Placid Lakes to Tampa is 109 miles and takes about 2h 34m via US 27 and FL 60, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the lakes region to the bustling Tampa area. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfect for a single-day excursion. Expect a good portion of your journey to be on well-maintained highways, making for efficient travel. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick and practical way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
54.5 miles from Placid Lakes, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
48.8 mi
1h 4m
FL 60
44.2 mi
59m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
5.2 mi
6m
East Adamo Drive
2.1 mi
3m
Main Street
1.7 mi
3m
Placid View Drive
1.7 mi
4m
Lincoln Road Northeast
1.2 mi
2m
Lake Mirror Drive
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 48.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Placid Lakes, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Kingfisher Avenue Northwest
0.2 mi·38 sec·Kingfisher Avenue Northwest
2
Turn right onto Challenger Street Northwest
0.5 mi·2 min·Challenger Street Northwest
3
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Jefferson Avenue
4
Continue on Placid Lakes Boulevard
0.2 mi·25 sec·Placid Lakes Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Lincoln Road Northeast
1.2 mi·2 min·Lincoln Road Northeast
6
Turn right onto Washington Boulevard Northeast
260 ft·14 sec·Washington Boulevard Northeast
7
Turn left onto Placid View Drive
1.7 mi·4 min·Placid View Drive
8
Turn right onto Lake Mirror Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·Lake Mirror Drive
9
Turn left onto US 27
1.5 mi·2 min·US 27
10
Continue on US 27
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 27
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 27
10 mi·12 min·US 27
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 27
37 mi·49 min·US 27
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto FL 60
14 mi·17 min·FL 60
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive
0.5 mi·53 sec·Flamingo Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
17
Turn left onto FL 60
26 mi·34 min·FL 60
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on FL 60
4.5 mi·7 min·FL 60
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Turn straight onto FL 60
0.4 mi·35 sec·Adamo Drive
20
Continue on FL 60
2.1 mi·3 min·East Adamo Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward FL 618 Toll West
22
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
5.2 mi·6 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
25
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 34m estimated duration, this is a comfortable one-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Tampa with plenty of time for activities or settling in. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 48.8 miles on US 27, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you hit that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, it's an economical journey. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs before continuing on FL 60.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 54.5 miles from Placid Lakes, FL, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.8 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 24 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.5 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
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 Placid Lakes, 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 Placid Lakes, FL
This is one driving day of about 109 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Placid Lakes, 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 US 27 for about 48.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.9 and 108.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
53.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
54.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|FL 60
Merge onto FL 60
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
68 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|Flamingo Drive
Take the exit onto Flamingo Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Merge onto FL 618 Toll / Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
108.5 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
$17.35 one way
$34.70 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$18.87
$37.75
premium
$4.72
$20.27
$40.54
diesel
$5.61
$24.07
$48.13
Estimated Tolls: $0.52
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
$17
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.7
0
$11.44
$5.23
Efficient EV
27.3
0
$9.54
$4.36
EV Truck/SUV
43.6
0
$15.26
$6.98
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Placid Lakes, FL
Afternoon
in Placid Lakes on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Afternoon
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
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
2h 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on US 27, experiencing a stretch of 48.8 miles without needing to change course. The drive progresses with you transitioning from US 27 onto FL 60, and finally incorporating the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway as you approach Tampa. The general character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic byways.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.8 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 27 and FL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
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 109 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 53.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.1 miles (FL 60): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68 miles (Flamingo Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 109 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.8 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.52 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.
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 53.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.1 miles (FL 60): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68 miles (Flamingo Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
