.
- London to Orlando: This is a 4,400-mile trek over the Atlantic. Direct flights usually take between 9 and 10 hours.
- Toronto to Miami: About 1,500 miles. It’s a very popular winter "snowbird" route that takes about 22 hours to drive or 3.5 hours to fly.
Driving vs. Flying: The Cost of Distance
Is it worth the drive? Kinda depends on your budget and your patience.
A road trip from the Northeast or Midwest typically costs around $400 to $600 in gas and tolls (round trip), plus hotel stays if you aren't a "drive-through-the-night" warrior. With current airline prices, flying can actually be cheaper for a solo traveler or a couple.
However, for a family of four, the math flips. Paying for four plane tickets plus a rental car in Florida (which can be pricey in peak season) often makes the long drive the smarter financial move.
🔗 Read more: Show Me a Map of South America: What You’re Actually Looking For
Traffic Hotspots to Watch
When measuring how far Florida is in terms of time, you have to account for the "Atlanta Factor" or the "I-95 Corridor."
- Atlanta: If you’re coming from the Midwest, you’ll likely pass through Atlanta. Avoid it between 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM unless you want to add two hours to your trip.
- The Keys: If you’re heading to Key West, the last 113 miles (the Overseas Highway) can take forever. It’s a two-lane road. One accident or one slow RV, and you’re crawling at 20 mph.
Actionable Tips for Your Florida Trip
If you’re planning the journey, don’t just trust the "arrival time" on Google Maps. It doesn't account for the human element.
- The "Halfway" Rule: If driving from the Northeast, aim to stop in Florence, South Carolina or Savannah, Georgia. That leaves you with a manageable 5-7 hours the next day.
- Fly into Secondary Airports: Everyone looks at Orlando (MCO) or Miami (MIA). Check Sanford (SFB) for Orlando or Fort Lauderdale (FLL) for Miami. Sometimes the distance from the airport is 30 minutes more, but the flight is $200 cheaper.
- Check the Time Zones: Remember that the Florida Panhandle (west of the Apalachicola River) is in Central Time, while the rest of the state is in Eastern Time. You might "gain" or "lose" an hour depending on where you cross.
- Download Offline Maps: Especially if driving through rural Georgia or the Everglades (Alligator Alley). Cell service can be spotty, and you don't want to miss your turn-off for I-75.
Florida is a massive state that rewards those who plan for its scale. Whether you’re crossing the border from Alabama or flying in from the West Coast, give yourself more time than you think you need. The "Sunshine State" is a long way down, but the first sight of a palm tree usually makes the trip worth it.