Hialeah Gardens to Tampa is 267 miles and takes about 4 hours 51 minutes via I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Florida, connecting two major metropolitan areas. You'll spend almost all your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. Given the relatively short duration, it's an ideal route for a single-day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
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
133.6 miles from Hialeah Gardens, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
253.5 mi
4h 32m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
Palmetto Expressway
1.2 mi
1m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Northwest 103rd Street
0.1 mi
<1m
West 20th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 32m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 142 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,881 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,531
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.7×
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 Hialeah Gardens, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on this road
523 ft·41 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto SR 932
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northwest 103rd Street
3
Turn left onto West 20th Avenue
424 ft·9 sec·West 20th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward SR 826 North
5
Merge onto SR 826
1.2 mi·1 min·Palmetto Expressway
6
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: NaplesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
16 mi·16 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
238 mi·4 hr 15 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour 51-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic congestion leaving the Hialeah Gardens area. With a total distance of 267 miles, there's no real need to split this drive, but you'll want to plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town is over 250 miles. The $42 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but check current prices before you go.
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 133.6 miles from Hialeah Gardens, FL, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 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 59 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.6 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 57m
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 Hialeah Gardens, 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 Hialeah Gardens, FL
This is one driving day of about 267.2 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Hialeah Gardens, 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 253.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 266.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|West 20th Avenue
Turn left onto West 20th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Naples
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Naples
8
18.7 mi into trip|~22m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
8
256.4 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
266.6 mi into trip|~4h 49m 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
$40.45 one way
$80.90 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$44.38
$88.77
premium
$4.55
$47.86
$95.73
diesel
$4.80
$50.45
$100.90
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: 93.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.2
0
$28.06
$12.83
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.38
$10.69
EV Truck/SUV
106.9
1
$37.41
$17.10
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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
Hialeah Gardens, FL
Late night
in Hialeah Gardens on Monday
Local time
3:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
S 3 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 Monday
Local time
3:39 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
3 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 51m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 230.4
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 98% of the route on limited-access roads. You'll encounter 253.5 miles on I 75, which is the longest continuous stretch. Expect a lot of exits and highway merging as you navigate between the two Florida cities. The final few miles will transition to surface streets as you reach Tampa.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West 20th Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 267.2 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 0.2 miles (West 20th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
47 ft8 ft
Total Climb
72 ft
Total Descent
65 ft
Highest Point
47 ft
~248.1 mi in
Elevation Range
40 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hialeah Gardens, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 267.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m 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 253.5 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 0.2 miles (West 20th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
