10202
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Atlantic Beach, FL to Tampa, FL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
228.6 mi
368 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Atlantic Beach, FL
Brent Singleton
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Atlantic Beach, FL to Tampa, FL is 228.6 miles and takes about 4h 26m via I 95 and I 4, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, heading south from the Atlantic coast toward the Gulf. Given the relatively short distance and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll likely find it's a practical choice for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking to get to Tampa efficiently.
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
114.3 miles from Atlantic Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 128.4 mi | 2h 25m |
| I 95 | 69.9 mi | 1h 15m |
| East Beltway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Atlantic Boulevard | 7.4 mi | 12m |
| FL 9B | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Seminole Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 128.4 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-4
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,445 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~530 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic Beach, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on 9th Street
94 ft
·
6 sec
·
9th Street
2
Turn right onto East Coast Drive
297 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Coast Drive
3
Turn right onto Plaza Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Plaza Street
4
Turn slight left onto Seminole Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Seminole Road
5
Turn right onto SR A1A; FL 10
7.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Atlantic Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 295 South
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 295
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 295
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
East Beltway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 9B
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
FL 9B
Exit 58
Toward I 795 South: Saint Augustine
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4B
Toward I 95 South: Daytona Beach
11
Merge onto I 95
70 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 260C-B-A
Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on this road
513 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
Exit 260 C B A
Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 4, FL 400: Orlando, South Daytona
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 260B
Toward I 4 West: Orlando
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 4
37 mi
·
40 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
10 mi
·
13 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
20
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
21
Merge onto I 4
81 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 2
Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
25
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
28
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays, especially as you approach Tampa. With a total drive time under 5 hours and only one recommended stop, this route is easily manageable in a single day. The estimated fuel cost of $36 is based on the 228.6 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 128.4-mile stretch on I 4 where services might be less frequent. Planning your refueling before this long segment will ensure a smooth continuation of your trip.
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 114.3 miles from Atlantic Beach, FL, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.4 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 50 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.3 miles or 2h 13m 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 38m
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 Atlantic Beach, 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 Atlantic Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 228.6 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Atlantic Beach, 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 4 for about 128.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.3 miles from Atlantic Beach, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 4 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
10201
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Saint Johns County Rest Area I-95 Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Saint Johns County Rest Area I-95 Northbound
0.1 mi from route
50222
0.1 mi from route
I-4 Eastbound weighing station
0.1 mi from route
50221
0.1 mi from route
20331
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
I-4 Westbound weighing station
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
20332
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 17.8 and 225.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.8 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
FL 9B
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 9B toward I 795 South: Saint Augustine
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 58
Toward I 795 South: Saint Augustine
8
93.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway
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 260C-B-A
Toward I 4, US 92, FL 400: Daytona Beach, Orlan...
8
95.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 4 West: Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 260B
Toward I 4 West: Orlando
8
225.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 2
Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon...
8
225.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.61 one way
$69.21 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $37.97 | $75.94 |
| premium | $4.55 | $40.95 | $81.90 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.16 | $86.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Selmon Expressway
(1.5 mi)
$0.15
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.00 | $10.97 |
| Efficient EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.00 | $9.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.4 | 1 | $32.00 | $14.63 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Atlantic Beach, FL
Late night in Atlantic Beach on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
SE 10 to 15 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night in Tampa on Monday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
44% 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 26m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protect...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 55.2
View on nps.gov
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
National Monument
Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United Stat...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$15
near mile 39.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the trip on major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 4, including a stretch of 128.4 miles that is uninterrupted by major changes in road type. Expect a consistent cruising experience until you reach the denser exit patterns closer to Tampa. The highway profile means you'll encounter a steady flow of traffic for most of the 4h 26m duration.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.4 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.8 miles in near FL 9B.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 228.6 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 17.8 miles (FL 9B): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
214 ft
9 ft
Total Climb
252 ft
Total Descent
245 ft
Highest Point
214 ft
~195.9 mi in
Elevation Range
205 ft
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.
Between Atlantic Beach, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Orlando, International Airport, International Speedway and Daytona.
Orlando
93.5 mi in
|
~1h 49m
International Airport
93.5 mi in
|
~1h 49m
International Speedway
93.5 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Daytona
93.9 mi in
|
~1h 49m
About the Cities
Starting in Atlantic Beach, FL
Full guide →Founded 1926
Arriving in Tampa, FL
Full guide →Founded 1823
The city of Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and the largest city on Florida's West Coast.
Top landmarks
- • Busch Gardens Tampa — African-themed animal theme park in Tampa, Florida
- • Union Station — main railway station in Tampa, Florida, United States
- • Falcon's Fury — drop tower attraction located at the Busch Gardens Tampa amusement park
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 26m. Total distance: 228.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.4 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 in tolls one way, starting with Selmon Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 28 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles (FL 9B): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Matanzas National Monument and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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