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Trip from Highland Beach, 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

4h 34m

Distance

220.9 mi

356 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 21m ★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m

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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Downtown Highland Beach, FL, FL

Highland Beach, FL

Brent Singleton

city in Florida, United States

Tampa, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Highland Beach to Tampa covers approximately 220.9 miles across the Florida peninsula. With a travel time of roughly 4 hours and 34 minutes, this journey is entirely manageable as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You will primarily utilize a combination of I-95, Florida's Turnpike, and FL 60 to navigate between the two coasts. Expect to budget about $37 for fuel to complete the trek. Since the route stays within the state of Florida, the transition is straightforward, moving from the Atlantic coastal environment toward the Gulf side. It is a practical, direct transit for those looking to cross the state efficiently.

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

110.5 miles from Highland Beach, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FL 60 91.1 mi 1h 59m
Florida's Turnpike 76.7 mi 1h 22m
I 95 35.4 mi 40m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway 5.2 mi 6m
South Ocean Boulevard 2.8 mi 6m
East Adamo Drive 2.1 mi 3m
Main Street 1.7 mi 3m
East Linton Boulevard 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: FL 60 — 91.1 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Highland Beach, FL and Tampa, FL.

1

Start on SR A1A

2.8 mi · 6 min · South Ocean Boulevard
2

Turn left onto East Linton Boulevard

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Linton Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
4

Merge onto I 95

35 mi · 40 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 87B Toward FL 706 West: Okeechobee Use the right lane.
6

Turn straight onto FL 706

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Indiantown Road
7

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Use the right lane.
8

Continue on this road

482 ft · 11 sec · this road
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 193 Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
12

Keep slight right at fork

245 ft · 6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto FL 60

61 mi · 1 hr 17 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
14

Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Flamingo Drive
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on Main Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street
16

Turn left onto FL 60

26 mi · 34 min · FL 60
Use the left / straight lanes.
17

Continue on FL 60

4.5 mi · 7 min · FL 60
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Turn straight onto FL 60

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Adamo Drive
19

Continue on FL 60

2.1 mi · 3 min · East Adamo Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
20

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West
21

Merge onto FL 618 Toll

5.2 mi · 6 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 8 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East Use the slight right lane.
23

Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
24

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4 hour and 34 minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the highway. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to leave in the morning or afternoon without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the 91.1-mile stretch on FL 60, as service intervals can feel sparse depending on your exact pace. Aiming to avoid peak commuting hours in the Tampa metro area will help ensure your arrival goes smoothly. Since you are relying heavily on Florida's Turnpike, double-check that your electronic toll pass is ready to avoid any unnecessary delays at toll plazas.

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 110.5 miles from Highland Beach, FL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 49 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 110.5 miles or 2h 7m 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 38m

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 Highland 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 Highland Beach, FL

This is one driving day of about 220.9 miles and 4h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Highland 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 FL 60 for about 91.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Polk County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eagle Lake, FL

110 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.

Popular next leg

Eagle Lake, FL to Tampa, FL

49.3 mi · 1h 2m

Pacing Suggestions

Jupiter, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palm Bay, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 110.5 miles from Highland Beach, 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 91.1 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 220.9

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 220.9

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 220.9

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 220.9

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 220.9

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 220.9

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 220.9

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 220.9

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18138436588

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 220.9

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 220.9

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18134343262

Visit website

Magic Carpet Glide

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 220.9

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 220.9

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 220.9

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 220.9

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18132183498

Visit website

Epps Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 220.9

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18132745161

Visit website

Stuart Heritage Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 63.1

Stuart, Florida

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+17722204600

Visit website

Cox Science Center and Aquarium

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 15.8

West Palm Beach, Florida

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15618321988

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 63.1

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

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 2.8 and 220.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
2.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | East Linton Boulevard

Turn left onto East Linton Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
40.1 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the exit toward FL 706 West: Okeechobee

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 87B Toward FL 706 West: Okeechobee
8
41.2 mi into trip | ~52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
6
118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 193 Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
8
220.4 mi into trip | ~4h 32m 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

$35.16 one way

$70.32 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $38.25 $76.50
premium $4.72 $41.08 $82.15
diesel $5.61 $48.77 $97.54

Estimated Tolls: $5.89

Florida's Turnpike (76.7 mi) $5.37
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

$35

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66.3 0 $23.19 $10.60
Efficient EV 55.2 0 $19.33 $8.84
EV Truck/SUV 88.4 1 $30.93 $14.14

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 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 Apr 12, 2026

Origin

Highland Beach, FL

Morning in Highland Beach on Sunday

Local time

6:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Partly Cloudy

E 25 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 11:13PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 2:48PM EDT until April 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

Destination

Tampa, FL

Morning in Tampa on Sunday

Local time

6:02 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Mostly Clear

ENE 6 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 11:13PM EDT until April 13 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 11 at 2:48PM EDT until April 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Miami FL

62°F

Eagle Lake, FL

110 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

9 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 34m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace as you transition between the interstate and the turnpike. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on FL 60, where you will cover 91.1 miles of road. Because the majority of the route is highway-based, the drive feels utilitarian and fast-moving rather than leisurely. Expect a shift in traffic density as you move from the coastal regions toward the inland highway corridors and eventually into the Tampa area.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on FL 60.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FL 60 and Florida's Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near East Linton Boulevard.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 220.9 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 2.8 miles (East Linton Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

156 ft 6 ft

Total Climb

168 ft

Total Descent

159 ft

Highest Point

156 ft

~184.1 mi in

Elevation Range

150 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Highland Beach, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Orlando and Florida's Turnpike North.

Orlando

41.2 mi in | ~52m

Florida's Turnpike North

41.2 mi in | ~52m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 220.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 34m 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 91.1 miles on FL 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $5.89 in tolls one way, starting with Florida's Turnpike. 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 2.8 miles (East Linton Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 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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