Crawfordville to Tampa is 243.8 miles and takes about 5h 7m via Byron Butler Parkway and US 19, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Florida, connecting a more northern part of the state to the central region. With 76% of the drive on highways, you'll experience a good mix of cruising and surface road travel. Plan for a straightforward drive that's manageable in a single day.
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
121.9 miles from Crawfordville, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Crawfordville, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on US 319
79 ft·5 sec·Crawfordville Highway
2
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Road
8.0 mi·11 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 98
43 mi·55 min·Coastal Highway
4
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 14 min·Byron Butler Parkway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
55 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FL 44
4.7 mi·7 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll: Suncoast Parkway
9
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi·58 min·Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.6 mi·1 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.9 mi·4 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
5.3 mi·6 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
13
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward Tampa:St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on FL 60
0.2 mi·13 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
15
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60
1.4 mi·2 min·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 275 North: TampaUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 275
4.2 mi·5 min·I 275
Toward I 275: TampaUse the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
386 ft·9 sec
Exit 44Toward Downtown East, Downtown WestUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie Arena, Harbour Island, Convention CenterUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Turn slight right onto US 41 Business
0.2 mi·54 sec·North Tampa Street
22
Turn left onto East Twiggs Street
282 ft·12 sec·East Twiggs Street
23
Turn right onto North Franklin Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Franklin Street
24
Turn right onto FL 60
174 ft·4 sec·East Kennedy Boulevard
25
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 7m estimated drive time, departing in the morning is your best bet to arrive with plenty of daylight. Consider a single stop for fuel and a break, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 58.3 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart Crawfordville. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 121.9 miles from Crawfordville, FL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.3 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 54 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.9 miles or 2h 37m 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 13m
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 Crawfordville, 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 Crawfordville, FL
This is one driving day of about 243.8 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Crawfordville, 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 Byron Butler Parkway for about 58.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 109.3 and 243.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
109.3 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
237.2 mi into trip|~4h 56m in|FL 60 / Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 60 / Memorial Highway toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
8
242.9 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward Downtown East, Downtown West
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 44
Toward Downtown East, Downtown West
9
243 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa Stree...
9
243.3 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie Arena, Harbour Island, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Tampa Street, Seaport Aquarium, Amalie A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.91 one way
$73.81 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$40.50
$80.99
premium
$4.55
$43.67
$87.35
diesel
$4.80
$46.03
$92.07
Estimated Tolls: $3.82
Suncoast Parkway
(54.3 mi)$3.26
Veterans Expressway
(6.9 mi)$0.56
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
$37
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.1
0
$25.60
$11.70
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.33
$9.75
EV Truck/SUV
97.5
1
$34.13
$15.60
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Crawfordville, FL
Afternoon
in Crawfordville on Sunday
Local time
1:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 0 to 5 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Afternoon
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
1:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 10 mph67% chanceLive 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
5h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 76% of the 243.8 miles spent on faster roads. Expect a longest stretch of 58.3 miles on Byron Butler Parkway before transitioning to other main roads. You'll notice a shift from more rural cruising to areas with more frequent exits as you approach your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.3 mi on Byron Butler Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Byron Butler Parkway and US 19. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 109.3 miles in near US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 243.8 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 109.3 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.2 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 243.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.3 miles on Byron Butler Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.82 in tolls one way, starting with Suncoast Parkway. 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 109.3 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.2 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
