Hollywood, FL to Safety Harbor, FL is 268 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Florida, beginning in the southern part of the state and heading northwest. With 86% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward trip with minimal local road navigation. The recommended single day for this drive means you can get on the road and reach your destination without needing an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick transit.
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
134 miles from Hollywood, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
209.2 mi
3h 44m
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
23.3 mi
27m
Port Everglades Expressway
11.8 mi
13m
I 275
5.7 mi
7m
I 95
4.1 mi
4m
Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge
3.7 mi
4m
McMullen Booth Road
1.8 mi
2m
Roosevelt Boulevard North
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 209.2 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,831 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,554
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Hollywood, FL and Safety Harbor, FL.
1
Start on SR 820
216 ft·12 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on SR 820
0.8 mi·1 min·Hollywood Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 820
0.4 mi·38 sec·Hollywood Boulevard
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm BeachUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 95
4.1 mi·4 min·I 95
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 24Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 595
1.7 mi·2 min·Port Everglades Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
209 mi·3 hr 44 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 275
5.7 mi·7 min·I 275
Exit 228Toward I 275 North: Saint PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
13
Merge onto I 275; US 19
23 mi·27 min·Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 30Toward FL 686: Largo
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward FL 686 West, CR 296: Roosevelt Boulevard, 118th Avenue NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·27 sec
Toward 686 NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Turn straight onto FL 686
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard North
18
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 686
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard North
19
Turn straight onto FL 686; FL 688
0.6 mi·1 min·Ulmerton Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn slight right onto FL 686
0.6 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard
Toward Roosevelt Boulevard, St. Petersburg–Clearwater International AirportUse the right lane.
21
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
22
Merge onto FL 686A Toll
0.6 mi·48 sec·Gateway Expressway
23
Turn straight onto FL 686
473 ft·10 sec·Roosevelt Boulevard
24
Turn slight right
243 ft·8 sec
Toward CR 611 North: Bayside Bridge, ClearwaterUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
26
Merge onto CR 611
3.7 mi·4 min·Dillinger McCabe Bayside Bridge
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on CR 611
1.8 mi·2 min·McMullen Booth Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto CR 576
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Arrive at destination
FL 590
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 59-minute drive, consider leaving Hollywood, FL in the morning to avoid the worst of South Florida traffic. Since this route is designed for a single day, you have flexibility in your departure time and can stop as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 200 miles on I 75. The estimated fuel cost is around $41, so plan accordingly. Enjoy the ease of a primarily highway route with only one recommended stop.
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 134 miles from Hollywood, FL, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.2 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 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 27m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Safety Harbor, FL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hollywood, 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 Hollywood, FL
This is one driving day of about 268 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Hollywood, 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 209.2 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 257.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
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 24
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-...
7
5.8 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
7
227.6 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|I 275
Take the exit onto I 275 toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward I 275 North: Saint Petersburg
8
257.2 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward FL 686 West, CR 296: Roosevelt Boulevard, 118th Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FL 686 West, CR 296: Roosevelt Boulevard...
7
257.6 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 686 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward 686 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.09 one way
$86.18 round trip
$4.08/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.44
$46.87
$93.74
premium
$4.78
$50.41
$100.83
diesel
$6.18
$65.20
$130.39
Estimated Tolls: $1.63
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(23.3 mi)$1.63
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
$43
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.14
$12.86
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.45
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.52
$17.15
Gas CO2
94 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Hollywood, FL
Morning
in Hollywood on Sunday
Local time
7:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 1 to 5 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:40AM EDT until October 20 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:10AM EDT until October 18 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Safety Harbor, FL
Morning
in Safety Harbor on Sunday
Local time
7:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 to 16 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:40AM EDT until October 20 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:10AM EDT until October 18 at 2:00AM 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
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 59m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 86% of the 268 miles on major roads like I 75 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed expressways, with the longest continuous stretch on I 75 measuring 209.2 miles. Expect a high concentration of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach and depart major population centers within Florida.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 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 24 significant decision points across 268 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 227.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Hollywood is a city in Florida, located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. With a population of 153,000 people (2022), Hollywood is a relatively small city that retains an old, laid-back, Florida feel to it compared to the larger cities in the area.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Boulevard Historic Business District — human settlement in Hollywood, Florida, United States of America
•Hollywood Garden Club — clubhouse in Hollywood, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 268 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.63 in tolls one way, starting with Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 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 Safety Harbor, 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 227.6 miles (I 275): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Safety Harbor, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
