North Lauderdale to Tampa is 235.6 miles and takes about 4h 47m via Florida's Turnpike and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip entirely within Florida. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, making it an efficient way to travel between these two South Florida locations. The route is largely predictable, so you can focus on getting to your destination without many unexpected detours.
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
117.8 miles from North Lauderdale, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Florida's Turnpike
129.9 mi
2h 22m
FL 60
91.1 mi
1h 59m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
5.2 mi
6m
East Adamo Drive
2.1 mi
3m
Main Street
1.7 mi
3m
Rock Island Road
1 mi
2m
Southwest 71st Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
West Commercial Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Florida's Turnpike
— 129.9 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Lauderdale, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on this road
155 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Kimberly Boulevard
0.3 mi·51 sec·Kimberly Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Southwest 71st Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Southwest 71st Avenue
4
Continue on Rock Island Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Rock Island Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto SR 870
0.6 mi·1 min·West Commercial Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, OrlandoUse the left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, OrlandoUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto Florida's Turnpike
130 mi·2 hr 22 min·Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 193Toward 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 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse 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 4h 47m estimated drive time, this route is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Tampa with ample daylight. There's only one recommended stop, so consider breaking up the 129.9-mile stretch on the Turnpike if you prefer more frequent rests. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient exit with services. The fuel cost estimate is around $37, which is helpful for budgeting.
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 117.8 miles from North Lauderdale, FL, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.9 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.8 miles or 2h 12m 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 46m
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 North Lauderdale, 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 North Lauderdale, FL
This is one driving day of about 235.6 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from North Lauderdale, 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 129.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 235 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike Toll North, Orlando
8
2.9 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Florida's Turnpike North, Orlando
6
133.1 mi into trip|~2h 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
133.8 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
235 mi into trip|~4h 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
$35.66 one way
$71.33 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$39.13
$78.27
premium
$4.55
$42.20
$84.41
diesel
$4.80
$44.49
$88.97
Estimated Tolls: $9.61
Florida's Turnpike
(129.9 mi)$9.09
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
$36
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.7
0
$24.74
$11.31
Efficient EV
58.9
0
$20.62
$9.42
EV Truck/SUV
94.2
1
$32.98
$15.08
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
North Lauderdale, FL
Late night
in North Lauderdale on Monday
Local time
2:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night
in Tampa on Monday
Local time
2:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph67% chanceLive forecast
96°F
Dundee, FL
118 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
2 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 47m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 96% of the 235.6 miles on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 129.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike, which means consistent speed limits and fewer intersections. After the Turnpike, you'll transition to FL 60 and then the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, which may offer more localized exits and traffic as you approach Tampa.
96% 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: 129.9 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 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 235.6 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 235.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.9 miles on Florida's Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.61 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.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
