Origin
Alachua, FL
Late night in Alachua on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alachua, FL to Tampa, FL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
140.3 mi
226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alachua, FL
Larry Milligan
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 140.3-mile drive from Alachua, Florida, to Tampa, Florida, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with 89% of the journey on interstates like I-75 and I-275. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this is a budget-friendly excursion. The overall feel is a straightforward highway-focused drive, connecting two points within Florida. You'll find it a practical option for a quick transition between these locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.2 miles from Alachua, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 108.5 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 275 | 15.9 mi | 19m |
| Northwest 43rd Street | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| Southwest 34th Street | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| ML King Memorial Highway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 16th Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 34th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Palmetto Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 108.5 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alachua, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Palmetto Boulevard
461 ft
·
22 sec
·
Palmetto Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Northwest 105th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 105th Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto Creek Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Creek Drive
4
Turn right onto Palmetto Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Palmetto Boulevard
5
Turn left onto Turkey Creek Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Turkey Creek Boulevard
6
Turn right onto US 441
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
ML King Memorial Highway
7
Turn right onto Northwest 43rd Street
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Northwest 43rd Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 16th Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto FL 121
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 34th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on FL 121
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Southwest 34th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto FL 121
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Southwest Williston Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 75 South: Tampa
13
Merge onto I 75
109 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
16 mi
·
19 min
·
I 275
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 45A
Toward Downtown East-West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
251 ft
·
6 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on North Orange Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Orange Avenue
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn straight onto Pierce Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Pierce Street
20
Turn right onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
21
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this drive from Alachua to Tampa is perfectly suited for a single day. You can depart at your convenience, but an early morning start will help you avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Tampa. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $22, you have flexibility in pacing. Pay attention to the transition onto I-275 as you get closer to Tampa, as this can be a busy section. Consider a brief rest stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs before the final push.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.2 miles from Alachua, FL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.5 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 31 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.2 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tampa, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alachua, 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 Alachua, FL
This is one driving day of about 140.3 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Alachua, 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 108.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.2 miles from Alachua, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.5 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 139.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northwest 105th Avenue
Turn right onto Northwest 105th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
Northwest 43rd Street
Turn right onto Northwest 43rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
122.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
I 275
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275 toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint Petersburg
7
138.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward Downtown East-West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45A
Toward Downtown East-West
9
139.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown East, Jefferson Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.33 one way
$44.66 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $24.29 | $48.59 |
| premium | $4.72 | $26.09 | $52.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.98 | $61.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.73 | $6.73 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.28 | $5.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.64 | $8.98 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
9 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
2h 47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 140.3-mile trip, with 89% of the drive on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 108.5 miles along I-75, meaning you'll spend a good portion of time on this high-speed corridor. While the route is predominantly interstate, a portion of Northwest 43rd Street is included, offering a slight variation before merging onto the main highways. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic detours.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Northwest 105th Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 140.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Northwest 105th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (Northwest 43rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.9 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Alachua, FL to Tampa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Saint Petersburg
122.9 mi in
|
~2h 25m
|
via I 275
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 140.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Tampa, 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 0.1 miles (Northwest 105th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (Northwest 43rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.9 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tampa, FL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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