Origin
Margate, FL
Late night in Margate on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Margate, 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 42m
Distance
230.9 mi
372 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 29m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Margate, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 230.9-mile drive from Margate, Florida, to Tampa, Florida, is a straightforward 4-hour and 42-minute journey that's perfectly suited for a single day trip. With 97% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on the Florida's Turnpike and FL 60, making for an efficient travel day. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. This highway-focused route offers a practical way to travel between these two Florida destinations without needing an overnight stop. You'll find it to be a consistent and predictable drive across the state.
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
115.5 miles from Margate, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m 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 |
| Coconut Creek Parkway | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| East Adamo Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Flamingo Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 125.2 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Margate, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on East River Drive
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
East River Drive
2
Continue on Northwest 15th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northwest 15th Street
3
Turn right onto US 441; FL 7
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
State Road 7
4
Turn left onto Coconut Creek Parkway
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Coconut Creek Parkway
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Orlando, Florida's Turnpike North
8
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
125 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 193
Toward US 441, FL 60: Yeehaw Junction
10
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft
·
6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto FL 60
61 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
FL 60
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Flamingo Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
14
Turn left onto FL 60
26 mi
·
34 min
·
FL 60
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on FL 60
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
FL 60
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Turn straight onto FL 60
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Adamo Drive
17
Continue on FL 60
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Adamo Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West
19
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
22
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 42-minute duration, departing from Margate in the morning will allow you to reach Tampa with plenty of daylight. With only one suggested stop for this 230.9-mile trip, flexibility is key; you can choose to stop when you feel the need or push through the longest stretch of 125.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that longer segment, as services can be spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is a good budget point, but it's always wise to have a little extra. A practical tip: download offline maps before you leave, as cell service can be spotty on certain highway sections.
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 115.5 miles from Margate, FL, or about 2h 9m 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 51 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.5 miles or 2h 9m 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 43m
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 Margate, 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 Margate, FL
This is one driving day of about 230.9 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Margate, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.5 miles from Margate, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Florida's Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 230.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll, Miami, Orlando
6
2.9 mi into trip
|
~6m 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
128.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
230.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m 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
$36.75 one way
$73.51 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $39.98 | $79.96 |
| premium | $4.72 | $42.93 | $85.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.98 | $101.96 |
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
$37
Tolls
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.24 | $11.08 |
| Efficient EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.20 | $9.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.33 | $14.78 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
SSW 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
62°F
Eagle Lake, FL
115 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
23 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
4h 42m 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?
Expect a primarily highway-focused experience on this route, with a 97% highway share. You'll be navigating major arteries like Florida's Turnpike and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway for much of the 230.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 125.2 miles on Florida's Turnpike, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, offering a direct path with minimal local road detours. The road conditions are generally good, designed for steady travel across Florida.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
8/10
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 2.8 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 230.9 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: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 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 4h 42m. Total distance: 230.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 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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