Traveling from DeLand to Tampa covers approximately 127.6 miles of Florida landscape, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you should budget about $21 for fuel to complete the trip. It is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is manageable without needing an overnight stay. You will traverse local corridors like South Alabama Avenue, East Beresford Avenue, and South Woodland Boulevard to navigate between these two Central Florida hubs. Since this is an entirely local route, expect a more hands-on driving experience than you would find on a major highway.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.9 miles from DeLand, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
110.4 mi
2h 6m
FL 472
2.7 mi
3m
South Woodland Boulevard
2.4 mi
4m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
South Alabama Avenue
1 mi
2m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
East Beresford Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
East New York Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 110.4 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeLand, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on FL 44
0.1 mi·23 sec·East New York Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Alabama Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·South Alabama Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto East Beresford Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Beresford Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 17; US 92
0.1 mi·13 sec·South Woodland Boulevard
5
Enter roundabout onto US 17; US 92
157 ft·2 sec·South Woodland Boulevard
6
Continue on US 17; US 92
2.3 mi·3 min·South Woodland Boulevard
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Continue on FL 472
2.7 mi·3 min·FL 472
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 4 WestUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 4
19 mi·21 min·I 4
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 4
10 mi·13 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 84BToward Ivanhoe BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
15
Merge onto I 4
81 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·59 sec
Exit 2Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway TollUse the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
19
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
22
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since your travel time is just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Because there are no formal stops programmed into this 127.6-mile trek, consider mapping out your own breaks in advance to stay refreshed. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more tiring than a straight highway drive, so plan for at least one pause to stretch your legs. Given the $21 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave DeLand is a smart way to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted run to Tampa. Prioritize staying alert, as the lack of highway miles means you will be navigating intersections and local traffic patterns for the entire duration of the trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.9 miles from DeLand, FL, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.4 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 27 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.9 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
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 DeLand, 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 DeLand, FL
This is one driving day of about 121.9 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from DeLand, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 110.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 121.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 4 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 4 West
7
36.1 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
8
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
119.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
8
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 25m 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
$19.40 one way
$38.81 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$21.11
$42.21
premium
$4.72
$22.67
$45.33
diesel
$5.61
$26.91
$53.83
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
$19
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.6
0
$12.80
$5.85
Efficient EV
30.5
0
$10.67
$4.88
EV Truck/SUV
48.8
0
$17.07
$7.80
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
DeLand, FL
Late night
in DeLand on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Lake Butler, FL
61 mi in
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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging experience behind the wheel, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate a series of local roads that prioritize turns over long, straight corridors, making for a very different feel than a standard interstate commute. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is negligible, as you will be frequently transitioning between South Alabama Avenue and other local thoroughfares. This path demands your full attention, providing a slower, more deliberate pace that winds through the heart of the region. Be prepared for a drive defined by its local character rather than the ease of open-road cruising.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.4 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and FL 472. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 15 significant decision points across 121.9 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 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.5 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 2h 27m. Total distance: 121.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.4 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tampa, FL before heading back.
