South Miami to Tampa is 280.2 miles and takes about 5h 7m via I 75 and Express Lanes, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Florida, traversing a mostly highway profile. You'll cover a significant distance on I 75 before potentially merging onto other expressways closer to your destination. Given the relatively short duration, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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
140.1 miles from South Miami, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
251.3 mi
4h 30m
Express Lanes
10.9 mi
12m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
Palmetto Expressway
5 mi
6m
Southwest 72nd Street
1.4 mi
2m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Southwest 62nd Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Southwest 68th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 251.3 mi, about 4h 30m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 71 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,881 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,531
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.7×
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 South Miami, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Southwest 68th Street
67 ft·10 sec·Southwest 68th Street
2
Turn left onto Southwest 62nd Avenue
0.2 mi·42 sec·Southwest 62nd Avenue
3
Turn right onto SR 986
1.4 mi·2 min·Southwest 72nd Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward SR 826 North
5
Merge onto SR 826
5.0 mi·6 min·Palmetto Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
11 mi·12 min·Express Lanes
Use the slight left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens DriveUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
14 mi·14 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
238 mi·4 hr 15 min·I 75
Toward Alligator Alley, NaplesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse 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
Trip Plan
Plan to depart from South Miami in the morning to make the most of the 5h 7m drive to Tampa. With a fuel cost estimated around $44 and a single recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in one day. The longest stretch is over 250 miles on I 75, so consider a mid-morning departure to allow for a brief break before hitting that portion. Keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to Tampa, especially if traveling during peak hours.
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 140.1 miles from South Miami, FL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 251.3 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.1 miles or 2h 34m 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 10m
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 South Miami, 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 South Miami, FL
This is one driving day of about 280.2 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from South Miami, 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 I 75 for about 251.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 279.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7 mi into trip|~11m in|Express Lanes
Keep slight left at fork onto Express Lanes
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
7
17.9 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Gardens Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SR 860: Northwest 186th Street, Miami Ga...
8
31.7 mi into trip|~37m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Alligator Alley, Naples
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward Alligator Alley, Naples
8
269.4 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
279.6 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
$42.42 one way
$84.83 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$46.54
$93.08
premium
$4.55
$50.19
$100.39
diesel
$4.80
$52.91
$105.81
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
$42
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.1
1
$29.42
$13.45
Efficient EV
70.1
0
$24.52
$11.21
EV Truck/SUV
112.1
1
$39.23
$17.93
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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
South Miami, FL
Late night
in South Miami on Sunday
Local time
3:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 9:53PM EDT until July 17 at 11:15PM 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
3:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 3 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 9:53PM EDT until July 17 at 11:15PM 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
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
5h 7m 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 241.5
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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 280.2 miles on major roads like I 75 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 251.3 miles on I 75, indicating long periods of consistent cruising. Expect dense exits and urban merging as you approach and navigate through the Tampa metropolitan area.
94% 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: 251.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Express Lanes. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in near Express Lanes.
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 10 significant decision points across 280.2 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 7 miles (Express Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
56 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
98 ft
Total Descent
92 ft
Highest Point
56 ft
~220.1 mi in
Elevation Range
58 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Miami, FL and Tampa, FL, road signs point toward Alligator Alley and Naples.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 280.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 251.3 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 15 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles (Express Lanes): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.
