Traveling from Palmona Park to Tampa covers 122.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes. Because the trip is straightforward, it works perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $20 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your Florida travels. The route primarily utilizes I-75, the North Tamiami Trail, and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway to navigate between these two locations. Since both the origin and destination are situated within Florida, you will remain in the same region for the duration of the drive. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from point A to point B without any necessary stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.2 miles from Palmona Park, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
96.6 mi
1h 44m
North Tamiami Trail
11.2 mi
13m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
North Cleveland Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
Tuckers Grade
1.1 mi
2m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Stockton Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Sacramento Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 96.6 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmona Park, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Sacramento Street
298 ft·15 sec·Sacramento Street
2
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
249 ft·15 sec·Woodward Avenue
3
Turn left onto Stockton Street
0.2 mi·59 sec·Stockton Street
4
Turn right onto US 41
1.9 mi·2 min·North Cleveland Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn straight onto US 41
11 mi·13 min·North Tamiami Trail
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto CR 762
1.1 mi·2 min·Tuckers Grade
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 75 North: Tampa
8
Merge onto I 75
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak commuting hours, as the highway-heavy nature of this 122.4-mile trek can be impacted by heavy traffic. Since there are no required stops on this route, you have the flexibility to power through the 2-hour and 19-minute drive in one go if you prefer. Keep your $20 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your tank is topped off before hitting I-75 to avoid premium pricing on the road. Because the majority of your time is spent on major thoroughfares, prioritize checking local traffic reports for the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway before you leave. Taking advantage of the lack of mandatory stops allows you to reach Tampa with plenty of time to spare for your planned activities.
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 61.2 miles from Palmona Park, FL, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.6 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 27 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.2 miles or 1h 11m 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 53m
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 Palmona Park, 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 Palmona Park, FL
This is one driving day of about 122.4 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Palmona Park, FL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 96.6 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 121.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Woodward Avenue
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|US 41 / North Cleveland Avenue
Turn right onto US 41 / North Cleveland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
15 mi into trip|~21m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
121.8 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
$19.48 one way
$38.97 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$21.19
$42.39
premium
$4.72
$22.76
$45.52
diesel
$5.61
$27.02
$54.05
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
$19
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.7
0
$12.85
$5.88
Efficient EV
30.6
0
$10.71
$4.90
EV Truck/SUV
49
0
$17.14
$7.83
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 19, 2026
Origin
Palmona Park, FL
Morning
in Palmona Park on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Morning
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
10:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Cloudy
NNW 2 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 18 at 2:06PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM 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
13 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
2h 19m 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.
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 84.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is dominated by high-speed transit, with 85% of the route consisting of major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 96.6 miles while cruising along I-75. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than a winding or technical backroad journey. As you transition from the interstate onto the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, the character of the drive shifts toward urban connectivity. Staying alert is key during the long, consistent interstate portions, as the road conditions remain fairly uniform until you reach the final approach into Tampa.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and North Tamiami Trail. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Woodward Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Woodward Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 41 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15 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 Palmona Park, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Selmon Expressway West: Tampa and Port Of Tampa.
Selmon Expressway West: Tampa
111.6 mi in|~2h 5m
Port Of Tampa
111.6 mi in|~2h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 122.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 96.6 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 6 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 0.1 miles (Woodward Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 41 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tampa, FL before heading back.
