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Trip from Nocatee, 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

1h 59m

Distance

93 mi

150 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 51m ★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 17m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 4m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 16m
8 PM
1h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Nocatee, FL, FL

Nocatee, FL

Matt Fitz Gibaud

city in Florida, United States

Tampa, FL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 93-mile drive from Nocatee to Tampa, Florida, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in under two hours. Primarily utilizing I-75 and SR 70, with a section on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, this route is an 88% highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for a single-day trip, making it ideal for a quick getaway or efficient travel between these two Florida locations. You'll find the drive to be practical and efficient, perfect for those prioritizing reaching their destination without extensive detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

46.5 miles from Nocatee, FL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 36.8 mi 40m
SR 70 32.9 mi 45m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway 7.8 mi 9m
East Hickory Street 7.8 mi 11m
US 17 4.1 mi 7m
East Kennedy Boulevard 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 36.8 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 17

4.1 mi · 7 min · US 17
2

Turn left onto FL 70

7.8 mi · 11 min · East Hickory Street
3

Continue on SR 70

33 mi · 45 min · SR 70
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 75
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto I 75

37 mi · 40 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

2.4 mi · 2 min
Exit 256 Toward FL 618 Toll West, Selmon Expressway West: Tampa, Port of Tampa Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on FL 618 Toll

7.8 mi · 9 min · Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 8 Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Kennedy Boulevard
11

Arrive at destination

FL 60

Trip Plan

For this short, under-two-hour drive, flexibility is your greatest advantage. You can depart Nocatee at your leisure, but consider an early start to potentially avoid any localized traffic closer to Tampa. With no specific stops recommended and a fuel cost around $15, the focus is on efficient travel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 36.8-mile stretch on I-75, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. This is a drive where you can easily reach Tampa with minimal planning.

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 46.5 miles from Nocatee, FL, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.8 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 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 46.5 miles or 1h 6m 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 39m

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 Nocatee, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Nocatee, FL

This is one driving day of about 93 miles and 1h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Nocatee, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 36.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Manatee County, Florida, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palmetto, FL

47 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

Palmetto, FL to Tampa, FL

43.6 mi · 54m

Pacing Suggestions

Lake Sarasota, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

South Bradenton, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46.5 miles from Nocatee, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 92.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
4.1 mi into trip | ~7m in | FL 70 / East Hickory Street

Turn left onto FL 70 / East Hickory Street

Navigation decision point

7
44.9 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Tampa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 75 North: Tampa
5
45.4 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
82.2 mi into trip | ~1h 45m 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
92.4 mi into trip | ~1h 57m 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

$14.80 one way

$29.61 round trip

$4.04/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.40 $16.10 $32.21
premium $4.72 $17.29 $34.59
diesel $5.61 $20.53 $41.07

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

$15

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.9 0 $9.76 $4.46
Efficient EV 23.3 0 $8.14 $3.72
EV Truck/SUV 37.2 0 $13.02 $5.95

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 15, 2026

Origin

Nocatee, FL

Late night in Nocatee on Sunday

Local time

4:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tampa, FL

Late night in Tampa on Sunday

Local time

4:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live 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

4 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 59m 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 predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 88% of the journey taking place on major roads like I-75 and SR 70. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.8 miles on I-75, offering a consistent pace. While the profile is largely highway, the transition onto the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway near Tampa introduces a different highway dynamic. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, keeping you moving steadily toward your destination.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.8 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and SR 70. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.1 miles in near FL 70 / East Hickory Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93 miles you will encounter 6 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 4.1 miles (FL 70 / East Hickory Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.4 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Nocatee, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Selmon Expressway West: Tampa and Port Of Tampa.

Selmon Expressway West: Tampa

82.2 mi in | ~1h 45m

Port Of Tampa

82.2 mi in | ~1h 45m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 93 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 36.8 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. 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 4.1 miles (FL 70 / East Hickory Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.4 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tampa, FL before heading back.

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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