Origin
Plant City, FL
Late night in Plant City on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plant City, 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
31m
Distance
23.5 mi
38 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 37m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 33m
3 PM
0h 34m
5 PM
0h 37m
8 PM
0h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plant City, FL
Matt Fitz Gibaud
Tampa, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel the 23.5 miles between Plant City and Tampa, you can expect a quick, straightforward trip that typically takes about 31 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the short duration eliminates the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-4, the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, and East Baker Street. Budgeting roughly $4 for fuel makes this an economical choice for a quick commute or day trip. Both origin and destination are located within the same region of Florida, ensuring a consistent travel experience throughout the journey. It is a practical, no-fuss connection that gets you from the heart of Plant City to downtown Tampa efficiently.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 4 | 16.9 mi | 18m |
| Lee Roy Selmon Expressway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Baker Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Thonotosassa Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Baker Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Kennedy Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Warnell Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 4
— 16.9 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plant City, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on North Warnell Street
198 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Warnell Street
2
Turn right onto US 92
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Baker Street
3
Continue on US 92
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Baker Street
4
Turn right onto FL 566
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Thonotosassa Road
5
Keep slight right at fork onto FL 566
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Thonotosassa Road
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 4
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 4
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 2
Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
11
Merge onto FL 618 Toll
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 8
Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - East
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kennedy Boulevard
14
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 22.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
20.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 2
Toward FL 618 Toll: Port of Tampa, West Selmon...
8
20.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown, West Selmonm Expressway Toll
6
21 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, West Selmon Expressway Toll
8
22.9 mi into trip
|
~29m 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
$3.74 one way
$7.48 round trip
$4.04/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.40 | $4.07 | $8.14 |
| premium | $4.72 | $4.37 | $8.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.19 | $10.38 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Selmon Expressway
(1.5 mi)
$0.15
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Tolls
$0
Total
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.47 | $1.13 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.06 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.29 | $1.50 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
31m 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?
This highway-focused drive is dominated by high-speed transit, with 78% of your journey spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 16.9 miles along I-4. The route feels like a standard Florida transit corridor, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding scenic detours. As you transition from the local streets of Plant City onto the expressways, the road character shifts from suburban navigation to a faster, more industrial pace. Staying focused is key during the primary highway segments, as you will be maintaining highway speeds for the majority of your 31-minute trip.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.9 mi on I 4.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 4 and Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 23.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 31m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Plant City, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Selmon Expressway Toll, Downtown and Selmonm Expressway Toll.
Selmon Expressway Toll
20.1 mi in
|
~25m
Downtown
20.7 mi in
|
~26m
Selmonm Expressway Toll
20.7 mi in
|
~26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 31m. Total distance: 23.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.9 miles on I 4. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 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.
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 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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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