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Trip from Limestone Creek, 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 46m

Distance

181.8 mi

293 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 34m ★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 39m

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 Limestone Creek, FL, FL

Limestone Creek, FL

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

city in Florida, United States

Tampa, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 181.8-mile drive from Limestone Creek to Tampa, Florida, is a solid day trip, taking about 3 hours and 46 minutes. You'll spend about 95% of your time on highways, making it a quick and efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $29, so it's quite budget-friendly for a trip of this distance. This route focuses primarily on highway travel, so don't expect a leisurely cruise through small towns. Given the duration and highway-focused nature, it's perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay.

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

90.9 miles from Limestone Creek, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
FL 60 91.1 mi 1h 59m
Florida's Turnpike 76.7 mi 1h 22m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway 5.2 mi 6m
East Adamo Drive 2.1 mi 3m
Main Street 1.7 mi 3m
West Indiantown Road 1.1 mi 1m
Flamingo Drive 0.5 mi <1m
Limestone Creek Road 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: FL 60 — 91.1 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Limestone Creek, FL and Tampa, FL.

1

Start on this road

321 ft · 21 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Limestone Creek Road

420 ft · 19 sec · Limestone Creek Road
3

Continue on Limestone Creek Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Limestone Creek Road
4

At end of road, turn left onto Island Way

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Island Way
5

Turn right onto FL 706

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Indiantown Road
6

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on this road

482 ft · 11 sec · this road
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto Florida's Turnpike

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 193 Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
11

Keep slight right at fork

245 ft · 6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto FL 60

61 mi · 1 hr 17 min · FL 60
Use the left lane.
13

Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Flamingo Drive
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on Main Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Street
15

Turn left onto FL 60

26 mi · 34 min · FL 60
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Continue on FL 60

4.5 mi · 7 min · FL 60
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17

Turn straight onto FL 60

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Adamo Drive
18

Continue on FL 60

2.1 mi · 3 min · East Adamo Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
19

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West
20

Merge onto FL 618 Toll

5.2 mi · 6 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 8 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
23

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 46-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and potentially avoid some traffic, especially as you approach Tampa. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $29, you can be quite flexible with your pacing. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 91 miles, so ensure you have plenty of fuel before setting off on that segment. Since this is a straightforward highway trip, staying alert for traffic changes, particularly on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway as you near your destination, will be key.

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 90.9 miles from Limestone Creek, FL, or about 1h 44m 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 40 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 90.9 miles or 1h 44m 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

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 Limestone Creek, 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 Limestone Creek, FL

This is one driving day of about 181.8 miles and 3h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Limestone Creek, 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

91 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

Fort Pierce, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Frostproof, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 90.9 miles from Limestone Creek, 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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18134001110

Visit website

Lake Wales Latte Lounge Coffee and Bookshop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.9

Lake Wales, Florida

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18632968827

Visit website

Kubana Kafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 181.8

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18134343262

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 142.9

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 142.9

Bartow, Florida

Hours: Open 24 hours

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 77.9

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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

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 181.8

Tampa, Florida

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18132183498

Visit website

Riverbend Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617411359

Visit website

Indian Creek Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Jupiter, Florida

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15617412400

Visit website

Escape Room PSL

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 26

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Hours: 4–10:30 pm

+17726266655

Visit website

Epps Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 181.8

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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 181.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Limestone Creek Road

Enter roundabout onto Limestone Creek Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

8
2.1 mi into trip | ~5m 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
79.3 mi into trip | ~1h 28m 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
6
80 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
8
181.2 mi into trip | ~3h 45m 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

$28.94 one way

$57.88 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $31.48 $62.96
premium $4.72 $33.80 $67.61
diesel $5.61 $40.14 $80.28

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

$29

Tolls

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.5 0 $19.09 $8.73
Efficient EV 45.5 0 $15.91 $7.27
EV Truck/SUV 72.7 0 $25.45 $11.64

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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 16, 2026

Origin

Limestone Creek, FL

Afternoon in Limestone Creek 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

62°F

Eagle Lake, FL

91 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

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 46m 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 highway-focused drive for the most part, with 95% of the 181.8 miles spent on major roads like FL 60, Florida's Turnpike, and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. You'll encounter one long stretch of 91.1 miles on FL 60, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. This route prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours, offering a direct path to Tampa. The character of the drive is predominantly that of a steady, high-speed connection between two points in Florida.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?

8/10

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 0.1 miles in near Limestone Creek Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 181.8 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 0.1 miles (Limestone Creek Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 181.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). 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 0.1 miles (Limestone Creek Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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