If you are planning a trip from Maitland to Tampa, expect a straightforward 92-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. This route is best tackled as a simple day trip, as the distance is short enough to complete in a single sitting without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Florida locations. Because you will be navigating local roads like Horatio Avenue, Orlando Avenue, and Lee Road, this drive offers a different pace than a standard highway cruise. It is a practical choice for those who prefer avoiding major interstates and want a direct, no-nonsense path between these central Florida hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.9 miles from Maitland, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 4
84.2 mi
1h 35m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
Orlando Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Lee Road
1.3 mi
2m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Horatio Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 84.2 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maitland, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on this road
79 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Horatio Avenue
72 ft·3 sec·Horatio Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 17; US 92
1.5 mi·3 min·Orlando Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto FL 423; US 17 Truck; US 92 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·Lee Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
6
Merge onto I 4
2.9 mi·3 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 84BToward Ivanhoe BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Toward I 4 West: Tampa
10
Merge onto I 4
81 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·59 sec
Exit 2Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway TollUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
14
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
1.5 mi·2 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
17
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick 92-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic on local arteries is always a smart move. Because the entire duration is under two hours, you likely won't need to plan formal stops, allowing you to drive straight through to your destination. Keep your $15 fuel budget in mind, as local stop-and-go driving can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency more than steady highway speeds. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant with your navigation apps, as the reliance on local roads like Lee Road and Orlando Avenue means you will encounter more intersections and turns than a typical interstate path. Enjoy the ease of a short, manageable drive that gets you to Tampa with minimal logistical stress.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.9 miles from Maitland, FL, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.2 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.9 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
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 Maitland, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Maitland, FL
This is one driving day of about 91.9 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Maitland, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 4 for about 84.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 91.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84B
Toward Ivanhoe Boulevard
8
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 2
Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon...
8
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
6
89.3 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
8
91.3 mi into trip|~1h 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
$14.63 one way
$29.26 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$15.91
$31.82
premium
$4.72
$17.09
$34.18
diesel
$5.61
$20.29
$40.58
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Selmon Expressway
(1.5 mi)$0.15
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
$15
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.6
0
$9.65
$4.41
Efficient EV
23
0
$8.04
$3.68
EV Truck/SUV
36.8
0
$12.87
$5.88
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Maitland, FL
Morning
in Maitland on Tuesday
Local time
6:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Morning
in Tampa on Tuesday
Local time
6:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Cloudy
NNW 2 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
1h 50m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than drifting through a monotonous interstate grind. With 0% of the route on major highways, this trip relies entirely on surface streets, requiring your full attention as you navigate through various turns. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches, you will find the road character remains consistent throughout the 92-mile duration. The transition between Maitland and Tampa is defined by these local connections, making the experience feel more like a series of interconnected neighborhood stretches than a high-speed transit. Prepare for a steady, hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over open-road cruising.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.2 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 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 6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.9 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Maitland is a city in Orange County, Florida and a suburb of Orlando. It is one of the most prosperous cities of Greater Orlando, and its downtown is more urbanized than those of surrounding neighborhoods. Lakes, parks, and woodlands have contributed to the town's classy, master-planned aesthetic.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 91.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.2 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tampa, FL before heading back.
