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Trip from Fort Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

146.3 mi

235 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 0m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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county seat of St. Lucie County, Florida, United States

Fort Pierce, FL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Florida, United States

Tampa, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast, this 152.9-mile journey across Florida takes roughly 2 hours and 42 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Highway 1, Orange Avenue, and I-95 North to make the crossing. Budgeting about $25 for fuel covers the trip comfortably, allowing you to focus on the transition between the state's two distinct coastal regions. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it a practical choice for your travel itinerary.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.2 miles from Fort Pierce, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FL 60 115.7 mi 2h 28m
I 95 15 mi 16m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway 5.2 mi 6m
Orange Avenue 3.9 mi 8m
East Adamo Drive 2.1 mi 3m
Main Street 1.7 mi 3m
Flamingo Drive 0.5 mi <1m
East Kennedy Boulevard 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: FL 60 — 115.7 mi, about 2h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Pierce, FL and Tampa, FL.

1

Start on this road

85 ft · 8 sec · this road
2

Turn uturn onto US 1

254 ft · 18 sec · US Highway 1
3

Turn left onto FL 68

3.9 mi · 8 min · Orange Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 95 North: Daytona Beach
5

Merge onto I 95

15 mi · 16 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 147 Toward FL 60: Vero Beach, Lake Wales Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward FL 60 West: Lake Wales
8

Turn left onto FL 60

21 mi · 25 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
9

Continue on FL 60

64 mi · 1 hr 21 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
10

Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Flamingo Drive
Use the left lane.
11

Continue on Main Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street
12

Turn left onto FL 60

26 mi · 34 min · FL 60
Use the left / straight lanes.
13

Continue on FL 60

4.5 mi · 7 min · FL 60
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14

Turn straight onto FL 60

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Adamo Drive
15

Continue on FL 60

2.1 mi · 3 min · East Adamo Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West
17

Merge onto FL 618 Toll

5.2 mi · 6 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 8 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
20

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 42-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the technical nature of the local roads and keep your energy levels steady. Since fuel costs for the trip hover around $25, topping off before you leave Fort Pierce ensures a stress-free transit. Because this is a turn-heavy route, keep your navigation tools handy and stay alert for frequent direction changes. Utilizing the midday hours can help you avoid the heaviest commuter congestion often found on these local thoroughfares.

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 73.2 miles from Fort Pierce, FL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.7 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 32 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.2 miles or 1h 32m 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 34m

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 Fort Pierce, 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 Fort Pierce, FL

This is one driving day of about 146.3 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Fort Pierce, 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 FL 60 for about 115.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bartow, FL

73 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Sebastian, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Wales, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.2 miles from Fort Pierce, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before FL 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 146.3

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1 mi

DI Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tampa, Florida

1.4 mi

Retro House Coffee Bar & Asian Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18138125025

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - West Tampa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Elevation Coffee Heights

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

DI Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18139155998

Visit website

22nd Street Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18133040373

Visit website

The Lab Coffee - Heights

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18138436588

Visit website

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.1

Lake Wales, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18632968827

Visit website

Coffee Uniting People - CUP

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18134001110

Visit website

Kubana Kafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18134343262

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 104.5

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 104.5

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 41.8

Okeechobee, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Magic Carpet Glide

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18136379797

Visit website

Perry Harvey Sr. Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18132748615

Visit website

The Florida Aquarium

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18132734000

Visit website

Iconic Tampa Bay

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18132183498

Visit website

Old Fort Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fort Pierce, Florida

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+17724673000

Visit website

Epps Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 146.3

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18132745161

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 145.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 1 / US Highway 1

Turn uturn onto US 1 / US Highway 1

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
4.5 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
19.5 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward FL 60: Vero Beach, Lake Wales

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 147 Toward FL 60: Vero Beach, Lake Wales
6
19.8 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward FL 60 West: Lake Wales

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward FL 60 West: Lake Wales
8
145.7 mi into trip | ~3h 10m 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

$23.29 one way

$46.57 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $25.33 $50.66
premium $4.72 $27.20 $54.41
diesel $5.61 $32.30 $64.60

Estimated Tolls: $0.52

Selmon Expressway (5.2 mi) $0.52

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

$23

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.9 0 $15.36 $7.02
Efficient EV 36.6 0 $12.80 $5.85
EV Truck/SUV 58.5 0 $20.48 $9.36

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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

Fort Pierce, FL

Afternoon in Fort Pierce on Sunday

Local time

4:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tampa, FL

Afternoon in Tampa on Sunday

Local time

4:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°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

1 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

3h 12m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't find yourself locked into long, high-speed interstate stretches; instead, the route demands more focus as you navigate local roads. With the longest stretch on Highway 1 measuring 0 miles, the path is defined by frequent turns and transitions. This profile creates a more engaging, hands-on driving experience compared to typical highway travel. Be prepared for a varied pace as you weave through the local infrastructure connecting Fort Pierce to Tampa.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.7 mi on FL 60.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 1 / US Highway 1.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 146.3 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: near the start (US 1 / US Highway 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 4.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

138 ft 15 ft

Total Climb

149 ft

Total Descent

150 ft

Highest Point

138 ft

~83.6 mi in

Elevation Range

123 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Fort Pierce, FL to Tampa, FL, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Wales along the way.

Lake Wales

19.5 mi in | ~25m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 146.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 115.7 miles on FL 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.52 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.

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: near the start (US 1 / US Highway 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 4.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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