Dania Beach to Tampa is 262.9 miles and takes about 4 hours 48 minutes via I-75, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Florida, making it a straightforward journey between two points in the Sunshine State. With a 98% highway share, expect a consistent pace for most of the trip. This route is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency and covering distance smoothly. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits.
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
131.4 miles from Dania Beach, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
236 mi
4h 13m
Port Everglades Expressway
11.8 mi
13m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
I 95
1.5 mi
1m
Stirling Road
1.1 mi
2m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
South Federal Highway
0.2 mi
<1m
West Dania Beach Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 236 mi, about 4h 13m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 55 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 Dania Beach, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on West Dania Beach Boulevard
86 ft·7 sec·West Dania Beach Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 1
0.2 mi·35 sec·South Federal Highway
3
Turn right onto SR 848
1.1 mi·2 min·Stirling Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm BeachUse the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 95
1.5 mi·1 min·I 95
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 24Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 595
1.7 mi·2 min·Port Everglades Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
236 mi·4 hr 13 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
15
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 48-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Dania Beach will allow ample time to reach Tampa before evening. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops, but consider breaking it up around the halfway point to stay fresh. The longest stretch without a major highway change is 236 miles on I-75, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before you get too deep into that section. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Tampa area, as congestion can sometimes impact arrival times.
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 131.4 miles from Dania Beach, FL, or about 2h 25m 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 58 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.4 miles or 2h 25m 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 55m
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 Dania 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 Dania Beach, FL
This is one driving day of about 262.9 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Dania 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 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 262.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
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 24
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-...
7
3.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
6
6 mi into trip|~9m in|I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
252.1 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
262.3 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
$39.80 one way
$79.59 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$43.67
$87.34
premium
$4.55
$47.09
$94.19
diesel
$4.80
$49.64
$99.28
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.60
$12.62
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.81
$16.83
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Dania Beach, FL
Late night
in Dania Beach on Sunday
Local time
3:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph6% 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
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
3:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 mph7% 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
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
4 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 48m 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
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-75, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 236 miles. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience for most of the journey. The primary roads include Port Everglades Expressway, I-75, and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, indicating a predominantly interstate experience designed for efficient travel.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
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 11 significant decision points across 262.9 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 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 262.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 595 / Port Everglades Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
