Richmond West, FL to Tampa, FL is 283.4 miles and takes about 5h 19m via Alligator Alley, Okeechobee Road, and Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, moving from one major metro area to another across the state. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a practical option for a single-day transit. The route is generally straightforward, with most of the travel on well-maintained roads suitable for a quick drive.
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
141.7 miles from Richmond West, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Alligator Alley
230.3 mi
4h 7m
Okeechobee Road
17.6 mi
22m
Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
17.1 mi
19m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
Southwest 152nd Street
3 mi
6m
State Road 821 Access Road
1.1 mi
1m
Southwest 147th Avenue
1 mi
2m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Alligator Alley
— 230.3 mi, about 4h 7m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 55 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,230 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,836
Quietest
2 AM
~227 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond West, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 168th Terrace
115 ft·12 sec·Southwest 168th Terrace
2
Turn left onto Southwest 146th Court
250 ft·19 sec·Southwest 146th Court
3
Turn left onto Southwest 168th Street
212 ft·5 sec·Southwest 168th Street
4
Enter roundabout onto Southwest 147th Avenue
8 ft·0 sec·Southwest 147th Avenue
5
Continue on Southwest 147th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Southwest 147th Avenue
6
At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 152nd Street
3.0 mi·6 min·Southwest 152nd Street
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto Southwest 117th Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Southwest 117th Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto State Road 821 Access Road
1.1 mi·1 min·State Road 821 Access Road
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Orlando
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami International Airport, OrlandoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
1.6 mi·2 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
16 mi·17 min·Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 35Toward US 27: Okeechobee RoadUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
14
Merge onto US 27
18 mi·22 min·Okeechobee Road
Use the right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 75: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: Naples
17
Merge onto I 75
230 mi·4 hr 7 min·Alligator Alley
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 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 5h 19m estimated drive time, leaving Richmond West in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and arrive in Tampa with ample time. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break, or a more leisurely meal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer stretches like Alligator Alley, as services can be spaced out. The $45 fuel cost estimate should help you budget, but always have a bit extra on hand. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time if needed.
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 141.7 miles from Richmond West, FL, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.3 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 62 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.7 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 22m
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 Richmond West, 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 Richmond West, FL
This is one driving day of about 283.4 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Richmond West, 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 Alligator Alley for about 230.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 282.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|Southwest 152nd Street
At end of road, turn right onto Southwest 152nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
5.4 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami International Airport, Orlando
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Florida's Turnpike North: Miami Internat...
7
23.2 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 35
Toward US 27: Okeechobee Road
8
272.6 mi into trip|~5h 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
282.8 mi into trip|~5h 18m 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
$42.90 one way
$85.80 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$47.07
$94.15
premium
$4.55
$50.77
$101.53
diesel
$4.80
$53.51
$107.02
Estimated Tolls: $1.81
Homestead Extension
(17.1 mi)$1.03
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
$43
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85
1
$29.76
$13.60
Efficient EV
70.9
0
$24.80
$11.34
EV Truck/SUV
113.4
1
$39.68
$18.14
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Richmond West, FL
Late night
in Richmond West on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:54PM EDT until July 17 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Tampa, FL
Late night
in Tampa on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
E 3 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:54PM EDT until July 17 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 3:45AM EDT until July 18 at 4:00AM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 19m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 244.3
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 9% highway driving, with the majority of your travel occurring on surface roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 230.3 miles on Alligator Alley, which will likely feel like a long, uninterrupted cruise. After this extended section, expect to transition to more varied surface road conditions with numerous exits and intersections. The profile is mostly surface roads, so plan for more frequent speed changes and local traffic as you approach your destination.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230.3 mi on Alligator Alley.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Southwest 152nd Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 283.4 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 1.1 miles (Southwest 152nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
41 ft8 ft
Total Climb
51 ft
Total Descent
44 ft
Highest Point
41 ft
~263.1 mi in
Elevation Range
33 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richmond West, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Fort Lauderdale and Naples.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 283.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 230.3 miles on Alligator Alley. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.81 in tolls one way, starting with Homestead Extension. 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 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (Southwest 152nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial and Biscayne National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tampa, FL before the return drive.
