Lauderdale-by-the-Sea to Tampa is 236.6 miles and takes about 4h 52m via Florida's Turnpike and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Florida for its entirety, transitioning from the southeastern coast to the west coast. It's a predominantly highway-focused journey, designed for efficiency and covering ground quickly. Given its manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to book overnight accommodations.
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
118.3 miles from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
125.2 mi
2h 16m
FL 60
91.1 mi
1h 59m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
5.2 mi
6m
Commercial Boulevard
2.3 mi
5m
East Adamo Drive
2.1 mi
3m
Main Street
1.7 mi
3m
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
I 95
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.2 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on SR A1A
0.2 mi·26 sec·Ocean Drive
2
Turn right onto SR 870
2.3 mi·5 min·Commercial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto SR 811
1.0 mi·2 min·North Dixie Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto Northeast 62nd Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Northeast 62nd Street
5
Continue on Cypress Creek Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Cypress Creek Road
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward I 95 North: West Palm Beach
7
Merge onto I 95
1.2 mi·1 min·I 95
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 36Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard WestUse the left / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto SR 814
0.4 mi·44 sec·West Atlantic Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto North Andrews Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Andrews Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto Northwest 16th Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·Northwest 16th Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.3 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike: Miami, Orlando
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
16
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi·2 hr 16 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 193Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
18
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft·6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto FL 60
61 mi·1 hr 17 min·FL 60
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive
0.5 mi·53 sec·Flamingo Drive
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
22
Turn left onto FL 60
26 mi·34 min·FL 60
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on FL 60
4.5 mi·7 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Turn straight onto FL 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·Adamo Drive
25
Continue on FL 60
2.1 mi·3 min·East Adamo Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West
27
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
5.2 mi·6 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
30
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
For this 4h 52m drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon congestion. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, it’s wise to fill up before you leave Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The longest stretch is 125.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so plan your rest stops accordingly. While there's only one recommended stop, you might want to break up the drive into two shorter segments if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The flexibility of this single-day route means you can adjust your timing based on your preferences.
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 118.3 miles from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.2 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.3 miles or 2h 17m 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 52m
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 Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, 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 Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL
This is one driving day of about 236.6 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, 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 Florida's Turnpike for about 125.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 236 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.5 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 36
8
5.8 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 814 West: Atlantic Boulevard West
6
8.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
6
134 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
236 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
$37.66 one way
$75.32 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$40.97
$81.93
premium
$4.72
$43.99
$87.99
diesel
$5.61
$52.24
$104.48
Estimated Tolls: $9.28
Florida's Turnpike
(125.2 mi)$8.76
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
$38
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71
0
$24.84
$11.36
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.70
$9.46
EV Truck/SUV
94.6
1
$33.12
$15.14
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 16, 2026
Origin
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL
Morning
in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Morning
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Eagle Lake, FL
118 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
2 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 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this 236.6-mile trip, with 94% of the journey on major roads like Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 125.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. The primary roads are well-maintained and designed for steady travel, meaning you won't encounter many winding local roads or frequent traffic lights. This profile suggests a drive where you can settle in and cover significant distance efficiently.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.2 mi on Florida's Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Florida's Turnpike and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 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 21 significant decision points across 236.6 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 236.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m 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 125.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.28 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
