Cooper City to Tampa is 256 miles and takes about 4h 42m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, taking you from the southeastern part of the state up to the central west coast. Given its short duration and mostly highway profile, this is a straightforward trip. It's a practical option for getting between these two points without much fuss.
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
128 miles from Cooper City, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
236 mi
4h 13m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
Port Everglades Expressway
3.3 mi
3m
Nob Hill Road
1.7 mi
2m
SR 84
1.4 mi
2m
South Nob Hill Road
1.3 mi
2m
Griffin Road
0.6 mi
1m
Southwest 90th Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 236 mi, about 4h 13m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,230 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,836
Quietest
2 AM
~227 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
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 Cooper City, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on this road
103 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Southwest 51st Street
474 ft·28 sec·Southwest 51st Street
3
Turn left onto Southwest 90th Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Southwest 90th Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto SR 818
0.6 mi·1 min·Griffin Road
5
Turn right onto Southwest 100th Avenue
210 ft·6 sec·Southwest 100th Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Nob Hill Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Nob Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on South Nob Hill Road
1.3 mi·2 min·South Nob Hill Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto SR 84
0.7 mi·1 min·SR 84
Use the left lane.
9
Turn slight left onto SR 84
0.8 mi·1 min·SR 84
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 595 WestUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 595
3.3 mi·3 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 75
236 mi·4 hr 13 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 256Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of TampaUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
17
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 42m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Cooper City to avoid potential traffic delays. With only 256 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, and you'll only need one stop for fuel or a quick break. The estimated fuel cost is around $40, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you get closer to Tampa, as service areas can sometimes be spaced out on I 75.
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 128 miles from Cooper City, FL, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236 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 56 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128 miles or 2h 23m 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 51m
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 Cooper City, 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 Cooper City, FL
This is one driving day of about 256 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Cooper City, 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 236 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 255.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|Southwest 100th Avenue
Turn right onto Southwest 100th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in|SR 84
Turn left onto SR 84
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 595 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 595 West
8
245.2 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 256
Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West...
8
255.4 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - Eas...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.75 one way
$77.51 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$42.52
$85.04
premium
$4.55
$45.86
$91.72
diesel
$4.80
$48.34
$96.68
Estimated Tolls: $0.78
Selmon Expressway
(7.8 mi)$0.78
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.8
0
$26.88
$12.29
Efficient EV
64
0
$22.40
$10.24
EV Truck/SUV
102.4
1
$35.84
$16.38
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cooper City, FL
Late night
in Cooper City on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 3 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:12AM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night
in Tampa on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:12AM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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 42m 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.
De Soto National Memorial
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 220.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 97% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for almost the entire 256 miles. You'll spend the longest stretch, 236 miles, on I 75. The transition to surface roads will occur only in the final miles as you approach Tampa, likely involving exits from the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. Expect a fairly continuous cruising experience with frequent exits along I 75.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Southwest 100th Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 256 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (Southwest 100th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (SR 84): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 256 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.78 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 15 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (Southwest 100th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (SR 84): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
