This 290.3-mile drive from Eastpoint, FL to Tampa, FL is a solid one-day trip, taking approximately 6 hours and 14 minutes. You'll be spending a good portion of your time on highways, with 76% of the route utilizing them, making it a highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $46. This route is a straightforward option for travelers looking to get from one part of Florida to another efficiently, with a single recommended stop along the way. It's a practical choice if you're aiming to cover ground without extensive detours.
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
145.1 miles from Eastpoint, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Eastpoint, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Patton Drive
150 ft·4 sec·Patton Drive
2
Turn slight right onto US 98; US 319
36 mi·53 min·US 98; US 319
3
Continue on US 319
6.6 mi·9 min·Sopchoppy Highway
4
Turn left onto US 98; US 319
54 mi·1 hr 10 min·Coastal Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate; US 221 Truck
58 mi·1 hr 14 min·Byron Butler Parkway
6
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.
7
Turn left onto FL 44
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 5th Street
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on FL 44
4.7 mi·7 min·Gulf to Lake Highway
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward FL 589 Toll: Suncoast Parkway
10
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
54 mi·58 min·Suncoast Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.6 mi·1 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 589 Toll
3.9 mi·4 min·Veterans Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 589 Toll
5.3 mi·6 min·FL 589 Toll Express Lane
14
Merge onto FL 589 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Veterans Expressway
Toward Tampa:St. PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on FL 60
0.2 mi·13 sec·Memorial Highway
Toward FL 60: Tampa, St. Petersburg
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 275 North: TampaUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 275
4.2 mi·5 min·I 275
Toward I 275: TampaUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
386 ft·9 sec
Exit 44Toward Downtown East, Downtown WestUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Downtown West, Ashley Drive, Tampa StreetUse the slight right lane.
21
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.
22
Turn slight right onto US 41 Business
0.2 mi·54 sec·North Tampa Street
23
Turn left onto East Twiggs Street
282 ft·12 sec·East Twiggs Street
24
Turn right onto North Franklin Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Franklin Street
25
Turn right onto FL 60
174 ft·4 sec·East Kennedy Boulevard
26
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 14-minute duration, starting your 290.3-mile journey from Eastpoint, FL early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one suggested stop, you can plan to refuel and stretch your legs midway. The estimated fuel cost of $46 is a good budget to keep in mind. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 58.3 miles on Byron Butler Parkway; ensure you're fueled up before entering this segment to avoid any potential delays. This route is manageable in a single day, offering a straightforward path to Tampa.
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 145.1 miles from Eastpoint, FL, or about 3h 14m 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 64 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.1 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
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 Eastpoint, 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 Eastpoint, FL
This is one driving day of about 290.3 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Eastpoint, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 155.7 and 289.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
155.7 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
283.6 mi into trip|~6h 3m 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
289.4 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
289.5 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
289.7 mi into trip|~6h 12m 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
$46.21 one way
$92.42 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$50.27
$100.53
premium
$4.72
$53.98
$107.96
diesel
$5.61
$64.09
$128.19
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
$46
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.1
1
$30.48
$13.93
Efficient EV
72.6
0
$25.40
$11.61
EV Truck/SUV
116.1
1
$40.64
$18.58
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Eastpoint, FL
Morning
in Eastpoint on Tuesday
Local time
8:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Morning
in Tampa on Tuesday
Local time
8:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live 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
15 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
6h 14m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 76% of the 290.3 miles on faster roads. You'll encounter Byron Butler Parkway, US 19, and Coastal Highway as your main arteries. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is a 58.3-mile segment on Byron Butler Parkway, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway, the route is designed to move you efficiently through Florida, rather than offering constant scenic vistas. It's a drive built for covering distance with fewer interruptions.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 155.7 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 19 significant decision points across 290.3 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 155.7 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283.6 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.4 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 6h 14m. Total distance: 290.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 155.7 miles (US 19; US 98; US 27 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283.6 miles (FL 60 / Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.4 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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.
