Blountstown to Tampa is 325.8 miles and takes about 6h 3m via I-75, I-10, and FL-12, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, transitioning from the Panhandle region down to the central part of the state. With 97% highway driving, expect a fairly direct trip. This route is a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward drive to get you from point A to point B 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
162.9 miles from Blountstown, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
160.5 mi
2h 52m
I 10
121.5 mi
2h 10m
FL 12
18.1 mi
24m
I 275
15.9 mi
19m
West Central Avenue
4.6 mi
7m
Greensboro Highway
2.2 mi
3m
Selman Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Orange Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 160.5 mi, about 2h 52m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,749 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,687
Quietest
2 AM
~355 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Blountstown, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on FL 20
4.6 mi·7 min·West Central Avenue
2
Turn left onto FL 12
18 mi·24 min·FL 12
3
Turn right onto FL 12; CR 270
0.6 mi·1 min·Selman Street
4
Continue on FL 12
2.2 mi·3 min·Greensboro Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
6
Merge onto I 10
121 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·37 sec
Exit 296AToward I-75 South: Tampa
8
Merge onto I 75
161 mi·2 hr 52 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 275
16 mi·19 min·I 275
Exit 274Toward I 275 South: Tampa, Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 45AToward Downtown East-WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
251 ft·6 sec
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Downtown East, Jefferson StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on North Orange Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·North Orange Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn straight onto Pierce Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·Pierce Street
15
Turn right onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.3 mi·45 sec·East Kennedy Boulevard
16
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, leaving Blountstown in the morning is ideal to arrive in Tampa with daylight to spare. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a major town is over 160 miles on I-75, so ensure you have enough fuel before entering that segment. The $51 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in departure time.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.9 miles from Blountstown, FL, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.5 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 72 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.9 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 56m
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 Blountstown, 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 Blountstown, FL
This is one driving day of about 325.8 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Blountstown, 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 160.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 26 and 324.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26 mi into trip|~37m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
147.5 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Take the exit toward I-75 South: Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 296A
Toward I-75 South: Tampa
9
308.4 mi into trip|~5h 40m 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
324.3 mi into trip|~5h 59m 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
324.8 mi into trip|~6h 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
$49.32 one way
$98.64 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$54.12
$108.23
premium
$4.55
$58.36
$116.72
diesel
$4.80
$61.52
$123.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.7
1
$34.21
$15.64
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.51
$13.03
EV Truck/SUV
130.3
1
$45.61
$20.85
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Blountstown, FL
Morning
in Blountstown on Sunday
Local time
11:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 5 to 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Destination
Tampa, FL
Afternoon
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 to 8 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:50AM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
6h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway drive, with 97% of the 325.8 miles on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch at 160.5 miles along I-75. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits as you approach and move through populated areas. The route is mostly flat, so no significant elevation changes to worry about.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160.5 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 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26 miles in near I 10.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 325.8 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 26 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 308.4 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
262 ft15 ft
Total Climb
348 ft
Total Descent
392 ft
Highest Point
262 ft
~23.3 mi in
Elevation Range
247 ft
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 Blountstown, FL to Tampa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Petersburg along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 325.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 160.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 26 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 308.4 miles (I 275): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tampa, FL before the return drive.
