Traveling from Sunrise to Tampa covers 268.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 58 minutes of active driving time. Because this route relies entirely on local roads rather than major interstates, it functions best as a single-day journey. You should set aside a budget of approximately $44 for fuel to complete the trip. Since you are staying within Florida, the landscape remains consistent, though moving from the Atlantic coast toward the Gulf coast offers a clear shift in regional geography. While the drive is manageable in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the route means you will need to stay focused throughout the entire duration.
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
133.3 miles from Sunrise, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
236 mi
4h 13m
Port Everglades Expressway
11.5 mi
13m
Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
7.8 mi
9m
East Sunrise Boulevard
3.4 mi
7m
I 95
1.2 mi
1m
East Kennedy Boulevard
0.4 mi
1m
Northeast 9th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Northeast 24th Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 236 mi, about 4h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunrise, FL and Tampa, FL.
1
Start on Northeast 7th Place
286 ft·15 sec·Northeast 7th Place
2
Turn left onto Northeast 25th Way
358 ft·13 sec·Northeast 25th Way
3
Turn right onto Northeast 8th Street
296 ft·15 sec·Northeast 8th Street
4
Turn left onto Northeast 26th Avenue
311 ft·15 sec·Northeast 26th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Northeast 9th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Northeast 9th Street
6
Continue on Northeast 24th Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Northeast 24th Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto SR 838
3.4 mi·7 min·East Sunrise Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 95 South: Miami
9
Merge onto I 95
1.2 mi·1 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 26Toward SR 736, I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport, Davie BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
1.7 mi·2 min
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International AirportUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 595 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 595
1.4 mi·1 min·Port Everglades Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 595
10 mi·11 min·Port Everglades Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 75
236 mi·4 hr 13 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Continue on FL 618 Toll
7.8 mi·9 min·Lee Roy Selmon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 8Toward FL 60: Kennedy Boulevard, Downtown - EastUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 41 Business; FL 60
0.4 mi·1 min·East Kennedy Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
FL 60
Trip Plan
To keep your 3 hour and 58 minute trip manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the frequent turns. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the fatigue that comes with navigating local roads for nearly four hours. Since the route is entirely local, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as you will not have the convenience of frequent highway service plazas. Given the $44 fuel cost, try to fill up before you head out to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar local corridors. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so take advantage of the single-day timeframe to rest whenever you feel the need to reset.
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 133.3 miles from Sunrise, FL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236 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 59 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 32m 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 4m
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 Sunrise, 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 Sunrise, FL
This is one driving day of about 266.7 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Sunrise, 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 236 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 266.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward SR 736, I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport, Davie Boulevard
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 26
Toward SR 736, I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lau...
8
5.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 595: Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale...
7
7.4 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 595 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 595 West
8
255.9 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
266.1 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
$42.45 one way
$84.90 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$46.18
$92.36
premium
$4.72
$49.59
$99.18
diesel
$5.61
$58.88
$117.77
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: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.34
$10.67
EV Truck/SUV
106.7
1
$37.34
$17.07
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Sunrise, FL
Night
in Sunrise on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tampa, FL
Night
in Tampa on Saturday
Local time
10:48 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
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
4h 57m 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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 229.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly technical experience behind the wheel, as this 268.1-mile journey features zero highway driving. You will navigate primarily via Northeast 25th Way, Northeast 8th Street, and Northeast 26th Avenue, which creates a constant, turn-heavy rhythm. Because the longest stretch is 0 miles on Northeast 25th Way, you will be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long cruise. This is not a high-speed interstate haul, but rather a methodical navigation through local infrastructure. Prepare for an active driving style where the road surface and direction change frequently, demanding your full attention from start to finish.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Port Everglades Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 266.7 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 266.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — De Soto National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tampa, FL, but most travelers stay overnight.
