Planning a trip from Miramar, Florida to Tampa, Florida? This 265.5-mile drive will take you approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day excursion. The route is almost entirely highway, with 99% of your travel on major interstates and expressways. Expect a fuel cost of around $42 for this journey. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, this trip is best suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be staying within the state of Florida for this entire drive.
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
132.7 miles from Miramar, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
246.7 mi
4h 25m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
Miramar Parkway
7.1 mi
11m
Bahama Drive
0.4 mi
1m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 246.7 mi, about 4h 25m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 71 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,881 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,531
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Miramar, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Bahama Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Bahama Drive
2
Turn right onto CR 858
7.1 mi·11 min·Miramar Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: NaplesUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 75
9.0 mi·9 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
238 mi·4 hr 15 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Take the exit
2.4 mi·2 min
Exit 256Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of TampaUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
10
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 53-minute drive, departing in the morning after rush hour in Miramar should set you up for a smooth arrival in Tampa. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to take breaks as needed, but be aware of the long 246.7-mile stretch on I-75 where services might be less frequent. Budgeting around $42 for fuel is a good estimate for this 265.5-mile trip. Consider filling up before you embark on the longest segment of I-75 to ensure you have ample fuel for the journey.
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 132.7 miles from Miramar, FL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.7 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.7 miles or 2h 28m 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 59m
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 Miramar, 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 Miramar, FL
This is one driving day of about 265.5 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Miramar, 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 246.7 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 264.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|CR 858 / Miramar Parkway
Turn right onto CR 858 / Miramar Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 North: Naples
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 North: Naples
8
17 mi into trip|~23m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
8
254.7 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa
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 256
Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West...
8
264.9 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
$40.19 one way
$80.38 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$44.10
$88.20
premium
$4.55
$47.56
$95.12
diesel
$4.80
$50.13
$100.26
Estimated Tolls: $0.78
Selmon Expressway
(7.8 mi)$0.78
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.88
$12.74
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.23
$10.62
EV Truck/SUV
106.2
1
$37.17
$16.99
Gas CO2
93 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Miramar, FL
Night
in Miramar on Saturday
Local time
10:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:22AM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Tampa, FL
Night
in Tampa on Saturday
Local time
10:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:22AM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM 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
4 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 53m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 228.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing major roads like I-75 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. You'll experience one long, uninterrupted stretch of 246.7 miles on I-75, which means consistent speed and minimal local traffic interference for the majority of your trip. The character of the road is predominantly that of a fast-paced interstate, designed for efficient travel between South Florida and the Tampa Bay area. While the scenery might be consistent, the ease of navigation and continuous flow are key features of this drive.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near CR 858 / Miramar Parkway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 53m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (CR 858 / Miramar Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
54 ft5 ft
Total Climb
85 ft
Total Descent
75 ft
Highest Point
54 ft
~246.5 mi in
Elevation Range
50 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Miramar, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
The longest stretch is about 246.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.78 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (CR 858 / Miramar Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
